 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-08-14 01:31
Do you go on first hand real world experience with anything clarinet related (clarinets, mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures, add-ons, accessories, etc.) or do you purely go by a load of marketing claptrap?
Just because you read something in a catalogue or whatnot or have been told something tenth hand from an unreliable source, doesn't mean it's relatable to or right for you.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: donald
Date: 2026-08-14 03:50
Never paid the slightest attention to what they write in the marketing bullshit.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-08-14 07:00
I look at the engineering of something and see if I can understand the purpose of it and how it should function for me.
I have my Amazon review of the Vandoren Optimum ligature and plate 1. I took a pic to show how that plate interfaced with the reed & mouthpiece.
The Brad Behn reed cases - just made so much sense to me, especially seeing other reviews on YouTube and videos interviewing Brad himself.
The Brad Behn hard rubber adjustable barrel - similar experience.
Now, that doesn't mean that Brad doesn't add his own 'spin' to his product descriptions (and slight disparagements against competing products). Does the metal turning rings really make that big of a difference in the sound the barrel helps produce? The wood overlay adds 'a little extra warmth and depth' (sometimes I'm convinced we hear what we want to hear to help justify what we spent and invested into).
I think ligatures have the most hype surrounding them, especially the more expensive they are. It may be justified... but I have to wrap my mind around them first to see if I may believe it.
The other day, I saw a IG video of a player playing a new kind of ligature I hadn't seen before. She said it was a Nymph ligature out of Taiwan. So I checked them out. Generally reasonably priced. However, when I compare their designs to my Optimum... I wonder if it would be different enough to warrant giving it a try. So far... I don't see it. (They do look really cool though.)
I prefer the reed to vibrate easily yet have enough 'weight' of the ligature to help contribute a core solid tone quality. That's why I like the Optimum plate #1. Other ligatures... to me... either clamp down more, or don't provide enough tonal core by adding weight. (My amateur way of trying to describe it.)
I am curious about Silverstein and the Vandoren CARBON ligature ($650!), but probably not enough to purchase.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
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