 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-05-20 22:24
I saw on his site (while drooling over the Privilege bass) that he amended his statement about it. It used to say he *has* played on that bass clarinet for over 20 years, and now it says he *had* played on it for over twenty years.
Does this mean he's made the switch from Henri Selmer to Backun?
Reese Oller
Clarinet student (performance major at Millikin University)
I can play bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, BBb contra, alto saxophone, bassoon at a decent level, and flute in a pinch.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2024-05-20 23:13
yup, he became a Backun artist a couple of months back
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Author: tdufka
Date: 2024-05-22 03:42
I was quite amazed that he made this decision, however, Selmer has been reluctant to evolve or improve their low-C bass clarinets, and that void of innovation was filled by Backun.
Watching the YouTube video of Lowenstern effortlessly playing matched twelfths is enough to make anyone sell their Privilege and purchase a Backun Q low-C.
And the sound on that cocobolo low C is so rich.
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Author: Clarsax
Date: 2024-05-22 10:24
tdufka wrote:
> Watching the YouTube video of Lowenstern effortlessly playing
> matched twelfths is enough to make anyone sell their Privilege
> and purchase a Backun Q low-C.
... and this is the biggest mistake anyone can make
Over the years I have had many instruments, and what I learned is never sell top brand horns (like Selmer Paris) to replace them with others
Rather keep them and you will see that you always have value in your hand
Post Edited (2024-05-22 11:03)
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-05-23 16:06
he follows the money. he refused to test hartman and bari synthetic bass clarinet reeds because the would not send him them for free.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-05-23 17:07
He doesn't seem to respond to questions or comments posted on YouTube.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2024-05-24 03:23)
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-05-23 17:57
He does respond to questions posed on his site, however.
I don't think someone would switch from an instrument and company they've been with for 30 years just for the reason of money. I think he must actually prefer the Backun models, and that's perfectly fine.
Reese Oller
Clarinet student (performance major at Millikin University)
I can play bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, BBb contra, alto saxophone, bassoon at a decent level, and flute in a pinch.
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Author: mozartklar
Date: 2024-05-23 18:30
There is a monetary angle to everything, especially endorsements. However, I think that many people on this forum have for years talked about how Buffet and Selmer have gotten complacent and as a result, quality control at both companies has gotten terrible.
You can't blame the guy for moving on from Selmer. He had some input on the Q and from the stand point of innovation, it looks like a great instrument. Who wouldn't want to take the best qualities of the Buffet/Selmer basses and synthesize it with your own innovations. This is exactly what Backun has done with this instrument, in my humble opinion.
If it serves as a wake-up call to Buffet/Selmer and forces them to have better quality control and innovate further, I am all for it!
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-05-23 19:13
There seem to be mixed feelings about Mike, and that's no wonder because he is a very candid person with a strong personality and is not going to be saying what everybody wants to hear all the time, or covering everything everybody wants him to covered. But being as he is makes him a great reviewer in my opinion... perhaps the best of any musical instrument reviewer on YouTube. But he's just a guy that you can take or you can leave, or not like his glasses, or whatever you want..... but let's appreciate that he is offering us a free service.
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: tdufka
Date: 2024-05-23 20:46
"... and this is the biggest mistake anyone can make
Over the years I have had many instruments, and what I learned is never sell top brand horns (like Selmer Paris) to replace them with others
Rather keep them and you will see that you always have value in your hand"
I respect your opinion, and have a different perspective.
I had a Privilege 67 for two years and sold it... well below average intonation, a cracked top joint after 6 months despite a very gentle break-in, very soft keywork that would not stay in adjustment, multiple keys that were not centered on the tone holes when new, etc.
Yes, it sounded wonderful when functioning properly, but certainly not worth the original cost, plus the hundreds of dollars in setup after purchase. I can't afford two of these; one to play and another as a backup.
Looking forward to trying the Backun bass.
Regarding Lowenstern: More than anyone I know of, he is committed to the instrument and expanding its appreciation. The production values on his YouTube videos are good enough that one can hear the differences in instruments that he describes, and if he dropped Selmer for Backun, there were good reasons. He has always been very responsive to questions and has provided excellent service. Very smart guy.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2024-05-24 14:05
My repairman, like most of the other bass players around here, has always preferred Selmers. But the last time I was talking to him he seemed to be quite excited about rumors of a Backun bass. He likes many things about his Privilege 67 but admitted that the intonation isn't as good as a Buffet, even with the tweaks he's been able to make. I'm going to see him next week and I wouldn't be surprised if he were now playing a Backun – he already has a pair of Backun sopranos, Ab and Bb.
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