Confused lefty...

cakeman12 · #1 06-16-2009, 12:27 PM

Okay, so I've been playing the electric bass guitar for around five years now (not an awfully long time, I know, but I bloody love the thing) and have been pondering whether to purchase an EUB as soon as I'm able to afford one. I've found some lovely-looking ones on a number of websites, but the problem is - I'm a lefty. I'm sure there probably are left-handed EUB's out there, but, as with most musical instruments, I imagine they're going to be stupidly expensive. My budget isn't huge, since I'm a student living off a summer job, but the ones I've found are reasonably priced and have received good reviews. My main question, in relation to me being left-handed, is whether or not a right-handed EUB is likely to be particularly easy to re-string and re-tune, with very little hassle to get playing? I'm aware that it'll still LOOK like a right-handed instrument but, as with some of the guitars I've played in the past, it's the string-arrangement that matters, of course!

Any help is much appreciated.

DeluxeRed · #2 06-16-2009, 12:37 PM

I haven't tried restringing it (I'm not a lefty), but my WAV4 is very symmetrical and I believe both the nut and bridge float, so they should be easy enough to turn around. The controls would be on the wrong side, but I never mess with those, anyway.

It would sure be worth a try, or you might contact the manufacturer to see if they concur on the viability of flipping it. Folks really get a kick out of me playing it for rockabilly tunes and torch songs, and I'm sure you'd enjoy playing one.

I hope this helps!

Bob Gollihur · #3 06-16-2009, 02:58 PM

I discussed that topic with the luthier at NS Design at the time WAV4 basses came out, since I had almost immediate inquiries from left handed players. He said the fingerboard would have to be completely reshaped, so there will be more work necessary beyond reversing the bridge and strings.

cakeman12 · #4 06-17-2009, 11:23 AM

Thanks a lot for your help, chaps, it's much appreciated!

The one thing I don't quite understand is why the fingerboard would have to be complete remodelled? I've had a quick look at the ol' WAV4's, and though they do look absolutely lovely, they're a bit fancy for my liking, and WAY out of my price range.

Would this requirement for re-shaping be needed for all type of EUB, or just the WAV4..?

Bob Gollihur · #5 06-17-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakeman12

Thanks a lot for your help, chaps, it's much appreciated!

The one thing I don't quite understand is why the fingerboard would have to be complete remodelled? I've had a quick look at the ol' WAV4's, and though they do look absolutely lovely, they're a bit fancy for my liking, and WAY out of my price range.

Would this requirement for re-shaping be needed for all type of EUB, or just the WAV4..?

Any properly prepared bass fingerboard is going to have a complex surface that will be asymmetrical, since string sizes influence the levels of the vertically concave surfaces. That doesn't mean that, given sufficient wood, they cannot be planed and reshaped for left hand stringing, but be prepared to pay a heavy price to have it done right. You'll find some articles regarding them on my Double Bass Links at http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm