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 Left handed bass, right handed strings?
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OLDMANOTY
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
469 Posts

Posted - 11/19/2013 :  09:08:18  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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?

Edited by - OLDMANOTY on 11/19/2013 09:09:54

hammerhands
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1592 Posts

Posted - 11/19/2013 :  12:37:33  Show Profile  Visit hammerhands's Homepage  Reply with Quote
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.

Edited by - hammerhands on 11/19/2013 12:47:26
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OLDMANOTY
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
469 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2013 :  02:28:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks for the advice, hammerhands. Really helpful.
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hammerhands
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1592 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2013 :  03:22:19  Show Profile  Visit hammerhands's Homepage  Reply with Quote
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?
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OLDMANOTY
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
469 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2013 :  04:10:20  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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.


Edited by - OLDMANOTY on 11/20/2013 04:14:43
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hammerhands
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1592 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2013 :  04:31:16  Show Profile  Visit hammerhands's Homepage  Reply with Quote
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-"

Edited by - hammerhands on 11/20/2013 04:58:16
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -

Ireland
11546 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2013 :  05:11:25  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Bought an SX bass a little while ago... in the process of learning slap 'n pop.
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OLDMANOTY
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
469 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2013 :  06:15:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Great! Thanks for taking the time to do that, Hammerhands. Will look into it, looks easier than I thought.
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Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *

1034 Posts

Posted - 11/21/2013 :  08:04:17  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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
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