[AntPea]

These loosen up the reed and widen the dynamic range of the sax and enhance the respond of the reed. They make the low notes speak very easily and they can be played down to a whisper. Depending on which string is used they have some effect on sound to.

 

[Pete Thomas]

These loosen up the reed and widen the dynamic range of the sax and enhance the respond of the reed. They make the low notes speak very easily and they can be played down to a whisper.

Are you saying that's what they actually do, or that's what their marketing claims say they do?

 

[Charlie J]

Clever, but I don’t need all those strings tickling my nose!

 

[lostcircuits]

I would end up crosseyed playing something like this. There are already enough other distractions...

 

[JimD]

Are you saying that's what they actually do, or that's what their marketing claims say they do?

Obviously, the red one are for hot jazz, the blue ones for cool jazz and the black ones give a darker tone. I love the second one down on the left, it looks lively. they look a bit of a faff to use though.

 

[Sofiane]

Time to get a haircut.

 

[Bloo Dog]

The best ligatures are the most expensive ones. If you paid AT LEAST $125.00 for each of them they're probably pretty good.

Do you know the zinc content of the brass? The higher the zinc content, the better. The brass density should be in the neighborhood of 8.73 g/cm3, balanced with a fair amount of Carpathian lead. Otherwise, the mouthpiece will play flat. You can compensate for that by trimming the ends of the ligature and sealing them with aged ambergris.

 

[AntPea]

Are you saying that's what they actually do, or that's what their marketing claims say they do?

I make these for myself and my friends and honestly what I described is exactly what they do. They are a bit fiddly to adjust initially but the good thing is that they can be used on all sax mouthpieces, soprano, alto, tenor, or baritone. As for the strings they can be cut to size. A thing I very much like about them is that the sax can be played down to a whisper.

 

[AntPea]

Obviously, the red one are for hot jazz, the blue ones for cool jazz and the black ones give a darker tone. I love the second one down on the left, it looks lively. they look a bit of a faff to use though.

Well...you got something right, the black string does in fact darken the sound a little, as it is thicker and more stretchy thus cutting of some of the higher frequencies making the sound darker.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I make these for myself and my friends and honestly what I described is exactly what they do.

Please accept my apologies, very eneterprising!

A thing I very much like about them is that the sax can be played down to a whisper.

But this is what we expect from any player/saxophone/mouthpiece/ligature/ reed combination . If it isn't possible then one of those is nyt functioning as it should.

 

[lostcircuits]

I make these for myself and my friends and honestly what I described is exactly what they do.

In that case, I have definitely seen a lot worse.

 

[JimD]

Well...you got something right, the black string does in fact darken the sound a little, as it is thicker and more stretchy thus cutting of some of the higher frequencies making the sound darker.

Actually I'm only a semi-sceptic about ligatures and I do love the one on the second row, and the one next to it, but aren't they difficult to use?

 

[AntPea]

Actually I'm only a semi-sceptic about ligatures and I do love the one on the second row, and the one next to it, but aren't they difficult to use?

Once adjusted for size which is a little fiddly you slip them on and they stay put. I have loads of ligatures, BG, Rovners, Vandoren optimum and M/O, Bonade, H-ligature, Francois Louis e.t.c. which I will not be using anymore. I also tried a friends Silverstein, which is very nicely made but in my books is grossly over prized.

 

[SimonJazzSax]

These look cool! I sent you a message.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

 

[bandmommy]

I call bullpoopy, but if you think they're great.... You do you.

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

I'd rather use electrical tape than one of those "things". But, that's my personal preference.

 

[JimD]

Once adjusted for size which is a little fiddly you slip them on and they stay put. I have loads of ligatures, BG, Rovners, Vandoren optimum and M/O, Bonade, H-ligature, Francois Louis e.t.c. which I will not be using anymore. I also tried a friends Silverstein, which is very nicely made but in my books is grossly over prized.

The prices of most ligs are inflated these days, the Silversteins are ridiculous, as I said in another lig thread once they start claiming great things and charging sizeable chunks of money for something that's been in the freezer I lose all trust, same thing with expensive plating. Since the benefits, if any, are only noticeable by me once the thing starts edging towards three figures, actually long before, I find the ligs I have are plenty good enough.

 

[Atonal]

If I remember correctly, the OP started a thread a while back showing the development and evolution of these DIY ligs. It was a very interesting thread. These ligs look great, nicely done!

 

[AntPea]

For those who scoff at anything new-different, here's a ligature along a more familiar path. The use of dyneema string gives this lig similar characteristics and behavior to the ligs presented above.

 

[Hassles]

As I have experienced a Silverstein ligature all of AntPea's designs look very appealing to me. I applaud his creativity, patience and contributions here - apologies if he is a she. I am and have been SOOO impressed by all of the versions shared here that I am sorely tempted to make attempts to emulate his designs.

Personally - I highly recommend anybody and everybody 'try' these string ligatures if only once - once is all it took for myself to be sold on the viability of these stringed designs.