Right Handed vs Left Handed
It’s the age old question with left handed individuals – should they buy outright a left handed guitar?
If you have never played guitar before and are new to the instrument (and a lefty), I would recommend at least trying to start playing right handed. This would include the electric or acoustic guitar and bass guitar.
There are advantages to trying this method – first, there may be a very limited selection of left-handed guitars to choose from when purchasing a guitar. Further, most left-handed guitars will cost slightly more than the same model right handed. And lastly, keep this in mind – a left-handed player is not able to borrow, rent, or just plain play righty guitars which are usually what are available at most shows, gigs and functions.
When learning from scratch, holding the guitar and making notes and chords is just as awkward right handed as left handed, so you might as well learn righty if you possibly can.
Funny thing is left handed players actual have an advantage to playing right handed – the left hand will be doing the harder job of fretting the neck.
And another important factor to keep in the forefront – all material written for the guitar is written from the right hand perspective.
If you do decide to convert a righty guitar to a lefty, bear in mind that the nut and bridge must be modified to accommodate the new string gauge (as the nut would need to be re-cut) and bridge adjusted (no easy task on an acoustic). These ‘minor’ surgeries could turn into an expensive proposition.
True, there are many great left handed guitarists out there – the biggest factor to overcome is the ‘feel’ factor.
If you’re a true lefty we certainly can help you out at any of our retail stores to determine the model just right for you. If you’re just starting out, take advantage of our 30 day exchange policy at George’s Music and at least give it an effort to play right handed – I think you’ll be surprised by the outcome. Many of my playing friends write, throw, toss, and bat left handed, however they all play guitar right handed – and indeed they can play!
Click HERE to shop our selection of left-haned guitars.