 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: winders
Date: 2015-01-24 23:01
Hello
I'm curious about Rovner ligature, especially Dark and Versa.
Anyone has experienced with those ligature?
Because in my country, I can't find Rovner, so I can't try it and I if I want to buy it I must buy it online.
Thanks for helping
Post Edited (2015-01-24 23:11)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-01-24 23:11
My favorite from Rovner is the Mark III. All of his ligatures are fantastic, though.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-01-24 23:29
I have used and liked the Versa and the Light. I find the Dark too thick sounding to my ear. However, I am not much of a believer in the ligature's making that much difference by the time the sound gets to the audience. The difference is more in my own comfort level than anything else.
The Versa is twice the price of the Dark (or the Light), but gives you the interchangeable plates to experiment with, so it can sound and respond in 6 different ways, giving you more alternatives than the basic Dark/Light models.
Karl
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2015-01-25 01:43
I own a Dark and Versa.
The Versa is not as free-blowing to me as the Dark (this may be because of the added mass in the ligature). However, the Versa does seem more "resonant" in sound, whereas the Dark is more covered/round.
Edit: Also I should note the differences between these ligatures are very minor, so either one is fine depending on your preferences in tone and response.
Post Edited (2015-01-25 01:45)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MSK
Date: 2015-01-25 18:10
I own Rovner Dark, Light & Mark III. Mark III is my favorite Light is my second favorite, but Dark is still fine. I find the Light and Mark III to be more free blowing than the dark, but the Light makes the sound a little too bright. One thing I like about all three is the single screw adjustment and the fact that Rovner ligatures are fairly durable. They are also all quite affordable. Make sure you don't lose the Rovner cap - replacements are hard to find and other caps won't fit.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-01-25 22:09
I own a Mark III, Light, Dark, Versa X and have tried the Versa.
1. Mark III: Plays very effortlessly and with a robust, centered sound
2. Versa X: Similar to the Mark III, but plays the sound way too tight.
3. Versa: For me, gives the sound a buzz.
4. Light: Plays far too bright for me. Also, doesn't grip the mouthpiece as well.
5. Dark: Plays too stuffy.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wisco99
Date: 2015-01-26 18:28
Back to the future, I first heard of Rovner ligatures in 1979, and bought one for saxophone. It is what is called the "light" now, and I think it was made of leather back then. Everyone in the section could hear the difference on the first day, and it was light years ahead of what was on the market then. I have since bought many other styles of Rovner ligatures for sax and clarinet, and they each offer something different. I also have many other makes of ligatures. They are money well spent, and have a long life. Hard to kill one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2015-01-26 20:18
+1 on Mark III.
other ones to try are the Rovner Next Gen entry level Star and more expensive Legacy.
Star is the replacement for EVO and can be used both normal way and inverted. When inverted it sounds brighter, when used normal way very similar to beloved Mark III.
Legacy suppose to to add cut and projection and while it does it is not a huge increase.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2015-01-26 20:56
cyclopathic,
if the Star Series ligature is similar to the Mark III, do you prefer the Star or the MkIII ?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DaleFedele
Date: 2015-01-26 23:44
In the subject of Rovners, nobody ever seems to mention that the designs have changed so much over the years. I have a vintage Rovner "dark" style that is I believe a far superior material that gives a much more complete sound than any of their designs today. I also have the first Eddie Daniels model, which is really, really great.
However, the BEST one I found was a dark-style that uses a very, very thin material. Much thinner than what the "dark" has today. The reason why this works is it really doesn't muffle the sound at all! In fact, I find it to be as resonant as some of my Bonade ligatures (and I'm also less tense when I play it). Versus every other Rovner Dark is too thick and does not match the resonance of a good metal ligature. I still think they're better than even very good metal ligatures, but this specific one with the very thin material is probably the best one I've tried.
Another thing I find is that oiling of the screw mechanism greatly affects resonance (and ease of play) as well. I also find that the newest models have a little "washer" in the screw mechanism, which I find hinders resonance further.
Nothing against the current Rovner designs. They are innovative and produce great results, better than most ligatures (including several other makers that have copied the Rovner design - but, again, the material is too thick, and this affects resonance and ring in the sound). But the most elegant "dark" design with the thinner material - if you can find it - is probably the most pure-sounding ligature I've tried. Up there with string.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2015-01-26 23:50
cxgreen48 wrote:
> cyclopathic,
>
> if the Star Series ligature is similar to the Mark III, do you
> prefer the Star or the MkIII ?
It would be splitting hairs to pick one.
Pros for Star that it is cheaper and works with standard cap. And can be used inverted for more piercing sound. Cons are that it may not work with your specific cap/MPC, and you may end up not using the inverted anyways /we never do/
Mark III has more "refined" feel to it, and looks more "expensive". Perhaps marginally easier to put on too. Sound-wise they are close but not identical.. BUT what feels/sounds almost same to one pair of ears may be quite different to others. I can't really hear anything above 15.5kHz
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TomS
Date: 2015-01-27 06:31
I've often used the standard "dark" for over 30 years (owned 2 during that time).
Holds the reed on MP perfectly, sounds fine, easy to adjust, easy on your reeds, lasts forever. No complaints.
If you can't decide, go for the standard "dark" first. You can add more to your collection later ...
Tom
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
