The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-09-07 20:49
Off-topic but related to an earlier thread about U.S. Presidential musicians: I had remarked how bad I thought Bill Clinton sounded (on an audio clip I'd heard of him playing at a Czech jazz club). Now I know why....This from an eBay auction ad:
"Bill Clinton Rico Royal Metalite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece This is a like new Rico Royal M7 mouthpiece that was played by Bill Clinton during his last campaign for governor of Arkansas."
I've tried a few Rico Royal Metalite mouthpieces are they are unplayable --- absolutely, hands-down, the worst new mouthpieces on the market, IMHO. And because of they type of cheap plastic they're molded from, they can't even be refaced/reworked into something usable. Horrible baffles and facings.
Poor President Bill --- an innocent victim of totally inept mouthpiece selection by a staffer!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-09-07 20:54
Guess he had more important matters on his mind.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2004-09-07 21:02
I heard Clinton play sax a while back on a clip from a T.V. show. He actually didn't sound too bad. But he ain't gonna make nobody forget Ace Cannon.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-09-07 21:17
Brenda,
You're right of course --- but careful mouthpiece selection is VERY important, don't you agree? Not to mention, staffers are supposed to give their Presidents the very best advice and recommendations, and clearly they failed in this instance.
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-09-07 22:12
I vaguely recall Bill being presented with a brand new sax while he was in office. I'm surprised to read that it did not come with a good mouthpiece.
Considering the schedule that a president has to keep, he would be unlikely to have had time to practise much in those eight years so I wouldn't expect him to sound like someone who plays regularly.
I have to go and practise now....
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2004-09-07 22:27
Probably a present from Karl Rove.
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Author: Topher
Date: 2004-09-07 22:27
He was presented with a new LA Sax, and that probably didn't help his sound either.
topher, who is opposed to instruments that have brighter colors than his wardrobe
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-09-07 23:22
Dave, there is a new gimmick for you. Send Bill a good refaced mouthpiece as a gift--ala Dave S-- and then you can advertise it as "A Friend of Bills"s" and up your prices.
Bob A
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-07 23:28
To stay within our guidelines, Dave, your latest reface of an old O'Brien to a Pom Jazz facing is now my best glass! Having had the 4 bypass job 3 weeks ago, I wish Bill C as good a recup. as mine. When friends inquire, I just say "Call me Bill Clinton", his publ. is better than mine !! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-09-08 00:35
It would be my guess that he possibly was partial to that kind of mouthpiece. Perhaps it is one he played in school and was comfortable for him. Who knows? He certainly could have afforded any kind he wanted. I agree, David, that presidents should get good advice, but we know that doesn't always happen. I'm not a sax player, but I could have told him at least 4 or 5 that would have been better than what he had.
Hope he makes a full recovery and is able to play again soon.
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Author: ebasta
Date: 2004-09-08 04:45
check out the alto that he gave to the hard rock cafe in d.c.
(you'll actually have to go to 10th and e sts.)
ed
http://www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes/memo.aspx?lc=WASH
Post Edited (2004-09-08 04:51)
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-09-08 06:26
Like Bill and Ted, I think the Prez (with apologies to the real Prez) generally places a higher priority on the groupies than on the music. Perhaps the imaginary accountant in the lawsuit thread should have taken lessons from HIM.
But seriously, Bill needs to start taking care of his ticker. Wouldn't want his next tryst to end up like Nelson Rockerfeller's.
Allen Cole
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