[dealaddict]

Hi,

I bought a used Silverstein classic ligature from eBay of size 5 metal large for my Otto Link STM, which is the right size according to Silverstein web site. However, it turns out to large. It can fit a hard rubber alto mouthpiece. I am thinking to just unscrew it and cut the string shorter. I know this will void the warranty per the web site, but I don’t think i need the warranty. Did anyone try that? Besides the screw, does t anyone know if the string is also glued to the metal piece?

Thanks.


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[Mark R]

Instead of cutting the string, which would possibly ruin the integrity of how the ligature works you might consider adding like a mouthpiece cushion or stacking pieces of electrical tape to the top of the mouthpiece so that the ligature has a tighter fit.

 

[Reet McVouty]

 

[mijderf]

This video might work for you.

 

[dealaddict]

Instead of cutting the string, which would possibly ruin the integrity of how the ligature works you might consider adding like a mouthpiece cushion or stacking pieces of electrical tape to the top of the mouthpiece so that the ligature has a tighter fit.

Thanks for the suggestion. That can be an option too. But it seems adjusting the string is a cleaner way.

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[dealaddict]

This video might work for you.

Yes, I hope it is as easy as in the video. The difference is that the one I have is an older model which is not designed to be adjustable. But I can't imagine there is any difference except the old model may be glued. I think I am going to give it a try.

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[Reet McVouty]

Yes, I hope it is as easy as in the video. The difference is that the one I have is an older model which is not designed to be adjustable. But I can't imagine there is any difference except the old model may be glued. I think I am going to give it a try.

Did you get a deal on this? I only ask because I see on eBay they run at around $140. What happens if you ruin it? Will you buy another? They obviously refined them to make them adjustable after they realized that over time the string will stretch and they won't hold the reed tight anymore. The job of a ligature is to hold the reed on tight, basic logic tells me this one will eventually fail. Good luck.

 

[dealaddict]

Did you get a deal on this? I only ask because I see on eBay they run at around $140. What happens if you ruin it? Will you buy another? They obviously refined them to make them adjustable after they realized that over time the string will stretch and they won't hold the reed tight anymore. The job of a ligature is to hold the reed on tight, basic logic tells me this one will eventually fail. Good luck.

It is a long story. I bought it used from eBay. From Silverstein web site, an Otto Link STM should use a size 5 metal large. So, this one is a size 5 metal large, but it turns out too large. I don't know if it is a quality control issue, or it is because it is an older model where the size has changed. I then message Silverstein. They first sound very helpful asking for the pictures and serial number, so I provide those. The tone of the reply change. He said the box where it says size 5 doesn't match with the ligature. The ligature is older and the packaging is different, and says since the seller give me an incorrect box, they can't figure out what is the size of the ligature it is. I then ask should the serial number tell the size? He didn't answer me directly, but repeat that the seller change something.

Then I contact the seller, he sounds genuine and provide the receipts that he bought from Guitar Center. He said this is what he get. So, I don't know what's wrong or who's lying. At the end of the day, I want a ligature for my Link.

I just did the change, it is all good. The string is not glued. I did one more change. There is a stripe of metal on the top of the STM and the feet of the A frame is not wide enough for it. So, I remove some metal so now it sits nicely no the mouthpiece.

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[jman1977]

Have you actually used one? I have one that I've been using for close to 3 years and I haven't experienced any of the stretching to h eloping it no longer secures the reed that you reference. Obviously with the passage of enough time all tangible things will break. Metal ligatures do corrode and warp in due time.

They didn't make them adjustable for the reason you stated. They made them adjustable (+1 size, -1 size) so a player can use one ligature for 3 different sized mouthpieces (rather than having to buy a separate ligature for each mouthpiece). I like that I can use one Silverstein for my HR soprano HR pieces and tenor and alto metal pieces, for instance (although it does take some time to make the adjustments). Actually, it also worked on a TW Durga metal soprano when I still had that mouthpiece.

Did you get a deal on this? I only ask because I see on eBay they run at around $140. What happens if you ruin it? Will you buy another? They obviously refined them to make them adjustable after they realized that over time the string will stretch and they won't hold the reed tight anymore. The job of a ligature is to hold the reed on tight, basic logic tells me this one will eventually fail. Good luck.

 

[B Flat]

I say cut it.
Then when you’ve ruined it just throw it out and get a Selmer 404.
Or one of the numerous other ligs that fit just fine.
I have a Silverstein as well but only because it came with a mouthpiece I bought.
I find it handy because it does adjust enough to fit a few pieces.
But it’s really nothing special.
I wouldn’t cut it though as someone may want to buy it off me for some stupid amount that would allow me to buy several other decent ligatures.

 

[whaler]

I say cut it.
Then when you've ruined it just throw it out and get a Selmer 404.
Or one of the numerous other ligs that fit just fine.
I have a Silverstein as well but only because it came with a mouthpiece I bought.
I find it handy because it does adjust enough to fit a few pieces.
But it's really nothing special.
I wouldn't cut it though as someone may want to buy it off me for some stupid amount that would allow me to buy several other decent ligatures.

One fugly ligature. I had one that came with a mouthpiece. It didn't do anything but look bad.
I agree, return it and get a 404.

 

[dealaddict]

Not the original question for this thread, but just curious, how does the Selmer 404 play different from the stock Link ligature?

I don’t like the Link ligature because there is a buzzing sound where I don’t know where it comes from. So, I want to try a string ligature. I feel the Rovner dampened the reed too much. Have had a chance to try the Silverstein


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[B Flat]

The Selmer 404 does nothing for the sound either, but it fits well and won’t break the bank.
If your chasing ligatures looking for huge tonal differences, chances are you will be disappointed.
The buzzing sound may just be air leaking from a poor fitting ligature.

 

[JL]

...return it and get a 404.

+1. Took the words right out of my mouth!

You'll save a ton of money and will have a solid ligature that works properly (iow, it fits and holds the reed firmly to the mpc table).

p.s. Ligs don't 'play' anything; they just hold the reed on, assuming a good fit.

 

[jman1977]

As is often the case here, someone asks a very specific question needing help with a specific issue and people pile on with unhelpful/irrelevant answers.

I remember when I had an emergency in Hawaii regarding some keys that weren’t playing properly and, while a few members did offer very useful suggestions, several took the “opportunity” to pontificate on the virtues of learning how to work on my own horn while offering no useful suggestions (all of these while I was a few hours away from playing my numbers and was desperately trying to figure out how to fix the issue).

 

[JL]

As is often the case here, someone asks a very specific question needing help with a specific issue and people pile on with unhelpful/irrelevant answers.

Not sure which post(s) you are referring to, but since this followed mine directly, I sure hope you didn't think I was giving you an unhelpful answer. You are totally free to disregard any advice (freely given), but I stand by what I said and consider it to be a valid option, and imo, the best option (a simple 2-screw metal lig). In any case I was, and am, trying to be helpful.

 

[jman1977]

Not sure which post(s) you are referring to, but since this followed mine directly, I sure hope you didn't think I was giving you an unhelpful answer. You are totally free to disregard any advice (freely given), but I stand by what I said and consider it to be a valid option, and imo, the best option. In any case I was, and am, trying to be helpful.

Not specific to you at all, JL. But the OP asked for advice RE: how to shorten the string of his ligature (not which ligature is the best, which ligature should he use, etc.). He already bought the ligature knowing he wants to use it. He just wants to know how he can adjust it given the size disparity. A lot of the responses on this thread have not been responsive to that at all.

This happens all too often on SOTW and reminded me of my own experience when I was in dire need of help (much more urgent than OP's situation) and pretty much had similar non-responsive, pontificating posts in response to my plea for help.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Not specific to you at all, JL. But the OP asked for advice RE: how to shorten the string of his ligature (not which ligature is the best, which ligature should he use, etc.). He already bought the ligature knowing he wants to use it. He just wants to know how he can adjust it given the size disparity. A lot of the responses on this thread have not been responsive to that at all.

I'm not sure what site you think you are posting on but this is a site where people are offering their OPINIONS on all things saxophone. Very few people on here are experts, so when you get advice from people that seem contrary to the OP's query you can just move on to another post that deals directly with the matter at hand.

However, just because some of the posts don't deal specifically with the ligature that the OP was dealing with doesn't mean some of the adverse advice wasn't beneficial. Trying to tell someone that the sole purpose of ligatures are to firmly hold the reed onto the mouthpiece and can be accomplished with a $15 two screw basic lig is certainly responsive. By modifying the Silverstein the OP is running the risk of rendering it useless, when he could save it for another mp that it may fit later on, or he could sell it.

I think that most of us have made purchases that didn't work out for one reason or another. I've ordered ligatures that didn't fit either. I just throw them in the box and maybe I'll get a mp that it will fit somewhere down the line, or may give it to a friend in need.

 

[jman1977]

I'm not sure what site you think you are posting on but this is a site where people are offering their OPINIONS on all things saxophone. Very few people on here are experts, so when you get advice from people that seem contrary to the OP's query you can just move on to another post that deals directly with the matter at hand.

However, just because some of the posts don't deal specifically with the ligature that the OP was dealing with doesn't mean some of the adverse advice wasn't beneficial. Trying to tell someone that the sole purpose of ligatures are to firmly hold the reed onto the mouthpiece and can be accomplished with a $15 two screw basic lig is certainly responsive. By modifying the Silverstein the OP is running the risk of rendering it useless, when he could save it for another mp that it may fit later on, or he could sell it.

I think that most of us have made purchases that didn't work out for one reason or another. I've ordered ligatures that didn't fit either. I just throw them in the box and maybe I'll get a mp that it will fit somewhere down the line, or may give it to a friend in need.

He asked a specific question about a specific issue needing specific answers. He didn't ask for your opinion on ligatures. Of course everyone is free to give their opinions (as has been famously said over and over, they're like a**holes -- everyone has one). There is still something to be said about at least trying to be helpful and address what someone is asking for instead of just spraying your thoughts on irrelevant (although peripherally related) matters.

His query did not require expertise. He was asking people who had experience with a specific ligature how they would handle the adjustment. That's it. There are already plenty of threads dealing with opinions on this or that mouthpiece, or this or that ligature. This was a specific question thread.

 

[click]

He asked a specific question about a specific issue needing specific answers. He didn't ask for your opinion on ligatures. Of course everyone is free to give their opinions (as has been famously said over and over, they're like a**holes -- everyone has one). There is still something to be said about at least trying to be helpful and address what someone is asking for instead of just spraying your thoughts on irrelevant (although peripherally related) matters.

His query did not require expertise. He was asking people who had experience with a specific ligature how they would handle the adjustment. That's it. There are already plenty of threads dealing with opinions on this or that mouthpiece, or this or that ligature. This was a specific question thread.

I respect your statement of opinion on these matters even though it does not specifically answer the question posed by the OP.

However, I think you are considering the matters involved too narrowly, and disagree with your assertions or assumptions.

There are a lot of requests for folk to use the search engine.

Consequently, we should expect people to answer a question presented NOT just for the OP, but for the next searcher.

It is fair for a poster to answer a question by considering what further matters the next researcher might be bumping against.

A searcher looking for info on ligatures might find the info and opinions on this thread useful.