 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-04-04 09:46
I’ve been following a series of developments over the past few days that, taken together, feel like a real-time case study in how the clarinet market is evolving—particularly around Chinese-manufactured (often called “stencil”) instruments, dealer-branded lines, and premium manufacturers.
It started with Michael Lowenstern’s April Fool’s video on “faux bass clarinets.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39YSs39OgjU
While humorous on the surface, the underlying message was clear: many dealer-branded bass clarinets appear to share common factory origins, with limited original R&D, and are marketed under different names with varying claims of uniqueness. He contrasted that model with companies like Backun and Royal Global that have invested heavily in design and development.
Shortly after, Clarinets by Copeland announced they are no longer an authorized Backun dealer. In follow-up comments, they referenced being “extremely disappointed” in a video from a Backun representative and stated they would be working with partners aligned with their values. Their broader messaging emphasizes affordability, accessibility, and making instruments “play really well, regardless of brand.”
https://www.facebook.com/ClarinetsByCopeland/posts/
Lisa’s Clarinet Shop then posted a direct response pushing back on the video’s implications.
Their position, in summary:
- Chinese manufacturing is not inherently low quality—some factories are excellent.
- Dealer collaboration with factories can lead to meaningful product development over time.
- Royal Global itself was developed through outsourced manufacturing, per Lisa's Clarinet Shop
- Lower-cost instruments expand the market and make bass clarinet more accessible.
- The critique of “faux” instruments may be as much about protecting premium market share as it is about educating consumers.
https://fb.watch/GgnGgOtpWU/
What I find interesting is how this highlights a few underlying tensions:
R&D vs. Iteration:
Where do we draw the line between true instrument development and iterative improvement on existing factory designs?
Brand vs. Setup/Refinement:
Is the primary source of value the manufacturer’s design, or the dealer’s setup, selection, and adjustments?
Accessibility vs. Innovation:
Lower-cost instruments clearly expand access—but what impact does that have on long-term investment in new designs?
Positioning Shifts:
Dealers historically carried premium brands alongside their own lines. What does it mean when a dealer steps away from a premium brand and leans fully into their own model?
I’m not trying to take a side here—just laying out what’s been said and how it fits together. It seems like the market is actively debating what constitutes value, legitimacy, and transparency in instrument making and selling.
Curious how others here see it:
Is Lowenstern’s critique fair, overstated, or missing something?
Where do you personally draw the line between “development” and “rebranding”?
How much weight do you give to origin (factory vs. brand vs. dealer) when evaluating an instrument?
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
ATG System and Cordier Reed Trimmer
Post Edited (2026-04-04 09:53)
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-04-04 09:55
Btw, reportedly, Michael Lowenstern will ONLY be reviewing Backun bass clarinets and is an authorized spokesperson? Personally, I think 'spokesperson' and being a Backun Artist are two very distinct things.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
ATG System and Cordier Reed Trimmer
Post Edited (2026-04-04 09:57)
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-04-04 09:57
[please delete]
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
ATG System and Cordier Reed Trimmer
Post Edited (2026-04-04 10:04)
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-04-04 09:58
Attachment: LCS on Lowenstern and Backun.jpg (29k)
Trying again - here's the screenshot:
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
ATG System and Cordier Reed Trimmer
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2026-04-04 12:48
As Mr. Lowenstern himself stated, the number of different makers and models a
has grown immensely. Him "calling out" the competition might just be a PR move, but then again, I find critizising selling rebranded chinese instruments valid.
In fact, I'd absolutely recommend the eb clarinet you can for example get from Thomann for 750€, it's an astonishingly good instrument and even the keywork ist pretty decent, but does need some regulation.
Now if the US retailers of that same instrument were transparent about its origins and their lack of RND, I'd get it. But they do frame it as if it were their own creation. Take the "woodwind boutique" for example. They kicked out Uebel and RZ (a brand I don't fully trust, either) and now sell clearly overpriced stencils, maybe the priciest ones get some special attention.
But take a Max or the Backun Alpha, and you'll see they're superior instruments to that ubiquitous chinese bass (the one with the Yamaha style thumb keys, also sold by Thomann).
But it gets really weird if even that design is now "outdated" and there's now a Selmer...ish copy, as shown in the video. I've aleady spotted an european version from Adams Music.
It is then that I can understand Lowenstern's criticism - they keep pumping out instruments and no one really knows how much RND goes into them. Reselling them for the same price as a Max or Alpha (bass) does make it seem like they're at the same level, but they're not.
As far as I'm concerned, the recent developments have benefitted me. Love my max bass. Love my eefer. But if Royal made their own version, for example without the janky eb lever, or one with a seperate post - it'd probably be even better. There is little justification for a "non genuine" product if it's priced the same as a "brand" one.
Best regards
Christian
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Author: Reed B Chirpin
Date: 2026-04-04 20:24
It's tough to make a blanket claim about instruments since there are absolutely poor-quality instruments coming from China, but now there are also some high-quality instruments coming from China. Even the Backun Alpha bass has "Made in China Assembled in Canada" engraved on it, not to mention Royal Global products coming from a good Chinese factory. Having tried a couple of instruments from someone who uses a Selmer-inspired bass body that's been adjusted and set up properly, I actually would have preferred it over a Max or Alpha bass clarinet. Is it quite as good as a Selmer Privilege? No, but they are close while having their own "feel" and playing qualities altogether, and it's catering to a different market. Key work was very solid as well. I'm sure it's different if you're ordering one of the big box store low C bass clarinets, but a bass coming from a reputable source where a tech is doing adjustments and set up work, it can absolutely be a good horn at this price point. For what it's worth, the Kesslers that Mr. Lowenstern is going to bat for in the video were not very competitive in terms of playability compared to the other affordable low C basses I've tried, in my experience. I know Michael sells them, and being a Backun artist/seller who had a hand in designing the Backun basses that compete with these various models, maybe it's best to take some of these things with a grain of salt.
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2026-04-05 00:04
Did you refer to my post? If so, I wouldn't or couldn't possibly claim to know all chinese instruments. I'm just saying that a very common type of instrument - which is sold via different brands - doesn't deserve the *framing* of being something special. It's the literal pig with some lipstick. But a competent pig, I guess.
Sure enough, a Selmer...ish instrument is going to be very good too, if they make it right. No doubt. But again, I'd prefer the instrument to have it's own DNA.
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The Clarinet Pages
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