I’m brand new to learning square neck and I’m a brand new member here. Currently taking beginner online lessons. Coming from a guitar player background. I plan on purchasing a beginner square neck soon.
I’m a lefty and I’m looking for advice on whether to search for a lefty instrument or simply buy a righty and replace the nut. If nut replacement is my best option where can I find a lefty nut? Or can I simply flip an existing nut around. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I’m currently playing a lefty guitar with a nut extension.
You cannot flip the nut and inserts. The angles are wrong.
FWIW..with the exception of one player, every other lefty I know plays right handed.
That includes Mike Auldridge & Paul Beard.
As a beginner, you'll need to train both hands anyways.
If you do decide to play left handed, Beard guitars can provide you with pre-slotted parts. They will be "blanks" and the guitar will need to be set up for height (assuming squareneck) or action (round neck)
Good luck,
hp
Edited by - hlpdobro on 09/22/2023 07:52:03
Thanks HP
I’ll check out Beard guitars for a nut replacement
You need to replace the inserts as well. Rotating the spider does not work. I suspect you'll need to call the shop to get left handed parts.
Edited by - hlpdobro on 09/22/2023 10:06:29
I'm left handed and when I was 11 a music teacher at school told me to play the other way (mainly because it confused him) I'm VERY sorry I did that.
You can actually buy a left handed Gold Tone Beard squareneck.
To flip you do have to get the proper nut and saddle set up where the nut "fall off" is behind the strings and same for the bridge inserts but that's easier. I think Beard has a blank nut that's not filed or slotted?
If you're going to buy an inexpensive one and flip it look at Musician's Friend and Guitar Center there's a Rogue for $199 (I got one on the stupid deal of the day for $140) it's totally usable to start. Or get a used Regal RD40 but pay $250 no higher (GC had two I bought them both). The RD40 can have the reflex baffle cut out and turned into a sound post guitar very easily (if you're handy) there's a video on it and I just did one WAY better I put in a Scheerhorn cone and waiting on the #14 spider from Beard. But you do realize as lefties we are the only one's who are in our right minds yes?
Thanks to everyone for all this great information. It’s been very helpful. I think I may just wait and save some $ and get a left-handed instrument like the Gold Tone.
I’ve been playing guitar left handed for 50 + years as well as mandolin and electric bass. And I also have a lefty beginner banjo so I kind of got used to the feel of finger picks and playing basic rolls. I’ll keep hammering away at my online lessons to try to improve.
Looking forward to enjoying the Resohangout and being part of this new community!
I know a banjo player that is left handed and has been playing a right handed banjo his whole life. Knows tons of songs, but the smooth roll of the right hand is just not there. After 60 years, it never smoothed out for him and it looks like an epileptic plucking at the strings when he gets excited. Some work out ambidextrousness and some don't I suppose.
After my right handed dad had a stroke and his right side wasn't up to par anymore, I flipped a dobro left handed for him (one that he had made). He gave it the good ole college try and could manage the slide with his stroke affected right hand with some helpers but never could remaster a roll with his non dominant left hand.
Not a suggestion, merely an observation. I know a very good squareneck spider reso player who is left handed. He does not change anything on the guitar...just flips it around and plays it like that. Yes, plays with the body to his left hand and small strings next to him.
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