 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2011-07-20 16:31
After checking out Musician's Friend's offerings on Bb ligatures, I really like the look/idea of the Oleg mesh style and the Bois ring style ligatures...
I don't know why, but they look pretty cool. Any thoughts on how well they actually work? Advantages or drawbacks to either? My current Buffet works alright, but wondering if I could get a better sound or easier installation with something different.
Any real life experience with these or other styles that work well out in the real world?
Thanks,
ramsa
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-07-20 16:58
I have used a BOIS ligature in the past. It worked fine. But since then I prefer having more security keeping the reed from slipping around which means more material both gripping the reed AND the mouthpiece.
I've never used an Oleg ligature, I had a friend that really liked it, but it's pretty expensive (or was when I was looking at it). I've just settled with Rovners, specifically the Eddie Daniels model (I think now they call it the versa)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-07-20 17:09
I have used the Oleg which is a pretty decent ligature. I believe they are currently only available in silver for clarinet these days. The only possible drawback would be if you are one who really tightens down your ligature (this ligature almost begs for this treatment since the chain link design is somewhat slippery). Over tightening this ligature causes the screws to bend and eventually snap in half (think about it..... you have two rectangular blocks opposing each other through which the screws move perpendicularly but the chain link pouch is attached across the bottom length of each, pulling them away from each other at a considerable angle due to the mouthpiece in between.......hmmmm).
For a really wonderful PERFORMING ligature that looks unconventional (and is designed and built really well) I would humbly suggest considering the Spriggs Floating Rail Ligature. I have been using this one for the last six months. It sounded just fine upon first tying it out but over the course of time I find that it just gets under your skin. I don't think I would ever use another at this point.
As a note, the Floating Rail Ligature does not batten down much either so one must be a little more mindful of technique in switching horns etc.
......................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2011-07-20 17:14)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-07-20 19:02
Not a big fan of the Bois. I have one, but it doesn't really hold the reed securely on my mouthpiece. This is especially problematic when playing a Legere, as reed placement on the mouthpiece is criitical.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-07-20 19:50
I have a Bois....used it a couple of times but it gave me the same feeling as wearing trousers without a belt or suspenders. Have tried many different ones because that's what clarinet players do. I like the vandoren Optimun but seem to always fall back on the Rovner Eddie Daniels. The Oleg seems too loosey goosey makiing it hard to handle.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-07-20 20:53
Any one of them is the best for someone. The only way you can tell what equipment is best for you, ligature, MP, barrel etc. is for you to try it because no one plays like you do. Just because a ligature looks "cool" doesn't mean it will play well or best for you. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-07-20 21:17
I'm using a Florian Popa on my bass, which is a bit like a larger Bois. Works pretty well, and the installation is crazy easy and convenient, and much more stable than I would have guessed.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Pastor Rob
Date: 2011-07-20 22:03
I have an Oleg. My teacher/ensemble director thinks it produces a sound more suitable for jazz than for classical. I hear a difference between it and the Vandoran Klassik ligature I usually use, but personally I don't have a good enough ear to say which sound is more suited to jazz vs classical. I like the ease of use the Klassik affords. It is also a non-traditional ligature. The Oleg does slide around. If you were changing the mp from Bb to A I think that might be a bit of an issue perhaps.
Pastor Rob Oetman
Leblanc LL (today)
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Author: JW177
Date: 2011-07-20 23:26
I have tried the Bois ligature and initially liked it. It was really easy to put on and I never had the problem that some people did where it seemed too loose, making the reed slip too easily.
However, I still ended up going back to my Rovner. The Bois seemed a little too big on my mouthpiece making it hold the reed closer to the bottom end than I would like. This had an effect on the sound produced by the instrument. The notes would not come out as cleanly as with other ligatures. If I used my thumb to put pressure on the middle part of the reed, the sound would come out better.
I've used this ligature on saxophones and have had no problems. However, on clarinet, I've decided to use either a Rovner or Vandoren M/O instead.
I also didn't like the cap that came with the Bois. It seems great when it comes to keeping your reed moist, but I didn't like it because it is too pliable. I want a cap that is more rigid, so in case I accidentally hit it against something, my mouthpiece/reed isn't damaged.
James
Post Edited (2011-07-21 20:11)
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2011-07-21 00:27
I use Bois ligatures on some mouthpieces and they work really well. Some other mouthpieces they don't do so well - too loose or have to sit too far down the mouthpiece affecting the sound. Also the comment about the Bois cap is spot on -I always take it off the Mpc after every use and use a hard cap. Not a real inconvenience but there it is. But Ed is correct - it's what works for you that matters and for that you have to try a lot of "stuff"..
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2011-07-21 12:53
The "cool looking" factor is what initially got me checking these out, and maybe down the road I'll get one or the other...but for now it sounds like maybe I'll try a Rovners model. The bulk of replies seem to point to those as being a good choice for something "different" than the stock Buffet ligatures... (and I'm still struggling with reed selection, too...)
Thanks for the info!
ramsa
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2011-07-21 19:20
I used Velcro to make ligatures. They were very effective at holding plastic reeds in the postion desired, but I used them for all reeds, all the time. I posted my procedure a few years ago. Cost is negligible.
richard smith
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Author: sdr
Date: 2011-07-22 12:36
Velcro "cord keepers" from Home Depot: 50 for $6.00. And they come in different colors. Once you adjust one to a loop of proper diameter, you can just slide it on and off.
-sdr
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2011-07-22 22:47
I have had an Olegature for some years. It plays well, but also slides off my mouthpiece when changing clarinets. So I went back to my venerable Bonade Inverted, until it finally wore out last year.
The Vandoren Optimum tenor sax lig was much better than what I had been using, so, since the other clarinets in my community orchestra had Optimums, I got one, and liked it from the start, with the default insert. Haven't tried the other two inserts.
The only thing I like better is tying the reed on with "catfish line", but this is really terrible when changing clarinets.
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