MARC JEAN LIGATURE II Artistry Gold Plated
(For HR alto saxophone mouthpiece)
(For HR alto saxophone mouthpiece)
Marc Jean has been making his own exceptional brand of ligatures since 2005, and are constantly seeking to improve and develop their product.
The first generation Marc Jean ligatures introduced the revolutionary idea of using wooden sticks inside the metal ligature to hold the reed in place. The wooden sticks making contact with the cane allowed the reed to vibrate more freely. The result was that the mouthpiece played more freely with less resistance, and a tonal flexibility that many players had found lacking in other ligatures. Further developments have been made with the second generation ligatures, that have further improved the tonal excellence of these already impressive ligatures, and it the latest model ligature that I have received to review.
Originally wishing to retain the Grenadilla wood that was used in the the original ligature, for the new model this was housed in a reed plate that still allowed the reed to vibrate freely, however with the Grenadilla is now being CITES protected Marc Jean conscious of the protection of, and sustainability of natural resources has had a re-think and replaced the Grenadilla wood with a Hard Rubber reed plate, with a stainless steel backing instead of synthetic cork.
Early prototypes of the new Ligature II indicated that the new reed plate gave more resonance and enhanced vibration due to the hard rubber over the Grenadilla along with increased focus and power due to both the hard rubber plate and the stainless steel backing, and it the latest model ligature that I have received to review.
My current set up for alto, I have been playing a Lupifaro Gold Series saxophone, is an Otto Link 6 HR mouthpiece and Lupifaro Jazz #2 reeds. When I first tired the Marc Jean Ligature II, I immediately noticed that the horn was more free blowing, but not to the extent that there felt that there was no natural resistance. Intonation was spot on across the range, with sound, although nice and full, was also more centered. I also noticed a difference in playing in the upper register, the notes were more easily articulated, and again the sound up top appeared fuller.
The first generation Marc Jean ligatures introduced the revolutionary idea of using wooden sticks inside the metal ligature to hold the reed in place. The wooden sticks making contact with the cane allowed the reed to vibrate more freely. The result was that the mouthpiece played more freely with less resistance, and a tonal flexibility that many players had found lacking in other ligatures. Further developments have been made with the second generation ligatures, that have further improved the tonal excellence of these already impressive ligatures, and it the latest model ligature that I have received to review.
Originally wishing to retain the Grenadilla wood that was used in the the original ligature, for the new model this was housed in a reed plate that still allowed the reed to vibrate freely, however with the Grenadilla is now being CITES protected Marc Jean conscious of the protection of, and sustainability of natural resources has had a re-think and replaced the Grenadilla wood with a Hard Rubber reed plate, with a stainless steel backing instead of synthetic cork.
Early prototypes of the new Ligature II indicated that the new reed plate gave more resonance and enhanced vibration due to the hard rubber over the Grenadilla along with increased focus and power due to both the hard rubber plate and the stainless steel backing, and it the latest model ligature that I have received to review.
My current set up for alto, I have been playing a Lupifaro Gold Series saxophone, is an Otto Link 6 HR mouthpiece and Lupifaro Jazz #2 reeds. When I first tired the Marc Jean Ligature II, I immediately noticed that the horn was more free blowing, but not to the extent that there felt that there was no natural resistance. Intonation was spot on across the range, with sound, although nice and full, was also more centered. I also noticed a difference in playing in the upper register, the notes were more easily articulated, and again the sound up top appeared fuller.
After playing a while, the reed seemed to be feeling softer and so I switched to Lupifaro Jazz #2.5 which I normally find a little too hard. However with Marc Jean ligature I found the reed more manageable and gave a control, again in the top register that I had previously been struggling with.
As well as the Link HR, I also tried the ligature with the Retro Revival "New Yorker" mouthpiece. This is a medium chamber mouthpiece and a replica of the original Meyer Bros New York alto mouthpiece. The model I tried was the 7M with a tip opening of .083, a little wider than I am used to. Again the results were impressive, and straightaway my playing sounded more centered and with a fuller tone and control in the upper register. The wider tip opening also made the bell notes easier to control. Again I played the "New Yorker" mouthpiece with both Lupifaro Jazz #2 and #2.5 reeds, and as before preference (embouchure permitting) is for the harder reed.
Having now been playing the Marc Jean Ligature for a while, I certainly feel that this is right for my current set up, and indeed made playing both my Otto Link and the Retro Revival piece a real pleasure, and my Rovner light has now gone in to retirement as i enjoy the ease of playing and the tonal flexibility of the Marc Jean Ligature.
The Marc Jean Ligatures come in two basic models, the Woodstock (W) which is not engraved and the Artistry (AR) which is beautifully engraved. Each model comes in a choice for finished from Brass brushed metal band, highly polished (un-laquered), silver or gold plated. The gold plated model tested for this review looks and immaculate and the brings out the best possible results in the player.
If like many saxophone players you have a draw full of ligatures or whether you are considering you first serious upgrade, you should not overlook these superbly crafted pieces.
For more information visit Musique de Marc.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
As well as the Link HR, I also tried the ligature with the Retro Revival "New Yorker" mouthpiece. This is a medium chamber mouthpiece and a replica of the original Meyer Bros New York alto mouthpiece. The model I tried was the 7M with a tip opening of .083, a little wider than I am used to. Again the results were impressive, and straightaway my playing sounded more centered and with a fuller tone and control in the upper register. The wider tip opening also made the bell notes easier to control. Again I played the "New Yorker" mouthpiece with both Lupifaro Jazz #2 and #2.5 reeds, and as before preference (embouchure permitting) is for the harder reed.
Having now been playing the Marc Jean Ligature for a while, I certainly feel that this is right for my current set up, and indeed made playing both my Otto Link and the Retro Revival piece a real pleasure, and my Rovner light has now gone in to retirement as i enjoy the ease of playing and the tonal flexibility of the Marc Jean Ligature.
The Marc Jean Ligatures come in two basic models, the Woodstock (W) which is not engraved and the Artistry (AR) which is beautifully engraved. Each model comes in a choice for finished from Brass brushed metal band, highly polished (un-laquered), silver or gold plated. The gold plated model tested for this review looks and immaculate and the brings out the best possible results in the player.
If like many saxophone players you have a draw full of ligatures or whether you are considering you first serious upgrade, you should not overlook these superbly crafted pieces.
For more information visit Musique de Marc.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
