• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT

Search Neffmusic

You are here: Home / Reviews / Mouthpiece Reviews / Alto Mouthpiece Reviews / Alto Medium Baffle Reviews / Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 11, 2013 by Steve 10 Comments

I have another Ishimori Woodstone  alto saxophone mouthpiece to review and play today.  This alto mouthpiece is the hard rubber  “Super Custom” traditional jazz medium small chamber model in a 6 tip opening.  About a year and a half ago,  I did a review of the medium chamber Wood Stone alto mouthpiece which I loved!   I was excited to try this one also when I first heard there was a smaller chambered version coming out.   I received this mouthpiece last year and ended up buying it because I liked it so much.

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

Like the medium chambered piece I reviewed in the past, this Ishimori mouthpiece is also a work of art.  The table, rails, tip, baffle and chamber look perfect. I’ve only played two of the Ishimori hard rubber alto mouthpieces but both seemed to resonate so much.  I don’t know if it is the hard rubber they use,   how they are made or a combination of both but I really loved both of them!

The chamber on this “medium small” chambered mouthpiece is just slightly smaller than the “medium” chambered mouthpiece.  The difference is  very hard for me to see by looking at both mouthpieces side by side.  I was actually surprised because I thought the chamber would be be noticeably smaller.  At times, I think I can see the difference but other times I look and I can’t………

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

What I couldn’t see in the chamber difference, I could definately hear by playing the mouthpiece.  This mouthpiece is a little brighter and punchier than the “medium” chambered Ishimori.  It’s a very subtle difference but I can really hear it when I play the mouthpieces side by side.  You can hear the brightness and pop it has in the upper register on the recording below.  It was smooth to play and very even to play around the horn.

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

The extra brightness makes this mouthpiece a bit more versatile when playing pop and funk music on the alto.   It still has a respectable straight ahead tone though which would make it a great choice for alto players who have to play in different genres all night long.

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

The one thing that I noticed that was different than other 6 tip openings I have played is that this mouthpiece needs a much harder reed for me than other 6 tip opening mouthpieces I have played.   The medium chamber Ishimori 6 that I reviewed before played great with a Wood Stone #3 reed but on this 6 the #3 reeds I had felt too soft.  The Wood Stone 3 1/2 reeds work great and I would even be curious to try the Wood Stone 4 reeds perhaps.  The intonation was good and  I loved how flexible this mouthpiece is.  If you want to bend a note or subtone it is so easy.  The smaller chamber makes it easier to pop on notes you want to accent and it’s got the perfect amount of resistance for me on the 3 1/2 reed.

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

There is an Ishimori website  but it is in Japanese.  It has an English translation for the site but it is one of those translations that is rough to read and decipher…….

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve

https://public.neffmusic.com/Woodstone6S3.mp3

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

 

 

 

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Ishimori, jazz sax, medium small chamber, Wood Stone

Steve

About Steve

Steve Neff has been playing and teaching saxophone and jazz improvisation around the New England area for over 30 years. He is the author of many best selling jazz improvisation methods as well as founding the popular jazz video lesson site Neffmusic.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarDavid Smith says

    February 11, 2013 at 10:31 pm

    This won`t play for me;Iget nothing.

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      February 12, 2013 at 7:52 am

      It should work. It plays on my Macs, iphone and wife’s laptop. Maybe try updating your adobe flash and see if that fixes it.

      Reply
  2. AvatarPeter says

    March 27, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Too centered , less versatile that the “M” size from the zxsame model . Sorry, no doubt for me : Il love so much the “M” SIZE CHAMBER COMPARED TO THIS ONE (“MS”)

    Reply
  3. AvatarPierre says

    March 30, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    Hi, hope you will also test soon (I hope so ;-)) the Studio Deluxe Woodstone alto model wich feature an high baffle but exactly same hard rubber and the chamber is smaller than my woodstone traditional “M” so I guess it is a MS chamber of even a little bit smaller than the MS because visualy it really noticeable. It is way punchy that my traditional (in 6 tip)

    Just an important point to know : a traditional 6 = 0.076 and a Studio 6 is 0.081″. I play the traditional 6 with a woodstone strengh 3 and it is really great. I think the ideal for me should be a woodstone traditional 5 with a woodstone reed #3.
    In an other way I cannot play a wood stone 3 on my Studio 6 (0.081″) (too hard fro me) but when I play a wood stone reed 2.5 it is a bit too light but the sound is here. Then I should have test certainly a studio “7” with a 2.5 woodstone reeds… one day maybe…

    Reply
  4. AvatarArno Frey says

    May 15, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Hello Steve,
    I’ m looking for a alto mouthpiece for lead alto in a big band. Which mouthpiece would you recommend me?
    The Ishimori with the medium small chamber or that with medium chamber.
    Which mouthpiece is easier to control and had the better intonation?
    Thank you very much for your answer and help.

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      May 15, 2013 at 1:59 pm

      Arno, the Ishimori medium small has a brighter sound but I prefer the medium chamber. It’s got a fuller thicker sound which I really like. The medium was easier for me to control. both had great intonation. Both are about equally loud but the MS chamber is just a bit brighter. I haven’t played either in a big band so it’s hard to confirm how either will cut through in that situation. Let me know how you make out…..

      Reply
  5. AvatarJon Payne says

    March 18, 2020 at 9:45 pm

    Hi Steve,
    For Woodstone / Ishimori mouthpieces, what is the difference between their Alto Sax hard rubber Super Custom Jazz model and Studio Deluxe model (and I sometimes see Artist model)?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      March 21, 2020 at 11:32 am

      Hi Jon, I don’t know the answer to that question. Maybe ask Ishimori and see what they say. Let me know what they tell you as I am interested. Steve

      Reply
  6. AvatarGlenn Hofmann says

    July 17, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    My Woodstone Studio Deluxe alto mouthpiece measures 1/128″ larger diameter at the neck opening more than my Meyer 6M New York (which I played on for the last 50 years) – therefore I had to recork the neck and found I need to pull it out much farther than Meyer to get it to be in tune. Any thoughts?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      July 17, 2021 at 11:53 pm

      Glenn, If both mouthpieces are the same length, it probably has more of a baffle or the chamber is smaller than the Meyer. The only way to explain it having to be further out on the cork than the Meyer is that there is less volume inside the Woodstone mouthpiece than there is in the Meyer. Does it matter to you for some reason? I have never been concerned where a piece sits on the cork as long as it plays well and is in-tune. Steve

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Steve Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Steve Neff

Cart


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

Love your lessons!  I have been using your lesson packages for many months now, and am learning a lot.  It is so perfect for me with a very busy adult schedule and difficulty in taking jazz/improv music lessons from reputable instructors who live and hour or more away from me.

Lenore

Mr. Neff,  I want to thank you for sharing your God-given talents through your on-line lessons.  My husband, Michael, is blind, but he is a great sax player and he has been enjoying your lessons for quite some time now.  It’s not unusual for me to hear “Hey, babe, listen to THIS!” – and he will cut loose on his sax, just thrilled at what he learned during his session with you.  His excitement warms my heart!  You have no idea how much you have poured into my husband.  You have opened musical … Read more

Carole B

Thank You Steve. I think that I will be busy for years. Thank You for your great contribution to jazz music. Your books, more than teaching “how to play jazz”, actually teach “how to speak jazz”. I wish I found your methods years ago.  

Jean-Eric
Your major diatonic patterns book is great. I”m studying the first twenty patterns (first twenty pages) each day with different articulation each day and slowly increasing the tempo each week or so.  There is a noticeable improvement in finger coordination across all keys and its amazing how much more secure I feel on the difficult keys when attempting to play pieces with 5+ flats/sharps. I’m able to sort out the fingerings for these pieces now much more quickly than before, often in one or two … Read more
Geoff

After reading your story I will never feel quite right about complaining about any of my MINOR health issues!!    God bless Steve and I really hope that your health doesn’t stop you from fulfilling your calling.    These books have been such a help to open up my jazz vocabulary…   Thanks so much for sharing your story and for providing these great teaching tools…   John Leclerc   Saxophonist / composer/ EWI player and professional working musician of 35 years….

John Leclerc
I can see from your instructional videos that you are a fantastic teacher – one that can truly relate to all ages – humble yet very positive in approach – never coming across as superior and yet so totally capable of demonstrating the principles and techniques that you seek to impart to the students. I have gained so much confidence in my playing from “pouring over” time and again these invaluable lessons. Invaluable not only in musical content, but also in human interaction content. I am absolu… Read more
Ron
I’ve been a member of Steve’s site for about six months now and the difference it has made to my playing is immeasurable. The (many) benefits of this membership are that you can have lessons at time convenient to you, they work out A LOT cheaper than face-to-face lessons with a teacher of the same calibre and you can replay them ad infinitum. I don’t know how many times have I had lessons in the past where I’ve ended up covering the same concepts when really a ‘replay’ of the last lesson would h… Read more
Nick
Just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for being you, your playing, your website and your desire to help others. I’m a professional musician in the US Army and I’ve visited your website almost every day since discovering it a couple of months ago. Your lessons are profound and easy to use. I’ve purchased most of your PDF books and now am starting to delve more into the video and audio lessons.  Thank you for being a great resource!
James
I’m an experienced player in the pop/soul/funk areas of music and, previously, classical.  Over the decades I’ve been playing, I’ve always felt that I could do what I needed in those styles of music.  However, recently I began to feel limited by my use of the same old licks. When I discovered Steve Neff’s website, and heard the audio examples based on the exercises in his books, I realized they were what I needed.  I purchased all of them and have been working on them since.  It’s very hard work… Read more
Paul

I want to thank you for your “Ultimate II-V-I Primer”  which has sent me off on a much better path to improvisation.  The primer and the four bound books I have will keep me busy for a long time.  I like your lessons for two reasons.  The lessons work and THEY ARE FUN.  Thanks again.

Robert

Robert

Never really had lessons before just kinda worked things out on my own. Was in a rut but your lessons are really helpful in opening melodic possibilities. Ur an awesome resource to the saxophone community. Thanks for sharing. 

Anthony
I have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry

Steve,

I have played for many years and have enjoyed going “back to the basics” in some of your lessons!  You have such a gift for explaining concepts.  As I have gotten older, some of the basic things have gotten muddled because I just play, not knowing why.  As I refresh myself with “why”, it increases my confidence and expands my playing.  Thank you so much for using your gift!  You are a blessing!

Julia

Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude
Hi Steve, I can’t express just how much I appreciate your teaching. My playing has improved so much over the past year since I have been studying and practicing with your lessons. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, these lessons are proof! Thanks, Michael Byington
Michael Byington

Your material is great! I got your New Altissimo Lesson 6 months ago and I have learned more from that than in all my 44 years of playing! I appreciate your down to earth teaching method and I really appreciate the heart that you teach with. I have been a subscriber to your lessons for the past 6 months and I have learned a great deal. Over that period of time I have had some questions and you have never failed to respond. Thanks! I have already recommended your lessons to a number of players in… Read more

Michael Byington

I am enjoying your style of teaching, and you’ve done a great job with the videos….good sound quality and well constructed lessons.  Balances the more guitaristic material found on the majority of guitar based programs.  Jazz vocab is what I’m all about at this point in the journey.  I especially dig the fact that you’ve studied with Bergonzi…helps me see his voluminous output in a more bite sized way.

Milton
I just wanted to write a thank you note to you for this website. I play and teach saxophone, but I have always been intimidated by the gear aspect. Your website has helped me become a lot more knowledgable. Your knowledge is staggering! I’m telling all my students about your website. Pierre
Pierre

Hi Steve,

First, I want to thank you for all of your great lessons. They are like a “For Dummies” version of all the books on my shelf. The lessons break things down into manageable pieces, and give me the confidence that I’m practicing the right pieces. I’m starting to make progress.   Thank You,   Kim

Kim
I have been a member of Neffmusic for more than a year now and have enjoyed every minute of it! I have not only been going thru the Dominant Bebop Scale lessons and book (OUTSTANDING!) but the mouthpiece reviews, solo clips and transcriptions are very interesting. Steve approach to beginning and intermediate improv have given me many new pathways to teach my high school jazz ensemble students. Congratulations Steve, great product!
Craig
Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
Gerry Aylward
Hi Steve, I live in a gorgeous but rural area of Oregon-no music store within 80 miles. Your lessons are my lifeline!  Truly the best there are anywhere online. Love your playing. Love your teaching.  Thanks again. Ed
Ed Woodmansee
Your lessons on playing the blues is so clear . I have been through many books on blues playing and not one of them explains as clear as your lessons . Most of them say “Play the same blues scale over all three chords of a 12 bar blues ” Its very misleading .     Thanks
Martin
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella

Featured Video Lessons

  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99 Original price was: $19.99.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 4.91 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson
    Rated 4.75 out of 5
    $9.99

Now over 600 video and audio lessons to choose from!

Free Lessons

  • Free Lesson on The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer-Major Keys
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering Altered Pentatonics
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Blues Scale Volume 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale and Language Book 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Approach Note Velocity Book

Recent reviews

  • Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson by Noah
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) by Andy
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Russ
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Timothy
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Ray Holland

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Leo on Phil-Tone Tenor Mouthpiece
  • Randy Cosby on GetASax GS Supersonic 50s Dukoff 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Brian at GetASax on GetASax GS Supersonic 50s Dukoff 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Brian at GetASax on GetASax GS Supersonic 50s Dukoff 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on GetASax GS Supersonic 50s Dukoff 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Top rated products

  • Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1 The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Invitation Tune of the Week-Invitation
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Product tags

alto sax alto saxophone approach notes audio lesson bebop scale beginner beginner saxophone blues blues licks blues patterns blues scale blues scales diminished scale dominant chords ear training fundamentals II-V-I improvisation jazz improvisation jazz lines jazz patterns jazz sax jazz saxophone jazz standard jazz standards licks Mastering the Blues Scale Michael Brecker modern improv modern improvisation online lesson patterns playing outside practice habits reading music sax basics sax lessons saxophone scales smooth jazz steve neff tenor sax tenor saxophone video lesson video lessons
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • SUPPORT

Neffmusic © 2005–2025