Shamisen on Ebay

Store/Sales
#1

Hey all,

I’m buying a cheapy shamisen so cover myself while i save for an expensive model.

I have been looking at purely aesthetic models to practise on and then to use as decoration.

I’ve found one on ebay that will look nice hanging on my wall, just no info on it. it’s a synthetic cheapy, but anything will do me for the next few months while i save and get some basic techniques down, until i buy a monster.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shamisen-hard-case-Japanese-traditional-3-string-instrument-/390436914016?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae7da8360

Please advise on this one as to the type of shamisen and any particular concerns you might have about it’s quality etc. i’m not too worried about it as it will not be used to play live (i don’t think anyway) only for initial practise and later to pretty up my studio wall.

Thanks in advance everyone

#2

ummm thats a sanshin not really a shamisen. it hails from okinawa
i honestly wouldnt reccomend buying a sanshin if you want to play shamisen…

its python skin/ or synthetic python… there are no shamisen that have snake skin or any visual aspect like that for future reference.

there is a chinese Sanxian though that fits the description of a shamisen (almost) but with a python skin…

#3

thank you! this is the info i need to know.
awesome.

the other one i’m looking at is this… again no info, only know that it’s a synthetic skin. not sure on the timber used either.

#4

synthetic leather, its gydiayuu shamisen was used to play in gidyauu shows (puppet shows) very old kind, this specific one was bought by 2 or so members of bachido, IT has metal strings which it shouldnt have… and it looks like sanxian itomaki.

As to whether or not its good i’m not entirely sure as i have never touched it myself.

it is on ebay alot.
If you switched out the metal strings for nylon or a normal shamisen type string like nylon for example it may sound similar (dont quote me on that though)
Want me to reccomend to you a seller?

#5

yes please :slight_smile:

#6

oh and i will be replacing the strings regardless of what comes on the instrument, i do that as a rule with all my lutes… the strings that come on indian instruments are horrible… so learnt that one the hard way during a performance.

#7

http://myworld.ebay.com.au/japanese-vintage/&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2754
he is the seller i usually go to for stuff ^^

great deals, i have a list of all his stock which are not out yet aswell.
his name is Simone, give him an email or something ask of his stock and he should be able to hook you up with something ^.^ ill tell yea about each one that comes up to the best of my knowledge.

#8

oh and i will be replacing the strings regardless of what comes on the instrument, i do that as a rule with all my lutes… the strings that come on indian instruments are horrible… so learnt that one the hard way during a performance.

ahh cool :slight_smile:
metal strings on a shamisen i think would warp the wood pretty quickly aswell as break the bachi faster…

#9

most definately will warp. i own a kazakh dombra and got that with metal strings, had to heat and reset the neck because it had warped so much from the player before me… needless to say i replaces with silk and it’s a wonderful instrument now haha, thanks for the link and the info!

#10

no problem :slight_smile:
i hope you pick something right for yea ^.^

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