 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-08-27 05:48
So I recently broke my M/O Ligature, I think mainly because it didn't fit right on my Vandoren M30, meaning that the screw bars weren't parallel when I tightened the ligature. Learned it the hard way...
I have the Rovner Platinum ligature as well as the Rovner Versa (not Versa X). I don't really like the Versa since it gives me a slower response in articulation and too muffled of a sound. So far, the Platinum is pretty good, but I haven't played on it much so I can't say too much about it.
What ligatures would you guys recommend me getting to replace my broken one? Is the Rovner Van Gogh a good one?
I am looking for a ligature that gives me a quick response in articulation and allows me to go from ppp to fff somewhat easily. My budget is $75 or less.
Thanks guys!
-- Ray Zhang
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fskelley
Date: 2017-08-27 06:27
I'm pretty well sold on the Van Gogh as an upgrade from my Versa X. Even though positioning it is kind of a hassle, it is much more precise and stable on my slippery Legeres. My previous cane reeds did not slide around under the X, but were still tricky to align. But I was happy with the X sound with cane, especially flaps under. You might like it also.
I'm finding the Van Gogh plays very well. Some time ago I rejected the standard Rovner dark and light, so I think the VG plays less covered even though it looks like it would stifle everything. Looks can be deceiving. I think you need to try the VG and X both. At least then you'll know. YMMV.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kdk
Date: 2017-08-27 06:58
zhangray4 wrote:
> I am looking for a ligature that gives me a quick response in
> articulation and allows me to go from ppp to fff somewhat
> easily.
I imagine if you read the ads or ask the manufacturers, they all meet those requirements. No one markets a ligature that's made to have a slow response and makes it hard to go from ppp to fff. It's like looking for a dark sounding mouthpiece - no one admits to making a bright sounding one. They're all dark.
More seriously, have you tried an old-fashioned Bonade ligature? They've been around for decades, are used still by many American players and are around $20 for the ligature and another $16 or $17 for a cap (clever marketing - they're sold separately - but then you could probably get a lot of caps to fit).
What broke on the M/O? The screw, or did something shear off?
Karl
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Richie
Date: 2017-08-27 08:17
I recently tried my old bonade and actually there's not as much of a difference as I used to think when I upgraded. I'd say at least consider it as a backup.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Burt
Date: 2017-08-27 17:08
I use a Luyben ligature with my M30, turning it so the screws are away from the reed.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-08-27 19:55
In HS/college we all used a Bonade inverted with center cut out. For the money it's still a great ligature. I've always preferred metal over others. Personal choice.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-08-27 20:32
In HS/college we all used a Bonade inverted with center cut out. For the money it's still a great ligature. I've always preferred metal over others. Personal choice.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-08-27 20:33
Thanks for your reply guys. I heard the Bonade being mentioned on the BBoard, but I heard mixed reviews. I mean it is pretty cheap, so I can definitely afford to give it a try. Hopefully a cheap ligature will do.
I think someone in my clarinet section uses a Luyben ligature, Burt. I mean its so easy to spot since they are clear. Maybe I'll ask her to see if I can try it.
How my M/O Ligature broke? Well as I was unscrewing it one time, I heard a snap and it seemed like some black stuff (pieces of metal perhaps?) fell on the couch. Hard to describe, but it doesn't tighten properly now.
fskelley I was always interested in getting the Van Gogh or the Versa X. How do the two differ in your opinion?
-- Ray Zhang
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kdk
Date: 2017-08-27 22:46
zhangray4 wrote:
> How my M/O Ligature broke? Well as I was unscrewing it one
> time, I heard a snap and it seemed like some black stuff
> (pieces of metal perhaps?) fell on the couch. Hard to describe,
> but it doesn't tighten properly now.
>
I don't have one to look at, but in the pictures it looks like there's plastic inside the metal cylinders the screws go through. If the plastic inside is what is threaded for the screw to pull through, it probably fractured and the pieces fell out.
One thing that using a Gigliotti ligature for years taught me is to keep ligature screws lubricated - Vaseline is good - especially if the receiving thread is in plastic or the screw itself is plastic. The Gigliotti screws were forever shearing off if they weren't kept lubed. I can't tell what the screws on the M/O thread into, but whatever you replace it with you'll reduce the resistance as you tighten the screws if you apply a little Vaseline or even cork grease.
Karl
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2017-08-27 23:20
Ditto on the Bonade inverted. It's very rugged and forgiving of different mouthpiece tapers.
The M/O (IMHO) was a very poor redesign of the Inverted Masters which is a great ligature that is no longer available. It had weak spots and I have seen a few busted ones. It also did not secure the reeds very well.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fskelley
Date: 2017-08-28 08:01
Attachment: 170827a-vg.mp3 (1288k)
Attachment: 170827b-vxover.mp3 (1276k)
Attachment: 170827c-vxunder.mp3 (1283k)
Attachment: 170827d-bonade.mp3 (1284k)
Attachment: 170827e-mix.mp3 (1318k)
Ray- you asked for my opinion Van Gogh vs VersaX, and other than what I've already shared (VG holds my Legeres better, and I think it plays better)- not much else I could say. So I decided to share some recording samples from this afternoon. Any sound differences are subtle to me, perhaps more obvious to you or others. a is Van Gogh, b is VersaX flaps over, c is VersaX flaps under, d is Bonade inverted, and e is Van Gogh + the rest of my instruments (Sonar Cakewalk sequence).
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2017-08-28 08:04)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-08-29 02:08
Hi fskelley, I agree couldn't tell major differences from the recordings. Maybe i will get a chance to try them out. Depends on whether my parents will buy them for me for Christmas or b-day... Never get allowances from them lol
-- Ray Zhang
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2017-08-29 11:07
If you try the Bonade inverted ligature, check that the bands do not touch the edges of the reed. The bands can be bent slightly so that they don't touch. Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gatto
Date: 2017-08-30 02:21
I like my new Buffet ICON ligature, in rosegold with black nickel screws and cap. It is otherwise the same as the one which came with my Prestige "A", which is in silver.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SonicManEXE
Date: 2017-08-30 02:47
I went from a Rovner Dark to a Versa X in the winter and I really enjoy using it. At first I put the flaps over the metal, but not long after I got it I put the flaps under the metal, and I think my articulation and response is much improved. I like to think of it as a compromise between traditional leather ligatures and metal ligs: a heavier lig but metal on the reed for more of a ping. I'm not a fan of lightweight metal ligatures but I like the convenience of one screw to tighten. I tested the X and the Van Gogh at FMEA and I preferred the X for those reasons.
In high school we all used the Dark, sometimes the Versa (even looking back on the composite photos from over 10 years ago, almost all the clarinet players used the Dark). In college, I find that a lot of people use the Bonade, either normal or inverted, and it was really a culture shock. However, it absolutely works just as well as any fancy metal or leather lig. It's really up to preference.
Jared
Ft. Lauderdale & Tampa, FL
Post Edited (2017-08-30 02:49)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
