Hi. I`m a high school junior who plays clarinet. However, i`ve picked up alto saxophone a year ago and i`m looking to switch and play classical on sax (I already play sax in jazz band). I was looking to buy a quality ligature for my sax. I was looking at a metal bay or a vandoren optimum. Does any one have suggestions or information regarding these two ligatures? Thanks alot.

Ihave played theoptimum for a few years now, and ilove it,however, if your going to play it for classical, i would suggest a cloth ligature. I recently bought the vandoren leather ligature, and its fantastic! I keep the optimum for my jazz, it plays great, and it really helps the response! I also recommend it for your clarinet.

I`ve never bothered with liguatures before, a really nice selmer VI, mouthpiece ect., do liguatours really make that much of a difference? I mean, I know that in order of upgrades for a sax, its reeds, sax, mouthpiece ligutour. I just use a plain old regular lig, and it works just fine for me. But, I would like to know how "important" one is.

ya, man. ligatures make all the difference. It makes a world of difference in the qulity of the tone. I would probably use a Rovner black leather type one. That`s what I have and I looooove it. Good luck!
john