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[Unosuke]

well, Bass really but I don't think it makes too much difference. I'm in the market for a new bass, and I'm left handed, so I was wondering, how hard on the neck is it to put the strings on backwards, and would I have to do anything to the nut? like file it down or get it taken off and put back on or anything like that?

[Thrillho]

You'd need a different nut. If the holes are either too big or too small they won't work, so you'd just need an entirely new one.

Out of interest, are you doing this for the look, or the cost? Because it's a bit of hassle for just the look. Also the angle of the headstock may give you some minor tuning problems.

[jeph]

DK's right, you'd either need to reshape or replace the nut. You'd also need to re-intonate the bridge, but that's not too hard if you have a good tuner.

Why not just get a lefthanded bass?

[Patrick]

Remember to re-intonate the bridge or anything played above fret 3 will sound like an ass that was wiped with a dirtier ass.

[Chad K.]

In addition to other people's concerns, bass necks are often radiused so that the traditional "G" string side has less mass than the "E" string side.  I would be concerned about neck twisting.  If you really want to do this, Warmoth used to make inverted replacement necks.  In any event, why not save the money and hastle and simply buy a left handed bass?

[TrekkieTechie]

Because that would make sense.

[Hat]

Just buy a left-handed bass. I know music stores rarely stock them, but if you learn to play functionally right handed, (or left handed and upside down if you want to be difficult) you can test out right handed basses to get a feel for them, and then get a lefty of the same brand ordered in, trust me, I spent ages trying to find a decent left-handed bass in stores and it fucking drove me insane.

It never even occurred to me to do what you propose, because I don't hate myself.

[Patrick]

I would be concerned about neck twisting.

lol truss rod

[Hat]

If you've never played before you could always try pick up a right handed bass.
I'm left handed, and i got a right handed bass to start, and i learned fine.

Do you play with your fingers? I really tried hard to learn to play fingerstyle with my right hand, but I wound up having to use a pick to play right-handed.

[Thrillho]

Using one or the other depending on the sound you want = the way forward.

[Misereatur]

It's all fingers for me.

[Patrick]

I've tried playing bass with a pick but it felt really awkward for me. Fingers all the way, yo.

[bassman3p]

Real men use their thumbs.

[Hunter]

*snigger*