 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RaccoonRecon
Date: 2009-01-21 03:21
Well, Backun Bells are 15% off at wwbw.com (oh my goodness)
I already have the Cocobolo barrel, but i was wondering..
There's basically four choices.. Grenadilla w/ voice groove, w/o it, cocobolo w/ voice groove, w/o it.
Is there any significance in the difference with Grenadilla/Cocobolo? with/without voicing groove? what is it?
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Author: William
Date: 2009-01-22 00:21
I think those differences are whatever you think works for you and not "one answer fits all" kind of description. At those prices, you really need to try before you buy. Best option might be to fly out to Vancover and spend a couple of days--and take your "fat" checkbook.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2009-01-22 14:56
You should try several before deciding. Sometimes I think a certain one will be great, but when Morrie sends it out with some others I often have chosen something I hadn't thought of. For instance, Morrie even has a batch of "seconds" that are much less $$ and I actually found one that was better than any of the first quality ones. The wood had a funny grain to it, but it sounds great.
Having him send them to you is MUCH more inexpensive than flying to Vancouver. You can call and talk to him about your set-up and he'll get someone to hand-select for you. I called one day when Julian Bliss was there and Morrie put him on the phone with me and then Julian picked out some bells for my clarinet. Nice kid.
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2009-01-22 15:06
Some people, who have tried them, think such bells are merely a marketing ploy, a GAS fad and of no musical value at all.
The last edition of The Clarinet has a full page ad of similar barrels being touted by a well known clarinetist. None of them may be an improvment, but they sure look good.
I'm no one to talk though...I'm thisclose to buying a $500 mouthpiece!
Clarinet Redux
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2009-01-22 15:39
Having tried Morrie's stuff I think that there is something in it but not sure what exactly. I did notice a difference when I played wih both a bell and a barrel. The problem I have though is that I'm not sure I can justify the expense.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-01-22 17:51
Before buying a pricey bell, take yours off and play. Where in the range does the bell make a difference in the sound of your instrument?
Bob Phillips
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2009-01-22 18:42
The decisions whether or not to buy the Backun bell should be made with the comparison of the original bell on your clarinet. Does it improve the sound and intonation? If not, don't spend the money. For me, the sound was much improved and it actually helped smooth the "over the break" notes for me. Not to replace practice and good habits, to be sure, but the bell and barrel made a big difference. The tone was fuller, richer and deeper with the Backun bell and barrel. But, play-test it every way: with the barrel and stock bell, with the stock barrel and Backun bell and then with both bell and barrel and see what you think. If you have the option to have a recording devise while you're trying out the bells and barrels, use it. Then listen a while later after you have been away from your practice room for a while and listen objectively. If you don't find much of a difference, send them back. If you do...buy them. I bought them and am not sorry one bit for the money. I also bought a Backun Orkestra model mouthpiece that is supurb.
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2009-01-23 06:15
I agree with Brenda. CHeck and see if it's worth a difference first. I put a backun barrel on my selmer and it sounded no different. Stuffiness was still the same and intonation wasn't really changed much, at least to my ear. I used to want them real bad but now I feel like none of that stuff is needed. All that's needed at a young age is practice and good instruction.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-01-23 15:13
It's like saying that I need a new barrel since my throat tones are so airy. Well try to focusing your airstream first and adjust your embouchure. Well at least for me I don't need a new barrel to help me with the throat tones.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-01-23 16:17
No one can speak of all players but I play the Backun Bells and barrels on both my Buffets and Selmer clarinets. I find that the bells give me a slightly more evenness going over the break and a little richer tone in the clarion register. When I purchased each one I tried over a dozen for each clarinet. I did not get them all at one time. Each bell plays slightly different on each clarinet so I took my time choosing what worked best for each after purchasing my first one.
I have to admit that before trying them I was skeptical that a bell would make any difference at all except for the bell tones, but I was wrong.
If you try several don't expect a miracle, it simply adds another small improvement to your playing and you may not notice any at all. My philosophy has always been that if you find something that makes it even a tiny bit easier to achieve what your looking for it's worth trying.
Look for tone quality, evenness through the registers and intonation before buying.
ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Malcolm Martland
Date: 2009-01-24 16:34
Timber or timbre?
If you are that good is it going to make any difference? If you are not that good no-one will notice anyway!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-01-24 18:09
"If you are that good is it going to make any difference? If you are not that good no-one will notice anyway!"
----------------------------------------
Yes, it certainly does make a difference at a high level.
But my 7th grade students can tell a difference for the most part also - they just can't afford it yet.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2009-01-24 22:11
I think they make a great difference too, David. I have fellow musicians from all over the world ask me about them and I always recommend them. But, they may not be for everyone. They are expensive.
Post Edited (2009-01-24 22:11)
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2009-01-25 05:59
Grenadilla with the groove: Big difference on a friend's Yamaha (a frequent poster here, prof. of clarinet, and retired principal of an orchestra here in VA).
No significant difference on my 1963 R13.
HOWEVER, the difference on my friend's instrument was most evident when I listened from a distance, i.e., in a concert hall.
IMO, these types of bells shouldn't be considered unless the player has a mature, well-developed sound. They will NOT improve a mediocre clarinet sound significantly.
Over and out.
B.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-01-25 16:23
I predict we'll be seeing some on eBay within the next six months or so.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: CWH
Date: 2009-01-25 19:01
David B. is spot on with his assessment:
"The best (by far to me) supplier of Backun products in the USA is
John Parrette at http://www.clarionmusical.com"
John is a very well versed and a pleasure to deal with. I tried several
different bells at his shop; and in the end purchased a Grenadilla w/ voice groove for my Leblanc Concerto II. I must say it simply sounds more brilliant and richer, well worth the investment.
Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-01-26 00:37
Jack, I've bought my first one 6-7 years ago, then my next a year later, then my newest three years ago soon after I bought a new clarinet. They are not a passing fad though I'm sure, like everything else, you will see some on ebay, along with mouthpieces, clarinets, barrels, and what ever. No body keeps everything for ever but for me, these are keepers. ESP
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Author: khoexter
Date: 2009-01-27 05:26
I have several of Morrie's barrels and a few bells and I just bought a Legacy Bb. I find the bell (with the voicing groove) makes a difference but the barrels made a more significant difference. I had TMJ surgery in the late 80's and had to give up on playing professionally. I was considering giving up even the semi-professional gigs I was playing due to pain, but when I started using Morrie's equipment, most of the pain and fatigue disappeared. That was 5 years ago and I am still able to play fairly consistently. The barrel in particular takes away a lot of the negative resistance and evens out the sound throughout the registers. I love them - and go to Vancouver if you have a chance. you never know who you will meet there!
Karen
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-01-28 10:37
Remember a few decades ago when other players looked down on you if you did not play on a crystal mouthpiece?
And that snooty fad lasted at least 5 years.
And remember this ligature, and that ligature, that vanished into history after their moment of hallowed glory?
Not that I am seriously implying anything here.
But the human mind is incredibly good at conning itself at times, especially when it could look a fool at spending a lot more than an item is actually worth.
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2009-01-28 12:14
I don't think there is any doubt that Backun products are top notch and here to stay. It is worth noting that some people, including myself, don't like what they do to ones sound. Not everyone wants that type of sound which to me sounds dull and covered....Ricardo excluded of course.
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-01-28 19:26
Ryan25 wrote:
> I don't think there is any doubt that Backun products are top
> notch and here to stay. It is worth noting that some people,
> including myself, don't like what they do to ones sound. Not
> everyone wants that type of sound which to me sounds dull and
> covered....Ricardo excluded of course.
That's basically my take on this stuff. I don't really want my equipment to take away that much harmonic content from the sound, because I like having the option of changing tone qualities (e.g., from mellow to brilliant) in the same piece, and you need to have a certain amount of available harmonic content to be able to do that.
With standard equipment you can do things in your playing to sound *less* brilliant and more mellow if you want to (by damping out harmonics with your embouchure and voicing)--so you don't have to use the harmonics you have. But if the instrument filters out the harmonics for you, you don't have those harmonics at your disposal when when it comes time to sound sparkly. IMHO, I'd rather have to work a little at sounding mellow than lose the ability to sound shiny and brilliant.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2009-01-29 13:38
My cocobolo bell and barrel help make a nicer ringing tone that is not at all a covered sound. But, I understand if you don't like the tone. Some don't.
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Author: kdolan01
Date: 2009-01-29 16:58
play them first...then buy! you cant tell what is good for you until you actually touch and play them, since they are all not made the same..you need to play a few and see which one gives you what you want,
-just a humble suggestion!
good luck...ive wanted to play on some for a few years...but dont have the cash for it
-KJD
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2009-01-29 18:47
Like many others here, I currently play a Backun barrel and bell. When I first tried some, they were all so completely different. Some seemed to make no difference at all, while some did cover and muffle my sound. Finally I found a barrel (and then a year or so later a bell) that instantly made my clarinet respond better. I then recorded myself, and had friends whose opinions I respect do a blind listening, and we were all in 100% agreement - those particular barrels and bells made a difference you could hear, and they evened out the clarinet quite a bit. But you MUST audition them carefully, and not just think you need one because Mr. so-and-so plays one.
Post Edited (2009-01-30 01:02)
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