 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2002-11-14 12:25
Has anyone tried a Francois Louis ligature on clarinet or saxophone? I've received mostly positive recommendations about the FL saxophone ligatures. I've ordered one to try out. However, I haven't heard anything about them on clarinet. Please share your comments.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-11-14 14:56
You can see them at http://www.bill-lewington.com/flouis.htm. They have a Peter-Spriggs style "cage" structure with a curved plate that screws down on the bark area of the reed.
I haven't tried the Louis, but I've tried a number of ligatures that have this style of plate (e.g., the stock Buffet lig) and haven't particularly liked them. The large contact area seems to dampen the vibration. Also curve of the bark varies from reed to reed, so few of them would match the Louis exactly. The price is fairly high -- 40 pounds is about $56.
Still, the older pictures of Rosario Mazzeo show a ligature with a screw-down plate (though with a standard design otherwise), and I think the Vandoren has a plate as one of the options.
By all means give us a report when you get it.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-14 15:09
I bought one for clarinet because I felt that it had a quick response. But after playing a bit I realised that I lost some of the body in my sound with this ligature. I'd try one out in a shop before buying. Personally I love the Eddie Daniels no.2!
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-11-14 15:39
The Francois Louis ligature works great for clarinet.
I've been using one I bought in NYC from Roberto's.
It has been terrific at "Oklahoma!" every night for 6 months now, in hot or cold conditions.
Ask Mark C. how it sounded the night he was at the show?
I use the "brass" model, but most players who use them, choose the "silver" model (and there is also a gold one).
Good luck in your search,
JJM
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2002-11-14 15:39
Thanks for the messages. I'm getting one on trial. If it doesn't work for me I can send it back. Tim Price told me the FL lig works beautifully with Alexander reeds (which I use).
I'm also going to try a EDII. I've been using a Rovner MkIII. I love it's warm sound. But, I think the EDII will be more solid and have more projection. If the EDII can give me a darker sound with more projection along with the clarity, warmth, and richness of the MkIII I'll be happy.
Robert, in your experience with the EDII can it sound darker than a MkIII?
Thanks, Roger
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-14 15:48
Sorry Roger, I've never tried the Rovner MkIII. But, sey- the EDII does give a lovely dark sound.
Let us know your opinions when you've tried all the ligatures.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-14 15:49
sey= yes. Man, do have have keyboard dyslexia??!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-11-14 17:27
John says:
I use the "brass" model, but most players who use them, choose the "silver" model (and there is also a gold one)
Did you try the other varieties and if so, how did they differ?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-11-14 18:29
I like the Peter Spriggs model of this type of ligature better. It has two parallel bars that rest on either side of the reeds apex curvature. To me at least, there is less reed damping and a fuller sound.
The Doctor
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-11-14 19:28
Hi Ed:
It was simple for me:
Roberto gave me all 3 types to try out, they were prototypes sent to him by Francois Louis.
I took them to work that night for a tryout.
The "brass" had great sparkle and more colors available for me.
The "silver" was darker, with a little more resistance.
The "gold" was very dark, unresponsive, and a bit tubby.
I do a lot of recording work here in NYC, and this FL ligature records better than any other.
I've tried hundreds of ligatures, and recorded on many of them, the new FL has them all beat.
For my needs, it's the best.
JJM
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-11-14 19:42
John -
Great post, from the performing front. I'll try it at Roberto's this weekend.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2002-11-14 20:17
John,
I'm drooling all over the computer keyboard! I can't wait to try it!!! Thanks so much for your impressions.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-11-15 01:11
John J. Moses wrote:
>
> Ask Mark C. how it sounded the night he was at the show?
The orchestra for OK! was transparent ... which is the best thing you can say about an orchestra for a show! Everything sounds "just right".
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-11-15 04:28
Thanks, Mark
I was lovely seeing you and your wife for her birthday trip to New York City.
The orchestra at "OK!" is "just right", and that's OK with me. I'm glad you enjoyed your NYC experience.
JJM
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Author: dez
Date: 2002-11-16 12:23
I think a lot of people have not fully tried/looked at this ligature.The curve of the plate is bigger than that of a reed so only the edges touch the reed surface. They are one of the best ligatures out there and are very clear and articulate well!
Derek
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2002-11-17 01:44
The Francois Louis ligature arrived today. I wanted to try one first on my c-melody. I just can't get over it! It's everything that John said it is. This is most definitely a "different" ligature. It took me a few minutes to begin to get used to it. Never the less, the sound coming out of my 83-year old saxophone is nothing short of amazing. It SPARKLES! -- just as John described it. There's also a noticable difference with response and articulation. Simply put, my horn seems to play easier. Truly, this is not just another ligature.
Here's the set up that I'm using:
1919 Conn curved neck c-melody (recently worked on by Steve Goodson), Ralph Morgan 6 (.090) c-melody mouthpiece, Alexander Classique reeds, and Francois Louis XL tenor sax brass ligature.
Since I'm wanting a darker sound on clarinet I'm not sure if the FL ligature will work as well for me on that instrument. I have an EDII on order and will give it a try.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2002-11-26 13:30
The EDII clarinet ligature finally arrived. I had fun experimenting with all of the configurations. To my ears, the darkest, richest, and most resonant sound comes from using with curved thick plate without the flaps (ie, reed sitting on the metal). I love it's tonal quality and response! It definitely sounds better to me than the MkIII. The MkIII has a warmth that I like. But, the EDII is so much MORE. It brings out the rich woody sound of my clarinet. I tried the curved thick plate with the flaps. It gives a dark sound. But, it didn't sound as rich to me as without the flaps.
I'm curious about the configuration(s) that other EDII players are using. What has been your experience with it?
I'm sold on the FL ligature on my c-melody and alto saxophones. The soprano is a toss-up. I definitely want a dark vintage Buescher sound. The MkIII lig works well on it. However, I'll give the FL and EDII a try to see which one sounds best to me on that horn.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2002-11-28 02:14
Something amazing happened! I ordered a FL ligature for my alto sax. However, my horn is still in the shop. The ligature arrived today. Out of curiosity I tried it on clarinet. It fit well enough. Of course, the reed plate is probably wider than the one on the clarinet version. Never the less, it worked.
I was completely floored by what a difference it made to my sound. I had thought that the FL ligature might be too bright for what I want on clarinet. However, this is simply not the case. The tonal color is just right. In addition, the clarity of sound is truly exceptional. When I did a side-by-side test of the FL and EDII ligatures EDII sounded tinny by comparison. I was so deeply impressed with the FL ligature that I A.) boxed up the EDII to send back for a refund and B.) ordered a FL clarinet lig. In fact, I got on a roll and also ordered a FL lig for my soprano sax. I've decided to use FL exclusively.
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