 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2013-08-07 04:41
Hello all! I have been playing on metal ligatures for a long time now, specifically a silver plated Vandoren M/O. Lately, I have been interested in trying out some cloth ligatures, but I am not quite sure what models, brands, etc. that I should try. I am curious to hear what others play on and recommend for cloth ligatures.
Thanks!
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-08-07 11:15
I might assume you are looking for a smoothing out of sound rather than just a change of material (not much "cloth" that I can think of out there)?
Two that I am really liking right now (not cloth, but do the job!) are the Mike Lomax Kangaroo Leather Ligature and the Vientos Bambu String Ligature.
The Lomax is a bit pricey ($120ish) but it's a single screw pouch design that is able to achieve a really neutral sound, great response and you can make it as tight as you want or leave it as loose as you want.
The Vientos is about a third of that cost and gets a wonderfully (just like the traditional German blattschnur) smooth sound. It's set up like the way a shoe is laced so you can adjust the firmness of its grip to a great degree, then it just slips on and off with the ability to cinch it at the bottom.
I have to assume you use one of the Masters.........I love the CL4 !!
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: William
Date: 2013-08-07 15:06
Try some inexpensive Velcro strips available in most general merchandise stores. However, I must add that after years of trying most material ligs, I still prefer the metal ones--except on my saxophones where I use vintage Winslow ligatures.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-08-07 17:18
Velcro. See my comment of years ago to make your own.
richard smith
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-08-07 19:04
Rovner ligatures won't break the bank - there are several models to choose from.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Rezzie
Date: 2013-08-07 22:25
+ 3 for Rovner. I've used them for over twenty years, and the original lig still works fine, just keep the thread lubed (not often, not much) as they direct.
Just picked up a VersaX not long ago, and like it a lot.
Rovner's are very reed friendly, and don't break when you sit on them. When you're addled like me, that's a factor.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-08-07 23:41
I guess I should explain my choice of the Lomax is with full knowledge and extensive use of the Rovner line. I don't know why a thin pouch of leather should perform so differently from a pouch of 'leatherette,' but it does.
For what it's worth, the Rovner Light is my favorite of the Rovners in terms of it being the most colorless of sound with the best response of that manufacturer's available products.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2013-08-08 01:18
For years I've played only Rovner ligatures, most recently the Light, Mark III and Eddie Daniels (Versa). Many years ago I played the Dark (which I still have on my Eb). I felt that they were high quality, offered a range of performance characteristics:
- The Light seems to most revealing about your sound. It is the most responsive of the ones I've tried, seems to yield a "deep, full" sound, but may be a bit "livelier" (not really 'bright') sounding. I would use this whenever the setup seemed to heavy/stuffy. I also use the Light when fixing reeds as it reveals flaws more readily than do other ligatures.
- The ED/Versa seems to improve control and consistency over the entire range of the instrument. It seems to help reeds play more evenly/predictably. It also seems to focus and smooth out the sound as well. Possibly because of this, it plays with more resistance than the Light and about the same as the Mark III. I've never figured out what difference "flaps over/under" nor any of the metal inserts made. Typically I used no insert and "flaps over" (to protect the mouthpiece table).
- The Mark III seems to do just what Rovner says: it seems to yield a beefier and slightly darker sound. However, over the years I felt that it also restricts the sound a bit and seems to yield a bit of a "noisy edge" to the sound (up close). Lately, I've been less fond of the Mark III.
I recently bought a Kessler/Backun Custom Type III mouthpiece that is working really well for me. Dave Kessler recommended (and shipped it with) the Rico H ligature. I found the Rico H worked "OK", but I'm used to a single screw and it was hard to get it to fit right. I had an original (very old) Harrison ligature that worked REALLY well (better than the H although the H WAS darker), and to my surprise seemed nicer than the above-mentioned Rovners.
Shortly thereafter I was playing duets with my best friend who has a Rovner Dark. I tried it and it really works with the new KB-III. I immediately bought a new Dark (since my old one died years ago). The Dark seems rather free-blowing (not so much as the Light), but has a nice mellow/clear sound and good response. Ironically, after eschewing the Dark and metal ligatures for so many years, I am playing both the Harrison and the Dark with better results then those cited above.
For grins, I tried my old (authentic) German string ligature and the feel/response of the (new) Dark ligature is surprisingly similar, but MUCH more convenient.
I guess a moral of this story is: keep an open mind and don't be afraid to periodically re-evaluate things or try something new. You might be surprised!
I hope this helps.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2013-08-08 17:31
Thanks all! I'll take a look at these, but the overwhelming support for Rovner makes it a little easier. I will have to experiment with the Lomax as well since I know first hand that material can definitely make a difference.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: hgp_atx
Date: 2013-08-09 04:26
I like the Rovner Black. I bought it about 3 years ago and you don't waste a penny. They are great ligatures!
-HP
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2013-08-16 21:17
Sorry but I can`t tell any difference when I change my lig. Sales hype?
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2013-08-16 22:09
Same here Ronish, but I use the Rovner ligatures exclusively because they are so convenient to set up.
I think that most ligature claims are sales hype. (well, mostly)
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