Learning URB for a LH guitarist.

[RichardL]

Gentlemen and Ladies:

I've played guitar left-handed for over 40 years, but I've decided to put the last few decades into URB, and bluegrass in particular. Sadly, bluegrass was a late discovery for me.

I had a Kay for a year, and I tried to play it in its normal RH configuration, but from the left side. In truth I did not put a lot of time into it then. I traded that bass in a few months ago for something for my daughter. I am going to buy another URB very soon.

After all these years I can't see learning right-handed. Over the years I've often played RH guitars upside-down and can play chords nearly as well as with my own LH guitar. Although I can afford to order an LH URB, I would prefer to learn the URB right-handed so that I could play any URB bass when I'm away from home.

My questions for the forum are these:
-Is there any disadvantage in playing a RH bass this way?
-Is there going to be a major difference in sound that I can get from the bass when it is played from the "high" side?
-Are there good players who have done it this way who I can look at?

(P.S. I also posted a few days ago about a Scherl & Roth carved bass, but have decided to go ply instead, so I did not go look at it.)

Thanking the group in advance,
Richard

[speedster]

A few left handed URB players around, those I know turned the bridge around and strung it backwards.

then played it they way it was comfortable for them, I imagine some playing around with the sound post was required but perhaps not...

Make sense ?

[RichardL]

Yes, it does make sense. If I go LH it is easier for me right off the bat, in my "music room", but then I cannot play any bass (other than mine) available at a jam or other setting, and no one can use my LH bass in the same situation.

I'm hoping for advice on how it works from the left side on a RH bass before I make a decision. Has anyone tried it, and what problems were found and overcome? Or is the sound just not "right" from the left? If it just doesn't sound right then I can't go this way.

Richard

[eerbrev]

This is in the classical realm, but some of the best bassists I know are left handed people who play right handed (left handed isn't an option in a section, unfortunately). A lot of lefties dismiss it as an option, and I can't blame them, as it would feel odd for quite a while, but I would suggest trying it that way first. If you can't stand the feel, then try playing in the right handed configuration from the left hand side. I personally can't see any negative effect on the tone, and if you already play right handed guitars upside down occasionally, then there's a lot of transferrable knowledge.

If, in the end, that doesn't cut it, then get a lefty bass.

This is a contentious issue all over these boards. Some say that it's unfair to ask a left handed person to play the other way, some say that you should just get used to it. I come at it from a practical perspective. First of all, A right handed bass is way easier to get a hold of, and you aren't paying for a "left handed upgrade" which will make an instrument of comparable quality more expensive. Second of all, if you don't like that bass, you decide to upgrade, or you decide to stop playing altogether, they're much easier to get rid of. Third, if you do decide to upgrade, once again, a higher quality bass is easier to find right handed. Fourth, if you are ever at a gig where you need to sub in on someone's bass, you can do so because you can just use their bass, no questions asked.

So that's what I suggest, and why. I also suggest that no matter what style you play, and no matter what level, it's important to get a teacher. They can help you with technique, and playing without hurting yourself, and even just holding the thing while playing (a feat in and of itself some days).

Best of luck, and I hope this helps,

Eerbrev

[RichardL]

A lot of lefties dismiss it as an option, and I can't blame them, as it would feel odd for quite a while, but I would suggest trying it that way first. If you can't stand the feel, then try playing in the right handed configuration from the left hand side.

When I started guitar in my early teens, for a year I couldn't get anywhere until I flipped the strings to LH. And now, pushing 60, I don't think it would be any better trying to play RH.

I will definitely take your advice about a teacher.

Richard

[eerbrev]

Originally Posted by RichardL

When I started guitar in my early teens, for a year I couldn't get anywhere until I flipped the strings to LH. And now, pushing 60, I don't think it would be any better trying to play RH.

I will definitely take your advice about a teacher.

Richard

Sounds to me like you've made the right decision, then. If you're going to go for a lefty upright, then go all the way and get one made to be a lefty or converted to lefty. Using a right handed bass strung the other way around without a conversion (bass bar and soundpost switched) is not only going to cause some problems to the instrument, but will also produce a less than satisfactory sound, which is the opposite of whate we're all looking for, right? i mean... left... ugh... idunno.

cheers, Eerbrev

[petesenkowski]

Play a right handed bass left handed: as a right handed player, I can't address this from experience, but this guy seems able to handle it:

YouTube - Paul McCartney on the Upright Bass

Thanks,
Pete

[RichardL]

Well now, that's what I was asking about.

Any comments about that fellow's technique and sound? Just fine? Needs a little work? Or should he try to find a nice used Hofner violin-style BG and play it LH for real?

Just askin'...

Richard