🎵 BACKUN Q Series Bb Clarinet — An Affordable Masterpiece
The BACKUN Q Series Bb Clarinet is the classic choice for those who prefer a traditional French-style instrument with BACKUN innovation. The 2nd Generation Q Series is built around a completely redesigned acoustic bore based on the flagship Lumière model and comes equipped with legendary Lumière Barrels (66mm and 65mm) and a Lumière Bell. A carbon fibre joint ring, inline trill keys, precision undercut and overcut tone holes, and triple-strike key plating make the Q Series a true affordable masterpiece.
🎶 Sound Characteristics
The 2nd Generation Q Series delivers custom-level sound thanks to an acoustic bore designed around the Lumière model. The Lumière Barrels and Bell produce a sweet, balanced tone with increased focus and projection that fills any concert hall.
✔️ Lumière-based acoustic bore — the completely redesigned poly-cylindrical bore of the 2nd Generation (2021) delivers unparalleled performance value. This is the same acoustic foundation as the custom models
✔️ Lumière Barrels 66mm and 65mm — two barrels for precise tuning adjustment. The Lumière offers a sweet, balanced tone with rich overtones, increased focus, and projection — ideal for orchestral, chamber, and solo playing
✔️ Lumière Bell — featuring the unique Double Voicing Groove (DVG) technology that improves intonation and stability in the clarion register. A pronounced bell flare and carbon fibre tenon ring deliver resonance and durability
✔️ Undercut and overcut tone holes — dual tone hole treatment for impeccable intonation and response across the entire range. This is the key upgrade from the Protégé, which features only undercut tone holes
🔧 Construction and Materials
The BACKUN Q Series combines modern manufacturing techniques with classic exotic hardwoods and premium finishing. Every element — from the carbon fibre ring to the triple-strike plating — meets custom-level standards.
✔️ Premium unstained grenadilla or cocobolo — two exotic wood options. Grenadilla delivers a classic dark, centred tone with powerful projection. Cocobolo is lighter in weight, with a broader, sweeter tone and unmatched response
✔️ Carbon fibre joint ring — the innovative carbon fibre ring increases resonance, reduces vibrations at the joint, and prevents wood cracking
✔️ Drop-forged and hardened keywork with triple-strike plating — available in silver or gold. Drop-forged mechanism with triple-strike plating delivers maximum durability and precision
✔️ 2nd Generation poly-cylindrical bore — based on Lumière acoustics for impeccable tuning and projection
✔️ Custom black leather pads — water-resistant, durable, and providing a soft tonal attack
⚙️ Mechanics and Ergonomics
✔️ Inline trill keys — a key BACKUN innovation: the trill key tone holes are positioned outside the "waterline", significantly reducing condensation accumulation and improving mechanism reliability. This is a critical advantage for extended performances
✔️ Adjustable thumb rest with neck strap ring — personalised comfort for extended rehearsals and performances
✔️ Advanced adjustment screws — allow fine-tuning of the mechanism without visiting a technician
✔️ Removable left-hand Eb key — optional for added convenience
📊 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
| Key | Bb (also available in A) |
| Level | Professional |
| System | Boehm (French), 17 keys |
| Body | Premium unstained grenadilla or cocobolo |
| Tone Holes | Undercut and overcut |
| Bore | Poly-cylindrical, 2nd Generation (Lumière-based) |
| Keywork | Drop-forged and hardened, triple-strike plating (silver or gold) |
| Trill Keys | Inline (outside the waterline) |
| Adjustment | Advanced adjustment screws |
| Pads | Custom black leather |
| Carbon Fibre Ring | ✔️ Carbon fibre joint ring |
| Thumb Rest | Adjustable + neck strap ring |
| Removable Left-Hand Eb Key | Optional |
| Barrels | Lumière 66mm + 65mm (two included) |
| Bell | Lumière Bell (with DVG and carbon fibre tenon ring) |
| Weight | ≈ 744 g |
| Mouthpiece | ❌ Not included |
| Manufacturing | 🇨🇦 Backun Musical Services, Canada |
📦 Included
✔️ Lumière 66mm Barrel
✔️ Lumière 65mm Barrel
✔️ Lumière Bell
✔️ Custom BAM Single Clarinet Trekking Case
✔️ Polishing cloth
✔️ Cleaning swab
✔️ Cork grease
✔️ Backun Warranty
⚠️ Mouthpiece not included — this allows musicians to choose a mouthpiece that suits their preferences and playing style
🎯 Who Is the BACKUN Q Series For
✔️ Professional clarinetists — the Q Series delivers custom-level features at professional instrument pricing. Lumière-based bore, inline trill keys, and dual tone hole treatment
✔️ Orchestral and chamber musicians — the Lumière Barrels produce a sweet, balanced tone with projection that fills any hall. Two barrel sizes allow precise tuning adjustment
✔️ French-style enthusiasts — the Q Series is designed for those who appreciate the familiar feel and playability of a traditional French clarinet enhanced with BACKUN innovations
✔️ Those upgrading from Buffet R13 / Festival — a similar amount of resistance (slightly more than the R13) with improved intonation and projection. Lumière Barrels are compatible with Buffet
✔️ Educators and advanced students — a premium instrument built to last for years thanks to drop-forged mechanism and triple-strike plating
🏆 Comparison within the BACKUN Range
| Feature | BACKUN Protégé | BACKUN Q Series | BACKUN Lumière / CG Carbon |
| Level | Professional | Professional+ | Custom |
| Tone Holes | Undercut | Undercut & overcut | Lumière sculpted undercut & overcut |
| Barrel | New Traditional 65mm | Lumière 66mm + 65mm (×2) | Lumière (complex taper) |
| Bell | Backun Bell | Lumière Bell (DVG) | Lumière Bell (DVG) |
| Inline Trill Keys | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Carbon Fibre Ring | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ (full carbon in CG) |
| Key Plating | Silver / Gold | Silver / Gold | Silver |
| Advanced Adjustment Screws | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Weight | 741 g | 744 g | 830 g (CG Carbon) |
🏭 About BACKUN Musical Services
🇨🇦 BACKUN Musical Services is a Canadian premium clarinet manufacturer based in Burnaby, British Columbia. Founder Morrie Backun started with a small woodwind repair shop and crafted the first barrel from exotic cocobolo wood. Today BACKUN is a recognised leader in the clarinet world. The 2nd Generation Q Series, released in 2021, embodies the brand's philosophy: custom-level features should be accessible to every serious musician.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does the Q Series differ from the Protégé?
The Q Series is the next step up from the Protégé with several key upgrades: Lumière Barrels and Bell (replacing the New Traditional and Backun Bell), undercut AND overcut tone holes (not just undercut), inline trill keys to reduce condensation, a carbon fibre joint ring, advanced adjustment screws, and a premium BAM Trekking case.
What are inline trill keys?
On standard clarinets, the trill key tone holes sit on the "waterline" — the path condensation follows inside the instrument. BACKUN's inline design moves these holes outside the waterline, significantly reducing moisture accumulation, improving pad reliability, and making extended performances more comfortable.
Why two Lumière Barrels of different sizes?
Two barrels (66mm and 65mm) allow precise adjustment of the instrument's overall pitch. If you play sharp — use the longer 66mm barrel. If flat — the 65mm. This is standard practice at the professional level, and BACKUN includes both in the package.
What is the Double Voicing Groove (DVG) in the Lumière Bell?
The DVG is a unique design feature of the Lumière Bell: a dual groove inside the bell improves intonation and stability in the clarion register. Combined with the carbon fibre tenon ring and pronounced bell flare, the DVG allows the clarinet to truly sing.
Grenadilla or cocobolo — which wood to choose?
Grenadilla delivers a classic dark, centred tone with powerful projection — the choice for orchestral and classical playing. Cocobolo is lighter in weight with a broader, sweeter tone and unmatched response — the choice for chamber and solo performance.
Is the Q Series a good upgrade from the Buffet R13?
Yes, the Q Series has a similar feel to the Buffet R13 with slightly more resistance, providing better tonal control. Lumière Barrels are compatible with Buffet, Yamaha, and other major brands. Inline trill keys and dual tone hole treatment deliver a noticeable upgrade in intonation and reliability.
Are Lumière Barrels compatible with other clarinets?
Yes, Lumière Barrels are compatible with Backun, Buffet, Yamaha, Leblanc, and most other brands (standard fit). Selmer Paris instruments require a special fit. Barrels are interchangeable between Bb and A clarinets.
Why is a mouthpiece not included?
At a professional level, mouthpiece selection is a highly personal decision. BACKUN offers its own line of mouthpieces (Vocalise, MoBa, and others) but deliberately does not impose any particular option, leaving the choice to the musician.
🚚 Shipping and Payment
✅ Free shipping across Ukraine from 4000 UAH
🚚 Nova Poshta — 1-3 days across Ukraine
💳 Pay in installments — Monobank, PrivatBank
✅ Official warranty from BACKUN
🇨🇦 Made in Canada — BACKUN instruments
SoundsGood — your trusted partner in the world of musical instruments. Shipping across all of Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and more.
🎵 Order the BACKUN Q Series Bb Clarinet at SoundsGood — an affordable masterpiece for true professionals! 🎶
