[ASIJDBASFAH]

The plate no. 1 on my clarinet optimum ligature is a bit lop-sided. If you place it on a level surface, the component that sticks up and attaches into the screw is actually tilted a little. Does anyone else have this? It's a new ligature. More importantly, would this affect the sound?

 

[stevesklar]

my plates planes are not lopsided/bent.

can you use some smooth pliers and straighten it ?

 

[Dave Dolson]

ASIJ . . .: Welcome to SOTW. I have one Optimum ligature (for soprano saxophone) and the three plates that came with it are level. DAVE

 

[Rackety Sax]

ASIJDBASFAH, I've got one for alto and all three plates appear unbent.

As to whether this would affect the sound and response, I think it easily could. You would not have the even pressure on the reed from the plate's pressure points as is pretty clearly intended.

 

[ASIJDBASFAH]

Yea I managed to repair my leveling issue. But after using the smooth pliers my rails are slightly scratched. It still slides down the reed smoothly though and is more a problem with looks than function I think. The scratches wouldn't affect the sound would it?