Switching to Left Hand

Beyond Birthday · #1 04-03-2008, 04:08 AM

I've run into a bit of a problem. I'm a relatively new player my father bought me a bass as a Christmas present however it was a right handed bass. It's a CIJ Fender P-Bass he bought it while visiting his brother. At the time I just tried to play it because I'm fairly good with both hands (domewhat ambidextrous) and we couldn't return it.

Four months later, and not much progress has been made I've found it rather uncomfortable to play with my right hand. A few days ago I was told Paul McCartney had a rather similar problem and switched the strings around. Will this work at all? Or are there any other solutions other than putting up with it and continue to play right handed?

I'm not looking to make any major modifications to the bass.

vinny · #2 04-03-2008, 02:58 PM

As a hardcore lefty for life I'll tell you this: Get a lefty bass. It's the only thing to do. Sell your bass & buy a lefty. There are plenty of them out there. Flipping a bass over just doesn't even come close. There will be people coming to this thread with five other solutions. If you are going to play lefty, this is the best way. IMO

ducatiman · #3 04-03-2008, 03:49 PM

completely concur with vinny. like batting baseball, you must do what comes natural to you. flipping a righty only puts knobs stabbing you in the forearm and very awkward. being lefty, the only negative is that lefty basses are more difficult to find. VERY few in chain stores (sam ash, GC). usually require a search, but obtainable nonetheless.

you're best off shopping online. i've had very good luck.
personally i have 2 Schecters and a Fender jazz, all 3 leftys. you can go to a local store, flip over a righty and still get the basic idea of what it will sound like, basic neck thickness, weight and feel. then search for that model in a lefty online.
use the 30-45 day return policies of MF, GC, etc to your advantage, thats what its there for.
good luck.

ehque · #4 04-04-2008, 01:01 AM

From a lefty to a lefty, practice right handed. Everything should clear up soon, especially since you're a relatively new player. Bassing is quite complicated and it will be difficult in either the righty/lefty configuration, but by playing righty you don't need to compromise on other things (like string count, scale length, brands, PRICE) like you would if you played lefty.

EADG mx · #5 04-05-2008, 08:47 PM

Speaking as a lefty, don't bother to switch the strings. There's plenty of good lefty basses out there. Get yourself one

ducatiman · #6 04-06-2008, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADG mx

Speaking as a lefty, don't bother to switch the strings. There's plenty of good lefty basses out there. Get yourself one

matthew...what string configuration are u suggesting?

BTW...nice tunes on your myspace....well written, solid playing. suggest all give a listen.

..............duc

BEADGCF · #7 04-06-2008, 12:03 PM

If you can keep a rhythm OK with your right hand, it's best to try to play right-handed. Your left hand often does more work than your right hand anyway.

I started on classical strings instruments, and there are none or very very few that are strung for left-handed play. For guitars, you'll find yourself having to pay extra and not having quite as good a selection.

I'm pretty ambidextrous too, and the only issue I have playing right-handed is that some right-hand techniques just don't come as naturally to me as they might to some others...

The only reason to switch to left is if you're much more comfortable there and you can't keep a rhythm well with your right hand.

baalroo · #8 04-06-2008, 03:15 PM

The OP never actually stated that he is in fact a lefty. I've heard many novices get frustrated early on with their fretting ability and think that the best solution would be to play a lefty instrument. It should be verified that this person is in fact a southpaw.

Beyond Birthday · #9 04-07-2008, 10:51 PM

I'm not really a southpaw I do use my left hand for most things but as a kid I got injured playing football (couldn't use my left hand for about two months). so I learned to use my right hand.

I think what baalroo said applies to my situation at the moment. However I don't have any problems with fretting. Playing right handed just feels rather strange. Sometimes physically but most of the time it's just a gut feeling.

Lately I've been thinking of sticking with playing right handed because I can't afford another instrument at the moment because I'm still high school student so a job isn't very high on my list of priorities.

For a beginner you guys don't think it matters which hand you play with do you? I might as well get used to playing right handed anyway. I would still like some ideas though just so I have options if by any chance I decide to change my mind again.

arjune · #10 04-07-2008, 11:31 PM

You could always just post up a Craigslist ad for the bass you have now, then buy another lefty with that money.

Beyond Birthday · #11 04-07-2008, 11:35 PM

I feel a bit bad for shooting down an idea but I've gotten quite attached to this thing. Somewhat like the bond between a mother and a child.

canopener · #12 04-08-2008, 12:21 AM

I'm a lefty/lefty bassist, but I learned to strum guitar from my father right handed. It's not that hard at all (especially early) to switch your dominant hand. I'd probably find myself having a hard time strumming guitar lefty, though. If it's in your budget, get a doner lefty bass and see if it works better for you. Otherwise, it could just be a matter of ergonomics. Maybe you *can* keep a righty bass, but with a thinner nutted/necked bass.

Ol'Bass'ead · #13 04-08-2008, 06:28 PM

If it was me, I would just find some Alder or Mahogany and carve a lefty body, swap over the neck and hardware and see if you like it.

Corey

Rickett Customs · #14 04-08-2008, 06:41 PM

Lefty also,
If it fits, you must acquit

Try a lefty, if it feels more comfortable, do it.

/Jason

Infernal Affair · #15 04-08-2008, 07:08 PM

I'm lefty. I play righty and I think I could switch easily if I really tried. Maybe even play better as far as strumming goes. But it's so much easier to find right handed instruments.

Pilgrim · #16 04-09-2008, 01:01 PM

If you're "not really a lefty" and have said that you're ambidextrous, just keep the bass you have and practice. The right hand mainly plucks - which is nothing an ambidextrous person can't manage. The left hand does a lot more.

I think you're fine with a right-handed bass, given the information you're provided. It just takes time to learn the instrument.