Damping force control type shock absorber

A damping force control type shock absorber capable of achieving both air bleeding performance and damping force responsiveness at reduced cost. When a pilot valve (47) is closed during the extension stroke of a piston rod (6), a cylinder upper chamber (2A) is communicated with a back-pressure chamber (46) through a passage (73) including an orifice (76), a communicating passage (70), a pilot chamber (33), and a communicating passage (50). At this time, the cylinder upper chamber (2A) is not communicated with a cylinder lower chamber (2B); therefore, damping force responsiveness is ensured. Further, because there is no need to provide a check valve in the passage, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost. Further, air entering the pilot chamber (33) moves upward through the communicating passage (70). Therefore, the air can be discharged into the cylinder upper chamber (2A) through the passage (73).