Words from our community
Authenticity verified: All reviews are sourced from verified purchases or independent community members on external platforms.
Martin Fuchs
The Ybrato ligature offers a great balance between tonal flexibility and stability. Due to the double thread and the good fit, it is also uncomplicated and reliable in handling, making it a great companion in everyday musical life – a superbly designed ligature!
Frederic Basquin
Hi Markus, I received the ligatures, thank you. I tried them this Monday and to my great surprise, I found them fantastic, especially the Sweetspot… this ligature is incredible! The two-pin system greatly influences the reed's strength. I really love it!!!! As for the Reed Reflector ligature, it allows for a more "chamber music" style of playing with a rounder, warmer sound. It's very interesting… In short, these two ligatures are truly incredible, I'm absolutely fall in love with the Sweetspot!!! And you know me, when something isn't right, I tell you and send it back. lol!!!
Orelien
A very pleasant surprise with this ligature! Quick and intuitive setup, clear sound emission right from the first notes, and a reliable reed hold that inspires confidence. The articulation responds well, with great responsiveness. Too early for a final opinion, but after a week, it keeps all its promises. Very good value for money for saxophonists looking for a serious ligature without breaking the bank. I recommend it.
timetre
First off, I'm not a ligature collector. I've been using a Vandorent Optimum for years and was pretty happy with it. I recently bought a Jody Jazz Quasar mouthpiece and my Vandoren turned out to be too big ! I'm normally not a fan of ligatures that have the screw on top and I was looking for a ligature that wouldn't scratch the hard rubber. I'm very pleased with this ligature ! It's easy to fit and adjust, it keeps the reed well centered, it's solid and it fits my several mouthpieces including the Quasar. I won't comment on the resonator thing as I find these widgets very subjective in their actual effects. It comes with a thick rubber cap that fits tightly. I like that too. Happy with this purchase!
Andre‘
I was looking for a ligature that secures the reed reliably and quickly with little 'shifting'; furthermore, it should leave enough room to flexibly choose the 'torque' depending on the selected reed. This ligature meets the general requirements 100%, plus it is well-made and also looks beautiful. I also play with the Vandoren Optimum, which was my first choice until now, but this one has now replaced it.
__rebecca
I had very few matching options for my Drake NY Jazz in my ligature collection. I had a few sent to me, but none of them were sonically convincing... I ordered three more along with this one; I tried this one first and immediately knew it would become part of my standard equipment... what a sound! Plus, easy handling...
Warni2000
I already have numerous ligatures in use, from Vandoren Optimum to Olegature, Brilhart 3-Band, and many others. Therefore, I was quite skeptical when I ordered this new Ybrato ligature. But I must honestly say: I am truly thrilled! Overall top-notch workmanship; the screw mechanism tightens symmetrically and keeps the reed exactly 'on track.' The idea with the slider for aligning and securing the reed is great and provides perfect stability. The ligature has exactly the right thickness to provide a secure hold on the one hand, but without feeling too bulky on the mouthpiece on the other. This makes the ligature significantly slimmer than, for example, the Vandoren Optimum. The gimmick with the interchangeable round elements – not so important for me – but that is, of course, purely a matter of visual taste. If you like, you can really go wild there. Sound: top! I tend to play a rather dark jazz sound with jazz reeds and corresponding mouthpieces. This sound is perfectly supported, with a very slight 'sizzle' that makes the sound feel 'light.' Also really good: the Ybrato ligature plays perfectly across all registers, even with difficult reeds. Conclusion: top ligature, this one's a keeper :)
Arend H.
My impression is extremely positive. Setting aside the amazing achievement of the 3D lever, the Ybrato ligature is quite simply the best I have ever owned. It feels as if it turns the reed and mouthpiece into one single, compact unit. The reed’s position is strictly guided and secure. I would describe the sonic result as lean and centered. The response is remarkably good—especially in the altissimo register and the low notes, where it is truly sensational. Ultimately, the 3D lever really allows you to 'dim down' the reed strength by at least half a grade. I can confirm the described advantages regarding reed selection and breaking in new reeds. For me personally, however, the lever is a 'game changer' in another respect: anyone who cannot apply embouchure pressure symmetrically to the reed due to tooth alignment can effectively compensate for this with the lever's left/right adjustment capability. But the lever is also a beautiful 'toy' even if you don't need to compensate for embouchure or reed strength. Lastly, the solidity and pleasant, premium feel of this beautiful ligature should not go unmentioned. I can only highly recommend trying the Ybrato ligature.
Tobias H.
Definitely a bit pricey, but also of very high quality. It’s from Munich, and I'm still in the testing phase. There are so many adjustment options that I'll need some time for a final opinion, but the first impression is pretty cool.
The YBRATO SweetSpot Ligature
The world's first and only ligature that allows you to adjust the reed strength.
Our Founder
Do you know the feeling of being pursued by an idea? Obsessive? … Perhaps. I have been a saxophonist all my life, and questions have always accompanied me along the way: What really makes the difference?…and what is the underlying cause?
In particular, I have always been fascinated by looking at musical and tonal aspects from a physical perspective. Out of this search, YBRATO and its products were born.
At this point, I would like to thank the teams at Benedikt Eppelsheim Blasinstrumente and Merriam Engineering & Design GmbH for their support in the search for the tools that truly help players express themselves musically.
-Markus Maier
„Redefine what your reed can do“