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Fun Stuff => BAND => Topic started by: Unosuke on 18 Jul 2007, 14:07

Title: Guitar question
Post by: Unosuke on 18 Jul 2007, 14:07
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?
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Thrillho on 18 Jul 2007, 15:42
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.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: jeph on 18 Jul 2007, 16:41
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?
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Patrick on 18 Jul 2007, 17:08
Remember to re-intonate the bridge or anything played above fret 3 will sound like an ass that was wiped with a dirtier ass.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Chad K. on 18 Jul 2007, 21:53
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?
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: TrekkieTechie on 18 Jul 2007, 22:14
Because that would make sense.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Hat on 18 Jul 2007, 23:47
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.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Patrick on 19 Jul 2007, 17:35
I would be concerned about neck twisting.

lol truss rod
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Hat on 19 Jul 2007, 18:31
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.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Thrillho on 20 Jul 2007, 10:06
Using one or the other depending on the sound you want = the way forward.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Misereatur on 20 Jul 2007, 10:34
It's all fingers for me.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Patrick on 26 Jul 2007, 15:17
I've tried playing bass with a pick but it felt really awkward for me. Fingers all the way, yo.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: bassman3p on 02 Aug 2007, 12:47
Real men use their thumbs.
Title: Re: Guitar question
Post by: Hunter on 02 Aug 2007, 15:10
*snigger*