"They don't have the same sound. In fact, those made in China sound pretty flat," he said with a smirk.
The town's saxophone factory owners might be in agreement over the lack of threat from China, but they are all firmly divided on one issue: Who made ex-US president William Jefferson Clinton's saxophone?
While they have it on good authority that the saxophone originated in the town, the actual factory in which it was produced remains unknown. As all of the town's saxophones are made for the OEM market there is no specific Houli manufacturing mark or logo.
The topic of heated, yet cordial debate for many years, many reckon iit is better for all concerned if the question of Clinton's saxophone remains a mystery.
"I guess not knowing who made it makes it better in a way," admitted Lin pointing to a photograph of Clinton holding the much-debated instrument.
"The fact that it comes from Houli is reward enough. It is a great honor for us all as well as the town itself." Like the town's saxophone manufacturing industry, Kenny G's popularity in Houli also looks set to continue indefinitely. Despite the Taipei Times' constant barrage of well-meaning quips, his music will continue to provide the background sound in many of the factories.
"We listen to him all the time while working," laughed saxophone factory owner, Chang Chun-hui
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