 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2014-06-09 21:29
Some of you have probably seen these BG wannabes on the you-know-where auction site. (Really now, isn't it time to get rid of the most violated rule on this discussion board?)
I bought one accidentally from someone who thought he was selling a Super Revelation (I got a partial refund). I kept it thinking I might give it to my Granddaughter, but at this point I wouldn't recommend these ligatures for any level player. The plastic cap is flimsy and probably won't last long. The tightening mechanism on the ligature is not properly threaded. When tightened all the way the screw extends excessively beyond the thumb tightener. On my mouthpieces it did tighten snugly enough - the threads should have been cut deeper. I had to add a spacer or under the thumb tightener to get it to tighten properly (this solve the screw extension problem mentioned above). I played it a couple a times and the sound quality is better than most inexpensive ligatures, but I don't trust it too last very long so I set it aside. The fabric seems rather flimsy, it will probably stretch requiring more spacers. I feel like it could tear or stretch at any time, so I wouldn't want to use it in a concert, or at a rehearsal without a good backup. I suppose I could use it at home to practice, but I'd be horrified if I opened my case at rehearsal or a concert and discovered that I had accidentally brought it instead of my BG Super Revelation. It's just not worth the risk.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-10 00:21
Woodwind Brasswind has the Super Revelation for $53.00. I don't think I am being a snob when I say that this is NOT a huge investment by any means. An item that you will have for many years that truly helps with the production of your sound should not be nickeled and dimed by trying to get a "killer deal" elsewhere.
Now paying over a hundred dollars for a ligature may not be necessary and I'd only think those of us who find the design or material from which its made some how an improvement would be the only serious buyers for those.
Just stick to your main instrument retailers and pay a little more for your accessories than you would from auctions sites and you'll do ok.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2014-06-10 01:47
Paul, I couldn't agree more. I've had to learn this lesson the hard way. I've purchased a lot of cheap imitations, tools, etc., only to have to go back later and purchase the original when the rip off failed. It's even worse today, with the flood of low quality goods from sweat factories abroad.
One of the reasons for my post is that I have read a thread or two in the past where someone suggests buying one of these ligatures as a cheap option for a beginning student. The posts were followed by an admission that they have never tried them. I can now say I have, and I don't think they are worth the risk. (Although I set my granddaughter up with a new Luyben that she somehow managed to break after only a couple of months light use. But it was easy enough to replace. )
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-10 06:45
And my vote for all around great ligature at a great price is the Rovner Light for about $25.00 at Woodwind Brasswind.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-06-10 07:46
The Rovner Light is snazzy, but my vote for all-time best is. . The Luyben.
As far as the BG wannabes, you just have to know that if looks too good to be true, it probably isn't.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2014-06-12 02:40
I'm in process of becoming a BG Artist, but I really like, and use the Duo by BG.
Really good response - allows the reed to not only vibrate freely, but enhances it.
Thumb works well - duo works better, and my thumb has other activities to do.
Expensive though compared to inexpensive ones, but to me worth it.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-06-12 15:23
I've got a pair of standard BG clones from China, and they work just fine.. stay on better then Revelation. Cap is oversized and falls of on alto MPC.
Neither BG or clones would be my 1st or 2nd choice, Rovner products blow BG out of the water. Versa, Mark III, Dark, Legacy even Star would be a much better choice then BG-like products, IMHO.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2014-06-12 19:25
Cyclopathic, glad you had better luck with the clones on your alto than I did on my Bb.
I haven't run a comparison in a long time, but when I got my BG super revelation I had been using a Rovner dark. I got it better sound with the BG on my van Doren mouthpieces (B45, M13L, 5RVL), and Selmer HS*. The BG is definitely the hardest to get on correctly. After some experimenting, I pinch the top of the ligature with my left hand while tightening with my right. I double check to make sure the reed is secure, if not I loosen and repeat.
Every once in awhile I try my Luyben or Bonade inverted, but I still think I get a better sound with the BG. I haven't tried any of the other Rovner configurations. The only ligatures I've found to be comparable to the BG have been rubber band ligatures which I've made out of cross sections of small diameter bicycle tube. I haven't used one of these in over a year, they are a little tricky to get on, it would be easy to break a reed tip. I keep a couple of these in my case for backup.
But as it's often been said, the best ligature (or whatever, fill in the blank) is the one that gives you the best results. :^)
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-06-12 20:14
if you liked super-revelation over Dark try Legacy, you may actually like it. Here is the cheapest place for them: http://1stopclarinet.stores.yahoo.net/rolebbclli.html (no affiliation with them)
Biggest beef with BG beside taking too long to get right, was that the set up is easy to destroy while pulling mouthpiece off or just not being careful.
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-06-13 10:42
Is the Duo really worth the money, or is it just a hair "better" than everything else?
Just curious how so many people have jumped on a ligature worth $100.00.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-13 13:01
Hmmmm, the Duo looks interesting (never saw this one before). Are the "feet" at the top, under the screw? It looks like the only other mouthpiece contact are the narrow rails at the sides.
Bonade would be proud of the number of 'redesigns' of his concept !!!
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-06-14 04:49
I can see how the Duo is worth it for doublers- instead of buying a Super Revelation or a Versa for your alto and Bb, you have one ligature that you can switch between them for the price of two. .
I'm sure it's wonderful, but I would have to try it with a double blind test to see if its worth it.
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