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Post by nwgilbert on Feb 17, 2021 19:07:31 GMT
Hi, I am looking to learn acoustic guitar and been doing some research into beginner guitars for quite some time. Originally I settled and decided on the Yamaha FG800M.
After taking further conservation I thought it would be worth exploring whether or not I am left handed (since I am ambidextrous and left hand in most things).
After a few tests, I am certain that I am left handed in guitar.
I soon learnt that left hand guitars are much more limited and costly than right hand.
So I spent some time looking for another guitar for beginners and came across the Yamaha FG820L.
So I am heading in this direction, however the reason for my posting here is that I have also seen that you can refit the strings in a right hand guitar to be for left handed.
Does anyone know if that's possible and easily achievable and the disadvantages of doing this, rather than buying a left hand guitar?
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Post by jonnymosco on Feb 17, 2021 19:36:18 GMT
There are people on here who know about Yamaha's, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them.
You can't restring a right-handed guitar for left-hand, bracing, saddle, nut etc.
I have taught quite a few students who are left-handed and play right-handed - both hands have a lot to do and are pretty equal re. demands. It also makes buying a guitar easier (and cheaper) if you go for right-handed.
Good luck with it.
Jonny
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Post by K Tresp on Feb 17, 2021 21:34:19 GMT
linkHi, See here. I haven’t played the Vintage because of lockdown but feedback is good. Greg
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 17, 2021 23:09:47 GMT
Hi and welcome, nwgilbertLeft handers play the same pianos as right handers, though I believe there have been some made with the high notes to the left and low to the right, but very few. You'll be making life so much easier for yourself in choice of instruments if you decide to play guitar right handed. There are many lefties who play righty, and I have taught several - they all coped just fine. However, if you do decide to play lefty then it is simpler to go for a lefty guitar. It is certainly possible to convert a righty guitar to a lefty, but if you simply restring it, all the string geometry will be wrong and it is very unlikely to play in tune. You need to change the nut as the grooves are wider and deep on the bass side, and the angle of the bridge saddle needs reversing by filling in the saddle slot and rerouting a new slot angled differently as the bass strings need to be slightly longer than the trebles. At one time you could get a widget that sat in the righty saddle slot but with a lefty angled saddle on it, but haven't seen one around recently. These jobs are not especially difficult for a pro (or talented and knowledgable amateur), though would prove an uneconomic proposition on a relatively inexpensive instrument. The bracing inside the guitar when changed from R to L will probably then be the wrong way round (although some are almost symmetrical) but would be a more serious job to sort out and certainly not viable unless the guitar was really special. (Mind you, I'd challenge anyone to spot it if it wasn't changed round!) Hope you decide the right thing for you - let us know how you get on! Keith
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Post by Martin on Feb 19, 2021 7:57:02 GMT
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Post by martinrowe on Feb 19, 2021 9:17:04 GMT
I'm left handed and I don't know the answer to your question. (but can someone please tell ocarolan that a guitar is not a piano - you would think he'd know, really tuh - that's like comparing oranges with apples). Here's some arguments. You use both hands to play the instrument and arguably the picking or plucking hand is the more important, although both are. To state the obvious, you play with both hands - and both are important. There is an argument that says "use your strongest hand - the left in this case - for the most important thing - in this case for picking or holding the plectrum". Beginners see e.g. Clapton sprawling all over the fretboard and think that is important. Well, it is, but more important is what he's doing with the plectrum. Playing 'right handed' from the beginning will help when buying guitars. And this is a consideration, although there are two sides to this as well. One, it helps alleviate any GAS that you may find yourself drawn into in the future, but then again it is not always easy to try a left handed version of a guitar when there isn't one in the shop. Having said that, if you get a fair bit further on this road then it doesn't cost much to get the nut and bridge tweaked once you've found what you're looking for. Anyway, that helps you not rush into things. There are far more important things than wanting a guitar - now. Finding an old one in the loft is a far more healthy way to go about things in my view. Classical guitars are different though when it comes to tweaking, because of the insides. But the idea of playing the guitar is not about buying guitars (that's about buying things) - some think so, but I am not of that persuasion (that should get the chickens clucking). I think (not sure though) that two of the best mandolin players, Sam Bush and Chis Thile, are 'left handed' and play the instrument 'right handed', and they are two of the very best - so that is worth thinking about. Would they be even better if they played 'left handed' - there's the problem - how can you know. I've got a left handed Baby Taylor that I got cheap (it has some scratches on it) from a guitar shop that I was going to use for C tuning but I'm now mostly trying to play the mandolin so it's not being used. I could sell it to you for what is probably a very fair price if you wanted (I'm assuming the one from the loft is right handed). Where are you located? If you send me a pm then that may get you out of your predicament. If you take the left handed route then at least you'll be playing your part in righting the instability of this unstable world and sticking up for left handed people. Martin
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2021 22:33:39 GMT
But the idea of playing the guitar is not about buying guitars (that's about buying things) - some think so, but I am not of that persuasion (that should get the chickens clucking).
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Post by curmudgeon on Feb 21, 2021 0:30:14 GMT
Hi, I am left handed, but in my first school I was beaten (by the teachers) for it. It didn't make me right handed, but it taught me that this is a right handed world, and that it would be best for me to adapt.
When I first sat and a drumkit it was set up right handed an dthat's how I played for years, until I gave up ever louder bands and moved to acoustic guitar.
I am now convinced that having my dominant hand on the fretboard is an advantage. Perhapds, being forced to write with my right hand did nothing for my handwriting (even I can't read it) but maybe it gave me the dexterity to finger and flat pick that I now teach to Americans.
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Post by lars on Feb 21, 2021 20:13:23 GMT
I’m also a leftie. A rather extreme left handed person who does almost everything with my left hand. But I’ve always played guitar and other instruments “right handed”. I’ve never been a very good player but I’m convinced that - as a beginner and even intermediate player - you will find that the most difficult things are the ones that you do at the fretboard with your left hand. And it’s not only about being easier to buy a guitar. It’s about every time you step into a room and there’s a guitar in it. Do you want to be able to pick it up and play it - or say, “I’m sorry , I only play left handed guitars”. I’ve never regretted that I picked up my dad’s guitar and started to learn to play. I never even reflected over the fact that he was right handed and I was left handed.
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Post by curmudgeon on Feb 21, 2021 21:24:42 GMT
I’m also a leftie. A rather extreme left handed person who does almost everything with my left hand. But I’ve always played guitar and other instruments “right handed”. I’ve never been a very good player but I’m convinced that - as a beginner and even intermediate player - you will find that the most difficult things are the ones that you do at the fretboard with your left hand. And it’s not only about being easier to buy a guitar. It’s about every time you step into a room and there’s a guitar in it. Do you want to be able to pick it up and play it - or say, “I’m sorry , I only play left handed guitars”. I’ve never regretted that I picked up my dad’s guitar and started to learn to play. I never even reflected over the fact that he was right handed and I was left handed. Couldn't agree more (left handed hand shake .... sorry, elbow bump!
Andy
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Post by nwgilbert on Feb 23, 2021 13:56:18 GMT
Thank you for all of your replies. I've received very mixed opinions across multiple boards. Taking everything into account and with further research, I am leaning towards left handed and paying the extra buck to get a left handed guitar from factory. I understand the extra complications down the line but I know in myself that I will be better suited in the long run to play left handed. Right handed feels so wrong for me when comparing to left. An opinion which has been stated numerous times is that learning guitar from new is a bitch as it is so if you can do yourself a favour and play something that feels more naturally comfortable then it will massively help as you'll be more likely to enjoy and continue playing. I think this outweighs those negatives, regardless of the added complications of learning as a left hander and not being able to walk into a room and pickup any guitar. This is the model I am looking to buy from Dawsons - www.dawsons.co.uk/109710/yamaha-fg820l-left-handed-acoustic-guitar-naturalThis seems to be a great model to go for as a beginner. What are others thoughts on this model? I am also looking to buy picks, tuner, strap and capo - is there any particular brand or shop you would recommend getting these parts from? - ideally I could order it all from Dawsons along with the guitar but I'm open to buying these parts elsewhere if need be.
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Post by lars on Feb 23, 2021 20:44:11 GMT
Good luck!
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Post by Banadog on Feb 23, 2021 21:26:35 GMT
I'm left handed, and I believe there are degrees of left handedness, there is no way I could play right handed. As for the Yamaha fg820 it is a great choice and it should be a long time (if ever) before you feel the need to upgrade. Oh and if you're buying a thumb pick make sure it's left handed!
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Post by otis1960 on Feb 23, 2021 21:48:35 GMT
I can’t comment on that particular model, but I bought my son an FG junior as his first guitar, and that was really well put together. Yamaha always had a good reputation for their beginners’ instruments being value for money and, perhaps more importantly, able to be tuned accurately! I’m sure someone else here will have some more direct experience to share?
There are plenty of choices around that price point, but unfortunately you are stuck at the moment in not being able to go and try some guitars.
Whatever you finally go for, it’s always worth doing a price comparison; Dawson’s are not always the cheapest. I have used DV247 in the past and had good service, for example, but there are other good online suppliers in the UK
Anyone have any suggestions from recent experience? Andertons always used to be good, who else?
I use Snark headstock tuners, some people like them, others don’t. A decent tuner is not expensive. A shubb capo is easy to use, and will probably last forever. Again, everyone has their own favourite brand.
Good luck with whatever you buy
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 23, 2021 22:41:35 GMT
Wherever you buy from, do see if you can get any reduction on their price. if not then try asking for extras like spare string set, strap, capo, picks etc to be thrown in f.o.c. They can only say no, and you might even get lucky.
If not, Strings Direct is a reasonable place for bits and pieces.
Keith
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