 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-18 01:50
Right off the top I'd say it utilizes the double rail Bonade points of contact for the reed. There are some similarities to the Vandoren Optimum and the GF MX-03M:
https://www.thomann.de/de/gf_ligature_mx_03m_gold.htm
Probably a pretty good overall ligature. If you poise your instrument in close to your body the substantial nut would interfere with your chin though.
............Paul Aviles
P.S. Just looked at Theo's website. There are four different materials available for the plate. Each plate has a different "sound" and sells for $18 each.
Post Edited (2022-09-18 01:57)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-24 01:27
Attachment: Enlightened Top.jpg (16k)
Attachment: Enlightened Bottom.jpg (16k)
Attachment: Enlightened Side.jpg (18k)
Attachment: Enlightened 3:4 shot.jpg (18k)
Hey Dan,
I just have three things to say:
THANK YOU!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!
I decided to try the Enlightened for myself since there are a lot of good characteristics. The ligature turns out to be far better than I could have predicted. Firstly, my current evaluation technique is based on Dale Fedele's approach shown in "Testing a Metric Ton of Ligatures." I now look for ligatures that present a lively, bouncing, ringing articulated style on ALL notes of the scale (some ligatures will give you some rather dull sounding notes.....try it). This ligature's sound just dances throughout the room.
Then there is a brilliance in the sound that may be attributed to the inherent "springiness" of the ligature. The three points of contact referred to in the literature (and videos) are really the top and side edges of the top two thirds of an octagon. The bottom half of this ligature make no contact at all with the mouthpiece and are very long sides that begin to bow slightly with the tightening (which you still don't want to do too much of course). The sound is beautifully resonant and I find this to be the best overall ligature for me at the moment (a necessary disclaimer for me of course).
.......thanks again,
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2022-09-24 03:55
Hi Paul,
First of all, may I simply say "You're Welcome"!
To be honest, I kind of got turned off at the ad hype. I personally found it to be way overboard on how brilliant Theo Wanne supposedly is.
Then, I looked at his Enlightened Clarinet Ligature. After analyzing it in depth, I started thinking...hey, maybe, just maybe this guy is really on to something really advanced! I really liked the 3 point minimal contact with the mpc. (I, at first, thought that there were 3 independent points touching the mpc, two on the sides and one at the bottom. I guess I should have watched the video!)
Again, I must admit that the design concept not only really intrigued me, but, somehow, I could sense (without proof) that Theo's newly designed ligature could possibly be better than anything else on the market.
Paul, thanks for the wonderful report.
Ya know, all of this ad hype about how brilliant Theo Wayne is could possibly be quite accurate.
I just purchased a new mouthpiece and it's on its way. Now, because I need all the help I can get to make my reed vibrate like crazy, I plan to purchase Theo's Enlighted ligature. (Before the price goes up!)
Post Edited (2022-09-24 06:08)
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2022-09-24 06:09
The ligature is included with the Gaia mouthpieces also made by Wanne. The mouthpieces are responsive and bright. I use a Gaia 4 on my Oktoberfest clarinet which is a Selmer center tone. The ligature will slip if mishandled.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2022-09-24 06:27
LFabian,
Thanks for the ligature inclusion information and for your personal experience with Theo's new ligature.
By "mishandled", do you mean if it's not tightened down securely enough?
It appears to look sturdy, however, I have begun to be concerned about its holding securely to the mouthpiece itself.
I look forward to your comments.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-24 06:58
With many ligatures that have more esoteric designs you'll find that "less grip" is usually a part of that. Over tightening kills the vibrancy of the system any way so you want to keep things a little looser no matter what ligature you use. Again guys, if you don't believe it, play for a few minutes the way you always do, then just loosen your ligature a turn or two and see what that does to the sound. No kidding, you WILL hear a difference.
As for the Enlightened ligature, I take off the mouthpiece using a grip only consisting of my thumb and index finger close to the tip. As a right handed person I also grab with the keys and tone holes facing me. That way, the force while I twist the mouthpiece clockwise is on the "closing of the reed upon the mouthpiece" direction and avoids accidental chipping of the reed's corner. Of course you can always swab by taking off the mouthpiece with the barrel and avoid any issues of loose ligatures completely
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2022-09-24 08:30
Hi Paul,
Interesting removal procedure of your mouthpiece. I've had to deal with some mouthpieces where the tenon cork was so tight that even after removing the ligature and reed, I had to firmly grab the mouthpiece with my entire right hand and the barrel with my left and exert a lot of pressure to even start separating them.
That's why I like Brad Behn's 3 O-ring usage instead of cork on the tenon. With my Prescott, I simply pull the mouthpiece straight up...and it comes off with very little effort.
Theo Wanne's clarinet mouthpieces uses 2 O-rings.
I'm not sure who started using O-rings on the tenon first.
I know many years ago, Runyon used a piece of plastic on the tenon section that had 3 protruding ridges that were about 3/16" across. It appears that because the plastic was quite thin, they apparently didn't last too long. That sure was a long time ago.
I'd like to see the O-ring usage spread to other clarinet mouthpiece makers, however, I sense that the retooling would possibly be a major undertaking.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-24 15:43
Attachment: Goodman Single Screw.jpg (264k)
Hey Dan,
It goes almost without saying that you shouldn't put up with a mouthpiece that is so firmly planted in the barrel that you need to do a serious operation to get them apart. This is usually caused by the tenon of the mouthpiece being too large at the end. An easy fix for a tech along with ensuring the cork is just right (you don't want wobble but you want a fairly easy on and off).
Also I couldn't help borrowing this image from the other current thread. It is an image of what is referred to as Benny Goodman's single screw ligature. I'm pretty sure he'd used just about everything (more out of expedience, not chasing a "sound") but it could certainly have been a model he'd used. Look familiar?!!?
Everything old is new again!
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2022-09-24 20:09
Hi Paul,
I really am surprised that players during BG's time had a ligature as shown in the photo. As you stated: "Everything old is new again!".
The closest tech to me is 55 miles away in SLC. I live in a small town and, at 75, I really don't like driving in a big city anymore.
As to your new ligature acquisition, I'm glad it's working wonders for you. Enjoy!
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