A ligature holds the reed against the mouthpiece, and its material, screw layout and contact points are what set one model apart from another. Fabric, nickel, silver-finish and gold-plated styles all appear below, and some come with a cap or spare plates.
The six ligatures here are Bb clarinet models from Rovner, Selmer, Vandoren and D’Addario. All facts come from each listing page, and tone claims are the makers’ own. We have not used these products ourselves.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | Fabric, nickel and plated metal feel and look different |
| Screws | Two screws are common; some designs use a double track |
| Contact points | Inverted designs touch the reed in fewer places |
| Cap and parts | A cap or spare plates save a separate purchase |
Specs at a Glance
| Ligature | Material | Screws | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rovner Dark 1R | Flexible fabric-style | Fastener | 1.6 oz; plastic cap; hard rubber mouthpiece |
| Rovner Versa V-1R | Flexible fabric-style | Fastener | 1.6 oz; plastic cap; variable design |
| Selmer 1719 | Nickel plated | Two | Fits most plastic or rubber mouthpieces |
| Vandoren LC01P | Silver finish | Quick-tighten | 3 pressure plates; cap; 1-year warranty |
| Vandoren LC51BP | Black finish | Double track | Inverted; two contact points; cap |
| D’Addario HCL1G | Gold plated | Two, inverted | Four-point system; overmolded cap |
The 6 Best Clarinet Ligatures
1. Rovner Dark 1R
A flexible fabric-style ligature for hard rubber mouthpieces, listed under model 1R. It weighs 1.6 ounces, measures about 2 x 1 x 2 inches and comes with a plastic cap. The maker calls it a go-to choice for music educators and describes the sound as warm and centered.
Suits: a first, easy-to-use ligature. Strengths: a plastic cap in the box and a simple fastener. Weaknesses: the maker gives no material list beyond flexible construction. Skip it if you want interchangeable pressure plates.
View Rovner Dark Bb Clarinet Ligature, Hard Rubber Mouthpiece, 1R on Amazon
2. Rovner Versa V-1R
The Versa is described by the maker as the variable, high-performance predecessor to the Versa-X, aimed at jazz and classical players who want to adjust response. Listed weight is 1.6 ounces, size about 2 x 1 x 2 inches, model V-1R, with a plastic cap included.
Suits: players who like to adjust response. Strengths: a cap in the box and a maker focus on tone adjustment. Weaknesses: the listing does not explain how the adjustment works. Skip it if you want the newer Versa-X design.
View Rovner Versa Bb Clarinet Ligature, Hard Rubber Mouthpiece, V-1R on Amazon
3. Selmer 1719 Nickel
A nickel-plated metal ligature for Bb clarinet with two adjusting screws. The listing says it fits most plastic or rubber mouthpieces and is built to be sturdy. The size field reads 3 x 0.2 x 6.1 inches, which looks like packaging, so check the fit notes on the page.
Suits: a classic two-screw metal design. Strengths: nickel plating and a wide mouthpiece fit. Weaknesses: the dimension field is unclear. Skip it if you prefer a fabric band or a cap in the box.
View Selmer 1719 Bb Clarinet Ligature, Nickel on Amazon
4. Vandoren Optimum LC01P
A silver-finish Optimum ligature with a plastic cap and three interchangeable pressure plates. The maker lists quick, precise tightening and sells the plates and cap as replacements. A one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship is stated on the page.
Suits: players who want to swap pressure plates. Strengths: three plates, a cap and replacement parts. Weaknesses: the material field says plastic while the title says silver plated. Skip it if you want a single fixed design.
5. Vandoren M/O LC51BP Black
A black-finish M/O ligature with a plastic cap. The listing describes it as lightweight and easy to set up, with a double-track screw mechanism for quick, symmetrical tightening and an inverted design with only two small contact points on the reed. The maker backs it with a one-year warranty.
Suits: an inverted two-contact design. Strengths: a double-track screw and light weight. Weaknesses: the listing gives no weight figure. Skip it if you want swappable pressure plates.
View Vandoren LC51BP M/O Ligature and Plastic Cap for Bb Clarinet; Black Finish on Amazon
6. D’Addario H-Ligature Gold-plated
A gold-plated take on the Harrison style, listed as model HCL1G. The maker describes a four-point system, a two-screw inverted design, extra support in the brackets and a soft overmolded plastic cap that comes with it.
Suits: a retro Harrison-style look. Strengths: four contact points and a soft cap. Weaknesses: the colour field says gold while the material field says silver. Skip it if you want a lighter fabric ligature.
View D’Addario H-Ligature and Cap, Bb Clarinet, Gold-plated on Amazon
Listing Notes
- The two Rovner models list the same weight and size and a plastic cap.
- The Vandoren LC01P is the only one with interchangeable pressure plates.
- The Vandoren M/O and D’Addario models are inverted designs.
- The Selmer and D’Addario listings carry unclear size or colour fields.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying for the wrong mouthpiece material.
- Over-tightening the screws.
- Ignoring whether a cap is in the box.
- Assuming a plating colour means a different metal.
Clarinet Ligatures FAQ
Which ones include a cap?
The Rovner, Vandoren and D’Addario listings all mention a plastic cap; the Selmer listing does not.
Which are inverted designs?
The Vandoren M/O LC51BP and the D’Addario H-Ligature are described as inverted.
The Short Version
For a simple fabric band, the Rovner Dark. For adjustable response, the Rovner Versa. For nickel, the Selmer 1719. For swappable plates, the Vandoren LC01P. For an inverted two-point design, the Vandoren M/O. For a retro gold look, the D’Addario H-Ligature.
