Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo

zorglub! · 11-02-09, 12:16 PM

I am just back from holiday in Japan, where we have lived some of the most incredible experiences, it is such a different country and so interesting in so many ways... Anyway, during the last days of our visit to Tokyo I was able to steal a couple of hours from our schedule and go visiting someone who caught my attention as soon as I heard him playing for the first time: Kunio Kishida.

Talking about vintage guitars (and Bursts) he is one of the big names in Japan, being in the business since the '70s. He has attended many of the big guitar shows in America, and I am sure he is well known to a lot of people here in the LPF. Also, some years ago he released one of the most incredible books on Bursts ( "Tone Man" ) which was my excuse to go to his shop and get it.

So I went to his shop in Shibuya (Tokyo) hoping that he would be there, so I could at least greet him and introduce myself. I was lucky to find him there because he usually travels between the shop in Tokyo and another one in Nagoya. I introduced myself and referred to my website, and to my surprise he knew it! I told him how much I admired him and his tone, and we started talking guitars. This guy has such a wealth of information and experiences that I could have spent a whole week there, listening and learning!

Though the shop is small he had lots of incredible guitars and amps (see pics below) and also loads of guitar memorabilia. I was mesmerized looking at everything and having Kunio telling me about them. Without getting into the details, this guy knows everybody in the business... and everybody knows him! And that is for a reason, he is such a nice person. He was sorry for not having any Burst for me to check at that moment in the shop (!), but I could see a very nice celebrity-owned '57 goldtop. He also just got in a killer celebrity-owned wraparound goldtop. Apart from that I would like to mention some other highlights: a couple of '60 Juniors, a '58 ES-335 (with a very nice story too!), a cherry '62 ES-335 with PAFs, another '64 ES-335, a nice '68 Les Paul goldtop, and a '58 ES-350. There was also an important collection of Fenders, both guitars and basses, but I did not have the time to go through them in detail. And of course some Les Paul reissues.

As I said I was overwhelmed by so much cool stuff to check, so much info to absorb and so little time (my wife was calling me for lunch!). Overall one of the best guitar experiences in my whole life and it is worth mentioning that Kunio has to be one of the nicest guys in the guitar world. He made me feel at home and I would like to thank him for the time and information he shared with me, thanks a lot Kunio!

Now let's go for the pics...

'57 goldtop:

'57 and wraparound goldtops:

Obviously I got Kunio's most excellent book "Tone Man", but he was very generous to give me a lot of stuff, including his CDs (absolutely must-haves for anyone into serious tone!), a book called "Slide Bible" with Kunio teaching slide guitar in it, and many high-quality picture cards of his series "Nancy Guitar Legends":

Reinhard · 11-02-09, 12:22 PM

What a cool visit

I have seen some of Kunio's clips, he definitely knows tone and he is a very tasteful guitarist.

zorglub! · 11-02-09, 12:25 PM

Some reissues...

'58 ES-350, '68 LP GT, wraparound GT, '65 FB, 2x '60 LP Jrs, '58 ES-335

'62 ES-335 (w/ PAFs), '64 ES-335, '68 GT, '58 ES-350, wraparound GT

Strat signed by every member of the Rolling Stones, '60 Strat, '57 Strat (sorry for the quality of the pic...)

More Strats...

Now the basses...

And yet more Strats...

A detail of some "people"...

Cool stuff too...

MWR · 11-02-09, 12:37 PM

Wow...I never knew that Kunio owned a shop. Thanks for sharing!

MapleFlame · 11-02-09, 12:39 PM

Wow what a great story and visit. Sounds like it was right up your alley. Glad you had a great time.

stevechilders · 11-02-09, 01:01 PM

Thanks for sharing... very cool.

Rev.WillieVK · 11-02-09, 01:39 PM

Kunio is the greatest - 第1 in my book!

bluesforstevie · 11-02-09, 02:00 PM

Awesom Julio!!!

Julio and Kunio down by the guitar schoolyard!!!

Beano Geno · 11-02-09, 02:08 PM

What a great visit!! I could spend a week just looking at all that great stuff. Thanks for posting the pics.

Glad to hear that Kunio is such a nice person.

Decoy205 · 11-02-09, 02:32 PM

Wow that is an awesome story! nice pics too. Sounds like you had a great time!

mistersnappy · 11-02-09, 03:06 PM

Awesome thread, Julio! Your lucky to hang there...

Great pics!

Red Baron · 11-02-09, 03:23 PM

Fantastic Julio ...that's one shop I'd be heading to as well, I love visiting Kunio's website. Sounds like you and your wife had an amazing holiday in Japan...

PS. Good to finally put a face to your name

MRG · 11-02-09, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Baron

I love visiting Kunio's website.

Sorry if I'm missing something on this thread, as well as Google, but what is the URL of Kunio's website, please?

Biggles58 · 11-02-09, 04:48 PM

Way cool Zorglub! I visited Nancy in Shibuya in 2007 and although Kunio wasn't there, I was able to checkout a lot of vintage gear. A must visit for any guitar enthusiast visiting Tokyo or Nagoya

Biggles58 · 11-02-09, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG

Sorry if I'm missing something on this thread, as well as Google, but what is the URL of Kunio's website, please?

Kore ha: http://www.kuniokishida.com/

Biggles58 · 11-02-09, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev.WillieVK

Kunio is the greatest - 第1 in my book!

Do you mean 一番 Rev? (Ichiban, number 1.)

abalonevintage · 11-02-09, 04:58 PM

Wow Julio, that must have been quite the visit! Those are some terrific photos! Kunio has certainly owned some of the most historically significant rock guitars on the planet. Here's a shot of Kunio with the Peter Green Les Paul.

The Peter Green Les Paul. 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gary Moore Kunio Kishida Nancy guitar Japan

TW59 · 11-02-09, 05:13 PM

And it is great to finally see a picture of Julio also!

MRG · 11-02-09, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles58

Kore ha: http://www.kuniokishida.com/

Thanks. I did find that with Google. Guess there isn't a site for his store then.

Beano Geno · 11-02-09, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG

Thanks. I did find that with Google. Guess there isn't a site for his store then.

Just click on the first page, click on "Nancy" at the top of the next page, and then click on "stocklist". He has some nice guitars.

Texas Blues · 11-02-09, 06:30 PM

Outta' sight! What a wonderful meet. Kunio sounds like a true tone cat and a wonderful chap. Anyone of us here on LPF would love to spend an afternoon with him and hangout in that shop. Hell, I'd spend a week! Great pictorial Julio!

Rev.WillieVK · 11-02-09, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles58

Do you mean 一番 Rev? (Ichiban, number 1.)

Yes, thanks! Kunio is #1!

LowE · 11-02-09, 07:59 PM

So THIS is what those behind-the-scenes hotel room burst deals look like!

Quote:

Originally Posted by abalonevintage

The Peter Green Les Paul. 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gary Moore Kunio Kishida Nancy guitar Japan

............

gmann · 11-03-09, 01:35 AM

So cool you got to meet him. I went to his Shibuya store last yr and he was in. Just the coolest guy and most definately a great player. Stories? yep, he had a million of 'em. I got to do some playing with him and got a copy of the Toneman book. Anybody visiting the Tokyo area, you gotta go!

TW59 · 11-03-09, 05:49 AM

I always enjoy seeing and talking to him at the shows.
A great guy!

rufes · 11-03-09, 06:58 AM

Great pics Julio.

As I told you over the phone, what a great experience it had to be. Congrats!

frank3si · 11-03-09, 08:58 AM

Very cool adventure, and a nice Web site, too. What is the significance of the name or term "Nancy"?

Black58 · 11-03-09, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank3si

Very cool adventure, and a nice Web site, too. What is the significance of the name or term "Nancy"?

'Tis the name of his 'Burst!

Anje · 11-04-09, 03:34 AM

nice story, thanks for sharing Julio

Going to Japan is a long time vacation project, hope to be able to make it happen in a near future.

Nihon Jim · 11-04-09, 02:19 PM

Kunio opened for Joe Bonamassa here in Tokyo a few months ago. Played a very old looking LP and an equally old looking Tele. Great show.

Pentastar · 11-04-09, 03:40 PM

I am going to Japan in a month so I know what I will do (and my wife not).

zorglub! · 11-07-09, 01:43 AM

Kunio read the thread and he would like to say "Hello" to everybody here, lots of his friends in the forum!

And you know what? That '57 GT I was holding... already sold. I guess someone out there is really happy right now...!

kthesheep · 11-07-09, 07:21 AM

Looks like you had a great time.
Kunio is a super guy as well as a fantastic player.

Thanks for sharing Julio

gtrmaker · 11-07-09, 02:07 PM

Did you happen to get the serial numbers of the Les Pauls in his book?

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11-02-09, 12:22 PM	#2
Reinhard Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa Posts: 3,191	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo What a cool visit I have seen some of Kunio's clips, he definitely knows tone and he is a very tasteful guitarist. __________________ Looking like another Bob Marley day Hitting from the bong like a diesel train And now we're hanging out this afternoon We got weeds in the back yard 4 feet tall Cheech and Chong would probably have smoked them all So, I´m on the couch this afternoon Sandy Mary 99 R9

11-02-09, 12:25 PM	#3
zorglub! Burst Detective! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Madrid (Spain) Posts: 3,657	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Some reissues... '58 ES-350, '68 LP GT, wraparound GT, '65 FB, 2x '60 LP Jrs, '58 ES-335 '62 ES-335 (w/ PAFs), '64 ES-335, '68 GT, '58 ES-350, wraparound GT Strat signed by every member of the Rolling Stones, '60 Strat, '57 Strat (sorry for the quality of the pic...) More Strats... Now the basses... And yet more Strats... A detail of some "people"... Cool stuff too... __________________

11-02-09, 12:37 PM	#4
MWR All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: May 2004 Location: Somewhere in America Posts: 882	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Wow...I never knew that Kunio owned a shop. Thanks for sharing!

11-02-09, 12:39 PM	#5
MapleFlame All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Somewhere between Woodstock and D.C. Posts: 7,553	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Wow what a great story and visit. Sounds like it was right up your alley. Glad you had a great time. __________________ Lotta Gold in my Hills these Days Just a Little mapleflame

11-02-09, 12:16 PM	#1
zorglub! Burst Detective! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Madrid (Spain) Posts: 3,657	Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo I am just back from holiday in Japan, where we have lived some of the most incredible experiences, it is such a different country and so interesting in so many ways... Anyway, during the last days of our visit to Tokyo I was able to steal a couple of hours from our schedule and go visiting someone who caught my attention as soon as I heard him playing for the first time: Kunio Kishida. Talking about vintage guitars (and Bursts) he is one of the big names in Japan, being in the business since the '70s. He has attended many of the big guitar shows in America, and I am sure he is well known to a lot of people here in the LPF. Also, some years ago he released one of the most incredible books on Bursts ( "Tone Man" ) which was my excuse to go to his shop and get it. So I went to his shop in Shibuya (Tokyo) hoping that he would be there, so I could at least greet him and introduce myself. I was lucky to find him there because he usually travels between the shop in Tokyo and another one in Nagoya. I introduced myself and referred to my website, and to my surprise he knew it! I told him how much I admired him and his tone, and we started talking guitars. This guy has such a wealth of information and experiences that I could have spent a whole week there, listening and learning! Though the shop is small he had lots of incredible guitars and amps (see pics below) and also loads of guitar memorabilia. I was mesmerized looking at everything and having Kunio telling me about them. Without getting into the details, this guy knows everybody in the business... and everybody knows him! And that is for a reason, he is such a nice person. He was sorry for not having any Burst for me to check at that moment in the shop (!), but I could see a very nice celebrity-owned '57 goldtop. He also just got in a killer celebrity-owned wraparound goldtop. Apart from that I would like to mention some other highlights: a couple of '60 Juniors, a '58 ES-335 (with a very nice story too!), a cherry '62 ES-335 with PAFs, another '64 ES-335, a nice '68 Les Paul goldtop, and a '58 ES-350. There was also an important collection of Fenders, both guitars and basses, but I did not have the time to go through them in detail. And of course some Les Paul reissues. As I said I was overwhelmed by so much cool stuff to check, so much info to absorb and so little time (my wife was calling me for lunch!). Overall one of the best guitar experiences in my whole life and it is worth mentioning that Kunio has to be one of the nicest guys in the guitar world. He made me feel at home and I would like to thank him for the time and information he shared with me, thanks a lot Kunio! Now let's go for the pics... '57 goldtop: '57 and wraparound goldtops: Obviously I got Kunio's most excellent book "Tone Man", but he was very generous to give me a lot of stuff, including his CDs (absolutely must-haves for anyone into serious tone!), a book called "Slide Bible" with Kunio teaching slide guitar in it, and many high-quality picture cards of his series "Nancy Guitar Legends": __________________

11-02-09, 01:01 PM	#6
stevechilders All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 628	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Thanks for sharing... very cool. __________________ back where it all begins...

11-02-09, 01:39 PM	#7
Rev.WillieVK Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wherever I go, there I yam. Posts: 6,299	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Kunio is the greatest - 第1 in my book!

11-02-09, 02:00 PM	#8
bluesforstevie All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Nellytown U. City MO Posts: 8,734	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Awesom Julio!!! Julio and Kunio down by the guitar schoolyard!!! __________________ *IMPEACH AG HOLDER!!*

11-02-09, 02:08 PM	#9
Beano Geno Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On the shore of Lake Michigan Posts: 1,582	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo What a great visit!! I could spend a week just looking at all that great stuff. Thanks for posting the pics. Glad to hear that Kunio is such a nice person. __________________ "Gold is the money of kings; silver is the money of gentlemen; barter is the money of peasants; but debt is the money of slaves" - Unknown “Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped” - Elbert Hubbard

11-02-09, 02:32 PM	#10
Decoy205 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 228	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Wow that is an awesome story! nice pics too. Sounds like you had a great time!

11-02-09, 03:06 PM	#11
mistersnappy Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tejas Posts: 2,776	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Awesome thread, Julio! Your lucky to hang there... Great pics! __________________ "That's what I love, man, to hear that backbeat popping, that damn bass plonkin' down. Jesus God!"-Duane Allman

11-02-09, 03:23 PM	#12
Red Baron All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 3,974	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Fantastic Julio ...that's one shop I'd be heading to as well, I love visiting Kunio's website. Sounds like you and your wife had an amazing holiday in Japan... PS. Good to finally put a face to your name

11-02-09, 04:48 PM	#14
Biggles58 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 682	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Way cool Zorglub! I visited Nancy in Shibuya in 2007 and although Kunio wasn't there, I was able to checkout a lot of vintage gear. A must visit for any guitar enthusiast visiting Tokyo or Nagoya

11-02-09, 04:58 PM	#17
abalonevintage Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Coolumbia, SC Posts: 724	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Wow Julio, that must have been quite the visit! Those are some terrific photos! Kunio has certainly owned some of the most historically significant rock guitars on the planet. Here's a shot of Kunio with the Peter Green Les Paul. The Peter Green Les Paul. 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gary Moore Kunio Kishida Nancy guitar Japan __________________ http://www.ericernest.com

11-02-09, 05:13 PM	#18
TW59 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lost in the Ozarks [again] Posts: 23,529	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo And it is great to finally see a picture of Julio also! __________________ Pauls to the walls! Hüter der Flammen!

11-02-09, 06:30 PM	#21
Texas Blues In the Zone/Backstage Pass Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Wrong side of the tracks, Las Vegas Posts: 924	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Outta' sight! What a wonderful meet. Kunio sounds like a true tone cat and a wonderful chap. Anyone of us here on LPF would love to spend an afternoon with him and hangout in that shop. Hell, I'd spend a week! Great pictorial Julio! __________________ Salute', TB. http://www.youtube.com/user/lesliejimmusic

11-03-09, 01:35 AM	#24
gmann Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Out here on the perimeter, stoned/immaculate Posts: 5,040	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo So cool you got to meet him. I went to his Shibuya store last yr and he was in. Just the coolest guy and most definately a great player. Stories? yep, he had a million of 'em. I got to do some playing with him and got a copy of the Toneman book. Anybody visiting the Tokyo area, you gotta go! __________________ A smile relieves a heart that grieves.

11-03-09, 05:49 AM	#25
TW59 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lost in the Ozarks [again] Posts: 23,529	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo I always enjoy seeing and talking to him at the shows. A great guy! __________________ Pauls to the walls! Hüter der Flammen!

11-03-09, 06:58 AM	#26
rufes Formerly dmartinez Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mi casa Posts: 3,102	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Great pics Julio. As I told you over the phone, what a great experience it had to be. Congrats! __________________

11-03-09, 08:58 AM	#27
frank3si Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 208	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Very cool adventure, and a nice Web site, too. What is the significance of the name or term "Nancy"? __________________ Regards, Frank Visit my rock and racing writing at: http://home.comcast.net/~loudfast "I want to hear and see everything..." -- Jimi Hendrix

11-04-09, 03:34 AM	#29
Anje All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dark side of the moon Posts: 668	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo nice story, thanks for sharing Julio Going to Japan is a long time vacation project, hope to be able to make it happen in a near future.

11-04-09, 02:19 PM	#30
Nihon Jim All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 139	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Kunio opened for Joe Bonamassa here in Tokyo a few months ago. Played a very old looking LP and an equally old looking Tele. Great show. __________________ "Whoa...that's some killer guacamole...more beer onegaishimasu..." Uttered just after my buddy, thinking he was eating a large dollop of guacamole, instead ate a large dollop of very fresh wasabi. Welcome to Japan.

11-04-09, 03:40 PM	#31
Pentastar Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 16	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo I am going to Japan in a month so I know what I will do (and my wife not).

11-07-09, 01:43 AM	#32
zorglub! Burst Detective! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Madrid (Spain) Posts: 3,657	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Kunio read the thread and he would like to say "Hello" to everybody here, lots of his friends in the forum! And you know what? That '57 GT I was holding... already sold. I guess someone out there is really happy right now...! __________________

11-07-09, 07:21 AM	#33
kthesheep Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lake Mary, Florida Posts: 1,842	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Looks like you had a great time. Kunio is a super guy as well as a fantastic player. Thanks for sharing Julio __________________ Kim

11-07-09, 02:07 PM	#34
gtrmaker Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 38	Re: Visit to Kunio Kishida in Tokyo Did you happen to get the serial numbers of the Les Pauls in his book?