Hey everyone! I need help. I’m still raising money for a nagauta-style shamisen but I am not ready to just up and buy a brand-new one for $1000.
Is there anything wrong with buying one on ebay? or should I be cautious about getting one on there.
And if anyone knows of any websites that sell nagauta-style for reasonable prices as well as the components and necessary items, please let me know. Thank you 
Hi Jeremiah,
I bought a Shamisen on e-bay,
Since I couldn’t afford a more expensive one.
Just remember:
You get what you pay for…
I had to do some work to mine and I am ordering some parts here from the Bachido store…
If you have the time and patience, I would advise you wait.
But then again, I do have a Shamisen, I can practice on and I like it…
So, now I am saving up for a REAL Tsugaru Shamisen,
since I like it so much…
Just do some studying and reseach before you buy.
I found out that some folks bought a Shamisen like mine on some earlier posts and just like me, they had to buy a set of ito and a koma…
But, it is a great way to get started for not much money.
Hope this helps…
Hey Jeremiah,
I dont think its necessary to buy a 1,000 dollar nagauta shamisen if you are just starting out. On ebay, there is a man who sells shamisen and koto from time-to-time. His name is Takashi Koto. I bought my shamisen from him, and he is super generous and really reasonable. You can even make an offer to him for a lower price. This is a link to his cheapest shamisen (maybe you’ve seen it?):
The company that did the reskinning is very well-known, so it is probably high quality skin.
Another option is Kameya Hougakki, in Tokyo. They are my shop of choice. Their new nagauta shamisen are around 700, shipping will probably be a little pricey. Although they do not advertise, they sometimes have used shamisen. If you write to them, they will tell you what they have in stock.
Good luck!
@Marvin thank you so much. and yes I am trying to be patient especially not having the money to get it right away. and I have talked to a shamisen sensei (Kumiya Fujimoto) on what to do. and thank you @Joseph. I have seen that ebay post as well as been on the Kameya website. I am considering getting that shamisen I am just scared that it won’t be able to be played correctly or it is broken or things missing etc. but I will highly consider it.
Arigato/ Ookini to all
I might have one
pm me
Jeremiah,
Welcome to Bachido!
PM means “Private Message.” If you click on the user’s name, it takes you to their profile page. There you can send the person (Norm, for example) a private message.
A friend recently told me “When making a big purchase, cry only once.” Meaning, cry at the big price, but afterwards you’ll be happy with a quality product. This is opposed to buying a cheaper product and crying again when it breaks down. 
Anywho, that said, Marvin has a great point. Unless you find a great deal somewhere (from Norm, for example), a good course of action would be to get a really cheap shamisen so you can have fun while saving up for a really nice one.
@Kyle
Thanks for the advice Kyle great website by the way. You make it possible for people in America to get a shamisen. And yes I should start low and work for a higher price one when I actually get a job. Watch out for my orders in the near future
Thanks for your kind words Jeremiah.
It’s your fellow Bachido members who really make it awesome. Almost too much for me.
Cool Beans!