Reed clamp screws top or bottom?

[T i m]

Hi All,

My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?

I have seen images of 'pro's' with them in both position so I'm
guessing it could be down to personal taste?

From a mechanical point of view I would think having the gap at the
top would support the reed better underneath?

All the best ..

T i m

[johnebravo836]

Post by T i m
Hi All,
My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?
I have seen images of 'pro's' with them in both position so I'm
guessing it could be down to personal taste?
From a mechanical point of view I would think having the gap at the
top would support the reed better underneath?
All the best ..
T i m

Some ligatures are designed so that the screws should be on the bottom,
and others so that they are supposed to be on top.

Odds are that the screws are supposed to be situated so that the heads
of the screws are on the right side -- because most people are right
handed, and they are supposed to be adjustable from the right side.

[Pete Thomas]

Post by johnebravo836

Post by T i m
Hi All,
My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?
I have seen images of 'pro's' with them in both position so I'm
guessing it could be down to personal taste?
From a mechanical point of view I would think having the gap at the
top would support the reed better underneath?
All the best ..
T i m

Some ligatures are designed so that the screws should be on the bottom,
and others so that they are supposed to be on top.
Odds are that the screws are supposed to be situated so that the heads
of the screws are on the right side -- because most people are right
handed, and they are supposed to be adjustable from the right side.

I think you are right. I've just noticed that, my vandoren lig with the
obvious reed shape opposite the screws has the screws on the right, my
Selmer ligs have the screws on the right when they are at the same side
as the reed.

[johnebravo836]

Post by Pete Thomas

Post by johnebravo836

Post by T i m
Hi All,
My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?
I have seen images of 'pro's' with them in both position so I'm
guessing it could be down to personal taste?
From a mechanical point of view I would think having the gap at the
top would support the reed better underneath?
All the best ..
T i m

Some ligatures are designed so that the screws should be on the
bottom, and others so that they are supposed to be on top.
Odds are that the screws are supposed to be situated so that the heads
of the screws are on the right side -- because most people are right
handed, and they are supposed to be adjustable from the right side.

I think you are right. I've just noticed that, my vandoren lig with the
obvious reed shape opposite the screws has the screws on the right, my
Selmer ligs have the screws on the right when they are at the same side
as the reed.

I've never seen a sax or clarinet ligature that didn't seem to follow
this rule, so I assume it's no accident, and it makes sense for
manufacturers to do it that way, since it's somewhat awkward to try to
adjust them if they're on the left and you're right handed.

[Mark Bushaw]

I looked for a 'left handed' lig back when I had a Balanced Action alto
as the neck screw was also 'left handed' on early Selmer horns.

Mark Bushaw

johnebravo836 wrote:
<SNIP>

Post by johnebravo836
I've never seen a sax or clarinet ligature that didn't seem to follow
this rule, so I assume it's no accident, and it makes sense for
manufacturers to do it that way, since it's somewhat awkward to try to
adjust them if they're on the left and you're right handed.

[johnebravo836]

Post by Mark Bushaw
I looked for a 'left handed' lig back when I had a Balanced Action alto
as the neck screw was also 'left handed' on early Selmer horns.
Mark Bushaw

I take it you *did* find one, which, I suppose, only goes to show
there's an exception to every rule.

Post by Mark Bushaw
<SNIP>

Post by johnebravo836
I've never seen a sax or clarinet ligature that didn't seem to follow
this rule, so I assume it's no accident, and it makes sense for
manufacturers to do it that way, since it's somewhat awkward to try to
adjust them if they're on the left and you're right handed.

[Mark Bushaw]

Nope, never did find one, so I used the FL that screws on the reed itself.
Sold the horn, still use the Francois(sp?) Louis lig.

Mark Bushaw

Post by johnebravo836

Post by Mark Bushaw
I looked for a 'left handed' lig back when I had a Balanced Action
alto as the neck screw was also 'left handed' on early Selmer horns.
Mark Bushaw

I take it you *did* find one, which, I suppose, only goes to show
there's an exception to every rule.

Post by Mark Bushaw
<SNIP>

Post by johnebravo836
I've never seen a sax or clarinet ligature that didn't seem to follow
this rule, so I assume it's no accident, and it makes sense for
manufacturers to do it that way, since it's somewhat awkward to try
to adjust them if they're on the left and you're right handed.

[johnebravo836]

Post by Mark Bushaw
Nope, never did find one, so I used the FL that screws on the reed itself.
Sold the horn, still use the Francois(sp?) Louis lig.
Mark Bushaw

Ah, then I'm still not aware of any exceptions, so the rule's safe --
for the moment. (I'll bet there's a left handed ligature out there
*somewhere*, though . . .)

[al]

just check all those ebay offers with the mouthpiece fixed in a way the reed
faces the ceiling. They must offer left-handed ligs there too.

Post by johnebravo836

Post by Mark Bushaw
Nope, never did find one, so I used the FL that screws on the reed itself.
Sold the horn, still use the Francois(sp?) Louis lig.
Mark Bushaw

Ah, then I'm still not aware of any exceptions, so the rule's safe --
for the moment. (I'll bet there's a left handed ligature out there
*somewhere*, though . . .)

[Ed]

It's possible to "flip" a Rovner ligature by dismantling it
and reinserting the T-bar on the "other" side. The only
difference is that the screw will need to be turned
toward you if you set it on the mouthpiece's top which
is the way they are designed. I don't know if it's possible
with the newer ones, but probably is. It seems the strap
is sewn before that T-bar is inserted, so it should be
able to be removed [mine's a 2H tenor - dunno about the others]

http://www.rovnerproducts.com/ligatures.htm

Ed

Post by Mark Bushaw
I looked for a 'left handed' lig back when I had a Balanced Action alto
as the neck screw was also 'left handed' on early Selmer horns.
Mark Bushaw

[Pete Thomas]

Post by T i m
Hi All,
My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?

Beware clap screws at all costs.

My prefernce with the traditional brass (Selmer) type ligs is to have
the screws where the reed is, you can have them at the top as long as
the reed is held nicely. What would be bad is if you had the screws at
the top on this type of ligtaure, but the metal was only touching the
reed say at the outsides, this could cause the reed to not be held flat
on the table or even to warp. Brass being a fairly soft metal will
usually bend easily to the shape of the reed.

However some Vandoren ligs look like this but are shaped so that the
screws go at the top.

I prefer the standard metal ligs but if I can't get one to fit a certain
mouthpiece I use a Rovner which works well with the clamp at the top.

Post by T i m
I have seen images of 'pro's' with them in both position so I'm
guessing it could be down to personal taste?
From a mechanical point of view I would think having the gap at the
top would support the reed better underneath?

Only if the metal was shaped very closely to the reed as mentioned above.

[T i m]

On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 14:15:56 +0000, Pete Thomas
<***@reply-via-site.com> wrote:


Firstly thanls again for all the replies ;-)

Post by Pete Thomas

Post by T i m
My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?

Beware clap screws at all costs.

Ok, will do, what if they were claMp screws then? (damn you eBay
keyboard!) ;-)

Post by Pete Thomas
My prefernce with the traditional brass (Selmer) type ligs is to have
the screws where the reed is, you can have them at the top as long as
the reed is held nicely.

I'm not sure what 'type' this one is but it's an 1-1/8" wide thin
brass looking strip bent into a slight cone (to match the profile of
the unknown plastic mouthpiece) and the 'gap' adjusted (tightened)
with two finger screws set across the gap?

Because the material is so thin it could bee seen as a 'tension strap'
and therefore (in theory) it wouldn't matter where the gap was? Of
course there would be no pressure excerted under the (1/8") gap but
even when over the reed I can't see it having any negative impact as
the reed is quite thick so would distribute the pressure through the
reed and onto the table fairly evenly?

Post by Pete Thomas
What would be bad is if you had the screws at
the top on this type of ligtaure, but the metal was only touching the
reed say at the outsides, this could cause the reed to not be held flat
on the table or even to warp. Brass being a fairly soft metal will
usually bend easily to the shape of the reed.

Which is sorta exactly how our setup would be if you want right facing
'adjustment' (What is 'adjustable' btw .. don't you just do-them-up
suitably)?

Post by Pete Thomas

Post by T i m
From a mechanical point of view I would think having the gap at the
top would support the reed better underneath?

Only if the metal was shaped very closely to the reed as mentioned above.

Understood .. and / or of the metal was thin enough to adopt the shape
of whatever it was tensioned around (like insulating tape) ?

All the best ..

T i m

[Steve Marshall]

Post by T i m
My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?
I have seen images of 'pro's' with them in both position so I'm
guessing it could be down to personal taste?

Some are designed to be one way or the other so they have a 'right-way
round'. Usually there is a piece which contacts the reed so you can tell
which way round they should be.

A bog standard metal lig is usually designed so the screws are on the reed
side. This tends to allow clamping the reed so tightly that the reed gets
squashed. Part of the idea of reversing it is so that the reed doesn't get
mashed up. Also it means you don't get your beard stuck in it !
There are numerous ligs that have the single screw which helps put less
pressure on the reed itself. It's a matter of choice which is preferable.

Steve M

[T i m]

On Tue, 3 Jan 2006 21:40:09 -0000, "Steve Marshall"

Post by Steve Marshall

Post by T i m
My second nooby question of 2006 <g> is does one have the ligature(?)
clap screws at the top or the bottom?
I have seen images of 'pro's' with them in both position so I'm
guessing it could be down to personal taste?

Some are designed to be one way or the other so they have a 'right-way
round'. Usually there is a piece which contacts the reed so you can tell
which way round they should be.

Ok, well this *looks* pretty round in section off the mouthpiece and
distorts slightly to adopt the shape of the reed?

Post by Steve Marshall
A bog standard metal lig is usually designed so the screws are on the reed
side. This tends to allow clamping the reed so tightly that the reed gets
squashed.

I suppose that depends on what size spanner you use to do it up! ;-)

Part of the idea of reversing it is so that the reed doesn't get

Post by Steve Marshall
mashed up.

I can see how in this instance there would be less chance of
distortion when used that way.

Post by Steve Marshall
Also it means you don't get your beard stuck in it !

How many times have I said Steve .. "I don't want to play sax"
(thanks) ;-)

Post by Steve Marshall
There are numerous ligs that have the single screw which helps put less
pressure on the reed itself. It's a matter of choice which is preferable.

Well atm it's a matter of what came with it? ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

[Steve Marshall]

Post by T i m
How many times have I said Steve .. "I don't want to play sax"
(thanks) ;-)

Methinks you protest too much :o)

Post by T i m
Well atm it's a matter of what came with it? ;-)

Well it's probably a standard metal lig which can be turned either way. The
other thing I didn't mention was that the pressure on the reed is spread out
more when it's turned round. Whether or not this is actually beneficial is
another matter. Try it and see if you can here any difference.


regards,

Steve M

[T i m]

On Tue, 3 Jan 2006 22:49:29 -0000, "Steve Marshall"

Post by Steve Marshall

Post by T i m
How many times have I said Steve .. "I don't want to play sax"
(thanks) ;-)

Methinks you protest too much :o)

LOL

Post by Steve Marshall

Post by T i m
Well atm it's a matter of what came with it? ;-)

Well it's probably a standard metal lig which can be turned either way.

Sounds likely then .

Post by Steve Marshall
The
other thing I didn't mention was that the pressure on the reed is spread out
more when it's turned round. Whether or not this is actually beneficial is
another matter. Try it and see if you can here any difference.

Ok, will do .. nothing to loose etc .. when *she* plays it next . ..
;-)

All the best ..

T i m