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 Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: elec 
Date:   2017-02-12 10:13

Looking for a new ligature for my current setup which is the Buffet R13, Vandoren M13 Lyre and came across the Silverstein ligature played by Jose-Franch Ballester.

I am currently looking at the ESTRO / CRYO4 / Original Silverstein ligatures.

https://www.silversteinworks.com/ligatures/a-frame-ligatures/aestro/

https://www.silversteinworks.com/ligatures/a-frame-ligatures/acryo4/

https://www.silversteinworks.com/ligatures/a-frame-ligatures/aoriginal/

http://www.wwbw.com/Silverstein-Works-Brushed-Silver-Ligature-J11586.wwbw?rNtt=silverstein&index=4


If i were to order from wwbw, I'm guessing I'm supposed to get the Medium/ Small Clarinet/ Alto size.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

EDIT: I'm on a budget as a student, and I would have to save up for the Estro/Cryo4 if they were worth the extra $.

Thanks in advance



Post Edited (2017-02-12 10:17)

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: donald 
Date:   2017-02-12 10:54

Just get the Vandoren Masters ligature and use that, you'll be fine, no need to spend heaps of money on a ligature.

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: elec 
Date:   2017-02-12 11:07

http://www.vandoren-en.com/M-O_a79.html

If you are talking about this, I'll be ordering a CL4 + M/O ligature in the near future to test a different mouthpiece, and I'll see how it goes

I thought the M/O ligature could only be used for the Masters series mouthpieces.

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: gwie 
Date:   2017-02-12 11:28

I tried a few of them and I think they work really well. If you don't have the budget for them, get a $15 Bonade and a pair of pliers. Adjust it so the bands of the ligature don't touch the shoulders of the reed. Try not to snap the bands. :)

I've adjusted hundreds of these for students, and they work great and don't break the bank. If you prefer metal ligatures like me, it's one of the most economical and best "bang for the buck" solutions.



Post Edited (2017-02-12 11:29)

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: elec 
Date:   2017-02-12 11:57

I'm just trying new things out, and I can save up for new accessories (student allowance :D + job).

@qwie, which of the ligatures do you recommend? I personally like the blue colour of the estro, but if there is no difference in sound between the estro and the original, I'll just save my money and get the original.

Maybe I'll wait til I get the CL4 + M/O ligature first

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: ned 
Date:   2017-02-12 13:33

I went in to the site via your link: https://www.silversteinworks.com/ligatures/a-frame-ligatures/aestro/

It looks very flash, I have to say. So do their prices ($70-$330) for the ones which I was able to get prices.

I did a heck of a lot of clicking to look at other stuff, but I think it's set up for ''members'', so was unable to investigate any further - at least in the amount of time which I thought was worthwhile.

What I DID see seemed to be well designed and engineered devices which looked ''nice'', but I reckon the cheapest ligature you can find will do - five dollars is about MY limit. String is even cheaper.

There may be some improvement in sound, but I wouldn't expect any more than point zero, zero, one percent.

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: Ed 
Date:   2017-02-12 17:48

Someone is currently selling one over on the classifieds portion of this site.

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: Ed Palanker 
Date:   2017-02-12 18:48

I've never tried one so I can't give an opinion based on experience but I will say this. You have to try it to know. Some ligatures make a difference in your tone and comfort level and if you feel it makes a big enough difference to warrant the expense then it's worth it. But remember, it's only one small factor in your tone and comfort level. You may find a $20 ligature fits you best, you may not.

ESP eddiesclarinet.com

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: ClarinettyBetty 
Date:   2017-02-12 18:50

I have a Cryo 4. It looks super cool, was expensive...and I still sound better on my old Charles Bay.

Keeping the Cryo in case I sit on my Bay, like I did my old Bonade. :)

-----------------------
Eb: 1972 Buffet BC20
Bb: Selmer Paris Presence
A: Selmer Paris Presence
Bass: 1977 LeBlanc

https://gentrywoodwinds.com




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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: kdk 
Date:   2017-02-12 19:01

Ed Palanker wrote:

> You may find a $20 ligature fits you best

Or at least just as well.

Karl

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: Ebclarinet1 
Date:   2017-02-12 20:27

I bought them for my whole series of clarinets and really love them. They seem to bring out the best of all my horns and my alto sounds amazingly better. That one did was the most dramatic improvement. It also made my Selmer basset horn more vibrant so I could cut above the strings playing Mozart's Requiem. Most of our clarinet section here has converted to them too as they also liked the effect on their sound. Previously I had used the VanDoren Optimums or Masters. The Silversteins were better than both on my horns.

Everyone is different though and one of the better players that plays with us didn't care for the one on his Bb and mouthpiece set up. If you get a chance to go to a music festival where you can try one definitely do that.

Mine are al the cryos with gold.

Eefer guy

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: AAAClarinet 
Date:   2017-02-12 22:11

My 2nd Gen. Silverstein plays great, so does my Luyben ($13 I think) in fact I play the Luyben more often.

AAAClarinet

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: donald 
Date:   2017-02-13 02:35

Here's the thing- let's accept that there is such a thing as a "Bad ligature", one that doesn't hold the reed well or that creates undesirable resonance in it's relationship with the mouthpiece. I'm in a hurry so won't be more specific...
A GOOD ligature is 100000 times better than a BAD one.
But a REALLY GOOD ligature is only a tiny amount better than a GOOD one.
So
Until you're feeling rich, settle for a good one and do more practice.
I own dozens of GOOD ligatures, and sound best on the one I'm playing when I've done the most (or best quality) practise (and have a good reed) and I think it's most likely that this will be the case for you.
I'm sure the Silverstein is GOOD, even REALLY GOOD but if you're feeeling poor, save your money (and all the time wasted comparing etc just get playing!!!!!)
dn

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2017-02-13 07:58

Quote:

Here's the thing- let's accept that there is such a thing as a "Bad ligature", one that doesn't hold the reed well or that creates undesirable resonance in it's relationship with the mouthpiece. I'm in a hurry so won't be more specific...
A GOOD ligature is 100000 times better than a BAD one.
But a REALLY GOOD ligature is only a tiny amount better than a GOOD one.
I like this thinking. Definitely gonna use it from now when I talk about ligatures. I agree with it 100%.

Silversteins are good. I've got one. It's really good. It has drawbacks. You won't be able to easily switch a mouthpiece from one clarinet to another if you need to because the ligature will slip off. It costs a lot. To put this in Donald's scenario, it's better than my Rico H ligature (a very good ligature), but does cost 4 to 5 times as much, and isn't "amazingly" better (ie. I personally wouldn't consider it $100 better)

Overall, I prefer metal (or stiffer) ligatures to fabric. I always have one metal, and one fabric ligature with me at all times. I use my metal ligature, unless the reed feels soft and a little bright or harsh, at which point I put on my rovner dark. I might switch back to the silverstein again in the future....NOT because it's significantly better than my other metal ligatures, but because if (god forbid) someone accidentally steps on it, it won't deform or break like a rico H ligature or vandoren optimum would.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

Post Edited (2017-02-13 08:04)

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 Re: Are Silverstein Ligatures worth it
Author: elec 
Date:   2017-02-15 09:45

Thanks @donald, i agree :)

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