Converting Left-Handed to Right-Handed

[Jazzdogg]

I inherited "Baby" when Pop passed away, and although I've been playing her at home, I don't see myself gigging with a left-handed axe and I'd really like to keep her in the game if at all possible.

Can anyone tell me what's involved in converting a 1939 Mittenvald from left-handed to right-handed, or if it's even possible without removing the top and spending HUGE bucks?

I know I'll have to replace the bridge and nut, and there's a possibility that the fingerboard may have to be re-contoured. But, what I'm worried about is the bass bar; right now, both the bass bar and sound post are "reversed."

If y'all think such an adventure has a chance of succeeding without breaking the bank, I'll hunt down a local luthier (or take it up to L.A.). Recommendations are welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[1st Bass]

If you can figure out a way to remove a bassbar and install a new one without removing the top, you are a magician.

Of course the top has to come off...what that will cost will depend on the shop, but it won't be cheap.

Chet

[james condino]

Bridge and nut replacement: yes. Fingerboard re-contoured: possibly (probably to some extent). Structurally you should be fairly safe leaving the bassbar and soundpost as is. I see a lot of southpaws playing standard basses with just those changes, without any major issues. If your luthier feels that the rest of the bass is structurally solid, I'd give the partial conversion a try first.

j.

[Jazzdogg]

Thank you, gentlemen. I think I'll try a partial conversion first, and if it doesn't sound good enough, then it'll be time to remove the top and have a new bass bar installed and reposition the sound post.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Are you sure the bass was ever internally converted to lefty? You may find that the bass bar is still on the correct side for right-handed use. Sorry, but I disagree with playing a bass if the innards are backwards. Plucking strings toward the bass bar gives a louder and deeper sound than the opposite. And the soundpost is meant to lie in the area of the treble bridge foot; the adjustability of tone and response are dependent on that. On the other hand, if you are going to plug the f-holes with foam and play through a 1000 watt amp, none of this matters!

[Jazzdogg]

Thank you, kind sir. I re-checked the position of the bass bar and sound post, and they're definitely reversed. Any idea what removing the top, fashioning a new bass bar, and reinstalling the top (plus the nut, bridge, and fingerboard work), is likely to cost? I'm guessing several thousand dollars, but what the heck do I know?