Angkor Music stocks premium saxophone and clarinet ligatures from Melbourne's leading brands. We specialise in BG Ligatures (our best seller), plus Yamaha, Rovner, Vandoren, and D'Addario Woodwinds. Expert advice available to help you choose the right ligature for your mouthpiece and playing style. 11+ years serving Melbourne's woodwind community.
The right ligature can dramatically improve your sound, response, and playing experience. At Angkor Music, we understand that choosing a ligature isn't just about holding a reed in place – it's about finding the perfect balance between freedom, resonance, and control.
Based in Altona, Melbourne, we've spent over 11 years helping saxophonists and clarinettists discover ligatures that enhance their tone and playing comfort. Our extensive range includes everything from traditional designs to innovative modern ligatures, suitable for students, professionals, and everyone in between.
We specialise in BG Ligatures – one of the most respected names in ligature design – alongside premium offerings from Yamaha, Rovner, Vandoren, and D'Addario Woodwinds. Whether you're looking for a ligature that offers maximum reed vibration, one that provides precise control, or something versatile for multiple playing situations, our knowledgeable staff can guide you to the perfect choice for your mouthpiece and playing style.
Our Ligature Brands
BG Ligatures
Best Seller
BG (Bertrand Garrigue) Ligatures represent the pinnacle of French ligature craftsmanship. Founded by musician and innovator Bertrand Garrigue, BG has revolutionised ligature design with their signature fabric ligatures and innovative metal designs that allow maximum reed vibration while providing security and even pressure.
As Melbourne's BG Ligatures specialist, we stock their complete range including the legendary Tradition fabric ligatures (L4, L5 series), the Revelation metal ligatures (L50, L51 series), and the versatile Super Revelation (L60, L61 series). Each BG ligature is designed to enhance specific tonal characteristics while maintaining excellent reed response.
What makes BG ligatures exceptional is their unique approach: fabric ligatures that distribute pressure evenly across the reed, allowing it to vibrate freely at the tip while providing secure contact at the sides. Metal ligatures feature precision-engineered pressure plates that maximize resonance while offering stability.
Popular BG Ligatures We Stock:
- Tradition Series (Fabric): L4 (alto sax), L5 (tenor sax), L3 (Bb clarinet) - Classic fabric design
- Revelation Series (Metal): L50 (alto), L51 (tenor), L52 (soprano), L53 (baritone) - Silver-plated precision
- Super Revelation Series: L60 (alto), L61 (tenor) - Gold-plated for maximum resonance
- Flex Series: L70, L71 - Innovative fabric-metal hybrid designs
- Duo Series: L11, L12 - Two-screw design for precise adjustment
Why choose BG Ligatures? Innovative designs backed by decades of research, exceptional build quality, and trusted by professionals worldwide. Perfect for players seeking enhanced tone, easier response, and superior reed control.
Yamaha Ligatures
Reliable Quality
Yamaha ligatures are renowned for their reliability, consistency, and excellent value. As part of Yamaha's comprehensive approach to instrument design, their ligatures are engineered to complement Yamaha mouthpieces perfectly while working exceptionally well with other brands.
Yamaha offers both traditional metal ligatures and innovative designs like the Bonade (inverted) ligature. Their standard ligatures provide even pressure distribution and secure reed placement, making them ideal for students and professionals who value dependability. The construction is robust, ensuring years of reliable service.
Yamaha Ligature Range:
- Standard Series: Traditional metal ligatures for all saxophone and clarinet sizes
- Bonade Ligatures: Inverted design for enhanced resonance and flexibility
- Professional Series: Premium materials with refined pressure distribution
- Available in nickel-plated and gold-plated finishes
Ideal for: Students seeking quality at accessible prices, professionals wanting reliable backup ligatures, and players who appreciate traditional Japanese craftsmanship and engineering.
Rovner Ligatures
Dark Tone Specialist
Rovner Products pioneered the fabric ligature concept in the 1970s and remains the benchmark for dark, centered tone. Rovner ligatures use a unique multi-layered fabric design that dampens unwanted overtones while allowing the reed's fundamental frequency to resonate fully.
The signature Rovner design features a fabric band stretched over a metal frame, providing even pressure without choking the reed. This creates a darker, more focused sound favored by classical players and jazz musicians seeking a vintage tone. The fabric also reduces squeaking and provides a comfortable, secure grip.
Rovner Selection:
- Dark Series: Original fabric design for maximum warmth and darkness
- Light Series: Thinner fabric for brighter, more open sound
- Star Series: Modified design with additional resonance chambers
- Platinum Series: Premium construction with gold-plated hardware
- Versa Series: Adjustable pressure points for tonal customization
Best suited for: Classical players seeking a dark, centered tone, jazz musicians wanting vintage warmth, and players who prefer the feel and sound dampening of fabric ligatures.
Vandoren Ligatures
Optimum Design
Vandoren ligatures combine French craftsmanship with cutting-edge acoustic research. Known for their Optimum ligature series, Vandoren has developed ligatures that allow unprecedented reed freedom while maintaining perfect contact and pressure distribution.
The revolutionary Optimum ligatures feature a unique three-point pressure system that touches only the reed's sides, leaving the venter (center) completely free to vibrate. This design delivers exceptional response, rich harmonics, and effortless tone production across all registers. Traditional Vandoren ligatures offer time-tested designs for players preferring conventional approaches.
Vandoren Ligature Models:
- Optimum Series: Revolutionary three-point pressure design for maximum resonance
- M/O Series: Classic metal ligature with refined pressure plate
- Leather Series: Traditional leather for warm, vintage tone
- Available in silver-plated, gold-plated, and rose gold finishes
Perfect for: Players seeking maximum resonance and harmonic richness, professionals wanting cutting-edge design, and musicians who appreciate Vandoren's commitment to innovation and quality.
D'Addario Woodwinds Ligatures
Modern Innovation
D'Addario Woodwinds (formerly Rico) brings decades of reed-making expertise to their ligature designs. Their understanding of how reeds vibrate informs every aspect of their ligature construction, resulting in products that optimize reed performance and consistency.
The D'Addario ligature range includes innovative designs like the H-Ligature with integrated reed cap, and traditional models that provide reliable, even pressure. Built with quality materials and modern manufacturing precision, D'Addario ligatures offer professional performance at various price points, making them accessible to students and professionals alike.
D'Addario Ligature Range:
- H-Ligatures: Four-point contact with integrated cap for reed protection
- Reserve Series: Premium metal ligatures with optimized pressure distribution
- Standard Series: Reliable metal ligatures for students and professionals
- Compatible with most standard mouthpieces
Recommended for: Players seeking modern design with traditional reliability, students wanting professional features at reasonable prices, and musicians who value D'Addario's reed expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ligatures
Does a ligature really make a difference to my sound?
Yes, absolutely. The ligature directly affects how your reed vibrates, which significantly impacts tone, response, and projection. Different ligature designs – fabric vs metal, two-point vs multi-point contact, pressure distribution – all create distinct tonal characteristics. Many players notice immediate improvement in tone quality, ease of response, or projection when switching to a high-quality ligature properly matched to their mouthpiece and playing style.
What's the difference between metal and fabric ligatures?
Metal ligatures (silver, gold-plated) typically produce brighter, more focused tone with excellent projection and articulation clarity. They're popular with jazz musicians and players seeking a clear, penetrating sound. Fabric ligatures (like BG Tradition and Rovner) create warmer, darker tone by dampening high overtones while allowing the reed's fundamental frequency to resonate freely. They're favored by classical players and those wanting a more centered, mellow sound. Both types can be excellent – the choice depends on your desired tonal characteristics and playing style.
Which BG Ligature model should I choose?
For classical playing and dark tone, consider the BG Tradition fabric series (L4, L5, L3). These allow maximum reed vibration while providing secure, even pressure. For jazz and brighter tone, the BG Revelation metal series (L50, L51) offers excellent projection and focused sound with precise pressure distribution. The Super Revelation series (L60, L61) provides maximum resonance with gold-plated construction for rich harmonics. Visit our store to discuss your specific mouthpiece and playing goals – we'll help you find the ideal BG model.
How do I know if a ligature will fit my mouthpiece?
Ligature fit depends on your mouthpiece brand, model, and design. Most standard mouthpieces use standard-sized ligatures, but some (particularly vintage or specialized mouthpieces) require specific sizes. Key factors include shank diameter, taper, and length. Some brands design ligatures specifically for their mouthpieces, while universal designs fit most standard models. We strongly recommend bringing your mouthpiece to our Altona store for proper fitting – this ensures compatibility and optimal performance.
Are expensive ligatures worth the investment?
For serious players, quality ligatures represent excellent value. A premium ligature (BG, Vandoren Optimum, high-end Rovner) typically costs between $80-200 but can last decades with proper care. The tonal improvement, enhanced response, and playing comfort often justify the investment, especially for intermediate and advanced players. However, student-level ligatures ($30-60) from quality brands like Yamaha or D'Addario provide reliable performance for developing players. The key is matching the ligature quality to your playing level and musical goals.
Can I use a saxophone ligature on clarinet or vice versa?
No, saxophone and clarinet ligatures are not interchangeable. They're designed for different mouthpiece shapes, sizes, and taper angles. Alto saxophone ligatures differ from tenor, soprano, and baritone sizes as well. Similarly, Bb clarinet ligatures differ from bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, and alto clarinet sizes. Each instrument and size requires its specific ligature. Always verify you're purchasing the correct size for your instrument before buying.
How often should I replace my ligature?
Quality ligatures should last many years with proper care. Replace your ligature if you notice: stripped screws that won't tighten properly, worn or damaged pressure plates, cracks in metal construction, frayed fabric (on fabric ligatures), or inability to hold the reed securely. Regular inspection and gentle handling extend ligature life. Metal ligatures typically outlast fabric ones, but both should provide years of reliable service when properly maintained. If your ligature isn't performing optimally, visit our store for assessment.
Should I buy the same brand ligature as my mouthpiece?
Not necessarily. While some manufacturers design ligatures specifically for their mouthpieces (and these often work excellently together), mixing brands is common and perfectly acceptable. Many professional players use different brand ligatures than their mouthpieces based on personal preference and desired tonal characteristics. For example, you might use a Vandoren mouthpiece with a BG ligature, or a Selmer mouthpiece with a Rovner ligature. What matters most is proper fit, tonal compatibility, and your playing comfort. We can help you find the best ligature for any mouthpiece brand.
