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The Lefty Union... Revived!
- Thread starter JanusZarate
- Start date
Yes, they started at the end of 2012. I got mine I think last March, from Southpaw in fact. I read there will be a 2014 coming out later this year.
Guys, I have an idea. Why don't we make a petition for Fender and Gibson (because they are sold the most i guess, I don't really know), to make it mandatory to include 10% of their guitars/basses in LH? There are probably even more lefties than 10% in the music industry considering we are more on the artistic spectrum as far as our brains are concerned, but whatever, 10% is something 
Guys, I have an idea. Why don't we make a petition for Fender and Gibson (because they are sold the most i guess, I don't really know), to make it mandatory to include 10% of their guitars/basses in LH? There are probably even more lefties than 10% in the music industry considering we are more on the artistic spectrum as far as our brains are concerned, but whatever, 10% is something
I seriously doubt they'd care.
Well, it's certainly better than just whining about it on forums.
You do have a point. My answer would be to support the manufacturers who DO readily make left-handed instruments. Like Carvin.
I don't think demanding a flat 10% or any other figure is a good idea. But I do encourage every left-hander to write to companies like Fender and Gibson to complain. These people are not mind readers - if they don't hear from you, they don't know you exist. And yes, maybe they will ignore you. But 1) you'll be doing something more positive about the situation than just whining on the forums, and b) maybe it's harder to ignore 100 letters. Or 1,000. Or 10,000. Or more. But you still have to let your voice be heard. Go to the Epiphone site and see how many people there were demanding the Casino guitar be reinstated left-handed. And now they will be. So maybe sometimes speaking up does work.
And supporting LH-friendly companies is also important. Before Gibson blessed us with a limited run of Thunderbird basses, I bought a very similar model from Gaskell (the only company in the world that makes *only* left-handed instruments). When I got the bass, I sent a photo to Gibson, letting them know what I did with the money they didn't want from me. Did I make a difference, since now they seem more committed to making LH Thunderbirds than ever before? Probably not. Or maybe I was the letter that tipped the balance. Who knows? Who cares? The important thing is that I told them. If they think there's a market, they'll come round. If we don't show them we exist, why should they bother?
And supporting LH-friendly companies is also important. Before Gibson blessed us with a limited run of Thunderbird basses, I bought a very similar model from Gaskell (the only company in the world that makes *only* left-handed instruments). When I got the bass, I sent a photo to Gibson, letting them know what I did with the money they didn't want from me. Did I make a difference, since now they seem more committed to making LH Thunderbirds than ever before? Probably not. Or maybe I was the letter that tipped the balance. Who knows? Who cares? The important thing is that I told them. If they think there's a market, they'll come round. If we don't show them we exist, why should they bother?
I'd also written to Gibson. Fender I don't really care about or find very interesting. And after I got my LH Thunderbird, I wrote to them to thank them for making it.
Well the thing is, most Fender basses ARE made LH, no? The only one I'd have any interest in is the Jaguar, which is only made LH in Japan. I do have a Jazz Bass, but never play it. It's really heavy, so I don't find playing it enjoyable. The Thunderbird only weighs 8.5 lbs. I expected it to be a boat anchor.
From Gaskell website:
"Starting from only $2950 you can get the left handed guitar or bass of your dreams."
$2950? I can get a way cheaper alternative, even here in Serbia. I can have a bass made for about 500-600 euros. For a better quality, just add another 300.
(Also, I have noticed I mention I am from Serbia like A LOT. When I search for "serbia" on the forum, top 15 results are my posts...)
Anyway, I guess a nice petition with at least 10000 signatures would do the trick for some companies. I am not a U.S. citizen, so I do not know if I am eligible to sign such a thing, but you can
We can even start an online petition, not really demanding 10%, but at least a better and cheaper offers. I see the companies that indeed sell LH versions of instruments tend to up the price... And for begginers that have a budget of like 150$, I have NEVER seen a LH bass that sells at that price. Only second-hand, really.
"Starting from only $2950 you can get the left handed guitar or bass of your dreams."
$2950? I can get a way cheaper alternative, even here in Serbia. I can have a bass made for about 500-600 euros. For a better quality, just add another 300.
(Also, I have noticed I mention I am from Serbia like A LOT. When I search for "serbia" on the forum, top 15 results are my posts...)
Anyway, I guess a nice petition with at least 10000 signatures would do the trick for some companies. I am not a U.S. citizen, so I do not know if I am eligible to sign such a thing, but you can
We can even start an online petition, not really demanding 10%, but at least a better and cheaper offers. I see the companies that indeed sell LH versions of instruments tend to up the price... And for begginers that have a budget of like 150$, I have NEVER seen a LH bass that sells at that price. Only second-hand, really.
Ken: Find me a Fender Jazz bass with a maple neck. How many P- or J- basses are available in left and right handed versions?
djole94hns: That's the starting price for a custom shop model. Prices for stock models are much, much cheaper. Invalid Link Removed
djole94hns: That's the starting price for a custom shop model. Prices for stock models are much, much cheaper. Invalid Link Removed
Here are a couple of starts. I know they're American sites. I have no idea what's available in the UK.
Invalid Link Removed
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/left-handed-electric-bass/fender?isSuggestion=true
You're missing the point. Fender currently displays 33 "Fender" Jazz basses on their web site (we'll use Jazz basses as an example). Only two are left handed - the American Standard (USA made) and the Standard (Mexican made). No option for a maple neck. What if I want a LH 5-string? Deluxe Active (4 or 5 string)? Aerodyne? Blacktop? Modern Player? None of those are available left-handed. Why? If they have bodies, necks, parts, and I have the money, why can't I buy one?
I didn't see anything in the links you provided other than Standard and Am. Standard basses with rosewood necks. So what?
I didn't see anything in the links you provided other than Standard and Am. Standard basses with rosewood necks. So what?
My point is that this is how Fender discriminates against left-handed players. Two options out of 33 is just a token effort. It's a similar story with their other models, and many other brands. And they use models like this to perpetuate the stereotype that left-handers don't buy. They send the same two models to every guitar dealer, usually in black. If we don't want a black RW Jazz bass, we don't buy it. Fender says, "Well, see, we provide left handed models, and they don't sell". Well, duh!
This is why contacting dealers and demanding more options is so important. Otherwise, all they know is that when they provide LH models, they gather dust. Every letter or email they get is another voice saying, "I'm not buying a black rosewood Jazz! I want a Modern Player in red with a maple neck (or whatever)".
And as I continually stress, will making your voice heard matter? Maybe. Maybe not. But better to make a noise and hope, rather than whinge about it on a forum that nobody from the XXX guitar company will ever read. I'd rather go down fighting than cringing under my bunk.
This is why contacting dealers and demanding more options is so important. Otherwise, all they know is that when they provide LH models, they gather dust. Every letter or email they get is another voice saying, "I'm not buying a black rosewood Jazz! I want a Modern Player in red with a maple neck (or whatever)".
And as I continually stress, will making your voice heard matter? Maybe. Maybe not. But better to make a noise and hope, rather than whinge about it on a forum that nobody from the XXX guitar company will ever read. I'd rather go down fighting than cringing under my bunk.
Fender Japan has many lefty models. They can be bought legally but are quite pricey. Great quality though - better than MIA according to many here.
Yeah, I have an '86 MIJ 62 RI Jazz Olympic white with rosewood neck. I think that's the only variation leftys are supposed to need. After all, we are a simple folk...
