| Author |
Topic: New Lefty from Australia |
Lionel Evans
From:
Queensland, Australia
|
Posted 8 Apr 2013 3:31 pm |
|
Hello All,
My name is Lionel and I live in the state of Queensland Australia. I have just put a deposit on my first Lap Steel guitar an Essex SX 6 string. As the subject line suggests I am a left-handed player. I tried learning guitar years ago then I worked out that anything two handed - like oxy-acetylene welding or playing golf I am a natural lefty so the right-handed guitar just did not fit the bill.
Some years later I went to Hawaii and I heard some Hawaiian steel guitar music playing at the ABC Shops that are located on nearly every corner of Waikiki so I bought some CD's. It was only recently that I did a search on YouTube and found footage that showed the music was being played on a lap steel guitar! Doh!
I am wondering as time and my skills progress if it would be okay to get a Lap Steel guitar with some history such as 1950s model and convert it from a right-hand to a left-hand configuration. With some acoustic guitar this would cause the neck to warp because they were constructed to handle a specific type of tuning stress. Would this also be a problem for a Lap Steel guitar such as a GIBSON BR-9 or a similar type of Fender guitar?
Hopefully what I am suggesting not tantamount to sacrilege to some people out there in Lap Steel - non pedal land 
It would be great to hear your thoughts about possibility of swapping the handedness of an old guitar and keeping its playing integrity. Thanks
Kind Regards
Lionel |
|
|
 |
David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
|
Posted 8 Apr 2013 3:52 pm
|
|
Oh no, not more banana-benders! 
Welcome Lionel. What you are suggesting is quite OK on a lot of solid body lap guitars. Obviously, the main consideration is going to be control location. The Oahu Tonemaster is symmetrical, so it lends itself to conversion. In many cases, this will mean the jack will be on your side, but that is not a problem with a right-angle plug.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
|
|
|
Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 8 Apr 2013 4:23 pm
|
|
I'm a natural lefty, too. I play right handed, tho. It may have been easier for me because I play piano. It took me 2 years to get my flat picking under control on a regular guitar. Patience pays off. I'd recommend that you try it right handed before you switch. - Jack
_________________
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
|
|
|
Allen Hutchison
From:
Kilcoy, Qld, Australia
|
Posted 8 Apr 2013 10:00 pm
|
|
G'day to a fellow Q'lander & lefty!
I have a room full of right handed guitars all converts with no real problems at all.
Symmetrical is best.
If you're anywhere near Brizvegas, you might like to visit the Brisbane Steel Guitar Club.
Check us out here.
brissteelguitar.com
Hope to see you there & cheers, Allen.  |
|
|
|
Billy Mostyn
From:
Queensland, Australia
|
Posted 9 Apr 2013 8:56 pm
|
|
| Hi Fellow Banana Benders! I make solid body left and right handed lap steels/Consoles on the Gold Coast. It's great to see more Australians joining this forum. |
|
|
|
Allen Hutchison
From:
Kilcoy, Qld, Australia
|
|
|
|
