Kentucky Shamisen

Building/Repair
#1

Howdy y’all!

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have recently started my journey with amateur lutherie with a shamisen project! We’re still a work in process but the idea was to make a shamisen that calls to mind the wonderful tradition of Appalachian mountain and similar folk art banjos. I also wanted to use recycled and local woods and materials. After a few setbacks, we have an instrument that at the very least DIDN’T explode under tension (a major success in my mind). Pic below!

IMG_1995
IMG_19951920×1440 290 KB

Next up we have some action to adjust, an azuma sawari to make and possibly having to redo the skin unfortunately, as it’s sagging a little and I’m not sure if it will be tight enough for a proper sound. I’ve got another calfskin to try a different method of mounting, but I’m also curious about sourcing a similar fabric used for Kyle’s hibiki head. Any other ideas folks have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks y’all :slight_smile:

  • Alice Sisson
5 Likes
#2

How interesting! I am really curious to hear what this sounds like. Do you plan to play with bachi or finger picks?

1 Like
#3

I have a bachi that I’m working on making alongside it. The intention is that it plays like a shamisen, but we’ll see how it ends up!

1 Like
#4

These are still some past pics but we got some finish on it and I spent all of saturday trying to make an azuma sawari (to slight success? More work to be done!)

IMG_2027
IMG_20271920×1440 252 KB

  • Alice Sisson
1 Like
#5

Hi Alice - just a thought, but re attaching the skin, the old fretless banjo trick is to wet the skin thoroughly, drape the wet skin over the body (dou) and press tacks thru the skin into the dou. Each time you press in a tack, rotate the dou maybe half way around or so to distribute the tacks evenly. You might need to tap in the tacks with a small hammer. As you do this, keep up the tension on the skin so it doesn’t go slack. It should dry nice and tight. Your tackhead shamisen will look at home in the mountains! Seriously, I have covered an old-time banjo this way, and since the strings are gut or nylon, they won’t exert too much pressure on the skin. All the Best, David

1 Like
© 2020 Kyle Abbott