 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: three4rd
Date: 2006-11-13 15:03
Hi:
I'm going absolutely crazy with this problem. I got a new R13 Buffet for my daughter last year, along with a VanDoren M13 (I think) mouthpiece. My problem is that we have tried many different Bonade inverted ligatures for her clarinet. None of them work....they all slip up when trying to tighten them. I see from reading posts that others here have concerns about the apparent lack of quality control with these ligatures.
I've had the store send many different ones. They don't work on my B45 VanDoren mouthpiece either. Recently they sent me a BG leather ligature(inverted with the one screw..I think the Revelation line). This seemed too big and, while it stayed on, the reed was loose.
Just last week they sent a Van Doren ligature (Masters line) which is a real piece of crap. It just slips it's way up on the mouthpiece!! I've been playing and teaching for close to 30 years and have NEVER encountered such problems. What's going on?? The store is basically out of ideas. Right now I have my daughter using my old Bonade ligature which works so easily.
I'm stuck trying to get the Van Doren ligature to work today....completely frustrating...must have had it on and off 20 times already today.
Any suggestions?? I know that the brand new Bonade ligatures the store has been sending me don't even LOOK right - sort of mishapen and the tracks not parallel, etc. The ligature that came with her Buffet is pretty much junk too...that's how the whole problem started.....
Is anyone in France making a decent ligature these days????
Thanks -sorry for venting.....
three4rd
Post Edited (2006-11-13 15:06)
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2006-11-13 15:21
You can adjust the Bonades. They will need to be bent with small pliers, etc., in order to keep the sides of the lig away from the sides of the reed. I had a student whose new Bonade kept slipping up an what I did was sand the bars with a scrap of very fine sandpaper. This worked.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2006-11-13 15:27
Just sand the inside of the Bonade very lightly with a fine sandpaper. (maybe a 400 grit would be ok) The plating is a bit slick when new. Once you do that you won't have any problems.
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Author: tyffi_05
Date: 2006-11-13 15:31
I kinda know what your talking about. My high school instructor strongly recommended the inverted bonade ligature. I have owned two and I currently play on the second one. When I bought them, they did not look weird, but they were slipping up. It WAS extremely frustrating. First it never stayed down, then sometimes it did and sometimes it didn't, and finally it stayed in place.
My instructor informed me NOT to tighten the ligature too much (that is the tendancy).
We tried tearing a small piece of paper (like an inch), folding it in half and putting it anywhere between the mouthpiece and ligature. This did not always help but it did sometimes.
Another one to try, is simply using a cloth to wipe the entire outside of the mouthpiece to remove any oils from our skin that came from handling it.
If you find that some tips help keep it down even for just a little bit, keep trying. The ligature will give in. Like I said, I have been through this with two of those ligatures. It just takes a little time.
Tiff
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2006-11-13 15:56
hi-
I don't have experience with Bonade, but I use a great handmade lig from japan. they start from about 70 dollars and go up to 200, depending on the material, and plating.
www.ishimori-co.com/acce/ws_ligature.html
all their ligs are great for me. you might like them too. for me the price was well worth it. unfortunately, the one I liked the most was the most expensive. but it plays like a dream everyday.
the english email is eng@ishimori-co.com
I reccomend the 'woodstone' models. they also have a 'kodama' that is made of wood and not so great (in my opinion).
best-
S
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-11-13 16:37
We've had this very discussion numerous times before, so you may want to search for past threads.
Granted, the newer generation of Bonade ligatures are a far cry from the original design and quality control, thus they do have a tendency to slip and not perform to their potential.
First, do not over tighten the ligature. This will certainly cause slippage.
Other "fixes" (after straightening/leveling the inside bars and adjusting the outer bands to not touch the outer edge of the reed) include roughing up the inside of the bands with sandpaper, or adding small strips of (paper) masking tape or cork to the inside bands. Another solution is to use a small piece of mouthpiece patch on the back of the mouthpiece for added grip...GBK
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Author: three4rd
Date: 2006-11-13 17:01
Hi:
Thanks to all who replied. Ed....are you saying to sand the entire inside part of the ligature - or just the tracks? Go over the whole thing lightly??
I'll have to tell the store to resend one, and I'll try it....if it doesn't work I'm stuck with it though!
Best,
three4rd
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Author: three4rd
Date: 2006-11-13 17:13
I also like Katrina's idea of sanding the bars. Thanks again for these helpful suggestions. I just emailed the store and told them to send me another Bonade.....they probably think I'm a bit crazy by now....
Regards,
three4rd
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-11-14 03:07
something changed this year - i've seen numerous students with this very problem with bonade's, starting this year.
i swtich them to Rovner 'dark's and the problem goes away
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
Post Edited (2006-11-14 03:09)
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-11-14 14:32
In another thread on the same subject I suggested the following:
1)File (not sand) each of the rails with a fine narrow microfile (sets available at local hdwre store) until they are level - easy to see because the brass shows through.
2) glue full-length thin strips of cork about 1/4" wide on the two internal surfaces near the screws.
Turns the Bonade from a piece of junk into a fine ligature that holds the reed gently but firmly over its full length and will not slip because of the cork.
I'm surprised that after playing for 30 years you didn't think of cork strips yourself.
Best,
b//
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-11-14 14:47
Bruno wrote:
> I'm surprised that after playing for 30 years you didn't think
> of cork strips yourself.
Perhaps he did, but like some players have thought, the cork strips change the resulting sound / projection / response ...GBK
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Author: Ed
Date: 2006-11-14 15:12
I sand the entire ligature VERY lightly. Only enough to take away the slickness from the plating. It will then grab. Run your finger along the inside after a few swipes-you will feel the difference. Try it on the mpce. If it still slides, do a few more.
I never liked adding cork or other material as I feel that it dampens the ligature and mouthpiece and deadens the sounds and changes the vibrations. If it works for you, go for it.
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Author: seafaris
Date: 2006-11-14 15:43
I use the clear thin plastic mouthpiece guards. It keeps the ligatures from slipping and protects the mouthpiece from getting scratched by the screws.
...Jim
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