Klarinet Archive - Posting 001292.txt from 1998/01

From: James Fay <n3hpz@-----.com>
Subj: Rovner Eddie Daniels II playing test
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 14:27:32 -0500

Tried the new Rovner Eddie Daniels II ligature, comparing it to an
inverted Bonade (with the middle cut out) and an old Rovner Dark.

Before the test, I had a partiality for the Bonade because of its
resonance and projection, but it made my reeds warp in the Winter here
in Maryland and Virginia, and so used the Rovner Dark, which had a
darker sound, but it lacked that ring and projection characteristic of
the Bonade.

The ED II was tried with 2 Zonda 4s, and 2 Vandoren V-12 4s, both
adjusted to the Rovner Dark, and tried on a Cicero Kaspar reworked by
Bob Scott, with a Scott barrel (Moennig taper), on a Moennig Buffet R-13
(#80003) bought from Moennig in 1964 (along with an A) for me by my
teacher then, Joseph Gigliotti (father of Anthony). If I recall
correctly, I paid $250 each.

The ED II has curved, spring-like rails that contact the length of the
bark like the Bonades, but farther toward the edges. It comes with 2
metal inserts (slugs) that slip under the rails and don't seem to
contact the reed. There are flaps which can quickly be placed under the
rails, or over one or both of them such that they contact the reed only
at the rails. The thinner slug would not stay in place on my ligature,
perhaps because the springs need to flatten out with use.

I liked the ED II very much, especially with the larger slug inserted.
Seemed to have more substance to the tone with the slug in. The tone was
powerful and rock solid stable, and with a great deal of flexibility in
dynamics. I was surprised to notice that the tone held its core even at
a whisper, but also could be pushed to its limit farther than the other
2 ligatures.

Compared to the Dark, the ED II had more ring and resonance. Compared to
the Bonade, it had more guts and a richer tone, and was more stable.

The surprise came when I put on one of the Vandorens, which was a bit
bright sounding. I instinctively flipped the flaps up over the rails
(with the larger slug still in), which took about 2 bars of 4/4 time at
Moderato tempo, and yes, the tone was perceptively mellower.

I have always found that Rovner, in his literature, is correct when he
talks about the composition of his ligatures dampening through impedance
the spurious reed vibrations. His ligatures have also always acted as a
lo-pass filter, giving the players perception of a mellower tone by
attenuating the higher partials. It seems also true that the stability
of his ligatures also comes from the design and placement of the
material.

I think most advanced and professional players have needed greater
projection and ring than afforded by the other Rovners, probably because
of the insensitivity of orchestral conductors in correctly balancing
instrumental choirs (hey guys, I'm a conductor, too!).

This new model, in my view gives us the best of both worlds, and a
little flexibility to boot.

I don't know Mr. Rovner, and never met him, and I payed $59 for this
puppy, but I think he is definitely on the right track.

--
Jim Fay
n3hpz@-----.com
http://www.nv.cc.va.us/~nvfayxj

   
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