Signature Ligature

The "Gottsu Signature Ligature" is an innovative product that completely overturns the conventional concept of ligatures. Its remarkable features lie in its material, its shape, and its entirely unique structure.

Material and Shape

Generally, when striking cylindrical objects of the same material, thickness, and length, a perfectly circular cylinder tends to resonate more clearly and for a longer duration. This is exactly why the cross-section of wind instruments is always a perfect circle.

Applying this acoustic principle to a ligature, the perfectly cylindrical shape of the Gottsu Signature Ligature can transmit the vibrations of the reed more evenly and efficiently to both the mouthpiece and the instrument body. As a result, it provides a quicker response and makes it remarkably easier to achieve a clear, solid-core resonance.

Many standard metal ligatures use annealed metal and feature screws joined by brazing, resulting in a cross-section of a circular shape with a gap (left in the diagram). In contrast, the Gottsu Signature Ligature not only maintains a perfectly seamless cylindrical shape (right in the diagram) but also utilizes forged metal, achieving a harder state with vastly superior vibration characteristics.

The shape of a ligature profoundly impacts the sound's resonance. Beyond the inherent natural frequency of the material itself, the shape and the material properties altered through forging become critical factors that dictate the instrument's tone. The Gottsu Signature Ligature maximizes the application of these fundamental acoustic principles.

Innovative Structure

Gottsu's new ligature system draws a clear line distinguishing it from conventional ligatures. While standard ligatures typically feature a structure where a plate is clamped directly between the reed and the mouthpiece, the Signature Ligature completely overturns this norm. It adopts a novel system where the plate bridges the reed and the base section in an arch shape. This unique structure has realized an even richer resonance and an unparalleled blowing feel.

Minimizing the Base Section

Improved Stability: By having the plate bridge the base section in an arch shape, the overall stability of the ligature is increased, enabling a much more stable performance.
Easy Adjustment: Simply by tightening the screw lightly, players can effortlessly achieve a sound tailored to their personal preferences, such as a softly resonating tone or rich overtones.

The Potential to Change Saxophone History

Gottsu's new ligature system, whose uniqueness and innovation are proven by its patent, harbors the potential to change the very history of the saxophone. Its unprecedented design and superior performance will draw out the player's expressive power and guide them to new musical frontiers.

A New Evolution is Here!

To all saxophone players: introducing a groundbreaking ligature system. As a result of years of research and testing, Gottsu's new under-screw type ligature is finally complete! Drawing a clear line from conventional models, this innovative system completely overturns the old norm of simply wedging a plate between the reed and the base. By doing so, it realizes an even richer resonance and blowing feel.

Furthermore, the size of the base section has been reduced to the absolute minimum. Gottsu's new ligature system overcomes the flaws of traditional designs, achieving a form never seen before. Because the plate bridges the base in an arch shape, stability is vastly improved, ensuring a secure and consistent performance. On top of that, adjustments are incredibly easy. With just a light turn of the screw, you can achieve your ideal sound—whether that means soft resonances or rich overtones. Gottsu's new ligature system truly has the potential to rewrite saxophone history. This new design and its outstanding performance will unlock your expressive capabilities and lead you to new heights. With an international patent pending, its distinctiveness and revolutionary nature are undeniable.

Uncompromising Dedication to Materials

Through X-ray analysis of mouthpiece materials from the 1950s Golden Age of Jazz, we successfully recreated that exact brass formulation, which we call "Vintage Brass." Crafted by being fully machined from a single solid block of this brass, and finished with 24K gold plating, it offers both a luxurious aesthetic and exceptional durability.

Gottsu's ligatures undergo rigorous quality control, from the selection of materials to the final manufacturing process. The ligature plays a crucial role in saxophone performance; it is one of the most significant factors influencing tone and resonance. Gottsu's new ligature fuses superior design, an innovative system, and premium materials to provide players with the ultimate performing experience.

For many years, I have been dedicated to the development of mouthpieces, bringing numerous world-class products to the world. When I first began crafting them, I did not fully recognize just how crucial a component the ligature was, nor the profound impact it has on the tone.

However, precisely because I have relentlessly pursued the ultimate mouthpiece, I am now firmly convinced of one thing: "A great mouthpiece demands a supreme ligature worthy of it."

I constantly asked myself: "Isn't it possible to create an ideal ligature that overturns existing conventions and draws out 100% of a mouthpiece's true potential?" One day, after constantly pondering this, a sudden flash of inspiration led me to the answer.

That answer is the "Signature Ligature."

Copper

*Please note: As the main body is crafted from pure copper, natural discoloration (aging) will inevitably occur over time.

Gottsu Co., Ltd. relocated its factory in September 2024. The "Copper Signature Ligature" was created to commemorate this milestone.

It was conceived by combining two of our patented technologies: the patent for the hammered ligature pattern and the patent for the Signature Ligature structure. During development, we went through countless prototypes. Initially, we planned to make the screws and plate out of copper as well. However, after testing various combinations, we ultimately adopted 24K gold-plated brass for the screws and the plate.

By combining different materials, their inherent resonant frequencies do not become uniform, enabling the creation of far more complex and rich overtones. Boasting an innovative yet sophisticated design and superior functionality, this is a ligature where the inherently soft tone of copper and the beautiful hammered pattern truly stand out.

950 Silver

The Signature Ligature lineup now welcomes a new addition: a Silver hammered ring ligature.

Its most defining feature is the adoption of high-purity 950 Silver. The unique resonant frequency of Silver is exceptionally compatible with the reed's vibrations. This produces a remarkably quick response the very moment you blow air into it, along with rich, warm overtones. Its true charm lies in the pleasant sense of unity it provides, making it feel as if the entire instrument is resonating.

Furthermore, by having our artisans strike a beautiful pattern into the Silver, a patented Gottsu design, the metal's mollecular structure is refined, significantly enhancing its strength. This tightens the resonance of the Silver even further, achieving an exquisite blowing resistance and a clear sound that projects straight to the back of the audience.

Fully maximizing the vibration characteristics of silver, this masterpiece draws out the absolute best of your mouthpiece's potential, promising to elevate your musical expression to the next level.

I just experienced Gottsu's new silver ligature. It's unreal!! This one completely surpasses everything else.

Compared to copper, silver provides more blowing resistance. And this resistance actually helps the player. Of course, if you use too much silver, the resonance stops and it becomes exhausting to play, but this Gottsu silver ligature strikes the absolute perfect balance.

The natural resistance of an instrument tends to fade the more you play it. Even when your horn starts feeling a bit "thin" or blown out, simply switching to this ligature makes the altissimo lock right in! Pianissimo low notes become incredibly easy to play, and that ideal, moderate resistance is fully revived.

Without having practiced anything new, my sound became perfectly focused in the center, and it felt like my overall volume had instantly increased. It works wonders on ebonite, and it’s exceptionally effective on metal mouthpieces as well.

I highly recommend everyone give it a try.