Maybe it’s a good koma for when you are playing very quietly without any snaps?
Nah. No better than a koma with larger notches.
It would even be interesting to have a aluminum top and some other material as the base.
Ooh! That’s a good idea. I actually have a bamboo koma base without a saddle. 
Perfect for trying it out.
I wasn’t referring to the small notches with that quote 
I meant that he referred to the sound as close to the banjo. Maybe that sound will sound better when playing quietly compared to other koma.
As for the notches I didn’t mean having different sizes. I mean the smoothness and form of the notch. Ideally it should be a perfect match, but I’ve noticed in mine that it ends with a little edge at the bottom, meaning the string does not have as much contact as it can. I think this can affect the sound.
Ah!! My bad! Who knows. However, having a aluminum saddle+bamboo base is a great idea, and I think could potentially allow for a really sharp tone while keeping the shamisen feeling. We shouldn’t have to restrict our strikes.
but I’ve noticed in mine that it ends with a little edge at the bottom, meaning the string does not have as much contact as it can. I think this can affect the sound.
Ooh snap (no pun intended). Are we talking about the ichi no ito or the other two?
What are the most common size for tsugarushamisen player does anyone know?