Backun Musical Services Ltd. In clarinetist and entrepreneur Morrie Backun opened a small repair shop for woodwind instruments with two employees. After having been commissioned by J. Wesley Wes Foster, Principal Clarinet of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to overhaul one of his clarinets, Backun was unable to complete the project, as the original barrel of the instrument was missing.
After consulting with Foster, Backun set out to make a barrel from cocobolo wood Dalbergia retusa , which became the first Backun Barrel. After a short period of making only barrels, Backun then set out to design a clarinet bell in and mouthpieces in During the partnership with Conn-Selmer and Leblanc from to , Backun developed new clarinets [ 5 ] and continued to develop accessories for international distribution, which expanded the Backun brand around the world.
After the end of the engagement with Conn-Selmer, Backun launched his first custom clarinets at the NAMM Show; these instruments were of exceptional high quality for professional clarinetists. As the company grew, Backun built a modern factory in Burnaby, near Vancouver, equipped with the latest CNC machinery and design equipment, including 3D printers and scanners.
In 15 employees produced 30β40 clarinets monthly and thousands of accessories, largely industrially. According to Morrie Backun, the numbers in would be more than twice as high. To ensure the necessary higher sales, Backun subsequently worked on expanding its international dealer network. As of November , an estimated 50 production employees produce a considerably higher number of instruments and accessories per month, with the brand's global impact being felt throughout the band and orchestra community.
Well-known clarinetists play clarinets from Backun. An existing Lumiere can be turned into a basset clarinet with a separately available basset lower joint. The following clarinets are in the program: [ 13 ] [ 14 ]. A small extra key at the bottom of the lower joint like the Tosca by Buffet Crampon enhances the intonation of low-F.
