Detail 01
Inverted screw placement
Screw tightens from underneath the mouthpiece, keeping the top surface clear and the hardware away from your hands.
Product detailSKU #1274228080931
VandorenOptimum Series Saxophone Ligatures Tenor Plastic Cap
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Gold-lacquered tenor saxophone ligature with an inverted screw, cut for Vandoren V5 and V16 tenor mouthpieces. Plastic cap included.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Tenor players on a Vandoren V5 or V16 mouthpiece
- Replacing a stretched fabric ligature that no longer holds the reed square
- Anyone who wants the tightening screw out from under the top
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Non-Vandoren tenor mouthpieces — this is cut to specific blanks
- Alto, soprano or bari players, who need the matching size
- Anyone after a cheap spare; this is well above budget ligature money
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Fits V5 and V16 tenor mouthpieces
Both Vandoren tenor lines share the outer blank, so one ligature covers either mouthpiece if you switch.
Detail 03
Gold lacquered finish
Lacquer over brass. Resists tarnish better than bare plate, but it scratches and wears through around the screw first.
Detail 04
Tenor sizing
Sized to tenor blanks specifically. An alto or bari ligature may slide on but won't clamp square on the reed.
Detail 05
Plastic cap included
Protects the reed tip in the case. Plastic is lighter than metal and less likely to chip a tip on contact.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Confirm your mouthpiece brand and model first — fit here is not universal
- 02Reed and mouthpiece are separate; you get the ligature and cap
- 03Snug it, don't crank it. Over-tightening strips lacquered screw threads
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will this fit a tenor mouthpiece from another brand?
It's sized for Vandoren V5 and V16 tenor mouthpieces. Other brands' blanks vary in outside dimensions, so fit isn't guaranteed.
02Does the cap come with it?
Yes — this version includes the plastic cap. The cap covers the reed and ligature together for storage.
03What does an inverted ligature actually do differently?
The screw sits under the mouthpiece instead of on top. That keeps the upper surface clear and moves the hardware out of the way when you handle the horn.
04Can I use this on my alto?
No. This is the tenor size. The line has a separate alto ligature that fits most standard hard rubber alto mouthpieces, plus soprano and bari versions.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Material
- Gold lacquered
6 detailsOther
- Tenor V5 Ligature
- Fits Vandoren V5 tenor mouthpieces
- Tenor V16 Ligature
- Fits Vandoren V16 tenor mouthpieces
- Bari Ligature
- Fits Vandoren bari mouthpieces only
- Alto Ligature
- Fits most standard hard rubber alto mouthpieces
- Screw Placement
- Inverted
- Soprano Ligature
- Fits most standard hard rubber soprano mouthpieces
