Klarinet Archive - Posting 000671.txt from 1997/08

From: Bill Edinger <wde1@-----.com>
Subj: poorly-made ligatures
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 23:01:45 -0400

CLARNTMAN@-----.com wrote:

"If the Bonade is made correctly (i.e. the 2
rails that touch the reed are parallel to each other) then it will hold
the reed in the desired manner..."

I am in complete agreement with his/her assessment of ligatures (and
those of Bill Hausman, too), but the last two Bonades I bought (through
mail order) had rails that were obviously either not parallel to each
other or not parallel to the rest of the ligature. Is quality control
this big a problem with such a name-brand ligature? I will never buy a
ligature through the mail again! On the other hand, I'm not sure
whether it makes real (vs. imagined) difference. Clarinet players are
inherently equipment neurotics (well, they are, doggone it, and that
includes me), and it could be that just the idea that the ligature isn't
properly made is worth the price of a new one. Any thoughts from
anyone?

Bill Edinger

PS I've been in Fresno (after moving from Upstate New York) for over a
month now, it's been up to 107F, and my clarinet hasn't shown any signs
of cracking. When can I stop holding my breath?