Hubbub

In the world of musical instruments and accessories, someone always is laying claim to a breakthrough that will revolutionize clarinet playing as we know it. Every aspect of the instrument is fair game: mouthpieces, ligatures, barrels, bells, thumbrests, key work, pads, reeds… The list is endless. Years ago as a serious music student, I experimented as time and budget allowed. Occasionally there were noticable benefits. But they usually came with a price and ultimately I decided my time was best spent practicing and playing rather than trying equipment.

Thus it was with a great deal of skepticism that I decided to try out the conspicuous brown bells that were popping up everywhere. A friend (and a fine clarinet player) had invited me to drive with him to Backun Musical Services in Vancouver, BC. and it seemed like a good opportunity to prove to myself once and for all that this was just another fatuous fad. We arrived around lunchtime on a Saturday morning and by the time we left five hours later, I had become as convinced as anyone.

It is rare to enounter an innovation without any downside, but that’s what these bells are. Pop one on the bottom of your clarinet and sound and intonation are improved. There are no negative consequences or tradeoffs. Backun makes several different models of bells and each one impacts tone and intonation a little differently. No matter which one you choose, all are better than the stock bell. Likewise, I tried out a variety of Backun barrels and picked the one that sounded best.

In addition to spending hours trying bells and barrels, we also toured the shop and learned how the bells and barrels were made. Everything is manufactured on state-of-the-art computer controlled cutting machines. The machines’ precision is unprecendented in the world of woodwind instruments ensuring each cut is precise to within 2/10,000 of an inch. A block of wood is placed in a machine and the next time human hands are involved it is to retrieve a completely formed piece of clarinet. The only steps not done by machine are adding rings, applying a wax coating, and polishing.

Morrie Backun’s background and training are as an instrument maker. He is a visionary in that he has introduced exacting standards and modern technology to clarinet making. Since my first visit to his shop, he has begun manufacturing mouthpieces and clarinet bodies using the same high-precision, automated methods he developed for bells and barrels.

I visited the shop again recently to retrieve a new Buffet R13 sent earlier to be overhauled. Diane, the repair technician, stripped the clarinet, replaced all the pads, adjusted springs, added silencers, and made a variety of other detailed changes and adjustments. The instrument came back in superb condition and plays far more easily and evenly than any other clarinet I have had.

Naturally I wanted to pair it with Backun barrels and bells and after trying many settled on a pair made of ebony. I also tried some of Morrie’s mouthpieces and found one I loved instantly (this is only my third mouthpiece change in 28 years). After the initial hour with Morrie, I was assisted by Erika who is a clarinetist and helps run the shop. For three hours she listened patiently while I tried endless combinations of bells, barrels, and mouthpieces. Her excellent feedback and suggestions helped me hone in on the best solution.

Backun Musical Services’ repair work is as good as it gets and their bells, barrels, and mouthpieces are pure advancements of the clarinet. The people working there–Morrie, Diane, Erika, and everyone else–were kind and approachable and treated me like a star. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Photos

Machinery used by Backun Musical Services to produce their unique bells, barrels, mouthpieces, and clarinets along with the specific pieces that I use. Click thumbnail to see larger version.

Computer Controlled Lathe

Bits

Bell Machine

Barrel Maker

Barrels

Hardwoods

Wood Billets

Clarinet Maker

My Bells and Barrels

My Mouthpiece