Essence A Clarinet

There really is no better instrument or company to invest your time and money into. I highly encourage anyone who is hesitant to switching to Backun to give them a chance, and you will not be disappointed. As a senior in clarinet performance, I noticed a drastic shift in my sound, control, and ease after just a few short months on the B-flat Grenadilla Essence. It has unlocked more potential in my playing than any other instrument that I have tried. Not to mention the incredible Backun team, who has done nothing but put their customers’ needs as their first priority. I’ve witnessed their dedication to producing quality products and customer service first-hand, and I couldn’t be happier as a customer and aspiring performer. I would wholeheartedly recommend Backun to any clarinetist that is looking for an instrument to elevate their playing.

Mia P. 5/5 September 4, 2026

Essence Bb Clarinet

Review: The Backun Essence Clarinet – A Masterpiece of Innovation and Versatility. As a professional clarinetist who has served as guest principal with various orchestras and spent eight years under a permanent contract as principal clarinetist of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, I have spent decades searching for the perfect balance of tone, resistance, resonance, and intonation. Over my career, I have played almost every Buffet Crampon model—personally selecting most of them at the factory in Mantes-la-Ville or at Buffet Crampon Tokyo. I also performed for many years on the Selmer Récital, an instrument I originally selected directly at the Selmer factory in Paris alongside Jérôme Selmer. It was long my absolute favorite clarinet due to its magnificent sound, though it unfortunately proved too heavy for long-term physical comfort. A wonderful testament to the exceptional quality of that instrument came from my dear teacher and professor, the late Wolfgang Meyer. He actually borrowed my selected Selmer to play with the Berlin Philharmonic, and he later shared with me that absolutely nobody in the orchestra noticed he was playing a French-system clarinet instead of a traditional German one—a true testament to its beautiful, rich tone and my selection. My journey to Backun began at ClarinetFest in Incheon, Korea, where I tested both the Bb and A models. After spending considerable time trying almost every Buffet model available at the festival, I decided to move on to the Backun Essence.The difference was immediate and astonishing. The sound of the Essence was noticeably bigger, richer, and more expansive than both the Buffet Légende and the Buffet Divine. I was instantly captivated by this massive, carrying voice coupled with an incredibly free, easy-blowing response. Without knowing the exact bore measurements of the Essence, the overall playing feel and blowing resistance are beautifully balanced—probably somewhere between a Buffet R13 and a Festival. It is a free-blowing, medium-resistance instrument with incredible intonation that will satisfy even the most demanding, high-level players. One of the highlights on both my Bb and A clarinets is the automatic Low F Vent mechanism. It is an absolute game-changer for intonation. You no longer have to suffer through a low F that is constantly flat and out of tune, nor do you have to manually push an extra correction key. The mechanism corrects the pitch completely automatically, allowing you to focus entirely on the music instead of constantly trying to lip up or compensate for a flat low F. Furthermore, the keywork and mechanics are absolutely flawless, and my models feature marvelous golden posts that contrast beautifully with the wood, making the Essence look as elegant as a piece of fine jewelry. The Backun Essence has also excelled in ergonomic design. It features the most comfortable thumb rest of any clarinet I have ever tried, completely eliminating the need for a thumb cushion. In terms of weight, it is not as lightweight as some other clarinets, but nowhere near as heavy as the Selmer Récital. Crucially, it includes a built-in neck strap ring. If anyone finds the weight a bit taxing, they can easily use a strap for added comfort. During my selection, I chose several additional Backun Essence and Moba barrels, which now give me the flexibility to adjust my sound and response to different concert halls and acoustic environments. The instruments arrive in a sturdy, premium double case that provides everything you need to keep your clarinets perfectly protected. Ultimately, this is perhaps the most versatile clarinet introduced to the market since the Buffet R13. Because it offers less resistance and blows so freely, it is equally suited for world-class classical performance and jazz.To be clear, I still own and cherish multiple beautiful sets of Buffet clarinets at home; they are magnificent instruments that have served me wonderfully. However, the Backun Essence is a completely different experience. It offers a fresh, innovative perspective and a unique playing joy—defined by its marvellous sound color, free blowing, exceptional intonation, and superb key ergonomics—that is exactly what I want to own and perform on at this stage of my musical journey. Thank you, Morrie Backun, for your incredible work. It is an absolute pleasure to play these instruments every single day.

Selvadore R. 5/5 August 30, 2026

Essence Bb Clarinet

I play tested four brands/models of clarinets at North Country Winds in Potsdam, NY. I fell in love with the Essence right away. It is hard to write a review when I only have had the instrument for a couple hours, but I am excited to have a new clarinet after fifteen years.

Rosemary S. 5/5 September 4, 2026

Essence Bb Clarinet

I have been in love with the Backun Essence clarinet since a tried it our several months ago. The tone and intonation is extremely good. It is so easy to play. My previous clarinet was a Q series with gold keys. It played very well but not as well as the Essence. I finally was able to fit it into my budget.

Philip S. 5/5 September 2, 2026

Essence Bb Clarinet

I purchased an Essence Bb soprano in grenadilla and an Essence A soprano in cocobolo at a recent Backun clarinet event in Atlanta. These clarinets impressed me from the very first note as being nearly effortless to play, and are the most responsive clarinets I have yet encountered. In addition, Morrie and Joel were great as always. Heather and Alcides from Rodriguez Musical Services were wonderful as well.

Jonathan G. 5/5 May 18, 2026

Essence Bb Clarinet