Converting left handed to right

[Kenton]

Hey all i have a right handed bass i got from a mate which has been converted to left handed the nut and saddle etc, my question is should i get someone to convert it back or do it myself i do have zero skill mind.

Thanks

[PJSShearer]

Try Flipping the strings and adjusting the bridge yourself - that won't cause any issues that can't be reveresed. If the nut needs work - and you'd know if it did after flipping the strings and adjusting the bridge (:-)) - then I'd take it to a skilled person.

[Hagelslag]

saddles are easy, on an old style bridge the screws and springs for intonation might be placed in reverse (screws and springs for the g string are longer) but they can be removed and swapped. For the nut I would go to a repair guy who can fit a new one as you can easily screw it up doing it yourself.

[Bob C]

Try playing it the way it is. You'll have a better understanding of what a lefthander goes through when he goes to a music store to try out guitars.

[Kenton]

Hey thanks for all your comments i spoke to my local music store and the guy said he will do it for £10 with a new set of strings of my choice best of all hes gonna show me how to do it and set up my guitar for future times win win situation.

Try playing it the way it is. You'll have a better understanding of what a lefthander goes through when he goes to a music store to try out guitars.

I have done and it didn't end well i have nothing against left handed players but you no right handed is the way to go.

[amimbari]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Try playing it the way it is. You'll have a better understanding of what a lefthander goes through when he goes to a music store to try out guitars.

unless your a goof like me and can play inverted and normal where it don't matter .

On the righty basses I have, I don't change the strings for exactly the reason the OP is talking about and just play them inverted.

He bought a bass that he now has to change back to E on top, and not that it sucks to get it reversed, but it is a hassle for sure...
and you are correct BobC, 5 lefty basses in a SEA of righthanded ones at GC, and many other places, leaves the selection very limited

[lug]

I buy lefty basses and flip them all the time. This usually only consists of knocking off the nut and flipping it. If the nut is flat on both sides, that's all you usually need to do. If it has standard barrel saddles you won't have to change a thing, if it has something like grooved BadAss saddles you just swap them around.

[Kenton]

Im not sure why but ive always wanted to convert a left handed jazz bass to a righty i think it looks cool never did it cause i couldn't justify it, one ill do it.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by lug

I buy lefty basses and flip them all the time. This usually only consists of knocking off the nut and flipping it.

If the nut is cut correctly, there is a downward angle cut into it, toward the headstock side. Reversing the nut is not an option.

[lug]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

If the nut is cut correctly, there is a downward angle cut into it, toward the headstock side. Reversing the nut is not an option.

95% of the nuts I've run into are straight slots. The only time I see anything different are on older basses like my EBO. It is angle cut and rounded on one side. Newer nuts tend to be inserted like a fat fret and straight gut though.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by lug

Newer nuts tend to be inserted like a fat fret and straight gut though.

They might seem to be, but they're not. Not on any quality bass, anyway. A straight cut is cause for a buzz at the nut and improper intonation. it doesn't have to be cut at a steep angle.

We're speaking of the slots, here, not the top of the nut.

[lug]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

They might seem to be, but they're not. Not on any quality bass, anyway. A straight cut is cause for a buzz at the nut and improper intonation. it doesn't have to be cut at a steep angle.

We're speaking of the slots, here, not the top of the nut.

Nuts I've just turned around include Carvin, G&L, Fender, even the almighty SX! None have any current buzz or any notable slope to the cut. I agree with the idea of the angle, just noting that that's not how most are produced nowadays.

[Craig_S]

Okay