[Henblower]

Is there anybody here who has compared ligature sizes for Ted Klum Focustone mouthpieces with other makers? I see that Ishimore Woodstone are offering a ligature for Guardala tenor pieces. When I asked them they answered they have no experience with Focustones. I guess Focustone mpcs might be slightly larger in perimeter and diameter than a standard Guardala tenor piece. When I still had Guardalas, I remember that I used Selmer 2-screw ligs made for alto and a Francois Louis Ultimate for alto as well. If you have a Focustone and a Guardala sitting side by side in your mouthpiece drawer, it would be great if you could have a look if they get along with the same ligatures.
Moreover, if you play a Focustone and use an Ishimori lig, please let me know which one you got for it. Thanks.

 

[Tom Walsh]

i bought one specifically for my precision focustone. got the size for otto links. fit great

 

[Henblower]

Does this mean you use a standard Ishimori lig for Otto Link tenor metal mouthpieces like the Super Tonemaster? Thanks for helping.

 

[Swaman]

I had a similar problem with a ligature for Ted Klum's Tonamax HR mouthpiece. I solved it by filing down a Selmer 2 screw ligature so there was enough room for it to seat properly. I only filed the side that doesn't have the screw threads. Be careful to file straight, otherwise it ends up being a bit off center but some trial & error will solve the problem. I don't like the idea of ligatures that look like birdcages or use wooden dowels that inevitably will wear out. I also used a soprano lig for a LeBayle metal mpc which worked well. Perhaps there's a lig you can get to work on the Focustone. Good luck.

 

[jlima]

I had a similar problem with a ligature for Ted Klum's Tonamax HR mouthpiece. I solved it by filing down a Selmer 2 screw ligature so there was enough room for it to seat properly. I only filed the side that doesn't have the screw threads. Be careful to file straight, otherwise it ends up being a bit off center but some trial & error will solve the problem. I don't like the idea of ligatures that look like birdcages or use wooden dowels that inevitably will wear out. I also used a soprano lig for a LeBayle metal mpc which worked well. Perhaps there's a lig you can get to work on the Focustone. Good luck.

I use a Vandoren Optimum ligature on the Focustone Tonamax. Fits perfectly!
As to the metal Focustone, I have a few and I use a Marc Jean lig for all of them. I know this is a bit off the topic of the thread, so sorry, Henblower! I too would like to know which Ishimori lig is the best option, a backup lig would probably be a good idea for me.

 

[Tom Walsh]

the size for otto link fits my focustone precision perfectly

 

[Henblower]

Thanks everyone. I found out myself that the Marc Jean does a good job (thanks, Jorge), but that the Ishimori built for Guardalas fits the Focustone if you use all the room the thread offers for the screws. It's a bit tight, but it won't hurt the body of the TK. Of course I do not know if the tightness of the lig takes away any vibration and resonance of the reed. I will get an Ishimori for a Link STM asap. They are not quite common in Europe I'm afraid. Most dealers don't have them in stock, and you will have to wait until they place an order with Ishimori in Japan.

 

[tony1709]

I think the OL woodstone link ligs come in small, medium and large. I have the medium Otto Link Woodstone ligature which fits my standard Focustone fine. When I spoke to Ishimori, they recommended the small one as the best fit, although they didn't want to give a guarantee about fit. I think either would likely do the job.
I hope this helps.
Tony

 

[LittleMushi]

Thanks everyone. I found out myself that the Marc Jean does a good job (thanks, Jorge), but that the Ishimori built for Guardalas fits the Focustone if you use all the room the thread offers for the screws. It's a bit tight, but it won't hurt the body of the TK. Of course I do not know if the tightness of the lig takes away any vibration and resonance of the reed. I will get an Ishimori for a Link STM asap. They are not quite common in Europe I'm afraid. Most dealers don't have them in stock, and you will have to wait until they place an order with Ishimori in Japan.

You can order it yourself from Ishimori.

 

[Henblower]

Yes, I have considered that before. Ishimori ships with EMS, and their German partner asks about 30 USD for customs paperwork (!) which is a bad joke. So in the end it will be cheaper to buy an Ishimori lig with the European retailers. I have thought about a silver ligature for my Focustone silver (I suffer from a nickel allergy), but at more than 200 USD, I would of course like to give it a try before actually buying it which seems highly improbable.

 

[Hardy]

BTW the small tenor lig from Francois Louis also fits perfectly. Works well and is a lot cheaper + you can get and try it everywhere in Europe.

 

[Henblower]

Thanks, Hardy, but I like the Selmer 402 or 404 better than the FL lig. The Ishimori is a little bit better than the Selmers, though.

 

[Swaman]

I recently purchased a Ted Klum Focustone Precision tenor mouthpiece.
The best fitting ligature I have found is a nickel standard Bonade soprano sax ligature, 2 screws.

 

[Henblower]

Thanks Swaman. I will check it out.

 

[LittleMushi]

For my TK Precision, I use a sterling silver Ishimori/Wood Stone made for the Otto Link STM. It is the Small size. Ishimori makes it in a L, M, & S (Large, Medium & Small). I believe the M would work also.

I also have the Marc Jean (silver plated, Harrison, Rovner, and a couple of other ligatures that fit the Precision. For me, the Ishimori/Wood Stone gets the best results from the piece.