“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:
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
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
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).

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.