Vandoren's Optimum Ligature 
- Unsurpassed performance and reliability

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Saxman Steve Birtwistle writes about the Optimum ligatures and gives an insight into the playing benefits that can be gained.  " I have tested out the ligatures on  soprano, alto and tenor, using a variety of ebonite mouthpieces. The results were very surprising and I found that the manufacturer's notes were pretty much on the mark, with the odd differences here and there. On soprano intonation is so important and this is where the Optimum comes into it's own. With all Plates (see below) I had great control over the sound I was producing and as a result I did not need to worry about tuning, even in the high register. Articulation was light and easy, the response of the reed excellent, much improved on the standard metal ligatures that come with most mouthpieces. My particular favourite on soprano was Plate 1 which allowed me to get good projection and produce a very clear and full tone. On alto the results were excellent. With all three Plates the tone was very clear, and a little lighter in tonal colour. This complemented well the Selmer Series II alto which I find a little darker sounding. Altissimo register playing is made much easier and I could confidently hit C above top C with minimal effort. All Plates allowed very musical and expressive playing to come through. On tenor what I noticed was the crystal clear tone that I could produce. There were no squeaks or 'bubbles' and I was able to move between registers and perform octave leaps with no effort at all. The sound with all Plates was very open, but my favourite again was Plate 1 which performed with unrivalled clarity. With Bari, Meyer, Otto Link, Selmer, Vandoren and Hite mouthpieces the results were very similar. The Optimum ligature really helps these mouthpieces( and also the reeds) perform to the best of their ability and brings out every ounce of detail in the sound that is produced, whilst managing to keep things under control. This is a truly great product and the design is also a work of art in itself!!"

• Precise and rapid tightening; a unique double-track screw mechanism tightens both sides of the ligature equally.
• Vertical and symmetrical tightening:
  • - Adjusts easily on the mouthpiece
  • - The reed remains exactly in place
• Neither reed nor ligature are compressed at the sides.

Easily adjusts for any situation
3 interchangeable pressure plates adjust to the sound, style, and musical piece you're performing.

Expression with freedom
The collar around the mouthpiece remains independent of the area in contact with the reed, allowing the vibrations of the reed to develop without interference.

With Vandoren's Optimum Ligature, you'll find that more and more reeds perform to your expectations.

Three different pressure plates
Whether you're playing classical or jazz, the Optimum Ligature come with three pressure plates to accommodate your style.

	Plate No.l A rich, colorful sonority which produces great resonance. Smooth, even sound. Extraordinary blowing ease. Plate No.2 A more compact, centered sonority Smooth, even sound. Extraordinary blowing ease. Plate No.3 The reed vibrates in total freedom, producing a very flexible sound. Greater ease of expression.

New Van Doren LC972 leather ligature for ebonite alto mouthpiece.

Made of high quality genuine leather, carefully and skilfully sewn in hand-crafted tradition, to work in complete harmony with the reed and mouthpiece. Leather, a living material, gives an ideal combination of rigidity and flexibility. Its elasticity absorbs the higher harmonics which often cause a sound to be bright or harsh. It also comes into contact with a larger surface area of the mouthpiece, creating a more focused, compact sound. The single screw on top of the ligature, in gold-gild tightens the ligature evenly and precisely. The leather ligature is supplied with a wooden support in order to help it maintain its shape when not in use. An easy-fit Velcro® system makes changing the plates easy while contributing to the flexibility of the entire ligature.

Three interchangeable pressure plates to subtly modify your sound:

1.Metal plate for a more colourful and compact sound. The combination of a metal plate and a flexible ligature offers the player the best sonic qualities of both materials.
2. Smooth leather plate made from the same leather as the ligature, it creates a focused, compact sound that is slightly darker.
3. Supple smooth leather plate made from a more supple leather, it gives a rounder, more ample sound.
Supplied with a plastic or leather cap.

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