Backun E-Flat Cutback Barrel

The Eb clarinet has a reputation for being difficult to control — sharp in the upper register, uneven across the break, and unforgiving when intonation drifts. A lot of that comes down to the equipment rather than the player. The Backun Eb Cutback Barrel is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to address it.

The cutback design solves a specific and frustrating problem: standard Eb mouthpieces require trimmed reeds, which means extra work and fewer reed options. This barrel eliminates that. The cutback allows standard Bb clarinet reeds to seat properly on an Eb mouthpiece without any trimming — open up a box, put one on, and play.

Beyond the reed compatibility, the barrel itself improves the feel of the whole instrument. Intonation steadies across the registers, the tone becomes more consistent from top to bottom, and the overall flexibility of the horn opens up. Artists who've played the Eb for years notice the difference immediately.

Pair it with the Backun Eb Bell and the improvement compounds — together they bring a level of control and evenness to the Eb clarinet that most players didn't think was possible from the instrument.