Which Ligature?
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I'd use Vandoren Optimum for classical and F. Louis for Jazz. Just from my own experience in playing and seeing what others use around me.
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might want to have put that in your initial post 
. anyway, a ligature is a ligature, and the best one is the one that feels best when you play it. IMO, they don't change the sound much, just the response. Try them both.
. anyway, a ligature is a ligature, and the best one is the one that feels best when you play it. IMO, they don't change the sound much, just the response. Try them both.
Grafton + TH & C alto || Naked Lady 10M || TT soprano || Martin Comm III
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It mostly depends on the mouthpiece, if it's a good fit then either will do but there are cheaper options that are just as good. I find it best to concentrate on practising rather than fretting over the minutiae of equipment.
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+1 on Pete's comments
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I am currently sold on using a Yamaha 4C on my sop. I was thinking about getting a Vandoren Optimum for it because that ligature really made my Cannonball stock alto mouthpiece come alive in all respects including tone that others hear. Has anyone had experience with the Optimum on a 4C? It would be great to have some others' input before shelling out around $100 or the piece. Thanks!
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I think that Pete hit the nail on the head with his comment about a good fit. If a lig puts pressure on the reed in the wrong places the stress alone will change the timbre and if the fit is bad can actually bend the reed.
I am now of the opinion that fit is one of the major factors in ligatures sounding different. One thing I have noticed is there seems to be some variation in ligs of the same model/brand.
I am now of the opinion that fit is one of the major factors in ligatures sounding different. One thing I have noticed is there seems to be some variation in ligs of the same model/brand.
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From a mechanical engineering standpoint, I perceive the single radial screw (pointing towards the center of the mp) like a poor solution: by rotating the screw, you tend to mess the reed alignment. Probably FL does a bit better than the good old Links, but still, it isn't the most elegant design. Furthermore, a radial movement is 3 times (3.14) less precise than a tangential screw, when it comes to "feel" the tightness. So, I prefer Vandoren's choice, but also all the more conventional ligs where the screws go "sidewise". Bonade, Selmer, Rico, and the newest Vandoren put the screw(s) ON TOP of the mp, so they don't interfere at all with the reed. My choice. Afterwards, I tend to forget about it, and ... play.
PS: FLs look like a cattle fence around your horn. Not really inspiring...
PS2: from a practical point of view, Rovners are the easiest. Unortunately, THEY DO muffle tone a bit. Selmer's design, to keep the single screw on top, but with a metal body, seems a good compromise. Unfortunately, they only fit HR mps.
PS: FLs look like a cattle fence around your horn. Not really inspiring...
PS2: from a practical point of view, Rovners are the easiest. Unortunately, THEY DO muffle tone a bit. Selmer's design, to keep the single screw on top, but with a metal body, seems a good compromise. Unfortunately, they only fit HR mps.
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By far the most interesting lig I have ever seen is the one used by Steve Lacy. Four point screws. Pics of it on Soprano Planet website
Grafton + TH & C alto || Naked Lady 10M || TT soprano || Martin Comm III
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Rovner Star or Platinum.
Also a really really nice one is Marc Jean.
But really you just need to try them until you get one that fits your mouthpiece and doesn't fall off when you adjust the tuning. Then go and practise and do your utmost to not think about ligatures any more.
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The Rovner light and dark might muffle the tone, but the Rovner Versa does not, plus it makes the reed more responsive.
Grafton + TH & C alto || Naked Lady 10M || TT soprano || Martin Comm III
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Not if you do them up tightly enough. many people only tighten them as much as they would a metal lig, so no wonder. Also some people don't bother oiling them or allowing them to run in properly.
It also helps to have an unmufflable tone of course
Bonade. It's a simple two screw design, choice of screws on the top or bottom if you are worried about that and has the vertical two rails that hold the reed tight to the table if you are worried about that. It's well made and isn't that expensive and it doesn't look like it was invented by people from another solar system that are trying to make money on gullible saxophone players that think a ligature will make them sound better.
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