Stretching a Skin on a Shamisen

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Ever wanted your "loose as a goose" skinned shamisen head to be replaced with super-tight skin but cringed at the ridiculous $200+ (per side!) price? Well, it's very easy to do yourself (just a little mind-numbing making 18 clamps. . . but pretend you didn't hear that). Follow this guide and you can get the same results as the pro-stretchers.

[@Ayanamiame]

what a fine detail and educational video. thank you ! =D

[@porkdemon]

yeah, im sort of weighing the idea of goat skin or kangaroo skin, because im using australian hardwood, i think if i use roo skin, it will tie the whole thing together nicely, a japanese instrument with an australian twist.

[@MissGroves]

WOW last year i sold my shamisen as i couldn't find anyone in the uk to replace the skin for me. Even as a girlie i reckon with patience that i could do this myself. i am now looking at replacing my shamisen and learning to play. I look forward to your book eagerly.

[@rajendrajasathy4356]

After checking this instrument i realize that India, Japan, China, Afghanistan, Pak (?) are countries where these type of instruments are being played: 1. India: Sarod, Sarangi 2. Japan, China: Shamisen 3. Pak, Afghanistan: Sarangi, Rabab

[@JustClaude13]

Check a music supply for drum skins. Synthetic drum heads should be suitable for stretching over a shamisen. You'll need to roughen the back well to give the glue a good grip on it.

[@ericbasco]

I noticed that the skin you applied is square, but the skins sold at mid-east are circular. Do you suggest a larger size? I'm fascinated by placing this skin on. I would love to learn how you made the clamps.

[@GarrisonMorton]

Is applying Hibiki synthetic skin the same or is it less difficult?

[@rimascarenhas]

Thanks a lot, i have one shamisen to fix here and its one problem, replace the skin, but now i think itll be right...thannks man and good regards......

[@TomHutchinson5]

Thank you! I like using a brayer when spreading glue.

[@demonrosario5398]

I really want to get a shamisen but there to many hoops to get one in the U.S.

[@TsugaruShamisen]

Excellent! Actually it's much easier than it used to be! :-) My life's mission has been to make shamisen more accessible in the world, and over the past ten years I've made many connections with shamisen makers in order to easily bring shamisen direct from the maker to the newcomer. Feel free to check out Bachido, my shamisen community, as well as a high quality shamisen that's made in Japan and great for starting on - bachido.com/store/beginner-shamisen

[@ramonthe3rd]

which skin you use??? is animal skin or somekind of wool??? what should i get??? thank you for your guide, im making some kind of experimental instrument and maybe i'll try a shamisen if i succeed

[@rat8bug]

What type of solution was used for the skin dunk? What type of glue is used on the drum to hold skin? I have some really strong small spring clamps; can I use those? Nice rig.

[@motimenow]

Thanks again! The replacement skins worked fine. Is there a top nut similiar to other strings instruments that the strings cross over like a guitar going to the tuners? There is nothing on the instrument and it seems that a nut or small bridge should be there? I'm not familiar with the design of one if needed...any picture would help? Thanks, Joe

[@smokescrean23]

Is there any method of stretching the skin over the body of the shamisen other than the traditional method? also what types of skins work best?

[@TokyoCraftsman]

@fiddlefella Is the skin something special, the goat or calf, or is it something that I could buy at a leather shop? I'm in Tokyo and my daughter wants a Shamisen, but boy they are expensive, so I thought I'd get one with a busted skin, as they sell cheap, and then reskin it myself, I have good woodworking skills and tools, so I know I could make the stretching stand and the "Kisen" clamps. Could you give me a bit of inot on the Kisen? how wide, thick, & long are they? Thank you very much!

[@motimenow]

Awesome, I need to replace the skins on a shamisen. How and where can I purchase the skins please? Thanks!

[@sonomama82]

What kind of clamps are those? What kind of glue is used for the skin?

[@GrandTeutonica]

Do you know if Chordscanada will reskin shamisens? Did you ever release your shamisen book? Because I wanted to know if you included the instructions for the reskinning pieces and parts....

[@rimascarenhas]

what is the liquid that you use on 1:03mm to put the skin ?

[@lamengambrea]

congratulations mr.!! i am so grateful for all you teach us...... so, can you answer me some questions: i heard once long ago than in okinawa during second world war the people made their own samiseng with cookies tin, what do you know about this??, can you explain us how to make one????.... place????..... thanks for all :)

[@rajendrajasathy4356]

Need to take my Sarod for changing the skin.

[@leti_ci_a]

where the hell did you get all these materials?? I cant even find the wood lol

[@scoffvonkiel6881]

Intriguing.

[@GrandTeutonica]

I very much so look forward to purchasing your upcoming book :D but, is it going to be available on Amazon? and do you have an estimated release date? sorry, I don't mean to be persistent ; )

[@yatudlabiereicit]

what kind of skin is that ???

[@GreyDancer42]

Hey man :) Do you ever reskin for other people? I've got one that has a big hole in one side and there's no way I can do it myself.

[@motimenow]

@fiddlefella Thanks for the quick response!

[@darthlol2]

@fiddlefella Hey man, I've been looking at your videos about how you make these shamisen and I must say: it looks pretty neat! Now I've decided to do my school project on making a shamisen, but now I've got a question: I read your answer about where you get those calf skin and I looked on mid-east . com... but I wonder if they also ship to Europe. But I can't find an answer to that. Thought maybe you would know ... ? Thanks if you have time to answer this question. You rock ^^

[@jewbybrother579]

@jackietremaine either one i suppose

[@leti_ci_a]

did you make the tools yourself?

[@lamengambrea]

@fiddlefella thanks man, i'd been searching and i had found some usefull information....

[@GarrisonMorton]

I just got a used shamisen at a local auction for 45 dollars. the dou is cracked and the top skin needs to be replaced.

[@TsugaruShamisen]

Congrats on getting a used shamisen for that price!! The method of stretching Hibiki is completely different from natural skin, and requires even more specialized tools.

[@GarrisonMorton]

@@TsugaruShamisen If I wanted to reskin it with Hibiki synthetic skin would I have to send it to you?

[@TsugaruShamisen]

@@GarrisonMorton Yeah, you would have to send it to me. Feel free to send me an email (and pictures, I'd love to see the shamisen!) to kyle (at) bachido (dot) com. :)

[@GarrisonMorton]

@@TsugaruShamisen My friend (a guitar luthier) said he'd fix the body if I lend him the book Shamisen of Japan. (I haven't bought the book yet). Should I have him do it? or should I have you do the body as well as the skinning?

[@TsugaruShamisen]

@@GarrisonMorton Oh cool! He probably wouldn't be able to put on Hibiki though, as it requires a special machine to stretch it. It's totally fine for him to fix it, but I can do it too. Either way. 🙂

[@EGO07]

Patience.

[@megumidesu2940]

do you sell that kisen?if you do,i obviously would love to buy it

[@TsugaruShamisen]

No, I don't sell them but I have instructions about building them in my book, Shamisen of Japan. (It's on Amazon)

[@megumidesu2940]

thats what i really need.thank you.and one more thing,what do you use for the liquid and the glue?is it just a water and an ordinary glue?or any special glue?

[@TsugaruShamisen]

The liquid is just water, and the glue is a mixture of rice flour and water. Instructions for making that is also in the book. :-)

[@jewbybrother579]

@ramonthe3rd shamisen skin is made out of dog skin.

[@porkdemon]

can i ask where you got the equipment to stretch the skin? did you have to make it yourself or can you buy it somewhere? also what type of skin did you use, im thinking of using goat skin myself.

[@saidbaltazar4159]

I will do it like a kokyu what type of skin is it

[@pauldobler2779]

I enjoyed the silence.

[@tomfum]

Rubbish