Level 1-2 Shamisen Sets - Order now!

Store/Sales
#1

I just heard that the price of the affordable Level 1 and 2 shamisen sets are going to increase by 20,000 yen (a little over $200), as they’re in high demand. At least the good news is that shamisen isn’t dying out in Japan! :wink:

Masahiro says that any orders placed in this month will keep the current, lower price. So if you are thinking of getting a Level 1 or Level 2 shamisen set, order now while prices are lower!

In the meantime, I am going to work on having shamisen made in Thailand or China. I have homemade blueprints for it, and if remade in CAD, it could be sent to a cheap factory there and made for a much lower price. Making it in CAD will be a piece of cake. Finding a factory… that’ll be a little trickier. :wink: If anybody has any leads, please share! :slight_smile:

#2

First i read this wrong and was like WHAT??? TSUGARU SHAMISEN ONLY 200$!!!
and then i realized what it actually said and got depressed :DD

#3

I find it astonishingly cool that you Kyle are considering organizing a factory production of shamisen besides selling the handmade ones . . . and wonder why such shamisen are not already done this way too . . . anyway on my budget I cannot order now unfortunately but who knows someday and with maybe even cheap ones available anyway so great what effort you are putting into this whole ‘thing’ I love the site and all thanks you are truly the man . . .

#4

Ortjo: It seems both Jamie and I are posting some rather deceptive thread titles. :wink:

Bernhard: I can’t believe it myself. :stuck_out_tongue: It is a wish, but I hope I can turn it into something real. Actually, the Level 1 & 2 sets are already made in China, which is how they can be made as “cheap” (relatively cheap) as they are. Skinning in Japan is what really brings the cost up (even with plastic skin). I recently heard that it’s difficult for shamisen shops to sell the shamisen cheaper, because there isn’t much profit.

However, we know that if we want shamisen to spread far and wide, short-sighted desire for profit has to be set aside for the prospect of future growth of players. It’s just a matter of thinking ahead. Once shamisen gets in more people’s hands, the word will spread faster and who knows. Demand for higher-end shamisen may increase as well. As long as we don’t lose money, I don’t mind breaking even on it.

It is my thanks to you as well! :slight_smile: It is the enthusiasm from all of you which only feeds my passion for the spread of shamisen even more! :slight_smile:

Huzzah!

#5

I hope you succeed in this :stuck_out_tongue:

#6

what kind of CAD File do you need? I could give a hand there…

#7

Laszlo: Nice Mon!!! (紋) Well done sir!! :smiley:
As for the CAD file, I’m afraid I’m so uneducated in CAD that I have no idea. :wink: It would have to be the kind that a C&C machine would read. Do you know what that would be?

#8

As long as the whole file is vector based it should work… I have vectorworks, just drop me a line when you need the files… A potential manufacterer should be able to tell you what format he needs for production…

Thanks! That’s the mon I had in mind for the beginners section… Remember?

#9

Well! I had a very productive business meeting (well, an excuse to go out for coffee) with Grant. I can’t say much now, but I can give a little teaser. Though it’s only in the beginning idea stage, you maaaaay be seeing Made-In-California Bachido Shamisen available in the near future. :slight_smile:

Ah right! I remember now. :slight_smile: We can discuss more about that.

#10

For the past few months I have been struggling with depression as a result of a somewhat messy breakup I went through with my girlfriend/fiancé who was the actual main reason I have been living in Japan for these past 2 and 1/2 years or so.
However I have to give credit to this website and to Kyle Abbott for being one of the top reasons I have been slowly recovering.
Now when reading this post I start thinking more and more…
How can anyone waste time being depressed with all this tremendous development going on.
Back in the earlier 2000s I first met Kyle in Santa Cruz . I was street performing a lot in those days and eventually arranged to teach shamisen at the local music school.
I still remember Kyle coming in for lessons one day with measurement tools. I was like “hey what are those for?” and was very curious when told that they were to measure my Shami for the purpose of building his own.
Now all these years later to see this site and now to read this post… I mean WOW!
I kinda feel like I dropped a pebble into the ocean only to have it come back as a tidal wave.
Kyle Abbott most definitely Rocks !

#11

Man, sorry to hear about that Kevin…

Good to hear that you are beginning to shake that depression off and nice to hear that you are aware of all the good that has happened due to helping Kyle out :slight_smile: You know your youtube clips are an inspiration to us all.

#12

Yeah Karl said it!
Sounds so awesome… I wish i’ll meet one of you guys someday and get these vibes you’ve felt ( and Kyle for sure)

#13

Words can’t describe the way Bachido has taken shape. I mean, never did I think it would become this much of a wholesome community, and an actual place of healing for Kevin. I can’t really say much more without mucking up how I feel. :slight_smile: Again, words can’t describe it, but I’m just really proud and thankful of everybody. It’s really you guys and Luke who make this all possible. I just listen to metal and drink coffee in front of the camera! :stuck_out_tongue:

Oh man, that brings back many memories… I first met Kevin when I was 16! I saw him play on the mall a lot, but it was a while before I mustered up the courage to approach him. I didn’t even like tsugaru shamisen! :wink: How things change.

Again, it’s Kevin’s openness that helped make the beginning of this all possible. I remember that you had even let me borrow a shamisen for a week to “measure”. Something most people would be hesitant about handing over to a 16 year old wielding chisels! :wink: You, Gerry, Linda and several others were very generous with knowledge, and I have no doubt that it shaped the feeling of the environment here on Bachido. :slight_smile:

You know, I think I still have a recording of my very first (or second) shamisen lesson with you, Kevin. I think I’ll post it soon just for giggles, and so everyone can hear how I shredded on Kodo from day one. :wink:

Ortjo (and everyone else): There will actually be a time you get to meet us all! Masahiro is thinking about having a Bachido festival in Hokkaido in 2014. Plenty of time to save up and get ready! :slight_smile:

#14

2014… It might even be possible…

#15

2014 is now!!! Where are the CNC-shamis?
We only saw some pic on Facebook lately with a Wood-Cutting/drilling machine…Kyle?

#16

Wow, it’s already 2014! Time’s flying too fast… In any case, the CNC Shamisen (or ASP "Affordable Shamisen Project) is underway and progressing! We’ve got a prototype almost complete and potentially a place to make them.

Long story short, by the middle to end of the year, we will either be having it in production, or perhaps back to the drawing board (finding a place / experienced people to make it is quite a challenge). But whatever happens, it’s progressing! :slight_smile:

© 2020 Kyle Abbott