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) 
This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood.…This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood. Fitted with African Blackwood pegs.
This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood…This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood with intense fiddleback figure. Fitted with African Blackwood pegs.
This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood…This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood with intense fiddleback figure. Fitted with African Blackwood pegs.
This beautiful set of jointed Kouki itomaki are made in…This beautiful set of jointed Kouki itomaki are made in the Soragara Mentori style, which is a star shape with the edges expertly trimmed with immaculate detailing. Highly figured Kouki jointed to high quality ebony, and Built in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki.
To learn more about the Beginner's Shamisen or the accompanying…To learn more about the Beginner's Shamisen or the accompanying accessory set, please click on their respective links below!
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!
Introducing a classic style of hosozao shamisen, 100% Made-in-Japan with…Introducing a classic style of hosozao shamisen, 100% Made-in-Japan with premium Shitan (rosewood)! Shitan (rosewood) is a hard and incredibly beautiful wood, and made with high quality standards, this shamisen has a luscious shine and sparkles in the light! This shamisen includes everything you need to start playing shamisen. What's unique about this particular line of shamisen are the materials used. These shamisen are made with wood harvested around the 1980s. Wood from that period was of much higher quality (often with a richer figure) than wood harvested recently. How were we able to get pristine 50-year-old wood? Read in the description below!
Made in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, the Matsu shamisen features…Made in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, the Matsu shamisen features a sao (and tenjin) made from Akamatsu - Japanese Red Pine. With a hard Shitan fingerboard providing clarity, the lighter Akamatsu wood gives this shamisen a uniquely delicate and woody tone. Read more about the Matsu Shamisen in the Description below!
This Karin Minyo Shamisen is built by a close friend…This Karin Minyo Shamisen is built by a close friend of Hiroshi Nitta (Masahiro Nitta’s father) in Kanagawa.
To learn more about the Raven please click on the…To learn more about the Raven please click on the below link!
