The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2013-04-07 17:37
Does anybody know anything about Popa ligatures? I saw them advertised in this month's CASS magazine and was intrigued by basically a wooden ring which you simply fit onto the MP....
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2013-04-07 19:53
I used to distribute them in the US. An elegant, well-crafted product, often capable of producing great sound and response, and I had some intensely satisfied customers.
The price point is pretty high, and they're not adjustable and quite particular, so if you switch mouthpieces or sometimes even reed brands, the ligature might not fit as well, or even fit at all. If you're pretty consistent, they'll do you all right.
I still use one on my contra and on my bass. My only complaint is that the fit isn't always terribly secure. I've had it come loose mid-performance. Thankfully, it's the quickest-mounting ligature I've used.
It's very much an "if it works for you" product. I've seen people where it facilitated a remarkable night-and-day improvement in their sound. I've seen others where it did very little.
When I distributed them, the manufacturer offered a money-back trial period, though shipping costs could be high in some cases. I don't know if that's still the case. Sometimes they're available to try out at conferences and other events (e.g. Clarinetfest), which I'd recommend as the best place to ensure a good fit and satisfaction with the product.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
Post Edited (2013-04-07 19:54)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-04-07 22:16
I have a friend using a gold metal version for both his Bb and bass. They are his favorite ligtures by far for response and sound. But that last post is spot on about price and fit. Because my friend uses a different mouthpiece/reed combo from me I can't even try it. You need to see if you can find Mr. Poppa at a convention somewhere since the price is considerably cheaper this way, however, you can order on line by just providing the brand of reed and mouthpiece you use.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2013-04-08 02:27
I have a wood one and it's quite nice. It's maybe my third or fourth best ligature. There is a bit of a problem using it; every once in a while, when you push the ligature down to tighten it, the reed skews a bit sideways. Definitely not good for quick reed changes in rehearsals (let alone concerts). However, it's a good ligature if you are not adventurous and change reed sizes all the time as mentioned above.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
New and used Buffet Clarinets
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Author: gkern
Date: 2013-04-08 18:27
Sounds very similar to the Bois mouthpiece, which slips on over the reed. I have several of these and really like them.
Gary K
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Author: hinotehud ★2017
Date: 2013-04-08 19:41
I bought one (grenadilla) at the ICA in Houston a couple of years ago and love it. It gives me the darkest sound of all the ligatures I have tried. I used it for an M30 mouthpiece with V12 reeds. I now use Legere most of the time which are quite a bit thinner, so the ligature rides quite low on the mouthpiece. A fellow clarinetist/woodworker saw mine and is now making them out of walnut to fit the Legere reed. I now use that most of the time. I highly recommend the Poppa ligature.
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