 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-05-06 15:52
The barrel my 80's R-13 came with was always very flat. I bought a Backun barrel off Ebay in the 64 mm size. It's the kind of Backun which has no rings and no bulges at the ends (sort of the more modern of the two styles Backun makes, being full in the center but without the ornamentatation where the metal rings of traditional barrels are).
I only paid $39 new in the box. I understand that the usual price is much much higher, so I was prepared to receiving a counterfeit from China. The package arrived and I played the new barrel. The sound is open and ringing and better than before, plus now I have to pull out a tad to be on pitch.
The box it came in looks like the factory box including a plastic window, bar code, and identifying numbers MBBC64 on the bottom. It does look like NOS just as the ebay description suggested and the seller feedback is good. Could it be that someone is actually selling a bunch of Backun barrels in your choice of size for a third the normal price?
The box says distributed exclusively by Conn-Selmer Inc. The wood appears nicely oiled with a smooth bore and a lovely dark brown grain.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-05-06 16:05
BTW, the style I apparently bought is the ringless grenadilla as opposed to the much wider Fatboy or MOBA. Most sites list the price between $100 and $130.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-06 18:44
Garth: Backun does sell after-market on eBay. These are usually those that don't pass all the aesthetics, such as perfect grain match, not as well polished at the ends or mortices, i.e. seconds. The one you purchased is their new "ringless" barrel, similar to the ones Julian Bliss and Morrie Backun designed for the Bliss Model Leblancs.
Since I own a L310, I got the ringless barrel with my clarinet in grenadilla. I then "splurged" and got the Prestige (no longer manufactured, I believe) in Cocobola and the MOBA in Grenadilla. I also purchased the Prestige Bell with voicing groove in Grenadilla.
The bell has a small grain defect, often found in wood, at the bottom and both barrels, were a bit narrow where the MP fits. A local music repairman showed me how to take down the inner diameter of the barrels and they now fit like a glove.
The Prestige (Cocobola) has a delightful warm tone, but not dark. Additionally the MOBA gives me about 10 cents sharp in the chalameau register rather than playing flat, but it is a bit more resistant than the Prestige.
The Bell has given me a nice focus and roundness to my tone. I'm looking to pick up a bell in Cocobola.
Enjoy many hours with your purchase.
Tristan
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Author: trice035
Date: 2013-05-06 22:35
I bought the same model on ebay (#221123558673) a few months ago. The box was as you describe it. Mine is the real deal and it is excellent. I have tried it on several horns and they really sing!
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-05-07 11:29
I can't say that I can see any defect that jumps out at me. The grain on this piece is not as nice as the grain on my Custom Yamaha, but then again it matches the slightly open grain on my R-13. The mp and the upper joint fit perfectly and all the way in and square so there is no problem there. The bore is relatively smooth and there are no tenon chips or knots. I guess if I were looking at a bunch of them, I might find one that appears nicer. All in all, it's quite attractive and functional and I'm glad I paid less than 1/3 of the original price. As far as open grain, my cheap student level 1960's Malerne that was purchased for $125 new beats my R-13 in that department. Only my modern Yamaha betters it. A slight open graininess in barrel or instrument is not a reason to reject any instrument in my opinion, nor is it a predictor of future cracking or sound quality.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-05-07 11:54
After Conn-Selmer dropped Backun they unloaded their stock of Backun barrels and bells for a fraction of the original wholesale.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-05-07 14:40
That makes sence. My box does read Conn-Selmer and therefore there probably was no defect in the barrel sent to me. Therefore I recommend purchasing Backun barrels to anyone looking for an Ebay bargain.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-07 15:31
When you purchase from PacificWind6875 on eBay you are buying from the Backun Outlet store. They are very reliable. I purchased a Bell that just didn't fit. They immediately refunded my purchase upon return of the item. You don't get the pretty box, but at that price, who cares.
Theinstrumentstore was also very reliable and I purchased a bell from them.
I agree with you, Garth, Backun is an outstanding after-market item. As I wrote, I took my Bliss 310 from a very average instrument to a really sweet sounding clarinet with a new barrel and bell. The bell has the voicing groove, so I'm not exactly sure what that was supposed to do acoustically.
Tristan
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-05-08 00:42
It probably is but if it tunes well and has a good tone don't care what it is. For that price it's a steal if it solves your problem.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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