[F1Boy]

Hi All,

While my first musical passion is the drums, I can neither afford the money nor tha space so I have decided to maybe learn the guitar...

As you've probably guessed I'm left-landed and after speaking with a couple of guitar shops it seems that the choice of left-handed guitars is limited and more expensive than the right-handed counterparts. Damnit!

So, the question is... Do I really need a specific left-handed one or can I just re-string a right-handed one (a la Kurt Cobain, Hendrix...)?

One guy in a shop also suggest I force myself to learn right-handed but it just feels a little weird - strangely I can't contort my left hand as much as my right one (to get the different chords). I think my right hand is more dextorous (sp) than my left if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any comments.

Cheers,

Matt

[pmc]

I'm left handed and play righty. In theory it should be an advantage as your dominant hand is doing the most complex work. I would normally say learn righty but if you've already tried and its uncomfortable then obviously don't.

To be honest, is finding left handers that much of a problem? You only need one (to start with) and with the internet getting a lefty guitar is pretty easy now. Buying a guitar without trying it is a risk but most places have a decent return policy if you not satisfied. Just make sure they give you a week or so to return it no questions asked. In fact I think they have to that legally anyway.

[F1Boy]

Thanks pmc,

No - finding a lefty one isn't too much of a problem (apart from they're more expensive ).

I found that, although I write with my left hand, I could get the finger positions more easily with my right. Maybe I'm just odd

Are there problems associated with playing a RH guitar LH...?

[pmc]

Originally Posted by F1Boy

Are there problems associated with playing a RH guitar LH...?

You need to be careful with repetitive strain injuries just like anyone playing an instrument and I guess that could be worse if your forcing your hand to do something its uncomfortable with.

The other big reason for playing right handed is that virtually all tuition material is written/recorded for righties. Playing as a lefty will mean you will always have to switch everything around but you'll probably get used to it.

[pmc]

Sorry, I keep ignoring your actual question

Yes, it's not just a case of swapping the strings around. You also need to swap the nut, bridge and probably pickups. You'll probably need to take it to a guitar tech for all that if you're a noob so it'll likely end up costing more than just buying a lefty in the first place.

[F1Boy]

Damnit, I thought you might say that, lol

[Crocodile]

If you want electric, snap this up quick!

Oh, & there's an amp to go with it in my sig.

[Geege]

I play left-handed. There isn't too much of an issue, apart from re-string, knowing that the control knobs are in an awkward place (and where applicable the vibrato arm), the guitar may need re-setting (nut, string action).

Left-handed guitars are unfairly more expensive and limited in choice.

However, I learnt left-handed (the natural way for me - why should I be forced to learn right-handed!) and there are plenty of off the shelf left-handed guitars out there, just not as much choice by a larger margin.

Gibson SG Std
Gibson Les Paul Std
Gibson SG Tony Iommi
BC Rich Warlock
Dean Razorback Explosion

to name just a few

[Monarch]

I'm also a lefty but decided to learn right handed, I thought it was wierd at first too, when I had my right handed guitar but had yet to start learning I always swapped it over (not the strings) and it felt a lot more natural, but pretty much as soon as I started learning right handed (5 and a half years now) it felt right and now I don't even know what to do with either of my hands if I swap it over! It was a tough decision to make, I think my dads practically unplayed *right handed* '77 Custom Tele was what swung it for me

[cjf]

I was left handed and because I could not find any guitars that suited me, decided to strum with the right hand. Now used to it. Sad for us left-handed folk. Because of the dominance of right-handed instruments and equipment, life has forced me to become ambidextrous