 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: germainewong
Date: 2014-02-04 10:34
hi! I am now using yamaha 450n clarinet and would like to change a more professional clarinet. Price is one of the consideration because I am still a university student not major in music. Would bakcun protege cocobolo be a good choice? Will there be any difficulties if i use this one to join orchestra?
May you recommend other clarinets for me? Personally speaking, I didn't like buffet much.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-02-04 21:14
I've drooled over the Protege cocobolo with rose gold keys for several months...I can hardly wait to hear what folks think of them.
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2014-02-04 21:29
I played all of the Backun models at NAMM. They are great instruments. For the price the protege is wonderful. I prefer the cocobolo, something about it just felt better to me.
AAAClarinet
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-02-04 22:03
When you try any clarinet model that comes in two difference woods, it's a good idea to try them both and have somebody some distance from you describe what they hear, particularly with reference to projection, focus, and depth of tone. The traditional black wood may sound a little hard and narrow close up but may blossom out and have more coherence from a distance than cocobolo--or perhaps not! But you can't be sure until you've tried to get some feedback from others.
It's also a good idea to play the role of listener yourself. Have another clarinetist play the cocobolo and the black wood side by side while you listen from a distance. Do you hear characteristics and differences between the two that you didn't hear when you were playing them?
Finally, your clarinet will combine with other instruments in ways that may be difficult or impossible to guess when you are listening to it very close up or playing it solo. Does the tone of one wood tend to sound good alone but "wash out," thin out, or perhaps "stick out" too much in combination with other instruments?
The truth probably is that one wood will be best in certain musical situations and the other in different musical situations. In choosing one wood over the other, you inevitably compromise. What works best in the Elliot Carter Concerto may not be best for the Brahms Trio.
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2014-02-05 00:53
I sell Proteges, I play proteges (Cocobolo with gold keys), I think they are great clarinets. And they are really inexpensive compared to other brands.
Tom Puwalski, Backun and Antigua artist and owner of Clarinetgourmet.com
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-02-05 03:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTBA1LE_Kks
A demonstration of the two.
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-02-05 06:00
This demonstration shows some of the differences between the MO-BA high-end (around $8,000) Backun black wood and cocobolo models. The lower priced (around $2,000) Protege models may have a somewhat different timbre profile. They have different barrels and bells from the MO-BA and reportedly feel a little less resistant to the player and perhaps (Tom Puwalski can confirm or deny this) produce a slightly lighter (less covered, less dark) tone. It is entirely possible that some players could even prefer the sound of the Proteges to that of the MO-BAs! Some people much prefer less expensive Buffet models, for example, to the highest end models.
Personally, I can't wait to try the 2 Proteges side by side. I expect the black wood model to be a little more centered and have a little more ping, and the cocobolo to be a little "wider" and more woody. But I could be wrong.
I'll know in a couple of months when I finally get to try them.
Tom, do you sell the Protege in both woods? Do you put MO-BA barrels and bells on the Protege if players make that request? Does that change the sound and response much?
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-02-05 01:24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diyJU04XLIY.
Currado Giuffredi and Eddie Daniels appear side by side performing Molnelli's Bridge for Two Clarinets clearly on Backun Mo-Ba clarinets.
Does Currado seem to be playing a cocobolo instrument and Daniels a black wood one? Interesting contrast and interesting blend.
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-02-05 07:08
How much do we know about the stability of cocobolo over the long term? Not too much I fear - but perhaps I just don't know about the older cocobolo clarinets that are still going strong - not cracking, warping, drying out, etc?
I think for that kind of money I'd want some real assurance that my new clarinet was going to last a long time. In fact, coward that I am, I would select the grenadilla model without a second thought.
B>
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2014-02-05 07:27
I've played all the Backun models over the past few years, and again recently at the Midwest Band & Orchestra clinic. They are nice horns for sure. The MO-BA just melts in your hands and has a really dark velvety sound. Oddly, I actually preferred the Protege - at least the one they had there at the booth. To my ears, it had a bit more "ping" to the sound - perhaps closer to an R13. It was cocobolo with rose gold keys - stunning. It really came alive when I played it with a MO-BA barrel.
For what it's worth, I currently play a Yamaha Custom CS with a MO-BA barrel and love it - it's an exceptional horn. I love the new Yamahas as well, but they're not any better than my old CS - I just happened to get a great one.
Tom, you're the expert - do you think the Protege has a bit more "ring" than the Moba, or was it just that particular instrument?
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Author: CocoboloKid
Date: 2014-02-06 22:55
The Protege is most certainly NOT made in China. I spent all of yesterday afternoon at the Backun factory just outside of Vancouver, and watched some cocobolo Protege bodies being made.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2014-02-07 18:56
I bought a Coco Protege with gold keys from Tom Puwalski. It is a wonderful instrument, and certainly a great-looking one. The price is extremely reasonable for an instrument of this quality. I would not hesitate recommending this instrument to anybody. Nice tone and very good intonation. It plays better (by far) than my previous clarinet, a Leblanc-Backun Symphonie with upgraded barrels.The altissimo is far easier and richer than my previous clarinet. Keep in mind, however, that a cocobolo clarinet takes about six weeks of playing to get into prime condition. Do the gradual break-in according to schedule before you consider switching anything out (such as a different barrel, etc.).
These instruments are made in Vancouver, in the same faciliry that makes all Backun instruments and accessories. Nothing made in China with Backun clarinets!
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2014-02-08 00:04)
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2014-02-08 21:37
The Protege clarinet (the wooden body) is manufactured in Canada and the keys are sourced in Asia. That's probably on of the biggest reason that a Cocobolo Protege with Gold keys is less than half the price of a Moba or Backun. But that being said the "sound making" part of all Backun clarinets be it the MoBA, Backun, Protege or Antigua by Backun come of the same CNC machines.
Here are my opinions of the various models (the ones I own and play)
Backun #123- This is a Cocobolo model,with gold keys. This is the model without low F correction. I use this for recording and solo concerts. it's very light in weight I play double lip standing up so I opted for no low F. This is a Luxury clarinet, It's a Lexus, with upgraded key work, this is the smoothest clarinet to play. I love tone and the intonation. This the instrument I play when I'm a featured soloist with a band or orchestra, and I'm getting my name in the program. I do maybe 15% of my work on this instrument.
Protege-Cocobolo with Gold keys- This my clarinet of choice when I want Cocobolo sound and the look the gold keys and I'm doing a concert with with a concert band or orchestra. Same Backun sound and intonation. This is the High end toyota with the luxury package. Firstly the price way less than half the price of the Backun and maybe 80% of the playability. Lets face it it's that last 10% of anything that adds the cost. The protege clarinets play better than the LeBlanc by Backun clarinets that I still have and just about any other make that I still play test every now and again. The Proteges are production clarinets that are built to profession standards. It's a Backun pro clarinet at an "step-up" price.
Anigua by Backun. When I'm playing a Grenadilla clarinet it this one. This would be the clarinet that would get the "best buy" in consumer reports. I've been in some situations where I've gotten the "sure it's easy to sound great on an $8K clarinet". I've done some sound cloud posts where I've done "bargain" gear recording and let me say this, you could could get an Antigua clarinet, a $350 mouthpiece 2 boxes of reeds (two legeres) and still be less than $1600. This is a Backun designed clarinet, Backun wood, off the Backun machines, that is marketed as a "step up, student instrument" by Antigua Winds. This instrument sounds great, has "Backun" intonation it's less expensive that the grenadilla Protege , has silver keys. I love it when people are amazed that I can sound "that good" on a $1400 instrument. This is my Klezmer, Choro horn, I've played it on a bunch or sound cloud recordings. This clarinet gets my vote for the "great gear cheap" award. I have one of these in-stock with an added Cocobollo Protege bell for $1350. Email if you're interested.
Alpha by Backun. Morrie knocked this one out of the park. This is a stellar playing "synthetic" clarinet. I keep one of these with my at all times. It has almost a hyper- Grenadilla sound to it. I'll play this clarinet on gigs when I'm doubling, not playing much clarinet, pit work, when Bob and I are on a "Chicken wire" gig. It plays great but if a bar fight breaks out and I have to run I'll leave it. This is my Sunday Brunch clarinet, where we set up is right next to a floor vent and it's always too hot or too cold. I don't worry about cracking, it's got the same protege key set so switching back and forth is effortless. This is the least expensive Backun. It upgrades very nicely with a Cocobolo bell. This would be my recommendation for a beginner or someone who played 40 years ago and wants to get back into playing. This clarinet will cost less than rehabbing what ever has been sitting in the closet since high school.
Like I said before I play these, I sell these, I think they're great instruments. If you have any questions feel free to email off list.
Tom Puwalski, Backun and Antigua artist, owner of www.clarinetgourmet.com, author of The Clarinetist's Guide to Klezmer" and Klezmer Basic Training.
Post Edited (2014-02-08 23:38)
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