will you be able to review Gottsu mouthpieces? They're very expensive (more expensive than Jody Jazz or Theo Wanne) and I would like to see a review from a Western player for an honest opinion. The Japanese players are so nice that they are reluctant to give an honest and straight review.
Ishimori overhauled an SBA tenor I had in 1980 when I was in the Army Band in Japan. Best work (along with Matt Stohrer and Emilio L.) I have ever had done.
Thank you Nick! After watching your review I ordered one, too, without testing it, as there is no shop anywhere near where I live. Of course, that was a risky decision, but I did not regret it. The instrument is just amazingly well built, and the sound is beautiful. I am expecting prices to go up the more people discover this brand.
I own the vintage lacquer version and I fully agree with what is said here about Wood Stone Tenor. One thing that was not mentioned is that, the thumb hook is actually adjustable on the fly. It's got two notches to the left and to the right, making it really adjustable when you sit and stand while strapped on you. When you play in an orchestra where you have to play sitting, and stand up for your solo part, you can move the thumb hook to your preference by just pushing it to the side and you can feel the click for the first and second notches. You will have to use a screw driver to adjust this with a vintage selmer. There's nothing bad about this horn except for one thing I noticed. The octave key on the body does not open up wide. I had to go back to Ishimori and had it fixed because of that. The technician told me that it has something to do with the neck arm that works as a spring for the neck octave key. However, it has not affected my tone nor playing in tune. Anything else is very good.
Meridian winds in okemos michigan is where I bought my ishimori, highly recommend that shop for any wind instrument needs you may have, and instruments come with a two year warranty for all normal wear and tear.
Hey Nick! Thanks for posting this review. I listen to your pod cast regularly. This horn has the high F (no F#) key. What is your opinion of this feature, or in this case lack of a feature? I have had both SBAs & early MK IVs with the high F# and made good use of the key but what is the other side of the argument? Value your opinion and contributions to the music
Hey Ian! I really don't think it makes all that much of a difference. At least in my experience. I got the one without F# simply because I came from a horn without one. There may be some TINY differences in sound or response, but I don't think enough to sway a decision one way or another.
Awesome vid dude. Haven't seen any of your latest content but love the new setup. Killer sound as well on the horn. For me it was between this and a Yamaha 82z and went with the Yamaha.
I have a original yts 875, 66r and a 113xxx mk6 and I think the woodstone sounds woolly and lifeless compared to my 6! Don’t like it!.........dam wish my yamaha was an 82z! 😎👍🏽
Nick! Thank you for the video. Thanks to you, I ordered the same instrument as Nick in Ishimori yesterday. It will arrive in Korea in a month. I'm already looking forward to it. What is the name of the mouthpiece in the video?
Hey Nick You sound really good on your Ishi. This vid is a great review. Previously, you reviewed an 82Z. How would you compare the 82Z to your Ishi? Secondly, what about expected resale value for a boutique brand like Ishimori?
ciao, io abito in Italia e qui questi sax non si trovano. io suono con un Eastman 52 Street che era di Bob Mintzer e vorrei cambiarlo con uno di questi. Sarebbe possibile? Puoi fare qualcosa? hello, I live in Italy and these saxes are not found here. I play with an Eastman 52 Street that was by Bob Mintzer and I would like to exchange it for one of these. It would be possible? you can do something
Hi Nick, I am a Woodstone Tenor fan, I notice in your recent videos it looks like you are playing a Selmer SBA? Was wondering if you could compare your current Tenor and the Woodstone Tenor.
Hey Steve! Unfortunately, I had to sell my ishimori to go in some different directions but maybe if I can borrow one from a friend or local shop I’ll do that!
Can you compare/contrast anything between this and the P.Mauriet 76? I play-tested a PM and liked the fullness of the timbre, but the right hand stack just didn't ever feel right to me.
Why Isimori? I think at the end of the day it comes down to the sounds we got from playing one. Did it speak to us like no other? As should be the deciding factor in any purchase. And not things like cache (e.g. Selmer-Paris...the Apple of the sax world..people buy I'm sure partly for the status). Using parts other manufacturers cheap out on is a plus...agreed. Reliability/Working musician. Yes I agree "reliability" should play a part in helping us decide on this brand...but for a "working musician" I think then they would want to look at a brand like Yamaha. Well built and engineered. Easy to service. More people qualified in most major cities to service a Yamaha. An Ishimori? While not hugely different does have differences. Will it be as easily serviced around the glove?
I loved my Yamaha when I owned it. I think this horn stands right with them in terms of quality and reliability. I think it can be easily serviced anywhere. At the end of the day, unless you need to replace a part, a good saxophone tech can work on any horn (or at least should be able to!)
Hi, I want to buy a professional tenor but I can't decide between this saxophone and Eastman 52nd street. I can't try them out. Have you tried the 52nd street and how does it compare to Ishimori? Thanks in advance.
I have tried the Eastman. It's a great horn! I ultimately went with the Ishimori because it felt more comfortable in my hands and gave me more of the sound I was looking for. They were very close though!
So Nick, since we all know that those horns (MK-VI) were some of the best ever made but they had all these issues, how then are they the best ever made?
There's just something about the sound that can't be replicated. You also have to remember, the time period this horn came out, it was simply in a league of its own. Nothing could touch it. I think that still carries over into the pedestal we put these horns on. There is also something to the fact that all of our favorite players used these horns.
@@nickmainella I think the greatest attribute the MK-VI had was their ergonomics. As for sound, I much prefer the Conn 10M. I think Dexter Gordon's earlier recordings with his 10M were better sound wise then his stuff on the MK-VI. But you know, different strokes and all that. I must say though, I've heard good stuff about the Ishimori horns, I wish I could check one out.
Selmer donated the MarkVl to top players of that era .A great marketing strategy for that era .Fortunately or unfortunately the hype continues to this day that is why all Selmers are overrated and overpriced.
I brought it in for a 1 year checkup. Just small stuff like a little bit of clicking. About 20 minutes on the bench and it was back to brand new condition!
It came with a seal, but it has since worn off. No tarnishing, only some oxidation has occurred. This is to be expected with an unlaquered horn. I can keep this to a minimum if I open my case when I get home and let it dry out overnight.
Hey Nick Mainella side Bb and side C on my S80ii is a V shaped lever to lift the key. On a VI for example it uses this ball and pin mechanism, I believe that wears out and rattles of that makes sense. Yamaha copied this on the EX also, I’m wondering what the Ishimori uses. Sorry if this isn’t a clear question.
Nice looking and sounding sax. Do you know if they can make the soprano in any of the vintage finishes? I don't see the option on their website. I have a CE Winds NY Studio in the beautiful matte gray. I wanted to get a matching soprano or even bari at some point, but it seems they closed shop 🙁
You sound great on this horn Nick. I'm thinking of purchasing an un-lacquered one but without the high f-sharp key. What are your thoughts either way? Thanks
@@nickmainella thanks! it was killing me haha BTW I've heard the mauriat 66r is really close to those vintage horns, it'll be nice to have those reviewed too
I have one, the Tenor UL without F Key. I absolutely love it, it makes me want to play, even boring long notes lol It plays so close to my VI sound wise, I doubt the average person would tell the difference, which is which, when played side by side. Feels like my Yanagisawa TWO1 ergonomics, which are my fave. Looks awesome, and is quality in itself. Yeah, yeah, crybaby whine, the marketing sucks, and it’s foreign, get over it, get over yourself, or at least quit your whining. This is a d%mn good sax, and because of it, my Mark VI and Conn 10M are up for sale, because this saxophone is fun all the time, the Selmer and Conn, eh, not so much anymore, and the Selmer never impressed me to start with. I highly recommend the Ishimori Woodstone Tenor UL for your consideration, it’s a “keeper”. If it wasn’t, I’d a sold it and mums the word, right.
I have only played one of those horns a couple of times but they seem fairly similar. I think the Eastman is a little further away from a vintage Selmer. Kind of more it's own thing. My friend has an Eastman, I might see if I can borrow and do a review!
Nick Mainella I’d love to see a review or a comparison of both the Ishimori and the Eastman. They seem to be sort of in the same class but it would be interesting to see how they sound like
Nick Mainella I’m considering getting one of these horns . And I’m trying to find an objective comparison in terms of how they sound, the weights of both instruments on your neck and like you mentioned , how they both compare to the Mark Vi’s and many more 😊 . Looking forward to the review 😁👏🏽🙏🏽
They NEED to do more to standout. During a critical time for them being a new and small company. Turning off comments in social media apps isn't helping their rep. Nor is asking people to pay as much as for other JP horns...companies that are MUCH more established and larger. ISHIMORI is not at that stage yet. IF I were them I'd discount their horns by about $500 LESS than any pro level JP horn from Yamaha or Yanagisawa.. IF they did that (under $5000 CAD) I'd consider them in a heart beat...once they get their horns in local shops...which they're working on I'm told. They answer DM's at least...
You do realize Ishimori has a reputation going back to the 1950s, right? In The Who’s Who of Sax repair and mods, you’re talking about one of the best shops, period.
A couple things to consider...Ishimori is a limited production brand. That means costs will be necessarily higher. They spend a lot of labor in the setup. Building a reputable brand doesn't mean undercutting. It means correct price valuation. I have a Yanagisawa. I also happen to have a Yamaha. Both are great horns. However, at the end of the day, my Ishimori won me over. The problem is getting these horns into the hands of potential players. If someone is buying a pro horn merely on price, then caveat emptor, as they say. The workman is worth his wage. What needs to happen is greater awareness through expanded marketing. In these days of inflation, I doubt that reducing $500 will help them stay in business. This isn't WalMart, after all.
