 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-09-26 07:28
Now that the dust has settled, what do we think about the Versa X ligature against the alternatives? I personally find it to be warm, responsive but a little blurred in the sound. The Versa was better for me when trying them against each other, it was closer to a Bonade or Optimum in terms of immediacy and clarity.
I miss the old-stock Versa/Eddie Daniels ligatures where the smooth side of the Rovner fabric was used. . Anyone agree on this?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-09-26 18:16
I'm a big rovner ligature fan. Currently I have in my locker, a Versa, versa x, Van Gogh, light, dark, mkIII, Eddie Daniels, and probably one or two others.
While I like the idea of versa and versa x giving you flexibility of adjusting response, I've come to a level of peace of just not being as picky. So I end up gravitating back to the dark and mkIII.
As to the material, the leather on the Eddie Daniels is much more worn, supple, and not as stiff as the versa and versa x (which might be part of the problem you're perceiving).
Maybe breaking in those ligatures will yield more similar results.
But, FWIW, on initial impressions when I tried them, I preferred the versa to the versa x as well. But I always end up going back to a dark and mkIII.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2015-09-26 18:39
Tyler, I always enjoy reading your comments. In the past, you've written a lot about ligatures, and it seems as if you, like many of us  , are perpetually searching for the perfect one.
About six months ago, I decided it was time to shop for a new ligature. After reading some recent reviews on this board, I decided, partly as a result of your remarks , to purchase the Rovner Mark III. I really have to thank you, Tyler and everyone else who posted positive reviews, because I've been very happy with it.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=418534&t=418508
Post Edited (2015-09-26 21:09)
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-09-26 23:46
My Versa X is broken in nicely. In fact, it was given to me already used.
My problem with the Mark III is that without inserts to help with mass, the fabric slips easily. But I'll have to try another one out I suppose.
Right now the Versa and Bonade inverted are at a dead tie, with the former being warmer and the latter being clearer. The Versa X is different, I need to record more with it.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-09-28 04:40
tylerleecutts wrote:
> Alexi, what did you think about the Van Gogh?
It's unique. Works fine. A little louder, pay attention to directions on how to put it on. It's hard to make a real, scientific judgement, but it works just fine in the mouthpieces and reeds I've used it on. But I stick with the dark and mkIII just to keep life easy.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-09-28 05:38
Did you notice a bigger shape in the sound versus the Mark III or Versa X? My Versa X tends to play reeds a bit better than the Bonade but it has a tendency to sound dull. I never use metal on the reed as it is too much of a hassle to put the flaps back on the cradle everytime I put the mouthpiece in the case.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-09-28 12:42
The non-flap solution for the case after playing is to use a strip of paper to take the place of a reed when storing.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-09-28 16:49
Well, it is debatable whether the flaps under make a huge difference. Most listeners I've polled prefer covering the cradle, both in small and large performance spaces.
In comparison the flaps under and the inverted Bonade sound thin and "sharp" like a knife. Graduate level string players were polled as well as other clarinetists.
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-09-28 21:00
One way to soften the thin and sharp quality of high notes on a Bonade inverse ligature is to plate it with various kinds of gold. I have a gold plated Bonade I got a few years ago from a Canadian company, but I don't see them listed for sale any more. Weiner's now offers a Bonade inverted ligature plated in pink gold that they say gives a "sweet, soft tone." Might be worth a try. Ishmori's solid silver model plated in pink gold sells for over 5 times as much as the pink gold Bonade. The Ishimori has a pretty solid and full sound in the upper register, as it should at that price!
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-09-29 01:55
I really got my reeds well-balanced and the winner was the Versa X, cradle covered. The bonade didn't play reeds well at all compared to the versa X. Note that I do not balance or test reeds using a ligature, just my thumb.
I imagine the Ishimori's are very good, but it's not worth it for me right now to spend that kind of money on a ligature.
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