🎵 BACKUN Euro Signature Bb Mouthpiece — The Loudest and Most Refined Design by Richard Hawkins
The BACKUN Euro Signature Series Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece is the result of Richard Hawkins' pilgrimage to Europe, where he met players from all backgrounds and styles. Stepping out of his comfort zone, Hawkins embraced the larger-than-life mouthpieces popular among many European artists and created the loudest yet most refined mouthpiece of his career. An Extra/Open tip at 1.30 mm, A-Frame baffle, Open+/Long facing, and proprietary Spanish marble hard-rod rubber — all combine to deliver a big, robust sound with clarity and control, but without the edge common in so many large-facing designs.
🎶 Sound Characteristics
The Euro Signature is a mouthpiece for those seeking maximum volume with refinement and control. Designed for orchestral, band, wind ensemble, modern contemporary classical, and even jazz playing.
✔️ Powerful yet refined sound — the Euro Signature delivers a significant amount of volume without extensive amounts of air and lip pressure. The musician gets a big, rich tone with minimal effort
✔️ Clarity and control without edge — the proprietary Spanish marble hard-rod rubber holds all dynamics with clarity and control, but without the "edge" common in many large-facing designs
✔️ Versatility across genres — equally effective for orchestral, band, wind ensemble, modern contemporary classical, and jazz playing without losing longevity and embouchure control
✔️ Easy articulation — a big, robust sound that is easy to articulate even in fast passages and complex dynamics
🔧 Construction and Technology
The Euro Signature embodies decades of Richard Hawkins' mouthpiece design experience combined with BACKUN's cutting-edge manufacturing technology.
✔️ A-Frame Baffle — the unique baffle design developed by Hawkins, the hallmark of the Signature Series. The A-Frame provides optimal airflow, projection, and tonal clarity without harshness
✔️ Extra/Open tip at 1.30 mm — the widest tip opening in the entire Backun Signature Series lineup. Delivers maximum volume and tonal flexibility
✔️ Open+/Long facing — the extended facing is optimised for both cane and synthetic reeds
✔️ Spanish marble hard-rod rubber — a proprietary material selected specifically for its ability to hold all dynamics with clarity and control
✔️ 9-axis CNC machining — crafted on a highly advanced 9-axis CNC machine using a unique "done-in-one" machining program that combines milling and lathing without a second setup or recalibration, ensuring exceptional consistency and precision for every unit
✔️ CAD/CAM design and 3D prototyping — designed using advanced CAD/CAM software and tested with 3D printing technology
⚙️ O-Ring System
✔️ Self-lubricating O-Rings instead of traditional cork — all Backun Signature Series mouthpieces feature rubber O-Rings instead of cork. This provides improved durability, reduced maintenance, and a stable fit on the barrel
✔️ Three O-Ring sizes included — medium-sized O-Rings are installed by default and fit the majority of clarinet barrel tenons. Additional sizes allow a perfect fit on any barrel
💡 Tip from Hawkins: to re-lubricate the O-Rings, use a drop of almond oil or a tiny bit of cork grease on the inner wall of the barrel top tenon to improve ease of use
📊 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
| Key | Bb |
| Series | Signature Series |
| Model | Euro (EU) |
| Designer | Richard Hawkins (Professor, Oberlin Conservatory) |
| Tip Opening | 1.30 mm — Extra/Open |
| Facing | Open+ / Long |
| Baffle | A-Frame |
| Material | Spanish marble hard-rod rubber |
| Tuning | A=440-441 / 66mm typical barrel length or A=442 / 65mm typical barrel length |
| Engraving | «EU» on the table |
| Fitting | Self-lubricating O-Rings (3 pcs, medium size installed) |
| Manufacturing | 🇨🇦 Backun Musical Services, Canada — 9-axis CNC |
📦 Included
✔️ Euro Signature Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece (1 pc)
✔️ Medium-sized self-lubricating O-Rings (3 pcs)
✔️ Small flathead screwdriver for O-Rings (1 pc)
✔️ Mouthpiece patch (1 pc)
✔️ BACKUN Warranty
🎯 Who Is the Euro Signature For
✔️ Orchestral players — powerful sound with excellent projection for large halls and orchestral tutti
✔️ Band and wind ensemble players — significant volume with control over dynamics and articulation
✔️ Contemporary classical performers — flexibility and timbral diversity for modern repertoire
✔️ Jazz musicians — a big, rich sound with clarity and character for improvisation
✔️ "European-style" players — designed specifically for those who prefer large, open mouthpieces with powerful projection
✔️ Those seeking maximum volume without excessive effort — a refined, robust sound without extensive amounts of air and lip pressure
🏆 Comparison within the BACKUN Signature Series Bb
| Model | Tip Opening | Facing | Baffle | Material | Character |
| Shifrin | 1.04 mm | Medium/Long | A-Frame | Marbled slate hard-rod rubber | Compact, chamber |
| Hawkins | 1.08 mm | Medium | A-Frame | Hard-rod rubber | Clear, dark, compact |
| McGill | 1.15 mm | Medium/Long | A-Frame | Hard-rod rubber | Rich tone, easy articulation |
| Corrado | 1.20 mm | Open/Long | Traditional | Marbled green hard-rod rubber | Flexible, centred, powerful |
| 🔥 Euro | 1.30 mm | Open+/Long | A-Frame | Spanish marble hard-rod rubber | Loudest, refined, powerful |
🏭 About Richard Hawkins and BACKUN Signature Series
🇨🇦 Richard Hawkins is an outstanding clarinetist, educator, and master mouthpiece designer, Professor at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He made his solo debut at the Kennedy Center with Mstislav Rostropovich and the National Symphony Orchestra. After decades of collecting, observing, and crafting mouthpieces for many of the world's finest artists, Hawkins collaborated with Backun Musical Services to develop a series of mouthpieces with tonal ring and clarity that combines artisan craftsmanship with cutting-edge manufacturing precision.
The Signature Series includes five signature models, each reflecting the aesthetic and needs of a specific world-class artist. The Euro is a model born from the inspiration of European musicians and their approach to the clarinet sound.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does the Euro differ from other Signature Series mouthpieces?
The Euro has the widest tip opening (1.30 mm) in the entire Signature Series lineup. It combines the A-Frame baffle with an Open+/Long facing, making it the loudest yet most refined mouthpiece in the series. Designed under the inspiration of the European playing style with a big, robust sound.
What is the A-Frame baffle?
The A-Frame is a unique baffle design developed by Richard Hawkins for the Signature Series. It optimises airflow through the mouthpiece, providing tonal clarity, projection, and control. The A-Frame is featured in the Euro, Hawkins, McGill, and Shifrin models.
What reeds work best with the Euro Signature?
The Euro Signature is optimised for both cane and synthetic reeds. With its 1.30 mm opening and long facing, medium to medium-hard strength reeds are recommended. For cane reeds, approximately 3.0–3.5+; for synthetic reeds, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Why O-Rings instead of cork?
Self-lubricating O-Rings offer improved durability compared to traditional cork, require less maintenance, don't need regular replacement, and provide a stable, secure fit on the barrel. Three sizes are included to achieve a perfect fit on any barrel.
What tuning is the Euro Signature designed for?
The Euro Signature works at A=440-441 with a typical 66mm barrel length or A=442 with a 65mm barrel. This covers standard tuning for orchestral and ensemble playing in most countries.
Is the Euro suitable for students?
The Euro Signature is designed for advanced high school students and above, up to consummate professionals. With its large 1.30 mm tip opening, it requires a developed embouchure and air control. For beginners and intermediate students, BACKUN offers the Vocalise series.
What does the "EU" engraving on the table mean?
Each Signature Series mouthpiece has a unique engraving on the table. "EU" stands for Euro — the model name inspired by European musicians and their playing style. Other models are engraved with RH (Hawkins), AM (McGill), DS (Shifrin), CG (Corrado).
Is the Euro Signature compatible with other brands' clarinets?
Yes, the Euro Signature is compatible with barrel tenons from most clarinet manufacturers thanks to its O-Ring system with three sizes. The medium size, installed by default, fits the majority of barrels. For non-standard barrels, use a different O-Ring size from the included set.
🚚 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 and accessories
SoundsGood — official BACKUN dealer in Ukraine. Shipping across all of Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and more.
🎵 Order the BACKUN Euro Signature Bb Mouthpiece at SoundsGood — the loudest and most refined design by Richard Hawkins! 🎶
