There are definite benefits to being a left-handed guitar player, but also some difficulties.
Even though people like Paul Mccartney, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain were well-known left-handed guitar players, lefties will forever get the short end of the proverbial stick. Because there are fewer of us, there will always be fewer left-handed instruments available to play.
Things are getting better, but only a little. Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Gretsch, Epiphone and many more companies are making pretty decent left-handed instruments. Depending on where you shop, you may or may not be paying the same price as a right-handed player.
It’s understandable why left-handed guitars sometimes cost more. Left-handed guitars screw up economies of scale. It’s easier and cheaper to make lots and lots similar items. Guitar makers have to adjust their manufacturing processes. They have to make extra parts.
That doesn’t mean we have to like it 😉
Anyway, here are 5 problems associated with being a left-handed guitar player. If you’re one of those fence-sitters who can’t decide if they want to play left or right handed, this article is for you.
1. It’s hard to join in spontaneous jams since the guitars laying around are usually righties. A right-handed guitar player can usually just pick up any old guitar laying around. Left-handed guitar players are denied this simple pleasure. Unless we can play a right-handed guitar upside-down, we’re at a disadvantage. We have to sit on the sidelines. At least there are tambourines.
2. Finding a high-quality left-handed guitar or bass is more difficult. Because so few left-handed guitars are manufactured, you’ll have to look harder and farther. Sure, you can pick up a new instrument from one of the online shops, but you’ll rarely find quality lefthand guitars at pawnshops and garage sales.
3. The mirror-effect confuses people. For example, if you’re trying to show someone how to play something and they’re not used to watching a lefty guitar player, they might scratch their heads. To see what this effect is like, try watching your hands in the mirror while you play.
4. Vintage left-handed guitars are especially rare. Because so few were made in the 50s and 60s, left-handed guitars from this era are especially pricey today. Of course, if you find a really good deal on a vintage guitar, you can always convert a right-handed guitar to a left-handed guitar.
5. When purchasing a guitar, you have to do extra research. You can’t just walk into a store and try out that left-handed Fender or left-handed Gibson you’ve been looking at online. Fortunately, many of the online music retailers will let you return a guitar if you don’t like it. Return policies vary and you may have to pay extra shipping charges, but at least you’re not stuck with a guitar you hate.
