Dear Iseman Guitars,
I received the new guitar today all the way from Hawaii in good condition and I love it! What an absolute gem of an instrument, both in aesthetics and sound. Herman Weissenborn would have been proud. The luthier's craftsmanship is immaculate, simply a work of perfection. Clean and beautiful, with the stunning koa wood grain patterns, it is a naturally something exceptional to look at. The sound is awesome, with warm intonation and a rich, clear projection. A lovely sounding lap guitar. I am so happy. As you know, I have broken my finger and it will take me many months before I can ever make a regular left hand chord on my little Martin 0015M. This new guitar is amazing and the Martin is already getting jealous, because it is sitting there while I play the Iseman Weissenborn with the left hand sliding. I am real proud to have been you first buyer and it is great to get in on the ground floor of your new luthiershop. Judging by this instrument, you will be a great success and certainly these will be widely sought after gems. Tomorrow night I am meeting with Ed Gerhardt, one of the best Weissenborn players in the US, and I will show it to him. He plays about a million times better than me, but he is gracious and kind and surely will enjoy playing it.How cool is it to look inside the label and see that my serial number is Iseman 00002- Made In Hawaii.This guitar takes me back to the glory days of koa wood Hawaiian Weissenborns of the 1930s.Congratulations and thank you very much. I feel extraordinarily privileged and happy to own this wonderful instrument.
Frank Matheis Music writer, radio producer and publisher of www.thecountryblues.com Hudson Valley, New York October 18, 2012
Iseman Guitars,
I am 003. No...not a precursor to James Bond and MI6...but the serial number of my all solid Koa Weissenborn from Iseman Instruments. The third one! Pretty cool. I have had it now for about a month. Played most days...I am learning. I am a relative accomplished traditional 6 string player having started playing in the Beatles craze in about 1968. I grew up down the street from David Lindley in San Marino, CA and had with a very short (like 4 times) stint in my garage with Eddie and Alex Van Halen in '69...but then on to a routine life of a 9 to 5’r. But I know quality when I lay my hands on it and now in my mid-life crisis I am all Koa and this slider is simply amazing. Sustain forever, clarity of voice, sweetness of tone. Some like cedar...some like spruce...but make mine Koa from these boys on the beach. You will not be disappointed.
Ken Sanchez Sacramento, CA December 20, 2012
Iseman Guitars,
I'm absolutely loving my new Iseman Weisse! The craftsmanship, sound and beauty of this instrument is making my other guitars jealous. Haven't stopped playing it since I got it last month! It's great to see these style guitars being made here in Honolulu, where it all began! And from the most gorgeous wood ever, KOA no ka 'oi! Thanks guys!
Aloha,
Emmett Mahoney Honolulu, HI April 5, 2013
Iseman Guitars,
Got Weisse 005 last week and all I can say is WOW!!! Super solid and a treat to look at. The guys were a pleasure to work with on every level.This thing sounds amazing, with bell like clarity and ringing sustain, I love playing this instrument. I've made the rounds playin' Fahey, old blues ala' Charley Patton, some hillbilly and Hindustani music and it just sounds so darn good whatever I happen to play!!Love the simple herringbone around the soundhole and the sand inlays, so unique. And the Koa.....WOW!! It's a flaming beast, better not get too "hot" on it, lest it bursts into flames!Awesome......thanks guys!
Oliver Citrus Heights, CA June 6, 2013
Dear Iseman Guitars,
Just took possession of Iseman Style 1 #26 today. Great tone from top to bottom, featherweight build, strong sustain and great volume all the way up the "fretboard." Even after only playing it for a few hours, it seems like the tonal bloom is already occurring. GORGEOUS aesthetics and beautiful Koa. I never thought I could afford an all Koa Weis, but damn....you guys have done really, really nice work here.
Greg Herder Saint Paul, MN August 8, 2013
