I want to buy an electric guitar to learn with. (left handed) Suggestions?

[Ferzerp]

I'm left-handed and have tried to learn on accoustics over the years, but always right-handed models. Strumming always felt awkward with my right hand and I always gave up. In the interim, the silly rhythm games came out, and I always played them right handed. I'm a die hard lefty for the most part, and I really don't think I should try doing it backwards again.

The plan is to buy something that is a quality guitar that the build will not cause issues with learning. I'd prefer an HSS (if fender) pickup layout because I like the humbucker sound and would rather buy once instead of wishing I'd bought something else (however, the pickings appear slim for left handed and that configuration).

Right now, since it has been over a decade since I've tried, I'm thinking buying the guitar, base accessories, and Rock Smith on PC. If I decide to get serious, I can always upgrade the accessories.

I know it seems strange that I'm not looking for a bargain basement guitar to try to learn on, but as a youth, I played various wind instruments, and the quality of the instrument was a huge factor in the ease of learning. I don't want to end up fighting an instrument that won't stay in tune, or has some other issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what models to look at? Ideally, I would purchase off Amazon, since through various rewards programs, I typically have more Amazon gift cards than I know what to do with. I'd rather stay under $1k for the guitar itself, but if there is a compelling option that is more, I would by no means rule it out.


Yes, I realize that chances are, I will end up with a $1k piece of wood just taking up space in 6 months, but that's a risk I am willing to take. My goal is rudimentary competency (enough that I can just enjoy messing around with it) with no aspirations of being overly serious with it.

 

[mrrman]

Why not look at pawn shops 1st and see what they have...I personally have the ESP 1000 and Jackson RR5 guitars....I am RH though. There are so may styles out there, its just personal preference.

 

[Ferzerp]

I get the reasoning, I really do. I'm more interested in the right instrument than saving money though. I tend to prefer buying new to used for most things, even if it doesn't make perfect sense.

I live in a music city, or I guess just "music city", so it's not like there isn't a big supply. I'm just not sure how comfortable I am taking someone's shattered dream and most likely letting it collect dust in my house....

 

[JulesMaximus]

You could always re-string it so you can play it left handed. That's what many lefties do.

I actually have a left handed Fender Jag-Stang. My Dad was a musician and he loved Kurt Cobain so he actually had 4 of these guitars. When he died I picked one of the earlier made examples he had in his collection and brought it home with me. I figured maybe my son would take an interest as he is left handed. The guitar is in near perfect condition.

If you are interested in buying one I could probably get one of the other Jag-Stangs in his collection. Pretty sure one was right handed but the other two were left handed IIRC.

 

[lxskllr]

You can string a righty backward. Also, I wouldn't overlook cheap guitars. The quality has been uniformly high ime. Good enough for someone learning anyway. It might not have the exact sound you want, but it's likely nothing will. You have to play awhile before you tune in to the sound you're looking for.

 

[Ferzerp]

You could always re-string it so you can play it left handed. That's what many lefties do.

I actually have a left handed Fender Jag-Stang. My Dad was a musician and he loved Kurt Cobain so he actually had 4 of these guitars. When he died I picked one of the earlier made examples he had in his collection and brought it home with me. I figured maybe my son would take an interest as he is left handed. The guitar is in near perfect condition.

I'd thought about this before, but then I read this:

http://leftyfretz.com/restring-right-handed-guitar-left-handed/

With the frustration I've had dealing with the wrong choice before, I'm trying to avoid that here.

I remember watching Kurt Cobain with his upside down guitars

 

[lxskllr]

I'd thought about this before, but then I read this:

http://leftyfretz.com/restring-right-handed-guitar-left-handed/

With the frustration I've had dealing with the wrong choice before, I'm trying to avoid that here.

Up to you, but adjusting a guitar is a good learning experience, and something everyone who plays should learn. It isn't hard, but it does take a little time. Even brand new guitars need adjustment for the player, and if someone else does it, it'll be setup for them, and not you.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd thought about this before, but then I read this:

http://leftyfretz.com/restring-right-handed-guitar-left-handed/

With the frustration I've had dealing with the wrong choice before, I'm trying to avoid that here.

I remember watching Kurt Cobain with his upside down guitars

Well, many musicians have done this with no trouble. Just thought I'd put it out there.

Meanwhile, here is some guitar porn for you. :biggrin:



And I am storing it properly. Neck up, string tension backed off. There is one small nick on the body but otherwise it is mint.

 

[Ferzerp]

I wonder if the quality on the re-release of that is high (or if it's a cheap cash in). It's 2 pickup but still H/S (I don't really think I want HH).

http://www.fender.com/guitars/mustang/kurt-cobain-mustang-left-hand/

It looks like you can get them for right at $1k

I was also obsessed with nirvana in the early 90's so that works out.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I wonder if the quality on the re-release of that is heigh (or if it's a cheap cash in). It's 2 pickup but still H/S (I don't really think I want HH).

http://www.fender.com/guitars/mustang/kurt-cobain-mustang-left-hand/

It looks like you can get them for right at $1k

I was also obsessed with nirvana in the early 90's so that works out.

Wow... $1400 for that? I guess it is pretty similar to my guitar though. Kind of makes me wonder what my Jag-Stang is worth.

I definitely prefer the shape of the Jag-Stang.

 

[lxskllr]

I wonder if the quality on the re-release of that is heigh (or if it's a cheap cash in). It's 2 pickup but still H/S (I don't really think I want HH).

http://www.fender.com/guitars/mustang/kurt-cobain-mustang-left-hand/

It looks like you can get them for right at $1k

I was also obsessed with nirvana in the early 90's so that works out.

I have a 53 reissue Tele and a 64 reissue Strat That I got in the 80s, and the quality is top notch. Dunno what they're doing these days.

 

[Ferzerp]

Wow... $1400 for that? Makes me wonder what my Jag-Stang is worth.

Amazon (and others) are selling them for high $900's. I guess guitar MSRPs are silly.


Not to imply it's a jagstang. That's just a mustang. They did re-release jag-stangs a few years ago apparently, but only right handed.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Amazon (and others) are selling them for high $900's. I guess guitar MSRPs are silly.


Not to imply it's a jagstang. That's just a mustang. They did re-release jag-stangs a few years ago apparently, but only right handed.

Yeah, my Dad had two from the first release (1994-95 I think) and 2 from the second release. I think most of the second release were right hand models. He had two red and two blue. I know he had a blue left hand jagstang and a blue right handed. Not sure if the other was lefty or righty.

My Dad liked to collect guitars and bass guitars, he was right handed though so he never played these with any regularity.

 

[Fritzo]

I understand where you're coming from, and you're right on a few things. A quality instrument tends to be easier to play and gives more satisfying results...which in turn makes you want to play more. However, you can stay in the $500 for a guitar. Epiphone's new Tribute line is in the $500-$700 range, and they're fantastic. A Standard Stratocaster or an Ash Telecaster will also be in that price range.

You'll need to factor in an amp too. Egnater is my current favorite line of amps- get yourself a 15 watt Tweaker and you'll have all the amp you need for years to come.

 

[Ferzerp]

A Standard Stratocaster or an Ash Telecaster will also be in that price range. You'll need to factor in an amp too. Egnater is my current favorite line of amps- get yourself a 15 watt Tweaker and you'll have all the amp you need for years to come.

When I said $1k I really meant just the guitar and know the accessories are going to go over that. For those options you suggested, can I find both a left handed and both humbucking and single coil pickups? That seems to severely limit my options from what I am seeing.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Anything on here that you like?

 

[Fritzo]

When I said $1k I really meant just the guitar and know the accessories are going to go over that. For those options you suggested, can I find both a left handed and both humbucking and single coil pickups? That seems to severely limit my options from what I am seeing.

I was playing for 15 years before I dropped that much on a guitar

You can find those models I listed in left hand versions. If they don't have them, many retailers will order them for you.

 

[Ferzerp]

I ended up ordering a left handed fiesta red mustang. We'll see how this works out....

 

[Fritzo]

I ended up ordering a left handed fiesta red mustang. We'll see how this works out....

That's an interesting choice. It's a pretty complicated guitar though. Hope it works out.

 

[Ferzerp]

That's an interesting choice. It's a pretty complicated guitar though. Hope it works out.

It may be a bad choice, and if it is, it is. Like I said, the most likely result is that it collects dust anyway, but it is something I want to try, and after I listened to some reviews and examples of the tones you could get out of it with that pick up set up, I wanted it.

 

[slightlyhuman]

I would honestly look into a Mexican fender strat. I have an 04 Mex stray for backup and its got everything you need. Worst case down the line throw some new pickups and pots in there and bam. Also check out the squire classic vibes. Don't listen to squire haters. 99% people here couldn't tell the different between a squire classic vibe and a custom shop(3x the $) if they were blindfolded. I played one for a few hours this week at a music store. Beck feels great. Very easy to play.

Stick with fender, you can't hurt one. The cleans on my USA strat is worlds better than my old LP(of course the amp makes a difference too) I had. Sold it. Prefer the jumbo, more forgiving frets on a fender. The fender with the right tone can get the best cleans around and it has room(with a good amp or good overdrive pedal) to get nasty, real quick.

Glad and enjoy it.

 

[slightlyhuman]

It may be a bad choice, and if it is, it is. Like I said, the most likely result is that it collects dust anyway, but it is something I want to try, and after I listened to some reviews and examples of the tones you could get out of it with that pick up set up, I wanted it.

Nothing wrong with that but you definitely should've played as many as possible(unless I missed that post stating you did).

What size strings are you going to use?

 

[Ferzerp]

Nothing wrong with that but you definitely should've played as many as possible(unless I missed that post stating you did).

I looked at a local guitar shop. Out of their hundreds or thousands of guitars, there were 3 or 4 lefties, two of which were crazy V's. There really aren't many options, and starting purely from scratch, I really wouldn't know what I would prefer. While it appears that there are plenty of left handed instruments available, it also appears that it's hard to find them locally.

I don't know enough to answer your second question yet. As I said, I'm pretty much starting from square one. Though, as I understand it, I may want to go with heavier strings on the shorter mustang (maybe?) because the strings will end up with more play, yes?

 

[twinrider1]

We will want pics of the Mustang.

I was going to recommend something used from a reputable dealer. Like Fritzo, I think $500 will get you a good guitar. I get the desire to buy quality and buy once. I'm like that too in a lot of things. But there are a lot of variables with guitars and you won't really know what floats your boat until you play different guitars.
I think USED is the way to go. Buy it right and you won't take a giant hit on depreciation. Musical instruments don't change much over time.

This is Dave's Guitars. That link will give you a list of their lefty inventory. I thought this Made In Mexico Strat would be a great first guitar.
I look at guitars like I look at motorcycles. It's very much a visual thing. You have to go for the one that makes your heart beat faster.

For me, it's the Les Paul.

 

[Ferzerp]

We will want pics of the Mustang.

I was going to recommend something used from a reputable dealer. Like Fritzo, I think $500 will get you a good guitar. I get the desire to buy quality and buy once. I'm like that too in a lot of things. But there are a lot of variables with guitars and you won't really know what floats your boat until you play different guitars.
I think USED is the way to go. Buy it right and you won't take a giant hit on depreciation. Musical instruments don't change much over time.

This is Dave's Guitars. That link will give you a list of their lefty inventory. I thought this Made In Mexico Strat would be a great first guitar.
I look at guitars like I look at motorcycles. It's very much a visual thing. You have to go for the one that makes your heart beat faster.

The problem is, that I got in to my head that I wanted both dual coil and single coil pickups. None of the cheaper options people have presented seem to fulfill that. It should arrive tuesday. The mustang seemed to fit the bill, and I like the way you can use one, the other, both in phase, or both opposite phase.