 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: smokey4016
Date: 2010-10-10 12:46
Any opinions? My son wants to purchase both for his pre R 13... any advise appreciated !!
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2010-10-10 14:10
If you do a search you will find lots and lots of information on these products. I recently got both a barrel and bell and couldn't be happier. The change in sound is dramatic and I like it.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-10-10 14:19
Big bucks. Some top players use them.
They make a significantly different sound from the standard Buffet, rounder with less high partials. It's a totally individual decision.
You should contact Backun and ask about pre-R13 instruments.
Also, how advanced a player is your son? If he's not already pretty good, and he wants the barrel and bell because he's seen the ads, it might be better to wait, or perhaps get just a hand-made barrel from one of the makers who advertise on this board.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-10-10 15:45
I agree with what Ken said, especially about him being advanced enough. If he does try some my advise is to always try as many as he is able to have sent because there are different styles and every one, even of the same style, plays somewhat different. There are other good manufactures out there as well. I do use the Backuns. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: smokey4016
Date: 2010-10-10 19:31
Hi my son has been playing since 4th grade ( 16 now). I think he is pretty advanced. He in the the young people's philhormonic. He is in Concert Band and orchestra for his H.S. He participates and makes districts every year. This year he is hoping to make regions and states. he is working out of Klose Method Book, and from what I understand that is a pretty advanced book. I think what we will do is go to a store that carries them which means we need to travel. And he can try them out and see what he thinks. He has a Richard Hawkins Mouth piece and he uses Vandoren V 12 #4 Reeds. I am hoping that he is not happy with the sound sbecause the bell it self is 500.00 plus and the barrel is about 275.00... Like you said lots of $$ he does have a job and is willing to but them himself which is nice. Thank you for your advice.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-10-10 19:35
I'd check to see about the Studio Versions.
http://www.backunmusical.com/accessories.html and scroll all the way to the right after selecting barrels (and bells).
Start with the barrels though. In my opinion, they'll change the sound the most. And you can generally have a few sent to you on trial.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Maestro_6
Date: 2010-10-10 20:52
Keep in mind that a different barrel/bell is no miracle cure for the aspects of playing clarinet. If he is advanced enough, however, he should be able to feel quite a difference.
That being said, my Backun barrel and bell would never be able to substitute the large amount of practicing I do.
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Author: smokey4016
Date: 2010-10-10 20:59
Thank you, he does practice, seeing that he is 16, he has every day filled, clarinet 1 hr per week lessons .. Piano 30 min per week ( lessons) . Rhythm, 1 hr per week. He also practices about 2 to 3 hrs a day on his own. I find that he is always doing something with his music. He just recently looked at Juilliard, but he is looking for more then just performance.. Can you recommend any good music schools with good clarinet professors. We are in Pa. he is currently a Jr in H.S . Thanks !
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Author: spartanclarinet
Date: 2010-10-10 21:34
As far as equipment goes, the mouthpiece and reed set up is the most important thing. It sounds like he's set up there. Next would be the instruments. I think he'd be better off with some newer instruments, perhaps some used R-13s. Why spend that kind of money on bells and barrels when you can get a decent used R-13 for about the same money? Beyond that, 5 hours of honest practice will make him sound better than any $500 bell would. What does his clarinet teacher say?
Justin O'Dell
http://web.mac.com/clarinetquintet/iWeb/MSUClarinetStudio/MSU.html
http://www.music.msu.edu/people/detail.php?id=83
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Author: smokey4016
Date: 2010-10-10 21:49
We really have not discussed it with him.. He would probably say not to waste his money. His instructor feels that any good clarinetist can make any clarinet sound good. I was thinking the same thing about maybe updating. His clarinet we purchesed from his instructor, right now it is being pinned. It is a vintage, do you really feel updating would help the sound. From what we were told the clarinet he has is supposed to be made very well, but then if it is why are we pinning it. The gentlemen who is working on it said the wood is grainy..The e 11 buffet actually sounds very good, great with the high notes but the R 13 sounds better with the lower notes. If my son could get any clarinet he would want the Tosca , I believe they are about 5 to 6,000 .. I woud have to say at that point, we just couldnot afford that with him going off to college soon... I see many R 13's on ebay but I am also very concerned about what people may pass off on ebay, I am concerned about cracks and such..
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-10-10 22:07
Sounds like he has a decent setup as is. I would hold off until a year or so into college before upgrading anything unless there's an obvious deficiency.
Even very well made instruments may crack. They're made of wood, and you can only predict so much about that. As for ebay, it's very much a don't-know-what-you'll-get market. Trial periods are a must for any musical instrument.
The Toscas are nice, but I really don't see a $3000 improvement in them over an R13. If $3000 isn't much to you, go for it, but if it's a significant expense, you'll get more mileage out of an A or Eb clarinet.
For undergrad, unless there's a program that really catches your eye or that's offering a big scholarship, I'd recommend finding a place that has a quite good music department but isn't terribly expensive. It allows time and flexibility to see what you want to do.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: William
Date: 2010-10-11 15:13
Teens are very impressionable, the "gotta have it" if they see it kind of generation--I know, having been there once myself. Backun barrels and bells have an appealing look and the fact that a lot of professionals use them makes them even more attractive. But the fact is, most of those "pros" have already developed there performance abilities and would sound just as good--or at least, like the advanced players they are--on their stock equipement, less the the expensive Backum after product add-ons. And, they are already playing top-pro clarinets, not Buffet E11's. My advice would be by pass the expensive Backum barrel and bell set and invest that money in a top of the line clarinet--Buffet R13, Prestige or Tosca. Your son will be SO PROUD to own the clarinet of his dreams, much more the his old clarinet clunker with the added parts. And the improved sound and musical expression will be evident to all--even without the Backuns. Then, when the next Chicago Symphony Orchestral clarinet position is up for audition, if he spends the proper amount of focused practice on his Buffet, maybe he will be ready.
BTW--if he were my son and he is as motivated as you say he is, I would spend all the money it takes to buy him a matched set--A & Bb--of Toscas picked out with the help of Lisa's Clarinet Shoppe. She was a great help to me when I selected my Buffet Prestige bass clarinet and I recommend her expertise in instrument selection. There is nothing like playing the very best there is.....just my opinion.
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Author: smokey4016
Date: 2010-10-11 18:38
Thank you so much for your advice... I knew we really wish we were loaded ( as people say) and we can't compete with the people that have lots of $$$ .. Some kids just have many new items and we put alot into his practice and equiptment but it is not brand new... But I guess they say vintage is always good. We will see what we can do.... Hopefully we will have some good luck and maybe somethiing will come up.. Thanks Again!!
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Author: curiousclarinetist
Date: 2010-10-11 21:49
I play on Backun Traditional barrels and bells. I really like them. I feel they bring the sound of the instrument together, improve legato, and help the sound to ring more. This is just my opinion though.
My advice is to called Morrie Backun and ask for a trial package. You pay for the price of one unit and they will ship you several on evaluation. You are under no obligation to by, and if you choose to return them you are only out the shipping costs.
Also, have your son's teacher listen to him try them. (if he doesn't have a teacher, find someone that is qualified) Your son needs the guidance of older and more experienced players to help him in making such big, and expensive, decisions. Backun products are nice, and they are cool, but don't let that be the reason for his wanting them. Sound, feel, and intonation are all more important than how "in" a product is.
I just posted an entry about this on my blog.
curiousclarinetist.blogspot.com
Under Clarinet Reeds and the Plethora of Clarinet Accessories.
Hope this helps!
Curious Clarinetist
http://curiousclarinetist.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curious-Clarinetist/155848744465821
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Author: Ed
Date: 2010-10-11 23:29
On the other hand, lots of practice will get one farther than fancy high priced equipment. At this stage I would vote with the camp who suggest waiting. Honestly, you can do pretty well with a good basic set of instruments of whatever maker one chooses.
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Author: smokey4016
Date: 2010-10-12 01:43
Hi Thank you, for the advice, I never realized that you can order and then return.. That's a great idea.. and order several... My son does take lessons from a very good Clarinetist who is in an Orchestra. He is very conservative when it comes to buying things... I will call backun and ask about your suggestion... We can try and see what happens... Thanks!!
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