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Re: backun protege cocobolo

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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