I just bought this shamisen on ebay that looked too awesome to pass up. After looking closely at the pics it looks like it has a curved hatomune but it is listed as a futozao.
Did I just buy a gidayu shamisen or maybe just an old timey tsugaru? Also if it is gidayu shouldn’t it still work fine for tsugaru pieces?
Looks like a futozao! Should be fine for Tsugaru pieces !
It depends on the size of the dou too, but that might be a gidayuu. Sorry for the off topic but I attended a performance of Bunraku this week and I was impressed by the strength and powerful sonority of the gidayuu shamisen (not to mention the talent of the musicians…)
Interesting shamisen! 
itomaki look tsugaru sized, but as theres no kawa annnd the hatomune looks like a nagauta shamisen. I’m thinking its quite likely a gidayu as the wear on the tops an sides of the body are quite large where the kawa was. 
Nice catch Gidayu seems to be fun to play as its rather deep sounding. I believe you should be able to skin it either way at a shop but I am unsure if you will get past 20 on the sao as it slopes down… I cant really say without measurements though.
Should be fine for tsugaru or any style you choose really! It definately looks Gidayu.
Damn bro, that is beautiful!! Love that doukake too.
That looks like a Gidayuu shamisen to me! No doubt.
Congratulations!
It just kind of three me a curve ball because I’ve never actually seen a gidayu shamisen before. I intend on setting it up for tsugaru so it will need a proper kawa and I will probably add an Azuma Sawari.
And Patrick from the YouTube videos I’ve seen the bunraku sounds pretty amazing!
And just for you Kyle:
Probably one of the nicer looking kake/neo sets I’ve seen. Love the worn look to it.
Oooh la la … It looks so… vintage! I first thought to lacquer it or oil it or something, but then realized it’s quite epic as it is.
Nice idea about installing an azuma sawari. It’s certainly nice to have.
ooooo 
<3 looks nice!
The carving is dynamic and looks so fine!!! It is a piece of art work and the owner is so lucky to play the instrument (^_-)