I played clarinet a few years when I was a kid, so after almost 20 years I was looking for a higher quality synthetic or perhaps an entry level wood instrument, to start playing again. After hours and hours searching the internet for a new instrument and comparing many models and sellers, I found a really good deal for a new Protégé clarinet. It was a new B-stock model, in grenadilla with silver keys, so I decided to purchase it. Miles, from North Country Winds [google it ;)], was very nice and answered my questions prior purchasing.
My first impression was that switching from a student Vito synthetic clarinet to the Protégé, I encountered a bit of resistance when blowing, yet the tone was powerful, dark and warm. It didn't take me long to get used to it, and now it feels very much natural, I just need to be careful to avoid putting too much air. can play very very soft and still get good sound. Its a very responsive instrument, and the notes come out quick and easy as expected. The throat notes are not particularly better than the ones from other horns, specially the G# and Bb, but that is perhaps almost normal. The low register though, is quite nice, and dark, and very resonant. If I want a slightly darker sound with more resistance, I switch the barrel to a Backun Protégé Cocobolo I purchased before for my old clarinet (my Protégé arrived with the upgraded New Traditional barrel).
Its a beautiful instrument from all angles. The grenadilla grain of the bell is just gorgeous, the barrel is also very pretty, although the upper and lower joint seem to me made of a darker batch of wood. The finishing of the wood is incredible, like a piece of art. Its also slightly heavier than other student and intermediate clarinets I have tried, probably due to a better quality wood. The laser engraving is perfect. The keys look just amazing, and mechanically they perform very well, they fell sturdy and soft at the same time. The keys are very quiet, and unlike my old clarinet, the Protégé is very silent when playing across the range, maybe the only key that barely makes a perceptible noise is the Left hand F/C lever, if anything. Perhaps my only complaint, and hence the main reason to give it four and not five stars, is that the Left hand F#/C# lever is higher than in my previous clarinets, and gets in the way when I need to use the Left hand E/B lever. That is taking some attention to get used to, and it may be related to the size of my hand/finger, but it became an issue I need to deal with nonetheless.
Regarding tone, the lower notes are beautiful, but I have yet to get the best sound out of this instrument, and I think I might need a better mouthpiece. I have played with the three different student level MPs I own [Hite, Vito and a vintage Woodwind Robert Marcellus N13(student?)], a couple of Rovner ligatures and several combinations of reeds. Still, I struggle a lot in the altissimo range. I found that going above the high D is very difficult with the Protégé, but I can get those notes more easily on my Vito. It almost feels like the particular Protégé I received is not as responsive up there, but I am not sure yet, it might be that the instrument demands a better embouchure, a different mouthpiece, or both, who knows. I will need to get some help to sort that out.
I received my Protégé with an older case, something like a Protec Slimline (?) if I am not mistaken. It seems like a good small and lightweight case, although it doesn’t fit quite well the adjustable thumb rest, and it just doesn’t have enough space inside to place a humidity control pack. I need to see how to deal with that before the winter arrives. Maybe that was the reason Backun upgraded the case model, and probably other people won’t have that issue since it seems like this models is usually shipped with a slightly larger case.
These are my honest thoughts after one month with the clarinet. Overall, I think the Protégé is a beautiful instrument that can be a lifetime clarinet for someone who wants a high quality horn but doesn’t need the fancy features of the more professional models.
