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CARBEC Soprano Clarinet Ligature

CARBEC Soprano Clarinet Ligature

These ligatures are the only ones I'm aware of that are made from Ergal. Ergal is a one of the strongest aluminum alloys made, and it's used in high-performance applications like Aerospace and Racing, where lightness and durability are critical. 

I'd say clarinet playing is pretty darn high-performance. Bring it on!

The other thing about aluminum is that it self-resonates (if you'd like to see an interactive, visual demonstration of this visit the CARBEC barrel page). Their idea was to make a ligature into a "resonator ring" (like the ones CARBEC uses on their barrels) that was also stable enough that it didn't slip off when removing the mouthpiece—like in an orchestra setting where there are quick changes.

So, on the back of the ligature, there is a screw that attaches to a cork-lined metal plate that firmly grips on to the REVERSE side of the mouthpiece (I have to confess, I was putting the ligature on backwards when I first got it, because that plate sure did look like it was supposed to go on the reed. It isn't). In addition to the resonator ring, the connection between the screw and the support plate is a ball-joint, which allows the screw and ligature to vibrate without dampening the vibrations from the cork and plate. This is the critical point — the Ergal self-vibrates along with the reed, which is decoupled from the mouthpiece itself because of this ball joint. 

On the Ergal ligatures, the screw/plates are the variable: Silver- or Rose Gold-plated, or keeping it all-Ergal are your options. The plating on the screw and plate might have an audible effect if you have ear-microscopes, but honestly, it's probably more aesthetic than anything. 

You can also go full Silver-plate or Gold-plate over Brass (not Ergal), which has a different sound profile. Again, teeny, but I notice it more in the response than the sound.

Give it a try for a week. If you don't like it, return it for a refund and pay only 2-way shipping. 

I think these things look exceedingly cool. Sometimes that's all it takes for you to sound better, you know? 😉

 

 

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$189.00
$189.00
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Nancy (Rhode Island, United States)
The color cheers me up

After spending a fortune on an Ishimori solid silver Wood Stone ligature a few years ago, I settled into loving it and swore I would never buy another but when I saw this cool looking blue metallic Carbec ligature, I couldn’t resist trying one. (also because I really like their reeds) For me it sounds exactly the same as the Wood Stone but the color cheers me up and as the earspasm description says, it does look “exceedingly cool.” And just seeing it on there is motivating somehow.

Nancy review photo
B
Brandon I. (Texas, United States)
Carbec Ergal ligature

The Ergal (blue) ligature along with the Carbec Barrel sounded too cool not to try. It was honestly easy to place but centering the **** on the back of the mouthpiece can be a little tricky. I use Legere french cut reeds on a BD5 HD mouthpiece. This ligature did a nice job of securing the reed to the mouthpiece but did have to be tightened a fair bit to keep it from sliding it off when taking the mouthpiece off to swab. I also noticed the tip of the reed would shift to the left when tightening the **** if you did not hold the reed in place. As far as the sound I do think this ligature provided more projection and was brighter than my Rovner versa ligature. Full disclosure I have only been playing Clarinet for 18 months so hopefully this will help some novice players looking for a ligature upgrade.