 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2003-01-06 03:08
Yes, I'm in the throes of LES (Ligature Experimentation Syndrome). Could someone be so kind as to tell me the difference between the three metal plates included with the Optimum ligature? Which plate is best for which styles/sounds? I'll be waiting in my LEL (Ligature Experimentation Laboratory).
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-01-06 07:04
Well, I bought an Optimum ligature last year and gave it a good whirl. Taking it out of the packing it was discoloured, a few weeks later it was most definitely tarnished. Initial experimentation suggested that the plate with 4 dots allowed a fuller and more malleable tone than the others. I suppose the variable plates theory seems a good principle but it didn't work significantly for me. I think I was talking myself into sounding better but when I let my orchestral colleague have an extended trial, she was particularly unconvinced. In the interim, I'd gone back to my BG cloth strap and the decision was made.
I'm sure it will work for some people. Of course different instruments and m/p /reed combos will respond differently.
I have to say that I was really disappointed initially by the tarnishing - This is not a good marketing feature - I see from the BB threads on this lig that I'm by no means alone here.
So - I've entered the state FTL(M)
[finished trying ligatures (meantime)]
BobT
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Author: John Elison
Date: 2003-01-06 07:07
I was using the twin rails and I thought I liked it best. However, I recently switched to the four-corner dimples and I think it allows easier, more consistent response. It puts four little indentions in the reed so you need to get it lined up right from the start. Then it will fall into place each time thereafter.
The Optimum is a wonderful ligature. Why don’t you just try out the different plates and pick the one you like best.
Best regards,
John Elison
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-06 12:35
I have one for each instruments and like them. I use the vertical rails most of the time (it comes installed in it,) but I use the other two periodically and the four dotted one regularly on a couple of instruments, especially for more structured music.
I like the interchangeable inserts. While the four corner dots allow the "easier, more consistent response" that John Ellison speaks of, the vertical rails give me better volume and, so far, have very little use for the horizontal, parallel lines.
There's a pretty good collection of ligatures here I've tried over the times and the Optimum worked out best for me, so far.
Tarnishing is a fact of silver, and if there is any truth to that the purer the silver the more it will tarnish, then these ligatures must have some pretty good silver in the plate. I don't have any more problem with them than I have with my silver keyed instruments.
The saxophone ligatures are gold and don't tarnish at all.
It's a fact of life that silver has to be polished, .
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Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2003-01-06 13:37
I have a vandoren optimum lig but still use my rovner more!
Rob
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Author: d dow
Date: 2003-01-06 14:20
For some reason after using the Rovner dark I am unable to go back to the Bonade inverted, which is very good. The main reason is I find the Bonade is quite liable to come off in switches during orchestral concerts between A and Bb clarinets.
In a recent performance of the Nutcracker ballet there we're some quick changes which I fund on the Rovner to be far more manageable(the thing doesn't fall off!).
I have also noticed a greater ability to get more reeds to "work" on the rovner and so I find this to be quite a happy thing.
I also like the fact you can play with the position of the ligature on the reed to a nicety on the rovner and of course allows for different responses.
Sincerely
D Dow
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-01-06 14:28
d dow...I also alternate between the Rovner and the Bonade inverted.
Slipping was a constant problem with the Bonade, especially since I use it on a crystal mouthpiece.
I finally solved the slippage problem with 4 thin (double thickness) strips of regular masking tape placed on the inside of the 4 bands which contact the mouthpiece.
This extra little bit of traction has nicely solved the slipping problem...GBK
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-01-06 14:28
This often comes up about the Bonades. The plating can often be a little slick. Sand the inside of the ligature a few swipes with a fine sandpaper. It won't slip at all after that. I have never had one slip aftet I do this.
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Author: d dow
Date: 2003-01-06 14:49
Dear Ed and GBK:
How are things going these days? Well, I think it is pretty central to working players to have the ligature question under control.
A colleague of mine has had alot of trouble on her Bonade and I noticed with the help of duck tape she has no problem.
I was also surprised to note; the low quality of the screw threads on this newer incarnation of the bonade ligature....
Orchestral work usually makes the A and Bb switch a priority, but the idea of having two mouthpieces then means adapting reeds....no alot of fun and I am pretty fussy as most players and studnets as to what reeds I like. I also notice the Bonade doesn't always fit all reeds Brands too well either/.
All the best.
DD
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2003-01-06 18:19
"with the help of duck tape she has no problem." Yep, instead of squeaking, she quacks.
Should have used DUCT tape, the plumber's and airconditioner's friend.
Bob A
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Author: nzdonald
Date: 2003-01-06 20:25
i use my Optimum with the two lengthwise rails... on my alto saxophone... makes PP articulation on the low notes much less problematic...
donald
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-01-07 01:27
I'd been using a Rovner, and I just got a Bonade inverted today, and it's improved my response quite a bit. I think I'm the lucky winner of the day, though, because pretty much only the rails are touching the reed. This thing barely needs tewaking!
About the different plates with the Optimum: I don't have an Optimum, but my teacher does, and she said she doesn't use the plate with the dots for the fact that it practially impales your reed. I believe she uses the one with the vertical rails, and she uses it for most everything.
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2003-01-07 02:09
Both my son and I are currently using vertical rails, and have used dots in the past. Dots can get brash at times. Maybe I should try dots again.
No one seems to like the horizontal lig, maybe it needs duck tape.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-01-07 21:31
I am going to start manufacturing ligatures. The market is obviously out there and people are willing to throw money. I might start with shoelaces, not ordinary shoelaces but special clarinet shoelaces. I bought some the other day, for shoes not clarinet, and they cost me 0.59cents. I should be able to re-sell them to clarinettists for at least $59.00. This is the sort of profit margin that the corporate world could only dream of. I still use the same set of ligatures on each mouthpiece Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, C Melody Sax and Tenor that I was using 20 years ago. Most of them came with the mouthpieces! Don't waste your money.
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2003-01-07 21:57
I take a different equipment view than you Mark. The new lig made me sound way better than the equivalent amount of money on lessons and/or paying myself my hourly rate to practice. It actually was a bargin. Even for my kid if he practiced for minium wage, he would be way a head in terms of cost of improvement. Now that practice time can go for making even better clarinet sounds!
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Author: Vic
Date: 2003-01-07 22:08
Mark - I like your idea of shoelace ligatures. When do you think they'll be ready for the market? I'm ready to pony up.
Vic
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Author: Hans
Date: 2003-01-08 16:04
My Optimum ligatures (I use them on my clarinet, alto sax, and tenor sax) came with instructions that describe the different performance that could be expected from the three inserts. I found that the 4 points insert required the most effort to control and not much difference between the other two. Theoretically, the horizontal contacts should allow for greater reed vibration amplitude than the vertical and the four points the greatest reed freedom of the three. I like having to tighten only one screw - it makes positioning the reed easy. None of mine have tarnished after ~3 years. Wish I could say the same about the keys on my 15 year old Recital.
Hope this is useful.
Hans
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-01-09 15:24
While struggling through my period of LES I tried every ligature I could get my hands on. The Opera ligature, the Rovners (even the upscale Eddie Daniels), Harrisons, Vandorens (even Optimum), the new Varilig, The BG Super Revelation and non-Super and regular, the Charles Bay and others all found their way onto eBay after my experimentation. I eventually decided I would keep the BG Super Revelation because I got a good sound and was tired of constantly swapping the ligatures. The rest of my clarinet section was relieved. They laughed at the "stash" of ligatures I had on my stand and on top of my clarinet case.
Then I went through a period of MES--Mouthpiece Experimentation Syndrome. By far, this one is more serious with much more money involved.
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