Can you tell me how many left-handed people you know aside from yourself? I bet you can count them! How about how many right-handed persons you know? Well, that would be a little difficult to list down and answer!
In our modern world, where left handed people are a minority, left handed guitars seems to be uncommon (Well, not just guitars. Basically everything!). That’s why finding one is a little difficult if you would just go straight to an instrument store.
It’s easy to settle for anything available so that you could have a guitar. You may do away with a standard acoustic guitar. But if you want a model with cutaway, your toast! It gets more difficult if you want an electric guitar!
Standard Acoustic Guitar
If you are just at the beginning of your journey, your southpaw stance will not be a challenge yet. You can always go for a standard acoustic guitar.
Take a standard acoustic and invert the string order! Just make sure that you don’t choose a model with pickups and electronics already fixed on it. You wouldn’t have access to the EQ! Plus the XLR plugs would be sticking up(LOL)!
Chose a model you like and pick something without a pre-installed pick guard. It would be funny to see someone playing guitar with inverted pickguards! (or just ask for a left handed acoustic guitar, saves you all the trouble!)
Now that you have chosen your standard, nicely ask the music store guy if they have a left handed pick guard. In case they don’t, you can easily have one online and get it delivered at your home.
The Dilemma
Some few music stores regularly carry left handed guitar models. The funny thing is, you get too little selection! And sometimes, you don’t even like what the store has to offer! Then you go store hopping to find the perfect guitar you want for yourself.
You visit every block that has a music store, and they all have the same selection! A pity!
It gets more challenging if you are looking for and electric guitar. Most of the designs of electric guitars are asymmetrical (except for a few like Gibson SG). If ever you find a balanced electric guitar design, you can invert the order of the strings.
Inverting strings are a surefire way to make your guitar suitable to play with a southpaw. The problem is, your electronics controls will be in the wrong place!
How Do You Get One?
There is no fast and easy answer for this one. You see, the dilemma is real, and it can fuel frustration! But to help you get a left-handed guitar here’s what you need.
Patience
Willngness to pay more
So, is there a way to get a left handed guitar that will not lead to lots of frustration? Well, let me help you with this few simple steps.
Method 1 – The Easy Way
a. Go to the nearest music store and nicely ask the dudes there to show you their left handed guitar models.
b. Tell yourself (silently!) that you would test a few models (if they have, if they don’t, move to the next music store). Tell yourself that you would not be looking for the one you dream about (because chances are, the guitar of your dreams are not easily obtainable).
c. If everything you tried is crappy, choose the least crappy of all and pay at the cashier.
And there you have it, a left handed guitar.
Method 1.2 The Quite Easy Way
Shopping online
a. Browse the internet and find some online music store.
b. Find a model that suits your liking and place your order.
c. Purchase a warranty since this is an online purchase. In case there is damage or whatnots, you can get technical support, replacements, refunds, or whichever is necessary.
d. Wait for a few weeks until it arrives at your doorstep.
The catch here is that you don’t get to test the guitar first before you purchase it.
Method 2 – The Not So Easy Way
a. Search for the model you want on the internet and list down all the possible alternatives you may like. Make a list of the model names and your preferred manufacturer. If you will be thorough, list down all the specs.
b. Go to the nearest music store and nicely ask the dudes there if it’s possible for them to order your specific model.
c. If they would not be able to accommodate your request, move to the next music store.
d. When you finally get to a friendly place where they can accommodate your order, place your order, leave a down payment if necessary and wait for their call when your guitar arrives.
This may take a few weeks or so. The great thing about it is you can test it when it arrives. If there are any problems, they can send it back to the supplier, and all you have to do is wait for another few weeks until your order arrives.
Method 3 – The Expensive Way
a. If there is a luthier within the neighborhood (how I wish there is a luthier nearby!), go and ask for a quote. Give him the specs you want for your guitar.
b. If there’s no luthier near you, as is the case for most of us, go online and search for guitar custom shops.
c. Select all the features you want and place your order and pay top notch dollar for your gear!
d. Wait for a few weeks up to months (some luthier has long queues that can extend up to a year!) until it is delivered to your home.
The great thing about custom shops are, they take pride in their work. Most of them, if not all, are in perfect condition! You get top-notch gear for top dollars!
Conclusion
Being a lefty is like a mild curse that prevents you from enjoying asymmetrical stuff (like an armchair and guitars with cutaways!) the way most people enjoy it. But nonetheless, many other lefties have innovated gears and gadgetries to fit their fellow lefties.
Don’t be discouraged! You will get eventually get your hands on one of the best left handed guitars out there! If you can afford it, have it custom made by one of the best luthiers out there!
Did this post shed some light on your dilemma? I sure hope it did! I know you have some few lefty friends, share this with them! Maybe they’d like to form a band with you! Feel free to leave a comment below or ask some question or share your thoughts! I will get back to you soon!