So Shamisen Bachi turn out to be expensive, I need to know if there is a way you can make a DIY version. Is there and how?
Uhh… What is a DIY? I’m sure some people have answers for this
Hehe Ortjo…'D’o 'I’t 'Y’ourself…
I’m sure you already heard this expression before, don’t you =)
Well Kasumi, it depends what material your bachi should be made of.
And therefore buying i.e. one made of plastic could be an option,
which are quite good. They’re often used for ‘calm, traditional’ shamisen sound, where a hard attack (not heart attack) isn’t that important; and so are the ones made of wood, but a bit more at a higher price.
The next level of quality would be acrylic and faux bekkou (differend felxibility/hardness available).
Top level bachis are made of real bekkou and naturally the most expensive.
There are a few people here in the community, who already tried to fabricate their own bachi. The simplest way is to go for wood. In Kyles book ‘Shamisen of Japan’ you’ll find templates and a description how to make one…in fact (not infarct), there’s a whole step by step instruction to a selfmade shamisen.
The book helped me alot in making, although only a virtual 3D-Model, of a shamisen - but that’s another story.
Okay, I hope I could be of a little help.
Ale