https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqW8lIoATN4
At Bachido, we know that shamisen are very expensive instruments to learn. Though some people know shamisen is for them upon hearing the first strike of the string, it's difficult for most of us to spend $1000 on an instrument without trying it first. Fortunately, Nitta san managed to find shamisen built for school use, and he ordered a whole fleet of them in bulk for a discount rate in order to pass those savings onto you! We're so happy to finally have this shamisen set available so people can start their three-stringed journey with greater ease!
The Shamisen Starter Set includes everything you need to start playing shamisen. As you can watch in
"Unboxing the Shamisen Starter Set", the shamisen and the entire set of accessories are shipped together in one box. Many other shamisen stores in Japan will ship their shamisen fully assembled, which for overseas deliveries very often results in broken necks and shattered dreams. (Truly, I've had to fix many broken shamisen which customers received from other stores) At Bachido, we ensure safe delivery by shipping shamisen fully disassembled with every part carefully wrapped. Since 2014, we've shipped over 700 shamisen with a nearly perfect delivery rate. So when you get your shamisen at Bachido, you can rest assured knowing your shamisen will arrive safely!
Now, the safest method of delivery does mean the shamisen will need to be assembled and accessories attached after arrival. A daunting task it seems, but fear not, In my
"Step-by-Step Guide to Shamisen Assembly", I will carefully walk you through the entire assembly process. From putting the neck together to tuning the shamisen, we will confidently set up your new three-stringed friend! Afterwards, you can learn how to play using the video lessons included with your purchase!
Specifications
- Hosozao (thin-neck) Shamisen
- Sao: Mitsuori (Three-piece neck)
- Itomaki: Ebony
- Skin:
- Wood of Sao and Dou: Karin
(Note) Darkness/color of wood may vary.
-
Included Accessories
- Bachi (plectrum)
- Bachigawa (skin protector)
- Bamboo Koma (bridge)
- Doukake (body cover)
- Fujaku (position mark strip)
- Ito (strings)
- Kamigoma (shamisen nut: requires glue for installation)
- Keychain Accessory (fun stuff!)
- Neo (tailpiece)
- Pitch Pipe
- Soft Case
- Yubikake (fingerpants)
Helpful Videos
DaFAQ: Shamisen Masterclass Series (it's free!)
Kyle’s Opinion
Having tested it out myself, I am very happy with the quality of this shamisen. The clear and resonant tone almost surprised me, it’s so nice! The tone gave me great satisfaction, which is something I wasn’t expecting from a shamisen of this price. Unlike other beginner level shamisen, this one sounds like… like a real instrument! Also, the itomaki are made from real wood and the shamisen sparkles with a luscious lacquer, making this a beautiful instrument to admire as you play it. This is a shamisen that sounds great and looks beautiful. If you are ready to start learning, this is the instrument for you. You may pick this shamisen up as a beginner, but you will cherish it for many years to come.
You may have heard terms such as "Nagauta Shamisen", "Jiuta Shamisen", "Tsugaru Shamisen", and more. These basically refer to shamisen which are set up for those particular formal styles (Nagauta, Jiuta, and Tsugaru* style respectively). Such styles use very particular sizes of bachi (plectrum), koma (bridge), skin tension, and some visual aesthetics like width of overhanging skin on the dou (body). Such factors only matter for those who are pursuing a particular formal style. The Shamisen Starter Set's instrument is prepared in the folk style, which uses shamisen as a rather informal instrument. The instrument's frame is used for Nagauta Shamisen, but the skin is prepared with a folk/tsugaru aesthetic (I.e, the overhanging skin is wider than the short-cut overhang of classical styles), and the set includes the easy-to-use tsugaru koma (bridge). It's a shamisen made for folks who just want to learn and enjoy shamisen as an instrument, without getting bogged down about formal paradigms. There's nothing wrong with formal training, but from personal experience, I develop a greater connection with the instrument when being able to enjoy musical instruments as what they are - instruments of personal expression. :-)
*Although Tsugaru style is often considered the modern "wild" style of shamisen, there is also a formal classical branch of the style which is very strict about the aesthetic.
Special Bonus!
To help you get started with your new Shamisen Starter Set, I am including several learning materials for free!
- Bachido Shamisen Crash Course
- Premium Shamisen Course: Sakura
- Premium Shamisen Course: Ringo Bushi
- Premium Shamisen Course: Yasaburo Bushi
Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses.
(Please allow three weeks for fulfillment) 
Bamboo Koma lacquered with black urushi. Scroll below for sound…Bamboo Koma lacquered with black urushi. Scroll below for sound test video!
This koma is made with a Kouki base and a…This koma is made with a Kouki base and a bone saddle. While it is technically sized for Tsugaru style, it can be used with any shamisen type. Scroll below for sound test video!
This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and…This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and a bekko saddle. While it is technically sized for Tsugaru style, it can be used with any shamisen type.
Koma with a Kouki base and bone saddle. Scroll below…Koma with a Kouki base and bone saddle. Scroll below for sound test video!
I must admit, this is my absolute favorite koma. It’s…I must admit, this is my absolute favorite koma. It’s both great sounding and a gorgeous work of art. This koma is made from susudake (soot bamboo) and half bone top is expertly carved with three waves (or some might see fangs) curving downward. All of the bamboo/wood koma on Bachido sound great, but I particularly like this one for both it’s style and sound! Scroll below for sound test video!
I must admit, this is my absolute favorite koma. It’s…I must admit, this is my absolute favorite koma. It’s both great sounding and a gorgeous work of art. This koma is made from susudake (soot bamboo) and half bone top is expertly carved with three waves (or some might see fangs) curving downward. All of the bamboo/wood koma on Bachido sound great, but I particularly like this one for both it’s style and sound! Scroll below for sound test video!
Made with high quality Kimono fabric, these Bachi Fukuro are…Made with high quality Kimono fabric, these Bachi Fukuro are hand made with generous padding. With this fukuro, your bachi will be safely bundled and protected from a small fall! (Note, the main protection is around the handle and end of the blade, thus the blade might still chip if it falls directly on the blade tip)
These beautiful hand-crafted Naga Fukuro are lovingly sewn with high…These beautiful hand-crafted Naga Fukuro are lovingly sewn with high quality kimono fabric. There is only enough fabric for one Naga Fukuro, so each of these products are entirely unique and one-of-a-kind. Locally crafted in Sapporo, Japan!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P824DTeyOv0[/embed] For those who know me and my wardrobe, I'm…For those who know me and my wardrobe, I'm not one to shy away from flashy colors, and thus am huge fan of these cases! The outer shell of the Bachi Case is covered with beautiful fabric featuring an ornate floral pattern. The case holds a maximum of two bachi and eight koma. A very elegant and stylish way to keep your accessories protected!
What a beauty this shamisen is! It was used by…What a beauty this shamisen is! It was used by Nitta san's student only at lessons (meaning, the shamisen remained at Nitta san's home and would only be used during one hour practice sessions) for only one year. Sao: Made from high quality Karin wood with a beautiful Shitan fingerboard. Itomaki: Made from ebony with the soragara (star shape) style. Dou: Standard 五分大 (Size 5), skinned with Hakuho Azuma Sawari: Installed with Bone Includes: Blueish/Purple Neo, Dou Gomu, and Strings. Sao has position markers attached. (They can be peeled off if desired)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqW8lIoATN4 At Bachido, we know that shamisen are very expensive…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqW8lIoATN4 At Bachido, we know that shamisen are very expensive instruments to learn. Though some people know shamisen is for them upon hearing the first strike of the string, it's difficult for most of us to spend $1000 on an instrument without trying it first. Fortunately, Nitta san managed to find shamisen built for school use, and he ordered a whole fleet of them in bulk for a discount rate in order to pass those savings onto you! We're so happy to finally have this shamisen set available so people can start their three-stringed journey with greater ease! The Shamisen Starter Set includes everything you need to start playing shamisen. As you can watch in "Unboxing the Shamisen Starter Set", the shamisen and the entire set of accessories are shipped together in one box. Many other shamisen stores in Japan will ship their shamisen fully assembled, which for overseas deliveries very often results in broken necks and shattered dreams. (Truly, I've had to fix many broken shamisen which customers received from other stores) At Bachido, we ensure safe delivery by shipping shamisen fully disassembled with every part carefully wrapped. Since 2014, we've shipped over 700 shamisen with a nearly perfect delivery rate. So when you get your shamisen at Bachido, you can rest assured knowing your shamisen will arrive safely! Now, the safest method of delivery does mean the shamisen will need to be assembled and accessories attached after arrival. A daunting task it seems, but fear not, In my "Step-by-Step Guide to Shamisen Assembly", I will carefully walk you through the entire assembly process. From putting the neck together to tuning the shamisen, we will confidently set up your new three-stringed friend! Afterwards, you can learn how to play using the video lessons included with your purchase!
Brand new set of Ebony Nagauta style Itomaki made by…Brand new set of Ebony Nagauta style Itomaki made by Tokyo Wagakki. These itomaki are direct from the maker, and require turning (making the peg round with a file or lathe) to specially fit in each row of holes, as well as drilling string holes.