 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2008-01-25 17:55
I just bought a new Bonade ligature for my E-flat. (The Bonade has two rails on the bottom that fit snugly against the reed to hold it in place against the mp.) It doesn't seem to fit--too small! I tried slipping the reed in after I'd put the lig on the mp and had opened up both screws as far as possible, but there wasn't enough room for the reed. After a certain amount of hankering, I was able to fit the reed in somewhat, but the ligature was still so far up on the mp that when I played, my chin would touch the screws.
When I tried to slip the lig on with the mp and reed together, it was even more impossible.
I'm thinking that with some more tinkering and bother, perhaps the metal will stretch and the lig will seek its own level and fit the way it's supposed to. Does that sound right? What do you think I can do?
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2008-01-25 18:49
I bought one and it was way to small for ANY of my mouthpieces. I should've sent it back but didn't. Don't make my mistake!
Eefer guy
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-01-25 19:20
The current line of Bonade inverted ligatures do not seem to fit a majority Eb clarinet mouthpieces, especially the wider body ones (most crystal mouthpieces)
I am not sure if they have slightly changed the dimensions, but they do not fit, even with the screws completely open - certainly not the preferred way to secure a ligature.
They also have a marked tendency to leave scratches on most hard rubber mouthpieces.
And let's not even get into their quality control of the alignment of the rails and bands which touch the edge of the reed.
It's a shame that Leblanc has let this ligature stray far from its original specs.
Return it. ...GBK
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-01-26 13:22
Return it and get the Vandoren Leather (with the three interchangable plates). The metal plate functions the way the Bonades SHOULD!!! GREAT for Eb!!!
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2008-01-26 15:00
ditto to the responses above. i returned mine and decided i would just upgrade to a BG Super Revelation ligature. I figured a Bonade ligature would be good for eb playing, but it really doesn't even fit. I guess you get what you pay for...
Try a BG or a Vandoren.
Neal
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Author: William
Date: 2008-01-26 15:02
I use my vintage Winslow sop sax lig with its rubber mpc band on my Eb Bay custom mpc and the fit is good. However, before that, I had to use a Rovner Bb lig because--like you have found--the traditional Eb lig is too small. If you want to stick with the Bonade--with all of its design imperfections (especially the newer ones, which I think are terrible)--you might want to try a Bb version instead of the "too small" Eb. Another good choice might be the Vandoran Opitimum lig (perhaps, Bb version) with the parallel rail insert--plays the same as the Bonade without the constant readjustment hassels.
Also, instead of Eb reeds, try using Bb reeds cut off about a half inch at the butt so they fit your effer mpc. They will give your little critter a much bigger sound, especially in the lower register.
And remember, play loud so everyone can enjoy............
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2008-01-27 13:59
Thanks to all for your advice. I was playing with the idea of sticking with it in the hopes that it would adapt itself, but that clearly is not a good idea. Paul and Neal, the Vandoren lig sounds like a great idea. William--I did know about the Bb reeds on Eb--I didn't know which knife to use so I simply used my teeth and ripped those suckers apart. Memo to all--the inside of a reed doesn't taste very good.
The show in which I'm using my eefer ends today. Now I need to hope that I get another Eb gig in my lifetime!
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Author: William
Date: 2008-01-27 14:54
To avoid "bad reed breath", you might try using a large wire crimper. Clean and quick cut--works for me.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-01-28 12:55
So far, my best ligature for Eb soprano is homemade: Velcro. Adjusts to any mouthpiece and reed, can be tightened or loosened as much as desired, doesn't scratch up the mouthpiece and costs next to nothing.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2008-01-28 15:57
Yep, William, the crimper is a good idea--I was too lazy to look for mine.
Lelia--my sax teacher told me about Velcro ligatures. I in turn told one of my students, and he showed up the following week with one and said he loved it. But then his band director wouldn't let him use it in band! Maybe he thought it wasn't serious enough (?). But Velcro ligs are indeed a wonderful alternative.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-01-28 16:20
i've made beginning students return 20-25 Bb bonade ligatures this year - they keep slipping off of the mouthpieces. avoid them - something changed at the factory. they are now on my 'total junk - don't use' list. i don't care what the band directors specify for ligature brand - when i see 2 dozen kids, at 4 schools, with bonades from 3-4 different music stores all failing, that tells me the product is presently defective and no longer what it was 15 years ago.
james, dont get me started - i wish the directors would vote with their ears, and not their eyes, when a student changes equipment.
string or shoe laces work well too; i used to have a german eefer mpc and a string lig that sounded great
i use a Rovner on my Eefer at the moment. that works pretty well also.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2008-01-28 19:53
I bought a Bonade for my Bb about 20 years ago (because my teacher used one), and it's been a gem. I recently tried three other professional ligs just for the kicks, and none of them came anywhere near the Bonade in terms of getting a good sound. So you're right, obviously quality control at the Bonade factory since then has been compromised.
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