Backun Musical Services

Backun Musical Services Ltd. is a Canadian clarinet manufacturer based in Burnaby, British Columbia. The company was established in 2000 by clarinetist and entrepreneur Morrie Backun, initially as a small woodwind repair business. Its early development was driven by a practical instrument-repair problem: after being asked to overhaul a clarinet belonging to Vancouver Symphony Orchestra principal clarinetist J. Wesley Foster, Backun found that the instrument’s original barrel was missing. He produced a replacement from cocobolo wood, creating the first Backun barrel and establishing the technical direction of the business. The company initially concentrated on specialist clarinet components rather than complete instruments. It expanded from barrels into bells in 2001 and mouthpieces in 2004, while also modifying and developing clarinets made by other manufacturers. These components helped the Backun name gain recognition among professional players and distributors. A major turning point came through a relationship with Conn-Selmer and its Leblanc clarinet business. From 2006 to 2010, Backun worked with the companies on clarinet development, and a complete B-flat clarinet was distributed under the Leblanc by Backun label. The relationship gave the brand broader international distribution and experience in full-instrument design. After the Conn-Selmer and Leblanc engagement ended, Backun introduced its own custom clarinets at the 2011 NAMM Show. The company then invested in a purpose-built Burnaby facility equipped with computer-controlled manufacturing machinery, digital design tools, three-dimensional printers and scanners. This allowed Backun to combine traditional acoustic and wood-working expertise with repeatable industrial production. By 2012, the company was reported to have 15 employees producing approximately 30 to 40 clarinets per month alongside thousands of accessories. It subsequently focused on expanding its international dealer network. Backun’s range covers student, intermediate, professional and custom instruments using the French, or Boehm, fingering system. Its principal complete instruments are B-flat and A clarinets, with selected configurations extending into basset clarinet territory. The range includes synthetic and wooden student instruments, intermediate Protégé instruments, professional Q Series models, and custom Lumière, MoBa and CG Carbon instruments. The Lumière is positioned around a more vibrant and sweet tonal character, while the MoBa is designed for a darker, more powerful sound. Backun also offers barrels, bells, mouthpieces and other accessories, with materials including grenadilla, cocobolo, synthetic ABS and carbon-fibre composite structures. In January 2017, Eastman Music Company made a significant investment in Backun Musical Services and acquired a partial ownership interest. The relationship supported further growth in the clarinet market while leaving Backun as a specialist brand associated with design-led, high-end clarinet manufacturing. Backun instruments are sold directly and through dealers in international band and orchestra markets. The company’s products are used by professional and advanced clarinetists, and players such as Jarrod Butler and David Shifrin have been associated with Backun instruments or development work. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate public listing, a current chief executive other than the company’s founder, or a precise current production volume.

Backun Musical Services began in 2000 when Morrie Backun opened a small woodwind repair shop in Canada. A missing barrel on a clarinet belonging to Vancouver Symphony Orchestra principal clarinetist J. Wesley Foster led Backun to make a replacement from cocobolo. The resulting component became the first Backun barrel and formed the basis of the company’s early reputation. The business initially specialized in clarinet components. It developed bells in 2001 and mouthpieces in 2004, while also modifying instruments made by other manufacturers. Its technical reputation attracted Conn-Selmer, which had acquired the Leblanc clarinet business. Between 2006 and 2010, Backun collaborated with Conn-Selmer and Leblanc on clarinet design and development. A complete B-flat instrument was distributed as the Leblanc by Backun, giving the Canadian company greater international exposure. Following the end of that relationship, Backun launched its own custom clarinets at the 2011 NAMM Show. The company expanded its manufacturing capabilities in Burnaby with CNC machinery, digital scanning and design equipment, and three-dimensional printing. This facility supported the transition from a component specialist to a complete-instrument manufacturer while retaining a strong focus on custom acoustical and ergonomic design. By 2012, publicly cited company information described a workforce of 15 employees producing several dozen clarinets each month as well as thousands of accessories. Growth was supported by the development of an international dealer network. The product range broadened to include student Alpha and Beta instruments, the intermediate Protégé, professional Q Series models, and custom Lumière and MoBa clarinets. The CG Carbon Clarinet added a carbon-fibre outer shell bonded to a wooden core. Eastman Music Company made a significant investment and acquired a partial ownership position in January 2017. The investment enabled further growth in the clarinet sector. Later reference material described a substantially expanded workforce and a broader international presence among band and orchestra players. Backun remains identified with Boehm-system B-flat and A clarinets, premium barrels and bells, custom acoustical work, and a combination of handcrafted expertise and modern production technology.

1. 2017Eastman investment

   Eastman Music Company acquired a partial ownership interest in Backun Musical Services.

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2. 2012Burnaby production expands

   The company was reported to have 15 employees producing approximately 30 to 40 clarinets monthly alongside large accessory volumes.

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3. 2011First proprietary custom clarinets introduced

   Backun presented its own custom clarinets at the NAMM Show.

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4. 2006Leblanc and Conn-Selmer development relationship

   Backun began a development partnership with Leblanc and Conn-Selmer that continued through 2010.

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5. 2004Mouthpieces added

   Backun expanded its accessory work by developing clarinet mouthpieces.

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6. 2001Clarinet bell development begins

   After establishing a reputation for replacement barrels, the company began designing clarinet bells.

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7. 2000Woodwind repair shop established

   Morrie Backun opened a small woodwind repair business in Canada, the origin of Backun Musical Services.

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A specialist, design-led clarinet maker positioned from student and intermediate instruments through professional and custom models, with particular emphasis on acoustic refinement, premium wood selection, custom configuration and technologically assisted manufacturing.

• AlphaStudent clarinet

  The Alpha is a student B-flat clarinet made from synthetic ABS material. It uses a standard 17-key, six-ring Boehm configuration, with an optional E-flat lever and nickel- or silver-plated mechanism options. Its synthetic construction is intended to provide a practical entry point for beginning players and reduce dependence on wooden-body maintenance.

• BetaStudent clarinet

  The Beta is a wooden student B-flat clarinet made from grenadilla. It follows the 17-key, six-ring format used across much of the range and can be specified with an optional E-flat lever. Nickel- or silver-plated mechanisms are available. It occupies the wooden student segment while carrying design features shared with Backun’s more advanced instruments.

• ProtégéIntermediate clarinet

  The Protégé is an intermediate B-flat clarinet offered in grenadilla or cocobolo. Its Boehm mechanism has 17 keys and six rings, with an optional E-flat lever and silver- or gold-plated finishes. The model is intended for advancing players who need a more substantial wooden instrument before moving to Backun’s professional and custom lines.

• Q SeriesProfessional clarinet

  The Q Series is Backun’s professional clarinet family in B-flat and A configurations. Standard instruments use grenadilla, a 17-key, six-ring design and silver-plated mechanism, while selected editions and markets have included cocobolo construction, expanded keywork and gold plating. The range is positioned below the company’s custom models for advanced and professional orchestral players.

• LumièreCustom professional clarinet

  The Lumière is a custom B-flat and A clarinet designed around a more vibrant and sweet tonal character. It is available in grenadilla or cocobolo and uses an 18-key, six-ring configuration with an E-flat lever and silver- or gold-plated mechanism options. The A version can be configured as a basset clarinet, and the model incorporates Backun’s low-F vent approach as standard on custom clarinets.

• MoBaCustom professional clarinet

  The MoBa is a custom B-flat and A clarinet developed for players seeking a darker and more powerful tonal profile than the Lumière. Differences include bore and tonehole design as well as external styling. Grenadilla and cocobolo versions are available, including Super Series sets made from a single length of wood so the paired instruments share grain continuity.

• CG Carbon ClarinetCustom professional clarinet

  The CG Carbon Clarinet is a custom B-flat and A instrument associated with clarinetist Corrado Giuffredi. Its upper and lower joints combine a wooden core of grenadilla or cocobolo with a patented carbon-fibre outer shell. The construction is intended to improve resistance to cracking and extend service life while producing a distinctive response. The barrel and bell remain wooden for their acoustic contribution.

• Backun barrels, bells and mouthpiecesClarinet accessories2000

  Backun’s accessory business includes clarinet barrels, bells and mouthpieces, the product areas from which the company originally built its reputation. These components are designed to influence response, projection, intonation and tonal colour and are sold both as replacements or upgrades for players’ existing instruments and as components for Backun clarinets.

• 2017Accepted Eastman Music Company investmentM&A

  Backun sought to support continued growth in the international clarinet market as its product range and dealer network expanded.

  What changed. Eastman Music Company made a significant investment and acquired partial ownership of Backun Musical Services.

  Aftermath. The investment was described as enabling growth for both companies in the clarinet market. The available reference material does not disclose transaction value or exact ownership percentages.

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• 2011Launched proprietary custom clarinetsProduct launch

  After the end of its engagement with Conn-Selmer and Leblanc, Backun moved to establish a more distinct proprietary instrument identity.

  What changed. The company introduced its first custom clarinets at the NAMM Show and developed a broader in-house manufacturing operation.

  Aftermath. Backun became more clearly positioned as an independent specialist manufacturer rather than only a component supplier or development partner.

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• 2006Partnered with Leblanc and Conn-Selmer on clarinet developmentStrategy

  Backun had developed recognition through clarinet components and instrument modification. Conn-Selmer, whose portfolio included Leblanc, approached the company for broader clarinet design and development work.

  What changed. Backun developed clarinets and accessories for distribution through the Leblanc and Conn-Selmer relationship, including a B-flat model sold under the Leblanc by Backun label.

  Aftermath. The relationship lasted through 2010 and helped extend Backun’s international distribution and experience in complete-instrument development.

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• 2017Eastman Music Company takes a significant investment stake in Backun Musical Services

  Eastman Music Company acquired partial ownership of Backun Musical Services, supporting the two companies’ expansion in the clarinet market.

  M&A
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• 2011Backun presents its first custom clarinets

  The company introduced its own custom clarinet models at the NAMM Show after the end of its development relationship with Conn-Selmer and Leblanc.

  Product launch
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1. Backun Musical Services
2. Backun Musical official website