Stretching Problems

Building/Repair
#1

Hi there! ^^ I just wanted to start off by saying to you guys that you’re awesome =3

There, that said! xD

I’m having a bit of an issue here. I’m working on this school project and I’m making a shamisen.

Problems:

Budget: not enough money to buy the wood etc. to make the wooden stretching boards, clamps and all of that stuff. Can’t afford to buy Kyle’s manual too (no offense/offence (how to you spell that one xD) ) since it’s probably a one time only thing (it’s not supposed to look professional, just playable). If I will attempt a real try, I’ll buy it for sure :wink:

Time: Not much time left for me to complete it (every Dutch student’s problem, lol)

Now my question for you pro’s is this: Can you think of a alternative, cheap way to stretch the skin? (i.e. Techniques foremost and materials)

Thank you all very much for your time and good luck!

~ Jordy

#2

Well guess you could buy a few small pulleys and some really thin sturdy rope and sew it thru the skin find something to attach the rope to get it tight enough. Could work.

#3

Here’s a link on building a gourd banjo. The skin is held on by tacks, so it won’t be nearly as tight as a shamisen skin, but if you are looking for a fast, easy alternative…

http://clawhammerbanjo.com/instruments/gourd/gourdbuild/gourdbuild.html

#4

i used to put my skins on by sewing strong sail thread through wet skin and tieing it to a a jig then use a car jack to push dou into skin, then let it dry in hotwater cupboard overnight, if skin oily and glue wont stick buy decorative nails

#5

Thank you all for the inspiration! Brian and Jessica, you’re idea’s inspired me: I think I’m going to make the skin slightly Gidayu style (see the website) and tie the two opposite skins together. If you don’t think this is a good idea please tell me for I have no experience stretching skins whatsoever ^^’ if not, I’ll go along with Brian’s idea (email me the pics please ~ ! :D).

Again, thank you all for your responses ^^

© 2020 Kyle Abbott