 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maestro_6
Date: 2009-11-08 15:03
For the time I have used the Vandoren Optimum, I've been a fan of pressure plates that give even pressure across the reed. I've grown on the fabric ligatures nowaday, especially my Rovner Mark III, but a finding is a finding.
So, why not a flat pressure plate? ... My teacher took the 4-dot Optimum insert and worked it down to make a flat insert. It worked quite well! It was far better than the parallel and horizontal inserts. Personally, a plate that'll give even pressure on the reed will vibrate best. That's probably why I've had so much luck with the stock Buffet ligature as well...
Any thoughts?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-11-08 16:11
Lawton mouthpieces and Link and other pressure plate ligatures have used a curved pressure plate to apply the pressure evenly.
The problem with curved pressure plates is the curve will never fit the curvature of the cane on every reed as they're infinitely variable being a natural substance - on some reeds more contact will be down the centre while on others the contact will be down either side depending on the amount of curvature of the heel. A specific cane diameter may be selected reasonably well, but it'll never be a perfect or uniform thing.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-11-08 16:23
The old Penzel Mueller ligatures have a flat (ie- slightly curved to fit the contour of the reed) plate. They work very well.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-11-08 19:10
"The problem with curved pressure plates is the curve will never fit the curvature of the cane on every reed as they're infinitely variable being a natural substance,,,,,,"
The Winslow lig, with its six independent bumper contact posts, was best at adapting to the countour of any reed and holding it securely while allowing it to resonate freely. However, they tend to allow too many overtones, especially in the upper registers, causing a thinness of sound I do not like--so they are all residing in my "junk" drawer. Great for the sax family, though......
I did like my old pressure plate lig that I used for a while in college because it seemed to make a smoother legato between C6 and the notes directly above. Downside was that the sound lacked the resonance and "edge" of the reverse Bonade. Ultimately, I became a fan of the "Magic Window" lig and used it until the Vandy Optimum became available, with which I opted for the parallel rail insert. Don't like the pressure plate, four dot insert at all. Currently, I'm playing on one of those Muncy Kaspar ligs and it seems to allow more flexability than the Optimum's.
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