Behn Screw Ligatures
Introducing the new Behn Screw ligatures for all single reed instruments. Our elegant design allows your reed to vibrate with freedom and core. And, the screw allows for more adjustability for different reed thicknesses and various mouthpiece designs.
Over the years I've accumulated a drawer full of ligatures. And I assume you also have many ligatures in your collection. There's just something intoxicating about the idea of finding that great ligature that will improve your sound, your articulation, your playing experience.
My favorites have consistently been metal. I played on a nickel plated Daniel B. Ligature back in college with the center cutout. That's what my teacher Marcellus used. It served well, I won my first full time orchestra position playing on that ligature, and I continued to use it for the first 5-6 years of my professional life. But then I discovered the merits of nickel-silver, the old metal which was the standard in the industry of the pre war era. It just resonated with warm enthusiasm. I found a Charles B. ligature which wasn't plated - it was an early prototype made from slightly thicker raw G.S. and it opened up my sound, it was freer blowing than the Daniel B. but it still had nice core resonance - a trademark of a good metal ligature. I used this ligature for 20 years until the amazing creations from Japan hit the market with a huge splash. Those metal ligatures with the nationalistic impression of the sun cut out in the center were similar to the Daniel B. but offered more warmth and color. They had more substance tonal hold, and body than the Charles B. and I ended up using the Solid Silver version as my preferred option for a few more years.
I continued to desire something - something that's hard to describe unless you experience it first. It's that something that causes people to prefer non-metal options. There's a very popular string-concept ligature on the market right now that people like for its tonal warmth and blowing freedom. And for decades the non metal wrap designs from MD have become ubiquitous for their ease of play. Their simple concept of producing a dark tone and free blow were well appreciated. The only problem in my view with those non-metal designs is that I have always prefered the tighter tonal weave, the added core resonance, and the improved vowel "EE" that a good metal ligature so beautifully produces.
Forward ten years and the advent 3D printing technology became an important part of our factory. When we developed a 3D print farm to manufacture our Patented reed cases we also took advantage of having that tech to aid in the development of new products. With the ability to quickly explore ideas, create prototyps and test them in orchestra, our ligature R&D phase began. The goal was to make a ligature which was warm and free, and had good core and resonance.
And so to go back to my longing, my desire for something added to the metal ligature playing experience - something that seems readily available in non metal designs, our 3D material and design became the obvious answer. Basically what I'm saying is that metal ligatures provide good core, focus, and tonal hold, whereas string and fabric ligatures provide blowing freedom, body and warmth. But both have limitations. Metal can feel tight or stymieing whereas string can sound spread and loose or wild.
But the BEHN Screw Ligature blends the best of both concepts. You get good tonal core, focus, and resonance, AND you get nice tonal warmth, depth, and freedom. It is truly amazing. I have converted because everytime I play through my old ligature drawer I come to the same conclusion. I've got a really impressive array of extremely nice metal ligatures, but I ultimatley prefer the BEHN Screw Ligature for its combination of sound, feel, and versatility.
The Screw gives you enough adjustability to use any reed from the thinnest Legere to the thicker 3.4mm cane options on the market. Also the screw won't overtighten and stymie any vibrations, the body of the ligature conforms to your mouthpiece and resonates as one. The rails add a touch of mass and create a nice balanced contact on your reed, which invites resonance while remaining in control and free blowing. It is the Equilizer of ligatures. It'll make your reed sound better; it'll make your mouthpiece play easier.
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