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Backun Alpha Clarinet – Nickel Keys
Synthetic Body | Professional Bore
The Backun Alpha Clarinet is the result of years of research and development and the desire to give student clarinetists an affordable instrument that won’t restrict their development. Made from a proprietary synthetic material chosen for its excellent tonal qualities, the Alpha Clarinet also gives professional players an instrument that they can confidently use for performances where a wooden instrument might not be appropriate.
Additional Information
Backun Alpha Specifications
| Bore | Backun Bore w/Under-Cut Toneholes |
| Pitch | Bb |
| Material | Proprietary Synthetic Material |
| Pads | Custom Black Valentino |
| Key Style | Backun Design, Nickel-Plated |
| Barrel | Alpha Stock Barrel – 65mm |
| Case | Alpha Backpack Case |
| Warranty | Backun Warranty & Kessler 1 Year Shop Warranty |
Silver Plated Keys
The Backun Alpha clarinet is also available with silver plated keys. While there is no performance difference, some people just like the look of silver! Silver plated keys do cost a bit more though.
Professional Setup
Every Backun Alpha clarinet we send out to a customer is not released from us unless it has been completely setup in our shop first. Sometimes, a clarinet (regardless of who the manufacturer or the price point is) comes in needing 20 minutes of adjustments and then the very next one can require 2 hours!
This is why we perform our setup (in our www.ClarinetRepairs.com ProShop) on your new Backun Alpha clarinet before delivering it to you. You trust us with your purchase and we want to make sure that you are rewarded by giving you your new Backun Alpha clarinet setup flawlessly!
Upgrade your Backun Alpha with a Backun Wood Barrel!
The Backun Alpha clarinet is an amazing instrument! However, you can get even more performance out of it with a Backun Wood Barrel. A wood barrel on the composite body brings an amazing amount of tonal improvement and brings further tonal depth to your clarinet! The best value is our Kessler Custom by Backun barrels as they are affordable and use the same acoustic designs as other Backun professional barrels.
Retail: $169.00
$69.95Great Value!
Retail: $179.00 - $358.00
$99.00 – $179.00
Please note: If you purchase a Backun barrel with the Backun Alpha clarinet, the stock Alpha barrel’s receiving tenon is slightly larger than the wood Backun barrels. While the Backun wood barrels will still fit on the Alpha, they will compress the cork to fit the wood barrel thus making the Alpha barrel looser. If you would like us to custom fit a wood Backun barrel to fit the SAME as the Alpha barrel, we can do that at no cost, but as this is a permanent customization to the wood barrel, it would void any return options on the barrel.
2 reviews for Backun Alpha Clarinet – Nickel Keys
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Gordon Giedt (verified owner) –
Chuck and Dave,
UPS delivered the Backun Alpha a couple of hours ago. I want to thank you for the great customer service and fast shipping. When I called on Wednesday it was just to make sure that the order had gone through, but I really had an enjoyable conversation with Dave about the Alpha’s playing characteristics, compatible mouthpieces, and the new look of your website.
The Alpha so far has exceeded my expectations. First, it is stunning to look at. The ringless design makes it look very sleek. I didn’t know how I would react to the Backun badge on the low E/B rod, but it does not stand out like the closeup pictures appeared to me. Being a former physics teacher, I love the greek alpha. The case is lightweight, but sturdy; compact but with a spacious extra pocket.
The clarinet feels very good in my hands. I started using a Kooiman Etude thumbrest on my Selmer Series 9 after developing wrist pain, but the feel of the Alpha thumbrest as well as its vertical adjustment should make it very comfortable. The keys and rings feel great and are nicely finished. I think I am going to really like the oversized Eb/Bb lever. All in all, mechanism is very quiet and positive.
I am very happy how perfectly the clarinet played right out of the case. Whatever set-up you did before shipping is truly appreciated. The Alpha plays top to bottom, pianissimo to fortissimo. The intonation is much better than my Series 9. I’ve tried it with two Morgan mouthpieces (RM-28, and J6), a Vandoren R45, and a Grabner K14. Each brought out something different in the Alpha, so I have some work cut out to explore all the colors available.
While the appearance and feel of an instrument is important, ultimately it is all about the sound. I am really impressed with the complex tone of the Alpha. Mainly I play Brazilian Choro and Gypsy Swing and will play the Alpha proudly on gigs. I bought the Alpha to have a reliable, good sounding clarinet to play while my Selmer is in the shop for extensive crack repair, and to have an instrument for less than ideal conditions. Who knows, this just may become my main clarinet!
Thanks again for this wonderful addition to my instrument family. When I make it to Las Vegas I want to visit you in person.
If there was one concern, it would be that the mouthpiece cork was loose and wrinkled. I certainly did not buy the clarinet intending to use the supplied mouthpiece, and perhaps very few people do, but I could see someone getting upset if the cork tore off after a week or so of use.
Gordon Giedt
Windy (verified owner) –
After a 50-year break from clarinet playing, I attended a Klezmer concert and I heard the call … It was the Black Muse! I was hooked. Shopping around for a horn, my research pointed to the Backun Alpha. Rave reviews. Dave Kessler advised me on mouthpiece and ligature to get. They were the lowest-priced choices, but who am I to argue? I love good instruments that feel lovely in the hands. Alpha does not disappoint! The fit and finish are so fine, it has a wonderful look and a balanced feel. And the sound … glorious! The action, smooth, precise, and quiet!
The Kessler student mouthpiece is fine. Good with a range of reeds, even down to #1, so I produced marvelous tone in a matter of minutes. Dave was right to recommend a Luyben ligature. A Rovner Dark sounds and feels stuffy, just like Dave said it would.
I just had my first lesson since age 12. My teacher uses the same plastic Luyben, and he’s had it for 40 years! I already lost mine, but hey, it was only $13 to replace. Anyway, my teacher played the Alpha, mused thoughtfully, then proclaimed “it intones VERY well!”. I think he’s envious.
Thanks Dave and Co. for the right stuff, tested and delivered.