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  • Sale!

    The Eclipse: Special Edition

    From $3,300 to $3,500
    It's no question we love all shamisen, but for me…
    It's no question we love all shamisen, but for me the Eclipse has a special place in my heart. Not only is the color contrast of the tochikarin and shitan fingerboard stunning, and not only was the Eclipse our first model to incorporate the shitan flowing into the tenjin, but the tone balance of the medium-hardness neck with the harder fingerboard makes it a shamisen I still regularly play to this day! In celebration of the Eclipse's return to the Bachido Store, we've released a Special Edition model! What are the perks of this new model? Read below! Note: The Non-Slip Itomaki shown in the pictures are optional add-ons. They are super useful and offers it at half-price for new shamisen, so consider selecting it in the dropdown box! More information about Non-Slip Itomaki below!

    Color Will Vary

    As you can see in the photo, the left Eclipse has a redder hue than the right Eclipse. There is no difference in quality nor tone, but it's simply the natural color of the polished wood. As stated above, the Eclipse uses no stain or lacquers, so please know that any particular Eclipse shamisen might be redder or tanner than another.

    Special Bonus!

    To help you get started with your brand-new Eclipse, I am including several learning materials for free!
    • Bachido Shamisen Crash Course
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi (Kyu)
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi (Shin)
    • Premium Shamisen Course: The Nitta Ryu Intensive Technique Pack
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Advanced Kamashi
    Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses.
  • Sale!

    The Eclipse Shamisen

    From $2500 to $2700
    One of our first and most popular shamisen has finally…
    One of our first and most popular shamisen has finally returned! The Eclipse has been absent for many years due to the unavailability of tochikarin (highly figured Karin) in matching colors. For example, the lumber for sao wood was tan and the lumber for the tenjin would be brownish-pink. Why does this matter? Well, unlike other shamisen which can be stained or colored with tinted urushi, the Eclipse is finished with Tokyo Wagakki's renowned polishing technique, which takes two weeks to apply and uses no lacquers nor colorings. Such a polish gives the entire shamisen a deep warm glow, but retains the colors of the natural wood. Thus, while a shamisen with different color tones wouldn't affect the sound, the craftsmen at Tokyo Wagakki weren't pleased with the visual aesthetic, and so we paused production of this model... until now! After many years, tochikarin wood in matching colors came back in stock, and we're finally able to bring the Eclipse back to the Bachido Store! Read more about this exciting shamisen below! Also, check out our exciting new Eclipse: Special Edition!

    Color Will Vary

    As you can see in the photo, the left Eclipse has a redder hue than the right Eclipse. There is no difference in quality nor tone, but it's simply the natural color of the polished wood. As stated above, the Eclipse uses no stain or lacquers, so please know that any particular Eclipse shamisen might be redder or tanner than another.
  • This is my first studio album, the Cuckoo. Personally I…
    This is my first studio album, the Cuckoo. Personally I cringe when I listen to this one, as I enjoy my newer works a lot more. My wife likes this album though.
  • Sale!

    The Beginner’s Shamisen

    $500.00 - $640.00
    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!

    Special Bonus!

    To help you get started with your new Beginner’s Shamisen, 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
    Important: This shamisen does NOT include any accessories required to play (no strings, plectrum, etc). Unless you already have accessories, please consider selecting the The Beginner’s Shamisen Accessory Set option for all the essential items required to make your shamisen playable. Otherwise, by selecting The Beginner’s Shamisen only, you will receive the masterfully built shamisen in an unplayable condition. The Beginner’s Shamisen Accessory Set gives users the most affordable option to start playing. The set consists of entry level items, but does not include Koma and Bachi. Those two items are required, and because there is a wide variety of excellent Koma and Bachi available, they are available outside of the set so users can choose the exact Koma and Bachi they prefer. If you're planning to get the Beginner's Shamisen Accessory Set, be sure to grab a Koma and Bachi too! If you'd like to select your own accessories (to get preferred colors, choose particular bachi, add extra strings, etc), please go to Essentials and choose the best items for yourself. Need help in curating your shopping list? Learn about the most essential items here! Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses. (Please allow two weeks for fulfillment)
  • This Accessory Set includes everything you need to get the…
    This Accessory Set includes everything you need to get the most from your Beginner’s Shamisen. (Nagauta/Hosozao Size)
  • Sale!

    The Akatsuki Shamisen

    From $3,000 to $3,500
    The Akatsuki Shamisen, made by the legendary makers at Tokyo…
    The Akatsuki Shamisen, made by the legendary makers at Tokyo Wagakki (the oldest and most respected shamisen workshop in Japan). Includes Ayasugi and Non-Slip Itomaki as optional upgrades. Read below to get all the details about this shamisen!

    Special Bonus!

    To help you get started with your brand-new Akatsuki, I am including several learning materials for free!
    • Bachido Shamisen Crash Course
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi (Kyu)
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi (Shin)
    • Premium Shamisen Course: The Nitta Ryu Intensive Technique Pack
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Advanced Kamashi
    Important: This shamisen does NOT include any accessories required to play (no strings, plectrum, etc). Unless you already have accessories, please consider selecting The Tsugaru Shamisen Accessory Set option for all the essential items required to make your shamisen playable. Otherwise, by selecting The Akatsuki Shamisen only, you will receive the masterfully built shamisen in an unplayable condition. The Tsugaru's Shamisen Accessory Set consists of entry level items so users can get the most affordable option to start playing. If you'd like to select your own accessories (to get preferred colors, choose particular bachi, add extra strings, etc), please go to Essentials and choose the best items for yourself. Need help in curating your shopping list? Learn about the most essential items here! Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses. (Note: Each shamisen is built per order. Please allow six to eight weeks for construction)
  • The No-Limits Shamisen! An otherwise standard high quality Karin shamisen…
    The No-Limits Shamisen! An otherwise standard high quality Karin shamisen with a unique base of the sao which extends to the edge of the dou, as opposed to swooping down (the shape which is called Hatomune) Important: This shamisen does NOT include any accessories required to play (no strings, plectrum, etc). Unless you already have accessories, please consider selecting The Tsugaru Shamisen Accessory Set option for all the essential items required to make your shamisen playable. Otherwise, by selecting The "No Limits" Shamisen only, you will receive the masterfully built shamisen in an unplayable condition. The Tsugaru's Shamisen Accessory Set consists of entry level items so users can get the most affordable option to start playing. If you'd like to select your own accessories (to get preferred colors, choose particular bachi, add extra strings, etc), please go to Essentials and choose the best items for yourself. Need help in curating your shopping list? Learn about the most essential items here!
  • Want to rep your team? Now you can with our…
    Want to rep your team? Now you can with our specially made Team Bachido Happi! Ships from California.  
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Length: 170mm Blade Width: 86mm Handle Width (Base): 25.5mm Handle…
    Length: 170mm Blade Width: 86mm Handle Width (Base): 25.5mm Handle Width (Blade*): 32mm Handle Height (Base): 25.5mm Handle Height (Blade*): 9mm *The feathered edge where blade and handle first connect, (towards middle of handle, not the edge of handle)
  • Susudake Bamboo base with Kouki Tip. Height is 8.13mm
    Susudake Bamboo base with Kouki Tip. Height is 8.13mm
  • Susudake Bamboo base with Faux Bekko Tip. Height is 7.41mm
    Susudake Bamboo base with Faux Bekko Tip. Height is 7.41mm
  • 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!
  • Stellar

    $14.95
    The 2nd studio album from Monsters of Shamisen. Ships from…
    The 2nd studio album from Monsters of Shamisen. Ships from California.
  • Standard Ebony Itomaki Set

    $350.00$450.00
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made entirely from Gaboon…
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made entirely from Gaboon Ebony. Beyond the soragara (star shape) style, it's a very standard type of itomaki.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This set of Elite Itomaki is made from stabilized mango…
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made from stabilized mango wood, and fitted with African Blackwood pegs.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • 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.
  • The Mitsuori Case has a soft, padded interior with a…
    The Mitsuori Case has a soft, padded interior with a sleek nylon exterior (like the Pack Case). Lid of Mitsuori Case has a special compartment for the bachi, and a side pouch for strings and yubikake. Straps connect on the backside for carrying on your back. If you don’t need to carry it on your back, the straps can conveniently slip into a zip-up pouch (shown in pictures).
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Soft Case

    $217.00
    This is one of my favorite types of cases to…
    This is one of my favorite types of cases to use when I travel locally, whether it be walking or driving to a gig, or taking the bus to San Jose to lead my group shamisen class. It is so light and easy to carry on my back, and offers just enough foam protection where I can feel at ease if it gets lightly bumped.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Snakewood base with half bekko saddle. Height is 6.35mm Please be…
    Snakewood base with half bekko saddle. Height is 6.35mm Please be careful with handling, as snakewood can be brittle!
  • Looking to have the skins of your shamisen replaced with…
    Looking to have the skins of your shamisen replaced with a fresh natural skin? No problem at all! All you have to do is send your dou (soundbox) to Kyle and he will remove the old skins and replace them with new natural skins. After you order the service, Kyle will send you the shipping information and will start working on your repair as soon as he receives your dou. Note: Currently, Kyle is replacing natural skin for nagauta and jiuta shamisen. For those wanting high tension natural skin for tsugaru shamisen, he will connect you with his partner in Japan.  
     

    Possible extra costs

    1. Broken Dou: The glue on vintage shamisen is known to fail due to age. Sometimes, the corner joints of the dou are already separated and are simply held together by the skins alone! When this happens, the dou must be reglued before reskinning. Please note there may be a $50 to $100 extra fee if this happens.
    2. Rubber Pad (Dou Gomu): If your dou has a rubber pad (dou gomu) attached to it, please remove it before shipping. Unlike new dou gomu, (which peel off easily and cleanly) the rubber of old dou gomu are often partially disintegrated and crumble when trying to remove it. It's a considerable hassle, and there may be $20 extra fee to remove it.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Skin Replacement (Hibiki)

    $99.00$250.00
    Looking to have your broken natural shamisen skin replaced with…
    Looking to have your broken natural shamisen skin replaced with a synthetic shamisen skin? No problem at all! All you have to do is send your dou (soundbox) to Kyle and he will remove the old skins and replace them with Hibiki: Advanced Synthetic Skin! After you order the service, Kyle will send you the shipping information and will start working on your repair as soon as he receives your dou.  
     

    Possible extra costs

    1. Broken Dou: The glue on vintage shamisen is known to fail due to age. Sometimes, the corner joints of the dou are already separated and are simply held together by the skins alone! When this happens, the dou must be reglued before reskinning. Please note there may be a $50 to $100 extra fee if this happens.
    2. Rubber Pad (Dou Gomu): If your dou has a rubber pad (dou gomu) attached to it, please remove it before shipping. Unlike new dou gomu, (which peel off easily and cleanly) the rubber of old dou gomu are often partially disintegrated and crumble when trying to remove it. It's a considerable hassle, and there may be $20 extra fee to remove it.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Skin Replacement

    $99.00$400.00
    It is said that 80% of the shamisen’s sound quality…
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Get closer to your shamisen idols! The Signature Bachi are…
    Get closer to your shamisen idols! The Signature Bachi are made in collaboration with the hottest shamisen stars of today. Every star player involved has given us their preferred weight, balance and shape of their favorite bachi, and the maker creates them with synthetic bekko called Neoko. Check out the exact weight and measurements of each bachi below!  
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This Shitan Tsugaru Shamisen is made from Shitan wood, which…
    This Shitan Tsugaru Shamisen is made from Shitan wood, which is higher quality and heavier than Karin wood.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
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