As the Pot Stirs and the Pot Plot Thickens

1994 Views 56 Replies 27 Participants Last post by LeblancBoy, 1 d ago

LeblancBoy

Discussion Starter · 11 d ago

Hi everyone! It's a bit of a bland Monday afternoon here and I thought that I would ask for everyone's preference/opinion, set in granite or otherwise, regarding Alto Saxophone Ligatures.

For my clarinets, I have way too many ligatures. For the past nine or ten years or so, I've been playing almost exclusively on Rovner Dark, except when I pull out the Eefer and am using the Pomarico Crystal, and then it's the vintage Harrison "H" Ligature that I've had for decades.

I know nothing about Saxophones (witness my foray into the restoration of a Leblanc Vito Model 35, which I've been posting about). At the recommendation of some superb players and professionals in the area, I purchased a Selmer Paris Series 80 C* on which to learn, paired up with a Rovner Dark Ligature.

Now...

For grins and giggles, I do like the look of the Vandoren Optimum. It's fun, snazzy and there is a following of the thing which is impressive.

Which would you folks enjoy the most? The Gold? The Silver? The Rose Gold? The Model 35 is heavily silver plated and is polishing up beautifully.

Should there be the mystery/whodunnit "DA, DA, DUMMMMM!" music inserted here?

I'm looking forward to everyone's opinion, as well as suggestions. With so many of you who are experts, professionals, avid amateurs and everything in between, it's always fun for me to read the comments and LEARN NEW THINGS.

Thanks in advance!!

1 - 20 of 57 Posts

Global Woodwind

· #2 · 11 d ago

You welcome to use the polling function on this forum? It helps in these discussions.

Also, can I ask what colour your Alto / Tenor is?

Reactions: 1

Dr G

· #3 · 11 d ago

LeblancBoy said:
For grins and giggles, I do like the look of the Vandoren Optimum. It's fun, snazzy and there is a following of the thing which is impressive.

Yeah, get that one. They work.

Reactions: 2

LeblancBoy

Discussion Starter · #4 · 11 d ago

2

Global Woodwind said:
You welcome to use the polling function on this forum? It helps in these discussions.

Also, can I ask what colour your Alto / Tenor is?

My Alto is Silver Plated. HEAVILY Silver Plated. It's taking forever to polish it evenly, as it apparently sat in a closet for a few decades and is absolutely black and dark purple in places.

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Reactions: 1

Hassles

· #5 · 11 d ago

from a purely asthetic bias I suggest the silver one. Nice ligatures too me thinks.

Reactions: 1

xrb

· #6 · 11 d ago

LeblancBoy said:
My Alto is Silver Plated. HEAVILY Silver Plated. It's taking forever to polish it evenly, as it apparently sat in a closet for a few decades and is absolutely black and dark purple in places.

Maybe it's my computer screen, but it looks like brass lacquer to me.

Reet McVouty

· #7 · 11 d ago

Here you go. I guarantee 100% that this is all the ligature you'll ever need. They are extremely efficient, and people have been using them for decades!

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Yamaha Alto Saxophone Ligature (YAC 1607) Brass : Musical Instruments

Buy Yamaha Alto Saxophone Ligature (YAC 1607) Brass: Musical Instruments - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Reactions: 3

LeblancBoy

Discussion Starter · #8 · 11 d ago (Edited)

Reet McVouty said:
Here you go. I guarantee 100% that this is all the ligature you'll ever need. They are extremely efficient, and people have been using them for decades!

Amazon.com: Yamaha Alto Saxophone Ligature (YAC 1607) Brass : Musical Instruments

Buy Yamaha Alto Saxophone Ligature (YAC 1607) Brass: Musical Instruments - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

That's very cool! It seems like the Saxophone version of the tried and true Leblanc D. Bonade ligature, which has been a staple of the clarinet world since the 1950s.

I will definitely have to take a look at one!

LeblancBoy

Discussion Starter · #9 · 11 d ago

2

xrb said:
Maybe it's my computer screen, but it looks like brass lacquer to me.

Sorry about that! I'm the worst at taking a decent photo. Here are two from the seller, when I first got it. Hope they're better!

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Reactions: 2

Aquarian

· #10 · 11 d ago

I have been using a Rovner MkIII with my “big band setup” and I realized today - after having a performance yesterday - that it has absolutely been a great ligature. There is a general preference for metal ligatures among saxophonists (myself included up to now) but the Rover has if anything been better to me than the Vandoren M/O I use with my other setup. It seems to be less fussy no matter what reed I use and to make it less likely to squeak or fluff a note. There may be some small degree of difference in sound but after using it during practice and performing for the last week, it seems to me that my sound isn’t significantly affected and if anything I have more confidence whether playing loudly or softly.

I also have a Rovner Star and it seems to me to be similarly forgiving and easy to use, though I’ll have to put it through the paces and see how it works out. The MkIII is something I can recommend without reservation.

So for what it’s worth, I think your Rovner Dark is probably all the ligature you need, but if you are thinking aesthetically then there is no harm in using a Vandoren Optimum. Just my experience is that the Rovner MkIII has been a better ligature than I wanted to give it credit for up to this point.

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Reactions: 1

HeavyWeather77

· #11 · 11 d ago

For what it's worth, Bonade makes ligatures for every saxophone, too, and they're great. Been using one on soprano for twenty years or so! And on clarinet for even longer. Vandoren makes great ligs, though, and I've long been a fan of their simple and awesome Masters Ligature (the current version is the MO, which I don't like quite as much, but still perfectly serviceable). The Optimum never made it into my collection but I'm sure it's just fine. Go for it!

(I also originally went to college on classical clarinet scholarship, before switching fully to jazz saxophone/piano, and have been a professional saxophonist/pianist for a couple decades. If you need any saxophone-to-clarinet tips, feel free to message me. Sounds like you're on the right track, though!)

Reactions: 2

ving

· #12 · 11 d ago

I like the optimum too, mine has held up well for close to 20 years now. Depends on how it fits a particular mpc if it works it’s best, but I know it fits and works well on your S80 c*. I happen to use a Rovner dark on my s80 D, also have several other rovners around I like for various reasons and how they fit certain mouthpieces (versa, versa x). I also like the m/o Vandoren! If you are into aesthetics, the charles bay nickel silver ligs are very ornate and you might like the look of those (they also function very well).

Reactions: 1

Sigmund451

· #13 · 11 d ago

I like the design of the Optimum but Id be careful. Vandoren designs them to fit their mouthpieces and Ive found that many customers have trouble getting a good fit on a number of other mouthpieces. There are plenty of aftermarket ligs on the market that might fit better. Their tenor ligs seem to be a bit more versatile than their alto version. I dont have any vandoren alto pieces around here but if my memory serves they dont have as much taper as a lot of alto hard rubber pieces.

Reactions: 3

Mgmarcus

· #14 · 11 d ago

Unless you're using a metal mouthpiece, I'd get the M/O rather than the Optimum. Less expensive and less overkill. I have a an Optimum for my metal Link but prefer the Selmer 404 for that.

Reactions: 2

Eulipion2

· #15 · 11 d ago

I use Rovners pretty exclusively across the board, jazz and classical. I had Francois Louis "Ultimate Ligatures," but they always slipped when I tried to tune. I occasionally switch to an Olegature on my ASC Borrum, but there's not a huge difference between that and the Rovner Dark, maybe a little more resonance, but not much. I've tried a few other things, and I just haven't been able to justify the cost difference when my stable of Rovners work so well. They aren't the prettiest ligatures, but they keep the reed firmly in place, which is far more important.

Reactions: 1

ving

· #16 · 11 d ago

I find with the optimum it plays great on mpcs that are either Vandorens (obvious I suppose) or a blank that is slightly slimmer, like the selmers. I haven’t liked it if it fits more snug on a given mpc.

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super20dan

· #17 · 11 d ago

i am underwhelmed by the optimum. its overpriced -the fit is limited and the plates dont change much of anything in responce to me. it also stifles reed vibration somewhat. on the plus side-its durable and cool looking . i like the mo better in preformance. they should reissue the masters as it was the best vandoren lig

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ralph lh

· #18 · 11 d ago

I thought this was going to be about weed! I have opinions about ligs but won't bother given the above.

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skeller047

· #19 · 11 d ago

+1 for Bonade. As a former clarinet major, that’s all I play on clarinet, and they are just as good on saxophone. A cheap but serviceable substitute is the Rico brand nickel plated ligature, they are light and solid.

Reactions: 3

JohnsonPowerSax

· #20 · 11 d ago

I like the Optimum. A good balance of "fits properly" and "looks cool." What do you like the look of? I think a gold lig on a silver horn is a nice balance, but you might like the silver on silver. Let's not kid ourselves and say "it's not about how it looks." I want my horn to have an aesthetic I like (if given the choice).

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