The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2019-11-13 04:02
I have been using 1R Dark for years with complete satisfaction.
Recently, upon someone's suggestion, I purchased IR Versa which is more than twice expensive than IR Dark and expected it would provide a better result. It also came with suggestion of many various option setting with two metal inserts (but no mention of each setting pro/con result). I spent some time with this new one. But surprisingly, I did not find any difference between 1R Dark and 1R Versa. So, I decided to ask other folks' opinion in this forum who had tried both ligatures.
Thanks in advance,
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-11-13 04:40
Two things.
If you're using the Versa with the leather flaps over the insert and without the metal plate set within it, there probably be won't be much difference.
If you don't tighten your ligatures much at all, there is very little difference. If you can manage getting away with having reed and ligature on just enough so that they don't just fall to the floor, the reed will vibrate with incredible authority. If you need to really clamp down, then ligature designs make a big difference because the amount of vibration (and type of vibration) varies from design to design (and material to material).
............Paul Aviles
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2019-11-13 05:49
I tried with both metal plates (thin straight one and thick bent one). But, to me I saw not much difference (improvement) from IR Dark model. I always try to tighten ligature screw just enough (not too tight).
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-11-13 07:46
Are you tucking the leather extensions UNDER the insert so that the reed is directly in contact with the metal insert on both sides?
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2019-11-13 10:50
One thing to note about the versa is I find it works best fairly low on the mouthpiece/reed. I have no idea why.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2019-11-13 17:25
My theory: If your mouthpiece table and reed are flat, ligatures hardly matter at all. If not, then the ligature contact points play off the irregularities in the reed/mouthpiece fit. This is why some players experience a big difference and others none.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-11-13 20:10
Interesting theory but then there would be far fewer who experience differences in ligature performance.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2019-11-13 21:35
Paul - No, leather extensions is above the metal plate.
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2019-11-13 21:40
Mojo - If your mouthpiece table and reed are flat? My mouthpiece is Vandoren M13 Lyre and the Reed I use is Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic 3.5 Are they flat or not?
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-11-13 22:10
kj2008 - Can you go into more details? Anyway, mouthpieces and reeds are not always flat. They both warp. Yep rubber warps.
I made my ligature, gutting away as much of the weight as possible.
marcia - Nice! It says a lot about the myths of ligatures! I agree that you don't have to spend much.
My favorite ligature is my thumb holding the reed when testing out a reed. They always sound better with a thumb. Has anyone else noticed this? So maybe the reeds need that bit of cushion? I never liked dulling the vibrations of a mouthpiece so I prefer a metal ligature over anything else I've tested. The old Bonade inverted ligatures were what everyone used for years and it's still pretty darn good for $20.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2019-11-13 22:30
Bob - It's great that I learn new things/facts from this board.
for "mouthpieces and reeds are not always flat. They both warp. Yep rubber warps." I did inspect them through bright sunlight (?) just now, and I see they all appear flat on both mouthpiece surface and reeds. I do rotate 4 reeds at any given time.
I am not obsessed for finding a perfect ligature (I am not a professional player, just a hobbyist). I posted this subject to figure out whether I continue to use 1R Dark or newly acquired 1R Versa.
Since Bonade metal ligature is inexpensive one, I will try it, too.
Thanks,
Kijoon Kim
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2019-11-14 07:02
I am waiting for Paul's response to my answer (leather extensions ABOVE the insert) on the following question.
Are you tucking the leather extensions UNDER the insert so that the reed is directly in contact with the metal insert on both sides?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-11-14 22:14
Yes, the instructions for using the ligature include all variations of leatherette covering the insert (whole or half) and the various plates.
What I have been saying (perhaps without clarity) is that you MUST tuck the leatherette extensions UNDERNEATH the central metal insert to experience the OTHER tonal possibility of this ligature.
I have only used the Eddie Daniels (Versa) in the configuration with the metal insert DIRECTLY in contact with the reed and have found this a very solid sounding ligature that works with pretty much any reed!
I also wanted to post a lengthy response to the presented video but I'll make it short. It is easy to poke fun at the concept of ligature differences since it is in fact only a device to hold your reed on the mouthpiece. And certainly this saxophone player is very good which lends credence to his opinions. However, much like the EarSpasm offerings, I would prefer intelligent, talented players avoid the sophomoric humor at the expense of those who may find subtle differences ............... interesting.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2019-11-15 00:30
Paul - Thanks for your clarification! I will experiment with direct metal contact as you do. Kijoon Kim
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