Stringing a bass backwards; Advantages?

[Mark Wilson]

Hey guys.
I was messing around on a left handed bass, but playing it right handed and I LOVED it. It was such a challenge.
I was wondering what you guys think.
Are there advantages with this way?
I see videos like Jeff Schmidt's Piccolo Fretless (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF4sJ...elated&search=) and can't help but wonder if he's doing things that wouldn't normally be possible?

[ThorBassManiac]

The only thing I could think of would be that having the low strings on the bottom would possibly be a bit more comfortable since you don't have to curve the hand around the neck. Higher strings that require less fretting strength would be at the top which may also be a comfort since the hand would be curved but not having to apply so much pressure.

This is all coming from someone who has never experienced playing such an arrangement, though, so it's just a guess.

[Christopher]

I don't think stringing upside down has any advantages, and it has a number of disadvantages, finding a properly set up instrument, not being able to slap and pop the "orthodox" way, to name two.

I think Schmidt plays the way he does in spite of the upside down stringing, not because of it.

[ed khalimba]

check out george clinton & pfunk all stars live at montreaux dvd from a few years ago, at the end they have a jam and the bass player has his bass strung upside down. (a bc rich!) he had some really cool slap stuff happening, and was just generally way funky. he was a little out of tune too but that made it even funkier. also, for those of you who would know, i think this guy is cordell mosson jr., "boogie's" son. biilly bass is on there too.

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by ThorBassManiac

Higher strings that require less fretting strength would be at the top which may also be a comfort since the hand would be curved but not having to apply so much pressure.

Wouldn't the higher strings take more pressure and not less?

[.Chris]

I was at a music shop and a left handed guy picked up a right handed guitar and was playing amazing slap lines, cleanly and quickly.....I didn't actually see how he was doing it but it sounded good.

[Ricky Daion]

I play with the strings upside down and haven't had a problem. I don't slap though but I can see that has being a problem at first. I have fairly small hands so I think that might have made playing with the E on the bottom a little easier for me.

[iamlowsound]

I think that I might string one of my basses reversed piccolo. Could be interesting.

lowsound

[Disc]

Im left handed and as such I have played a few upside down basses (my basses are strung the correct way btw). Covering songs is much harder, and many movements are uncomfortable doing it "backwards". On the other hand if your making up your own stuff you can get some very cool sounds that most people wouldnt try out the normal way.

Also finding left handed basses is a bitch, so if your going to do it just restring a righty.