Left-Handed Guitars – From Paul McCartney to Jimi Hendrix
What is the difference between left- and right-handed guitars? Discover stringing, nuts, bridges, famous left-handed musicians and instruments for sale at World of Sounds.
Playing guitar should feel just as natural for left-handed musicians as for right-handed players. Yet the selection of left-handed instruments is often smaller. At World of Sounds, I offer left-handed acoustic guitars, electric guitars and other stringed instruments.
Paul McCartney – a famous left-handed musician
Paul McCartney is one of the best-known left-handed musicians. He has played both left-handed basses and acoustic guitars. His example reminds us that the most important thing is finding an instrument that feels natural to play.
Jimi Hendrix – a right-handed guitar turned around
Jimi Hendrix played left-handed but often used a right-handed Fender Stratocaster turned upside down and restrung for left-handed playing. This distinctive setup also changed details such as the string lengths behind the nut and the angle of the pickup relative to the strings. Hendrix shows that there is more than one approach.
What is the difference between left- and right-handed guitars?
A purpose-built left-handed guitar is laid out as a mirror image of its right-handed counterpart. The player frets with the right hand and strums or picks with the left. From the player's perspective, the thick bass strings are still at the top, but the guitar's overall layout is reversed. Pickguards, controls and body shapes may also be mirrored.
Simply flipping a right-handed guitar is not always enough. Nut slots are cut for different string gauges. On many acoustic guitars, the bridge saddle is angled or compensated to improve intonation and may need to be replaced or modified. A conversion can sometimes work, but the bridge, electronics, body shape and playing comfort must all be considered.
Why choose a purpose-built left-handed guitar?
A factory-built left-handed guitar is often the simplest option because the nut, bridge, strings and controls were designed together. A good setup with suitable action and intonation matters for every player, regardless of handedness.
Left-handed instruments for sale at World of Sounds
Click an instrument to view its listing:
Lowden O23 Custom – left-handed acoustic
Martin Super HD-28 – left-handed acoustic
Epiphone Sheraton – left-handed electric
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster – left-handed electric
Gretsch Tim Armstrong LH
Blue Bell Dreadnought LH
Lâg TLH 15 DCE
Left-handed Indian sitar
Stock changes over time. You can also explore all instruments at World of Sounds. Whether you play left- or right-handed, the best instrument is the one that makes you want to play.