Commonly mistaken for a putty knife, the bachi is the plectrum for the shamisen. Choosing the right bachi for you is just as important as the shamisen, as it greatly affects your playing experience. What’s the most important factor in choosing a bachi? Flexibility.
Flexibility changes your playing experience the most. When you hold the bachi, you strike the strings with the tip. When there is flexibility, the tip will bend, which makes striking the string feel smoother. If it is really hard, it will feel like the tip is getting caught in the strings. A good rule of thumb is that more flexibility is better. However, higher flexibility means that it may break more easily. Knowing that, please consider your budget as well as your desired experience.
About Bekkou Bachi
Bekkou bachi are bachi made from tortoise shell, commonly used in Japan. Bekkou is favored for it’s flexibility and tradition. However, production of these bachi is decreasing, due to limited availability (endangerment) of materials. They are still sold in Japan, but thanks to developments in synthetics, newer synthetic bachi (like Pantera or Neoko) are almost identical to real shell. Happy tortoises!
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Rosewood handle (with Tori Gate inlay)secured to a flexible Orange Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 80g Length: 193mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 26mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 12mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Cocobolo handle secured to a flexible Clear Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 63g Length: 174mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 19mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 8mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Cocobolo handle secured to a flexible Clear Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 97g Length: 192mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 26mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 13mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a figured Walnut handle secured to a flexible Blue Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 63g Length: 192mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 22mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 10mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a figured Jarrah handle secured to a flexible Clear Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 45g Length: 174mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 17mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 6mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Wenge handle (with an internal weight added) secured to a flexible Black Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 158g Length: 192mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 27mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 12mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Zebrawood (unfinished) handle secured to a flexible Blue Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 69g Length: 192mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 27mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 12mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Lacewood handle secured to a flexible Black Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 73g Length: 174mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 22mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 11mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a figured Marblewood handle secured to a flexible Orange Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 68g Length: 174mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 20mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 10mm
-
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a highly figured Maple handle secured to a flexible Blue Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 55g Length: 173mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 22mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 11mm