Finding the instrument

General
#1

Hello,

I’ve been interested in shamisen music for rather a long time.
I like the specific and unique sound this instrument makes.
I’ve been looking for a shamisen on and off for about a year but saddly with little results.( Live in Eu btw)

Theres always a few of “them” on ebay at any given time. ( Like this one for example http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shamisen-with-hard-case-Japanes-3-string-instrument-hand-made-/390555020911?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5aeee4ae6f would it do any good? )
But it seems theres a few types of shamisen, sashin, etc. This plus alot of “fake ones?” I don’t really have a really high budget for this, I could at most spend up to 500$ the problem is what do I get and where do I get it.

If I want to have that specifiv twangy sound of the shamisen, get something that would last me for a while and would requare little maintenance, what should I get?

Also are there any known Eu outlets/people/little stores where I could look for such instruments, because Im having a hard time finding stuff like this.

I’d really like to get one of these in my hands as soon as possible. :slight_smile:

#2

Sorry, but that’s a sanshin. The snakeskin soundbox is a dead giveaway. (Although who knows if that’s even real snakeskin? The description says “synthetic leather drum,” whatever that means.) Other ways to tell are the small size and the style of tuning pegs.

This might not help you much, but honestly, if you really want a worthwhile instrument, I’d stay away from eBay. Save up your money and buy from a reputable seller like Kameya (http://www.e-kameya.com/english/shamisen.html) or Bachido here. You don’t have to guess at the quality or authenticity and you get an intact instrument so there’s less upfront maintenance. It may take awhile to save up the money, but really, you’ll save yourself a ton of hassle and end up with a much, much better product.

#3

I’ve thought on this myself since becoming interested in the shamisen. Best thing to do is to learn all you can about the instrument itself, so that you know what to look for. Ebay often seems kind of iffy when I look at their listings. There are many things a tiny picture can’t show you. Jamie’s right. It’s best to save up and buy your supplies. My plan of action will be either to buy from here, or wait till I move to check out the chords canada store in Toronto. I’d really like to see what I’m buying close up, if at all possible.

#4

http://bachido.com/products/used

I can recommend it because I recently purchased my first shamisen here. They’re used of course, but mine had minor wear and I’m sure the others for sale will be similar.

Oh and look! There is one for 534 USD. I’m sure that’s even less in pounds. Perhaps you should check them out!

The one I am talking about doesn’t come with the whole nine yards, but one actually doesn’t need a bachi to get started and everything extra is… well just that.

The only thing at a glance I see you would want to buy are extra strings just in case and a koma which is relatively cheap and can also be found here.

#5

The problem is I’d like to find a Euro shop that sells these things, because buying things from abroad and shipping them into Europe is… expensive… plus the damn customs and taxes… terrible…

#6

Then I’d travel Europe and check out every music shop I can find. The likeliness that you’ll find one there is slim. The likeliness that you’ll find one for around 500 is even slimmer. I mean, this is an import… there is a reason why this site was created… because they’re so darn hard to get a hold of outside of Japan.

Really the only thing I can think of is checking online or building your own. It’s just not practical.

#7

well I asked the main music store in austria’s second largest town (300.000) about strings and while the owner had a vague idea about it he later told me their wholesaler contacts had no clue and he had a hard time explaining to them what kind of strings he was even talking about so yeah traveling around europe would probably be cool but bring your shamisen for the trip I guess . . .

I thought about buying a sanshin as a three stringed alternative for practice and it’s cool in its own right too but I feel like what it will turn out to be and what I want for me is maybe creating another stick with 3 strings based on a real shamisen sao and saving up for a KoShamisen . . . I am also doubtful of ebay and rather prefer new things to used things in general so at about 650 $ cheaper than a full size and the smaller size I think is cool in its own right too . . .

http://bachido.com/products/nitta-shamisen

#8

Ebay is okay if you accept that you might not get what you expect.
(plus shipping and EU customs are NASTY)

As far as i know there is NO EU shop with shamisen (i could be wrong), so i look for everything from USA or japan.
I still have 2 shamisen to reskin and buy bachi and koma for or i’d offer you one, (they’re no where near ready.)

If buying from ebay, ask lots of questions about the skin and wood and ask for more images if you need to.

#9

Ebay is okay if you accept that you might not get what you expect.
(plus shipping and EU customs are NASTY)

As far as i know there is NO EU shop with shamisen (i could be wrong), so i look for everything from USA or japan.
I still have 2 shamisen to reskin and buy bachi and koma for or i’d offer you one, (they’re no where near ready.)

If buying from ebay, ask lots of questions about the skin and wood and ask for more images if you need to.

Im not really in a hurry since my options are very limited atm, in time, maybe, you will have something to offer me :stuck_out_tongue:

#10

Hi, Ar M!
Even if you manage to find an EU shop selling shamisens, the shop would have paid customs and duties, and worked that cost into the price of the instrument. So either way, you will have to pay–unless an EU shop also produces shamisens locally, but this seems unlkely to me. I agree that it would be worth it to spend a bit more and get an authentic instrument from Japan (I am also a fan of Kameya Shamisens). Anyway, good luck!

#11

Your best bet of getting away from customs and tax is to travel there and take it home with you. Just say that its your instrument.

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