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Flipping an acoustic guitar lefty > righty

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by canopener, Dec 25, 2014.

  1. Dec 25, 2014 #1
    canopener

    canopener

    Sep 15, 2003
    Isle of Lucy
    Been a while since I posted here but thought I'd give you guys a ring. My wife got me a lefty guitar to noodle around on for Christmas. Which is fine, I am, after all lefty. However I learned to strum a guitar righty, and although I do play bass lefty, left handed guitar seems completely alien to me. For a $90 Rogue, it seems very well put together. I'd hate to pick it apart before I even properly used it once. But my question is, do you think it's necessary to flip the nut? I'm worried about the high E rattling around if I don't.

    Detailed responses appreciated.
     
  2. Dec 25, 2014 #2
    BazzTard

    BazzTard Inactive

    Sep 12, 2014
    Adelaide, South Australia
    It really depends on how wide the nut slot is for the low E, take a high E string and try it out in the low E's slot. In all likelyhood the fat E won't sit well in the high E's slot either. Some nuts are slanted back, so reversing it might not work. Might be best to get a new nut,keep the old one in case you ever sell it.
     
  3. Dec 25, 2014 #3
    canopener

    canopener

    Sep 15, 2003
    Isle of Lucy
    I didn't even think about the slant. Might just get a new nut. I'm not new to setup on my basses but seems like there's a lot more glue involved with acoustic. I have to tread wearily.
     
  4. Dec 26, 2014 #4
    ShredderMaximus

    ShredderMaximus

    Jan 10, 2007
    Close enough to San Fran
    You could fill the slots with some plastic dust shavings and superglue and re-file them, but it maybe just easier to get a new nut.
     
  5. Dec 27, 2014 #5
    zontar

    zontar

    Feb 19, 2014
    J-5
    In addition to replacing the nut--you should check on the bracing.
    Some guitars will be braced differently on the bass & treble sides.
     
  6. Dec 28, 2014 #6
    JTE

    JTE Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 12, 2008
    Central Illinois, USA
    The bracing isn't a big problem. A new nut is the correct solution rather than trying to adapt the existing nut to work. But neither matter at all. That's because the saddle is angled to compensate the intonation. Restringing even with a new nut will still most likely play noticably out of tune all over the neck. Either learn to play with the left hand fretting (didn't seem to cause Glen Campbell nor Steve Vai any problem) or get a left-handed flattop.
     
  7. Dec 28, 2014 #7
    Shabz

    Shabz

    Jun 20, 2014
    Seems completely crazy to me to play bass lefty and guitar righty

    cant you just learn to strum on it?
     
  8. Dec 29, 2014 #8
    zontar

    zontar

    Feb 19, 2014
    J-5
    Depends on the bracing--some guitars are more symmetrical than others--and there is a difference in tone that some people will notice--so it can also depend on your ear.

    I knew someone who heard an acoustic that was flipped around, and it bothered him due to the tone.
    It didn't sound the same or as good to him.