Restringing guitar for left-handed playing

[bur]

Is it feasible to restring an electric right-handed guitar for left-handed playing, or is it a bad idea?

Thanks

[CPU]

You’ll need to replace the nut and buy new strings. (On some guitars you can simply flip the nut around.) Not all guitars can be made to play left handed because of the bridges.

Check the string height by tuning up the strings to pitch and press down on the third fret of each string. When the string is plucked open it should have no buzz in it. Adjust the height until it plays properly.

Loosen the strings and place a few drops of glue under the nut.

Tune the guitar and then set the intonation.

[sm00t]

@bur

Is it feasible to restring an electric right-handed guitar for left-handed playing, or is it a bad idea?

Thanks

That’s the way Jimi Hendrix played…

Right handed guitar with the strings reversed…

https://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00801/jimi-hendrix-guitar_801056c.jpg or just buy a left handed one…

https://images.guitarcenter.com/products/optionLarge/Fender/DV016_Jpg_Large_423686.064.257_3-color_sunburst_mp.jpg

[bur]

Yeah, I know. Was just wondering if there’s a bunch of unforeseen consequences when trying it.

Thanks CPU, I’ll try to figure your post out a bit later

I figure the best way to go here is to have someone at a guitar shop do this, so as not to ruin my future brand-spanking-new, second-hand guitar and bass guitar.

[OrderOfDagon]

CPU pretty much said it all.

Out of curiosity, what kind of electric-guitar is it?

[bur]

I went to a second-hand shop a couple of days ago. What I want to get from there is an electric guitar and bass guitar, both Ibanez. They’re both ~€150. Seems like a pretty good deal to me.

CPU, I’m guessing “string height” means the distance between the string and the neck?

[M-Man]

That does sound like a good deal. Good luck with your investment.

[dinnsfire5]

I’m amazed you found answers on this forum

[Jethrosoup]

@bur

CPU, I’m guessing “string height” means the distance between the string and the neck?

I assume he’s referring to the action, yes.

[Rabbiddog]

@CPU

You’ll need to replace the nut and buy new strings. (On some guitars you can simply flip the nut around.) Not all guitars can be made to play left handed because of the bridges.

Check the string height by tuning up the strings to pitch and press down on the third fret of each string. When the string is plucked open it should have no buzz in it. Adjust the height until it plays properly.

Loosen the strings and place a few drops of glue under the nut.

Tune the guitar and then set the intonation.

You know I was gonna post this but then CPU beat me to it…

So, erm, yeah…what he said…

[bur]

Thanks guys, I’ll post some pics when I can.

Next question: What should I get to record music on my computer? (soundcard/other equipment besides microphone)
Would be a lot more efficient than the 4-track cassette recorder I’m using

[Problematic_A-hole]

Are you going to post your music? That would help us see if what you are using is better or worse to record

[Guzzi]

Check out gearslutz forums when asking about recording gear and software.

Personally I use an mbox pro2 FireWire audio interface. Various inexpensive condenser mics and I use Reaper as my software for recording. Reaper doesn’t use up allot of resources unlike pro tools. I dislike pro tools.

[M-Man]

Wish I knew. I play guitar and bass guitar but I’m mostly a percussionist.

Joke time. What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians? A drummer.

[Rabbiddog]

Huh?..what?!.. did someone say hummer…

Oh, never mind, he said “drummer”.

[GilCMassey]

@bur

Thanks guys, I’ll post some pics when I can.

Next question: What should I get to record music on my computer? (soundcard/other equipment besides microphone)
Would be a lot more efficient than the 4-track cassette recorder I’m using

I have just been using an Iphone to do my recording. If your looking for programs there are tons out there. When I do mix and stuff, I use GarageBand. But if you google it, you can find plenty of others for recording and mixing. These programs can record directly from your guitar into your program. Quite frankly, I’m just to busy to find out for certain.
And from a fellow guitarist, good luck and nice choice. I love ibanez.

[Mr.Night]

@bur

Thanks guys, I’ll post some pics when I can.

Next question: What should I get to record music on my computer? (soundcard/other equipment besides microphone)
Would be a lot more efficient than the 4-track cassette recorder I’m using

Well, I don’t really recommend this if you don’t know what you are doing but I have wired my guitar amp’s output with my soundboard’s microphone input (they are both 3.5 mm jacks in my case so a single connection is enough, otherwise make sure your transitions aren’t faulty). Be sure not to have too much amplification or you might burn out something on your computer. This is the only way I can keep the quality of the sound. The only problem is that you might get a lot of buzz in some cases, make sure you at least have good quality wires.

Edit: I sometimes have to remove noise and master the sound in Adobe Audition.

[bur]

Yeah, I’ve been using Reaper to record from my 4-track to my computer. I just need a decent sound card with one or more jack inputs, or some external recording device with one or more jack inputs.

In short, I want a way to record from a microphone with a jack to my computer, with decent sound quality. All I have now is a standard onboard soundcard (crappy quality mini-jack input/output/mic). I don’t know where to start looking though.

I’ll have a look at gearslutz.

Edit:
Someone on gearslutz recommended Mackie 402-VLZ3 for recording on a budget. I’m not totally clear on something though: can I input this on the input in my computer and record like that?

[bur]

Christ, I think I just wasted a set of strings.

I put them in the wrong way, and one of them broke -_-

[bur]

-snip-