Metal or hard rubber? There's an NY model for both. It is true the stock ligatures don't have very good response(though I do like the tone produced with them). Yeah, I like the Vandoren Optimums, but not especially for jazz. They have an oustanding response, but I don't find I like it for jazz, I use the Francois Louis Ligature and Olegature. Just whatever you do, don't go buy a cloth or fabric ligature live Rovner and play if for jazz, like a million people have done. It deadens your sound.