Hey guys. I’m currently playing on a Nagauta Shamisen, but I’m hoping to move upto a thicker necked instrument like a jiuta or Tsugaru after I’ve gotten comfortable with the instrument. (since I’m fairly new to it.) 
Looking on the store here I saw a lot of different levels for Tsugaru, but being a person who has used a Nagauta what would you recommend my next level should be from this store? Should I start from level 1 on Tsugaru or will my experience with the Nagauta make it easier on me to use something on say level 3?
Hello and welcome Jackson! Sounds to me like the thing that matters is how important the sound is for you. Since you already play the shamisen, the concept of buying something expensive and giving up on it shouldn’t be that likely. So, buy something that sounds good
Thank you. ^^ And yes I like using my Nagauta well enough for now but I’m hoping to use something a bit tougher eventually. Something that I can be a bit rougher on without having the danger of the skin tearing. It’ll probably be a while until I do end up buying a Tsugaru but I’m just thinking ahead.
Yeah welcome to Bachido Jackson!
I’m too playing a Nagauta shamisen and going to change to Tsugaru at some point but i’m pretty much in the same point as you meaning about the fluency and money 
But if i were to buy a Tsugaru i’d buy one with Azuma Sawari at least…
Actually by browsing the shamisen here in the store i’d most probably get “Karin Tsugaru Shamisen (Level 4)”
because i don’t need the “set” since i’ve got a hardcase and all the other stuff and it’s got Azuma sawari and it’s higher quality shamisen with a fair price.
Thanks for the advice. I’m not entirely sure what set I should get, since I do already own a case but it’s a soft case. And if I’m to get an expensive instrument like a Tsugaru I may need some better protection. Unsure yet.
Yeah i’ve liked the hard case 
sure feels safe.
Though sometimes you wish your shamisen was easier to start playing with. You know just pick it off the wall and start playing. In hard case you tie it up everytime and when you do that you have to release the string tension or “un-tune” it so everytime you have to reassemble it.
Though it might be the same for soft case… No idea about that.
That isn’t the same for the soft case. Well I tend to use the softcase as I would a guitar case, only certain parts are wrapped up to keep from damage and it’s just pulled out ready to play. Not sure if that’s the right thing to be doing but it seems to work for me.
HI there, welcome to Bachido!
YAY another UK’er, i am so happy to see us expanding on our little island : D
XD Our little island is a lot more thriving than people would think.
And thank you.