 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris22311
Date: 2007-02-05 18:52
I am a very traditional clarinetist who respects clarientist such as Harold Wright, Robert Marcellus, Richard Hawley, and Burt Hara. I am interested in Backun but I have heard from certain sources that it lacks a ringing tone that most traditional clarinetist strive for. Is it true that they are more warmth oriented w/ a less ringing tone?
Chris
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2007-02-05 19:33
> *** "Is it true that they are more warmth oriented w/ a less ringing tone"? *** <
That's true!.. but again, there're plenty of clarinet players out there who can't hear the difference material makes. No wood (or other material) will sound the same as Grenadilla. If you want the ring in your tone stick with grenadilla.
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
Post Edited (2007-02-05 19:49)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-02-05 21:17
I heard a fine player switch between a Buffet and a Backun bell. The Buffet definitely had more ring. The Backun was warmer and noticeably louder.
Guy Chadash strongly prefers the narrower, more ringing sound of the Buffet bell. Go to http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=20&i=289&t=289 and search for the word backun.
On Backun's own clarinets, the sound is probably different. Remember that Ricardo Morales uses a Backun bell on his Selmer Recital in the Philadelphia Orchestra, and he has plenty of ring and power.
I haven't played a Backun instrument, but many people love them. I think the only way to make a decision is to try them yourself, to find out whether they make it easier or harder to get the sound you want.
Guy Chadash says that the clarinets he makes are designed to have a strong ringing quality. You should probably try them, too.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris22311
Date: 2007-02-05 21:26
I have heard that Chadash clarinets are great, but are very vulnerable to cracking?
Chris
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-02-06 03:54
I find that backun barrels and bells tend to dull the sound out to some extent. I have tried at least 2 dozen barrels, and half a dozen bells, and have found the bell that came with my clarinet to be better in every case. And i agree that the ringing sound of the clarinet is diminished in my case.
But for whatever reason, certain players are able to get a powerful ringing quality using a backun bell.
I wonder if there are some players that produce a tone that is overly powerful, and overly ringing (or something) and search out equipment thats "dulls' the sound in ordr to recognize balance, or a good tonal concept. Others perhaps do just the opposite. I feel like i need something that keeps the tone vibrant. I have found that when i have something like a backun bell, for whatever reason, i tend to "force" the action, maybe looking for that ring.
I like regular bells
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Author: JTS
Date: 2007-02-06 05:17
I currently use backun bells and barrels and they work great for me. I will say that in my experience, while there is a lot of variance in Morrie's stuff, in general I lose some highs, while gaining some volume to the sound. I also find that legato is easier on the backun stuff and (for better or worse) the tone is more homogenous through out the range of the instrument. That being said, I went through alot of backun stuff before I came across something that I liked, and yes, for me the apparent dulling affect was the deal breaker in the past. The bells and barrels I use are all grenedilla. Now, as far as the new Leblanc-Backun clarinets, while I have only had limited experience, I feel that the opposite is true: slightly smaller sound, alot more highs (than my set of Selmer Recitals). Anyways, while we are all trying to find what is best for our own particular needs in terms of set up, I think you should try everything you can get your hands on, just don't get too crazy about it in the process.
James
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-02-06 06:00
I recently heard a local player try too many bells and barrels. Changed between several stock, some Backuns, a Chadash (not the Buffet Chadash but his own). Listening very closely with constant changing I could hear differences. I doubt anyone would hear a difference when he played in the orchestra (that's where he plays). I wouldn't call the Backun barrel sound warmer, or less ringing sound. In most cases, considering this specific player with his specific mouthpiece/reed I would prefer the stock barrel/bell. There are some situation I might prefer the Backun barrel/bell. By the way, the bell made a slight difference only to the notes with all or almost all fingers closed, and more to the low notes than the middle of the staff notes. This is really something you need to listen to yourself.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2007-02-06 11:31
Sometimes it is good to have a barrell vary the sound rather than changing mouthpiece etc. The other thing is sometimes a player may also want to have a set up that responds and feels different as much as a change in timbre...so I think Backun products are excellent for those looking for something different to add or subtract from their current set up.
David Dow
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