 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chazman
Date: 2006-07-26 15:28
Good Morning,
I wanted to inquire as to professional and personal experience using the new Vandoren Optimum L911A Clarinet Ligature. Please post your thoughts if you have used or are using this ligature system.
Thank you
Chuck
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-07-27 00:02
When I first heard about ANOTHER ligature I thought, yeah right. Then I saw the photo of it and hated the idea even more - who needs another big, clunky metal ligature.
Then one came with a bass clarinet that I was loaned for a gig and I was turned around. The ligature ONLY makes contact with the reed at the plate which presses directly DOWN on the reed (various plates provided, I and most others prefer the Bonade knockoff plate).
Three other points: I play with the clarinet angled in close to me and this ligature does NOT hit my chin (though it looks like it should). The single screw mechanism is very convenient. If your reeds are a bit warped, you can really screw this bad boy down tight.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-07-27 07:27
I've played with the Optimum for years, until one time I switched ligatures with an alto sax player. He let me try his Oleg ligature. I could not believe the difference. So much more free blowing and easy articulation. The difference was so huge that the sax player and even the singer/pianist that were there heard it easily. Then I went home and tried other ligatures I had (BG, regular Vandoren, shoe lace) and it turned out the Optimum gave serious problems. I tried all the plates and really took a long time to check but something was wrong with it (maybe something happened to it over time). I sotpped playing the Optimum both on soprano and bass since then and it is much better.
Post Edited (2006-07-27 08:33)
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-07-27 12:16
Have been a big fan of the BG ligatures and have used the for years. However, at our last concert this spring I noticed that about half of our clarinets had switched to the Vandoren Optimum, so I went out and bought one for my Eefer. It was tremendously better, although I think each person will want to try thr three different plates to see what sounds best for them. Each has a slightly different character to the sound. The one I use makes articulation very easy, especially in the upper range.
Since then I've bought them for my bass and Bb and both are BIG improvements there too. With the Grabner bass moputhpiece and ther VanDoren Optimum ligature, the sound is amazingly BIG on my Selmer. There seems to be a much greater ability of the reed to vibrate.
I couldn't be happier!
EEfer guy
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