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 Left handed bass, right handed strings?

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OLDMANOTY Posted - 11/19/2013 : 09:08:18
I'm left handed and, eons ago, used to play right handed bass with the strings upside down. That's how I learnt. Anyhow, I'm suddenly compelled to start playing again (mid-life crisis probably) and I've been looking to buy a new bass.

Thing is, I don't want to get another right handed one as they're awkward and weighted wrong for a lefty. So I've been looking for a left handed bass strung right handed (ie strings upside down) but with no success. I know you can get them specially made but I can't afford that.

Do any of you musos know if any brand manufactures basses in this way? I imagine most lefty's learn the same way I did so I'd have thought there'd be a market.

Any ideas?
8   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
Arm Arm Arm Posted - 11/21/2013 : 08:04:17
It's interesting to me when someone plays an instrument backwards/upside down. A friend of mine plays guitar, forming chords with his right hand and the strings backwards and it was rough when I tried it; I'd have to relearn from the beginning.

I hope you find the instrument that suits your needs Oldmanoty.

cheers
OLDMANOTY Posted - 11/20/2013 : 06:15:50
Great! Thanks for taking the time to do that, Hammerhands. Will look into it, looks easier than I thought.
Carl Posted - 11/20/2013 : 05:11:25
Bought an SX bass a little while ago... in the process of learning slap 'n pop.
hammerhands Posted - 11/20/2013 : 04:31:16
Mexican Fender! Buy it used, don't buy new.

See, I asked your question here.
http://gretschpages.com/forum/bass-ment/left-handed-upside-down-question/66910/page1/

"For a Fender-type headstock, get the longest guage strings you can find-"
OLDMANOTY Posted - 11/20/2013 : 04:10:20
It's funny, I was self taught, played in a couple of bands for years and reached a pretty good standard - but never knew anything about guitars or the mechanics of them. Didn't seem to matter at the time. Sounds daft, I know. I had 2 or 3 cheap basses back in the day, can't even remember what make. So I don't really know what I like tbh!

Having said that, I'm planning on getting something a bit better than what I used to play. £300 tops, which I know is still relatively cheap.

It's nearly 20 years since I last played btw.

hammerhands Posted - 11/20/2013 : 03:22:19
I asked around, right now I think it's as simple as getting a new nut.
Most pickups don't have a treble side.

What bass do you like, a Fender?
OLDMANOTY Posted - 11/20/2013 : 02:28:50
Thanks for the advice, hammerhands. Really helpful.
hammerhands Posted - 11/19/2013 : 12:37:33
I would suspect most basses are pretty easy to convert.

Just pop in right-handed components where necessary, the nut, maybe the bridge, possibly the pickups.

The routing in a P-Bass could pose an issue. The sound difference would be subtie without extra routing.
A custom pickguard would solve cosmetics with routing.

Check with Warmoth...They don't have it as a listed option, but you can ask.

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