Koma (Bridge)

Plastic… it was all the rage in the 70s. Does it make good koma? Well…

Sound quality:
Hollow. “Has the tone of olden shamisen” – Masahiro

Material:
Plastic. Be careful, this koma breaks easily.
String notches are small, so it may cut into the strings.

Height:
8mm

Acceptable if it’s all you can afford, but upgrading later is recommended to bring out the most sound quality from your shamisen.

Sound quality:
Soft and warm.

Material:
Madake (bamboo)

Height:
8mm

Sound quality:
Clean and crisp. Bone tip brings a sharper tone, compared to the Bamboo Koma

Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone

Height:
8mm

This bamboo base of this koma is called “Boat Shape”. The base is slightly thicker while the middle is cut away. Personally, I don’t find a huge difference between the Boat Shape base and the standard base. You’ll probably hear a slight difference in tone between the two, but I don’t think one is “better” than the other. Furthermore, when comparing the sound quality of two koma, it’s important to consider the tightness and age of the shamisen skin, as some koma may sound better on fresher or older skins than others.

Sound quality:
Clean and crisp. Bone tip brings a sharper tone, compared to the Bamboo Koma

Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone

Height:
8mm

Sound quality:
Sharper and harder compared to ‘Bamboo Koma (Bone Tip)’

Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone

Height:
8mm

This bamboo base of this koma is called “Boat Shape”. The base is slightly thicker while the middle is cut away. Personally, I don’t find a huge difference between the Boat Shape base and the standard base. You’ll probably hear a slight difference in tone between the two, but I don’t think one is “better” than the other. Furthermore, when comparing the sound quality of two koma, it’s important to consider the tightness and age of the shamisen skin, as some koma may sound better on fresher or older skins than others.

Sound quality:
Sharper and harder compared to ‘Bamboo Koma (Bone Tip)’

Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone

Height:
8mm

Neighbors keeping your sound levels down? Desperately wanting to play shamisen now but still recovering from that hangover? The shinobi koma (Stealth Bridge) is made for you!

Replacing your normal koma with the Shinobi Koma will lower the sound level tremendously.

Sound quality:
Muted (intentionally)

Material:
Plastic

Height:
7mm

Note: Though the sound from striking the string is significantly reduced, the percussive sound from the bachi snapping against the skin isn’t affected by the koma.

Prepare for extra-awesome! This Shinobi Koma is loaded with extra features!

1) Unlike the Shinobi Koma (Standard), the Shinobi Koma (Deluxe) is shaped in such a way that you can freely execute maebachi and ushirobachi techniques without being constrained by the size of the koma.
2) Though the Shinobi Koma (Standard) mutes the sound from the string, the loud percussivness of the bachi striking the skin remains at full volume. The Shibobi Koma (Deluxe) reduces the percussive volume as well as the volume from the strings, providing a satisfying and balanced low-volume experience.
3) The timbre of the (muted) sound quality can be adjusted.

Sound quality:
Muted (intentionally)

Material:
Plastic and Aluminum

Height:
Adjustable

This is the best Shinobi Koma available. Far superior on many levels:

1) The Kobashiki Shinobi Koma is shaped in such a way that you can freely execute maebachi and ushirobachi techniques without being constrained by the size of the koma.
2) The Kobashiki Shibobi Koma reduces the percussive volume as well as the volume from the strings, providing a satisfying and balanced low-volume experience.
3) The koma is made from Take (bamboo)
4) The height of the koma can be adjusted.
5) The amount of volume suppresion can easily be adjusted at the touch of a dial.
6) It is light and can be installed easily.

Sound quality: Muted (intentionally)

Material: Koma: Take (Bamboo) Bachigawa: Plastic and Aluminum

Height: Adjustable