Pete Doughty - Posted - 03/11/2010:  16:56:22

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Hi all.

I'm right handed. I think I can get a (really) nice deal on a used lefty guitar. What is involved with making it right-hand friendly? Is it as simple as swapping the strings around or will bridge and/or nut work be involved?

Pete

musekatcher - Posted - 03/11/2010:  17:16:30

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You *can* get by with swapping strings only, but you will have intonation issues, and the action at the nut will be poor. With these two things corrected, ~$125, it should be very playable.

tumbleweed - Posted - 03/11/2010:  20:25:56

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Or you could go for the Elizabeth Cotten sound. Google her, impressive.

Tom Smith - Posted - 03/12/2010:  01:10:06

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Like Musekatcher says, changing the nut and saddle (and possibly the bridge) could make it indistinguishable playing-wise from a right-handed guitar. Of course the pick guard becomes a thumb guard.
What I don't know is if longevity will be affected. Are flattops braced more stiffly on the bass side of the guitar?

MitchellB - Posted - 03/12/2010:  08:14:26

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If it really is a great deal and you can turn a profit, buy it and trade or sell it to buy yourself a right handed guitar or just save yourself the aggravation and buy a guitar that fits. Depending on how the guitar is made you are looking at replacing the nut, the saddle, removing the bridge, gluing a replacement bridge in place and replacing the pickguard. Not a project for someone without some basic luthiering skills and the cost of a skilled labor repair may negate any money savings you incurred on the original purchase.

brazad - Posted - 03/17/2010:  11:23:38

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quote:

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Originally posted by Pete Doughty

Hi all.

I'm right handed. I think I can get a (really) nice deal on a used lefty guitar. What is involved with making it right-hand friendly? Is it as simple as swapping the strings around or will bridge and/or nut work be involved?

Pete

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Pete,

One question.

WHY?????

Lawdy, there are 5 million righty instruments out there that need no mods to be playable, and there are a TON of good deals to be had right now.

The world needs all of the few lefty guitars that there are!

Gary
Owner, LeftyFrets.net