Lefty Dilemma

[Jimmy_Couger]

Hey Lefty Players,

As anyone who plays a guitar left handed knows, the selection for good lefties is not very...ummm...good. So this is my dilemma, I'm looking to get a new axe. What I want is a PRS, but since they aren't made anymore and they are hard to find used (not to mention the prices are going up since they are rare) I have to look for alternatives. My main problem is that I don't want to spend 5 grand on a new axe, since not only can I not afford one but I really can't justify one for my level of play. What I'm really looking for is a guitar in the $1500 range, which for lefties pretty much doesn't exist. We either have $200, $600, $1000, or $2k and up. Currently I'm playing a very nice Washburn Pro Idol 66 (similar to a Les Paul) and a Fender American Deluxe Stat. I also have a Epi Les Paul as a back up.

So how do I get a players guitar, something like a PRS without the 5k plus price tag. I'd like the guitar to have double 'buckers and be made of either Mahagony or Korina. I'd really like to have simple controls with one volume and one tone with a pickup switch.

I've been spending a lot of time looking at Carvin for their CT3 and CT4 models, both of which can be had for under 1500 if I don't go crazy on the options. Also I've looked at Warmoth for building a guitar using their VIP design. The VIP might put me over $1500, since it all has to be purchased seprately.

The major negative against the Carvin that I've heard is once it's shipped then rip out and replace all the electronics (making it more like 2k to get one sounding right). I do like the fact that the Carvin wouldn't have a bolt on neck. Everything I hear about Warmoth is good, except for resale. Of course, since I'm a lefty resale sucks anyways.

Any help you guys have would be great. One of the worst parts of being lefty is there is little to no opportunity to test a guitar before purchase, so for you righties that are parusing this, if you have a Carvin or Warmoth feel free to give me your experiences. If you have any other sugguestions for something different (small manufactuer) in that range I'm open to those sugguestions as well.

[Rattles]

I'm left handed, but play right handed. Sorry!

[cugel]

i have done warmoth and usacg for my last two guitars and really have no intention of going back to the "big two". there is no way, for what i paid, to get that kind of wood etc on a regular non custom shop guitar in lefty. if you must have a sticker on the headstock well than yo have a problem and will have to keep saving. BTW warmoth does make a prs shape but its bolt on of course.

it blows to be a lefty when its time to find a nice guitar. next i will go a custom builder

[Jimmy_Couger]

I already have a Fender American Deluxe. Love playing it. However I'm more a fan of double buckers. I'm not set on 1500, 1500 is my ceiling...not the bottom. However, I'm not looking for another strat or another epi les paul. Not really into metal, so Schecter and Ibanez really don't appeal.

[Han Solo]

Apart from Gibson Studio models, I know Framus also has many (HB) models available in the 1000 to 1500 range.

My brother, also a lefty, plays a Yamaha AES 620L and I was floored by the quality and sounds when he just got it. It's discontinued but some stores still have one.

[irish blues]

Southpaw guitars on the web.

southpaw.com

[HRydarcik]

Originally Posted by rattles

I'm left handed, but play right handed. Sorry!

I'm right handed, but play left handed.

[HRydarcik]

Originally Posted by bluesmeanie

A good friend of mine does the same thing, it amazes me no end.

My brother is left handed but plays right handed.

[southpawmax]

http://www.musicstore.com/en_EN/EUR/...GIT0008321-000
Check it out!

[Alter]

some stores with lots of lefties

http://www.jerrysleftyguitars.com/

http://www.dhrmusic.com/inventory.aspx?lefties=1

http://www.groovyguitar.com/inventory.htm

http://www.southpawguitars.com/

http://www.folkwaymusic.com/instruments/lefty.html

ebay
http://desc.shop.ebay.com/items/Guitar__left-handed-lefty-lefthanded-left-handed-left-handed_W0QQLHQ5fTitleDescZ1QQ_nkwZQ28Q22leftQ20han dedQ22Q2cleftyQ2clefthandedQ2cleftQ20handedQ2cleft Q2dhandedQ29QQQ5ftrkparmsZ66Q253A2Q257C65Q253A3Q25 7C39Q253A1QQ_ipgZ200QQ_mdoZMusicalQ2dInstrumentsQQ _pcatsZ619QQ_sacatZ3858QQ_sopZ3QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec 0Q2em14

gbase
http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...0=2&SD0=1&FL=1

i would check the collings line for a players lefty guitar. they have a couple of les paul style guitars and i hear the best about their quality and consistency (which is important if you buy online -- i love gibsons but i wouldn't buy one unplayed).. there was a guy selling one recently.. i almost bought it (either here or on acousticguitarforum) ... i m getting one someday (or a les paul)....

let us know how it goes if you find something good

[fuzz_factor]

Originally Posted by rattles

I'm left handed, but play right handed. Sorry!

Same here and I'm glad that I play righty. Sorry...

[Derelict King]

Forget about PRS and go Ernie Ball. They are in your price range brand new (and used on Ebay you can snag them anywhere from 800 to 1100). You can always find a few here: http://www.drumcityguitarland.com/dr...uitars-C6.aspx

Best of luck, fellow lefty.

DK

[Jimmy_Couger]

Thanks everyone for posting information. I'm looking at everything that has been submitted.

Couple questions:

1. For Southpawmax - have you bought from here? If so, how was purchasing and shipping considerations from Europe?

2. Outside of Cugel, has anyone else had experience, good or bad, with Warmoth or Carvin?

[mattwasserman]

I know it is not a PRS, however I have nothing but good things to say about the lefty Schecter c-1 I have. They have some other lefty models but I'd say the c-1's are the closest to a PRS. The c-1 classics are beautiful and come stock with really good components, I think they run about 800-900 new, I'm sure you could find a good deal on a used one if you were patient.

I too have thought about Carvins, but unless I see a used one for a good price I don't think I would buy one. It just doesn't seem like it would hold its resale value buying new.

Oddly enough I live just down the street from Adirondack Guitars, which claims to be one of the biggest lefty dealers around. They don't keep all the guitars listed on the website in stock so it's hit or miss trying them out. I've had pretty good experience dealing with them locally, never had anything shipped though.

Good luck from a fellow lefty!

[Alter]

i ve had a couple of carvins in the past that weren 't keepers. i also have a uscg/warmoth tele that i like. i bought all these guitars used at a great price, i think thats the way to go with carvin and warmoth.. when looking for a lefty guitar, i generally keep my money and wait for good bargains, they do come up every now and then...

some more places of interest in case you haven 't discovered them

http://www.leftyfrets.net/index.php

http://forum.leftyguitartrader.com/index.php

http://www.leftyguitars.be/home.htm