What ligature should I use?

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What ligature should I use?

Melvin Llord (Admin)
- 551 posts
November 7, 2010 9:06:28 AM EST
“What ligature should I use?”

The ligature is the most neglected piece of the saxophone setup. Why? I believe mostly because many have the feeling that is only something that holds the reed onto the mouthpiece and nothing other than that. Nothing could be farther than the truth! The ligature has a LOT to do with the sound! Just imagine, you’re trying to talk and you have a clamp around your throat. Depending how tight it is, where pressure is being applied and such, will affect the way you talk (if you can at all!). So, don’t ignore this important piece of apparatus.

Here we also have a large pallet of manufacturers and models to choose from. Should we play the ligature that came with the mouthpiece (if any!), meaning, a ligature of the same brand of the mouthpiece? For example; Selmer mouthpiece = Selmer ligature? Vandoren mouthpiece = Vandoren ligature? Nope, it doesn’t have to be that way.

We have models with:
- Two screws under the mouthpiece
- Two screws on top of the mouthpiece
- One screw, either above or below
- A metal band
- A leather band
- An open frame with small rubber balls as contact points
- Etc…
The list can go on…

Well, we have to realize that the above scenario (trying to talk with a clamp around your throat) is the best example of what role the ligature has. Don’t run out an buy the “newest, latest”, experiment, ask your teacher(s), ask professionals, talk to your repairman, … research!

Above all, before you go on your search for the ULTIMATE SETUP, set a budget for yourself with exactly HOW MUCH MONEY you want to spend at all. You can surely find something satisfactory regardless of your budget.

Have fun!

Source: Waytomastery.com

This post was edited by Melvin Llord (Admin) at November 7, 2010 9:08:09 AM EST
Lukasz Pacer
- 8 posts
January 6, 2011 3:52:26 PM EST

I use many ligs. The best one ...in my opinion is the Olegature by Rico. It doesn't mute the sound. Gives swift reaction and makes articulation easier. Lets you play naturally no force needed regardless of the reed. Any choice in setup is a personal thing but I think one should try this one... Only one minus it can scratch your mouthpiece if mounted incorrectly.
Shanti A
- 30 posts
January 10, 2011 3:54:46 PM EST

Have you tried Frances Louis Ultimate or Theo Wanne Enlightened models--I never had luck with the Rico ones..still the Rovner Dark is a good standard lig from all I've used

This post was edited by Shanti A at February 9, 2011 2:55:23 PM EST
Christopher Mickel
- 133 posts
January 10, 2011 7:33:53 PM EST

I like the Bay Ligatures as well as the BG ligatures. The Francois Louis ligatures are very good.
Shanti A
- 30 posts
January 10, 2011 10:14:40 PM EST

Where to get the Bay ones? Rovner Dark is a standard I sell to many ..good reference model and always works...getting the right setup mpc./reed/lig can take a long time..but well woth all the efforts as we can learn alot about tone,etc...
Christopher Mickel
- 133 posts
January 11, 2011 9:55:44 AM EST

You can find out about them at http://www.charlesbaywoodwinds.com/
Shanti A
- 30 posts
January 11, 2011 1:16:40 PM EST

ok very rocco looking ..would fit well w/ Vintage goldplated horns from the 20's...have you tried their mpcs by chance?
Christopher Mickel
- 133 posts
January 11, 2011 8:41:58 PM EST

I have not but I hear they are very good.
Mikey Rivera
- 50 posts
January 17, 2011 10:13:41 PM EST

I usually use Winslows on my pieces, But the new Rico H, the Bonade and Vandoren optimum ligatures are very good. It depends on your personal taste and feel. Nowadays they are all very expensive compared to three or four years ago. Good luck guys. Take care.
Christopher Mickel
- 133 posts
January 17, 2011 10:36:56 PM EST

Many players like the string ligatures. Vandoren makes one, but there are others. I have tried them, I don't much care for them. They seem to be more popular among classical players.
Cory Barnfield
- 76 posts
January 29, 2011 10:09:44 PM EST

I really like the Winslow Ligature as well. There is hardly any contact with the ligature on the mouthpiece or on the reed so the sound if free and responsive. I also like the BG revolution ligature it has a similar response and feel like the winslow, but not as expensive
Cory Barnfield
- 76 posts
January 30, 2011 12:18:43 AM EST

Cory Barnfield
Christopher Mickel
- 133 posts
February 3, 2011 8:51:42 PM EST

I have heard good things about the Fortissimo Ligatures as well. They are really responsive, however, they move around really easily when you adjust tuning.
Mikey Rivera
- 50 posts
May 7, 2011 11:47:29 AM EDT

Yes, some ligatures don't stand up to mouthpiece movement on the neck cork. Bg ligatures are very well made and are'nt that expensive. Bay ligatures aee very beautiful and delicate but, play great also.Some ligatures do affect sound, but usually affect the responsiveness of the reed more than anything. I've seen the prices on almost all ligature brands go up. I guess it's the economy. Ok take care guys thas for the info.
Shanti A
- 30 posts
May 11, 2011 4:09:37 PM EDT

Hi The FF ligs need to be very tight and only the small model is usefull--it will fit almost all mpcs. except baritone...the reed really comes alive when it is setup right...
Cory Barnfield
- 76 posts
May 11, 2011 5:31:18 PM EDT

I believe a saxophonist who just wants a good ligature that gives a good sound with good response should check out the BG standard leather ligature or the BG leather super revolation. The metal BG soloists are good, but are very touchy on reeds.
Cory Barnfield
- 76 posts
June 23, 2011 10:09:11 PM EDT

IF anyone is interested in the Winslow Ligature they are custom made to your mouthpiece. There is no website and no link, but here is Mr. Winslows number if you want to order one.
1-608-241-1124 It's in the USA.
Robert Smith
- 23 posts
July 13, 2011 9:07:41 PM EDT

The brancher ligatures work well. I saw something on Ebay that resembles a Winslow from a company called Saxxas out of Hungary. Has anyone had their hands on one of those?
Cory Barnfield
- 76 posts
July 13, 2011 9:13:14 PM EDT

Hi Robert i have seen these ligatures, I believe they are only for jazz mouthpieces. They look to be a copy of the winslow with only slight differences.
Fabio Valeri
- 5 posts
September 6, 2011 10:41:09 AM EDT

This post was edited by Fabio Valeri at September 6, 2011 2:33:22 PM EDT
Fabio Valeri
- 5 posts
September 6, 2011 2:33:51 PM EDT

• This web site: http://ctpoint.it/
is not a store highly specialized music articles (!), and is located in central Italy, in the region Abruzzo.
Why, then, i posted it in this forum?
CT Point manufactures a thermoplastic product, a waxed thread, normally dedicated to shoes, but it’s great when used as a ligature for reed too.
I'm using it for the alto and tenor saxophones, since two years, and I don’t want to replace it with any other tying system.
Personally I prefer to use the wire 1.2 mm in thickness, but there are different products available, thinner and thicker, as well as different colors, including black.
Necessary clarification : i have no business relationship with the CT Point: I'm just a musician and music teacher.
The only reason I wanted to present this possibility is the awareness of the importance of the topic.
Michael Billerbeck
- 10 posts
November 6, 2011 11:34:55 AM EST

Christopher Mickel said:
You can find out about them at http://www.charlesbaywoodwinds.com/

The Vintage Model Ligature of the Connoisseur Series looks similiar to the Magnitone by Corrado Manuzzato.

I use the Rico H Ligature (a "Retro" version of the Harrison ligature) with my Expression mouthpiece (on Alto and Tenor).
Rob Rose
- 3 posts
May 15, 2012 9:00:38 PM EDT

The Marc Jean Ligatures are excellent. He's in Canada and makes them by hand. They're available for whatever mouthpiece you specify.
Shanti A
- 30 posts
May 16, 2012 3:43:38 PM EDT

After trying most available,the Frances Louis Pure Brass model is one of the best for HR & wood mpcs. ,& by changing the plates from heavy brass to stainless steel the timbre can be shaped to one's liking, for metal mpcs. the Ultimate model rocks,as it allows the mnpc.& reed to really vibrate...but the Greek guy making wood necks Parachos? has doen a carbon fiber wood lig years ago that was incredible,also very$$..not sure if still in production mine broke but it was so good while it lasted..
William Zimmerman
- 1 posts
April 23, 2013 2:55:25 PM EDT

I’ve been experimenting with O-rings for the last 18 months. I finally settled on using three fairly thick O-rings. I really like the flexibility of positioning them to quickly find the sweet spot.
Christopher Mickel
- 133 posts
April 30, 2013 10:41:25 PM EDT

I just picked up one of the Rico H ligatures for my tenor (my mouthpiece has a smaller profile so I had to get an alto ligature) but I really like it. It it quite comfortable to play and it doesn't slide around when you adjust intonation. They are worth checking out and they arent too expensive, around $30.00.

This post was edited by Christopher Mickel at April 30, 2013 10:48:02 PM EDT