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  • The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest…
    The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest of the three). Fujiito brand, material is silk, and it's available in sizes for both Tsugaru and Nagauta styles.
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  • 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 is a required item for shamisen, it is the…
    This is a required item for shamisen, it is the tailpiece which the strings are tied to. The Neo is fitted on the end of the shamisen, and it is made from Rayon.
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  • This is the Fujiito brand of ito. They are the…
    This is the Fujiito brand of ito. They are the most common brand of string for shamisen. It’s considered to be average quality for ‘practice use’, but I use them for performance and nobody notices the difference!
  • 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)
  • Skin Replacement (Hibiki)

    Price range: $99.00 through $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.
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  • This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and…
    This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and a bone saddle. While it is technically sized for Tsugaru style, it can be used with any shamisen type.
  • Neighbors keeping your sound levels down? Desperately wanting to play…
    Neighbors keeping your sound levels down? Desperately wanting to play shamisen now but still recovering from that hangover? The shinobi koma (Stealth Bridge) is made for you! Replacing your normal koma with the Shinobi Koma will lower the sound level tremendously.  
  • Yubikake (Hand Knit)

    Price range: $15.00 through $18.00
    Small: 3.2cm wide x 7.8cm long Medium: 3.3cm wide x…
    Small: 3.2cm wide x 7.8cm long Medium: 3.3cm wide x 8.0cm long Large: 3.7cm wide x 9.0cm long
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  • The Gokujo ito are the considered to be the highest…
    The Gokujo ito are the considered to be the highest quality string for shamisen, and ideal for stage use. Note: The ichi no ito will not fit in a nagauta/jiuta shamisen, as the diameter of the string holes in the itomaki are smaller. It can be done if you widen the string hole first, but I've tried using such a thick string on a nagauta shamisen as an experiment, and feel that the tone of the thinner string balances much better with the smaller size of the nagauta shamisen.
  • Ironically, although the plastic bachi is the most affordable bachi…
    Ironically, although the plastic bachi is the most affordable bachi available, it isn't the easiest for beginners due to it's extreme hardness. That being said, it is usable and better than nothing!
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  • Saofuki

    $12.00
    The Saofuki is a microfiber cloth used for wiping the…
    The Saofuki is a microfiber cloth used for wiping the sao and bachi after playing sessions. It pulls away any dust or dirt buildup and keeps the sao sparkling! Available in a variety of colors.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
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