Why don't more manufacturers sell lefties? Here's Why:

[johnny73]

I've actually purchased several of the 2012 Gibson guitars-three in the last several of weeks when they slashed their prices.

I know own a 70's tribute Firebird of each color-Cherry, Black, Silverburst, and Sunburst.

I also purchased an SG Std P90 in ebony.

None of the other 70's tributes (SG, LP) did anything for me. Also, Gibson stopped the 70's tribute line entirely-not just the left handed models. The righties are going for even less than the left handed versions.

Also, Gibson is making the Firebird USA "Standard" model in lefty next year, and there will be a lot of new lefty SG and LP models too. So they are still making lefties.

I just wish that Gibson would make an Explorer or flat top LP junior with P90s or HBs in lefty. Also, Gibson will not make many guitars in lefty. No matter how much you pay them. Baiscally, if they do not have a CNC lefty program for it, they will not make it.

I only know of one right Gibson that works well as a lefty. That is the Gibson Flying V-it works great!

 

[kfowler8]

If a Lefty ORDERS it....sure....make it.


Also, on pots: The only left handed pots I can find are short shafts on the 500k and 250k configuration. long shafts, push pulls...right handed pots unless there's someone out there who can custom make them. (And at that point...at what point does one cry uncle since replacements would be a mother to acquire?)

You can use the linear long shaft pots and it won't make a difference. Just wire it backwards. The issue is finding Log pots that are long shaft for lefties.

I met Paul Reed Smith back in 2002. I asked him why he didn't make more lefties. You could see the frustration in his face when he said "Do you know how many machines I have to retool to make a lefty!" After being in the auto manufacturing business for the last 8 years I can appreciate this. Shortly after 2002 PRS stopped making lefties until recently when they had a limited run.

The supply and demand is complicated though. PRS doesn't have to make lefties because they can sell almost every guitar they make. Fender and Gibson can't do that as well so they try and take advantage of a poorly tapped market.

I've always found it interesting that companies like Taylor charge you nothing for a lefty but others have an upcharge.

Ebay really changed the lefty market though. I remember in the early 90s when I first started playing you were lucky to even see a lefty at a store and even more lucky to find a buyer to sell it. I took some pretty steep hits selling some gear. Took a while too. When Ebay started it opened a huge market for us lefties. We now have much greater access than we had before and can sell one of our guitars pretty quickly.

I started building about a year ago. I've finished one and have three others near completion. Now my options are unlimited.

My'59 replica

Paul and I

 

[John Vasco]

I just wish that Gibson would make a[...] flat top LP junior with P90s

Well looky here what I've got...




With what it goes through:


And with the rest of the Lester herd:


And in action:

 

[The_Sentry]

You can use the linear long shaft pots and it won't make a difference. Just wire it backwards. The issue is finding Log pots that are long shaft for lefties.

I met Paul Reed Smith back in 2002. I asked him why he didn't make more lefties. You could see the frustration in his face when he said "Do you know how many machines I have to retool to make a lefty!" After being in the auto manufacturing business for the last 8 years I can appreciate this. Shortly after 2002 PRS stopped making lefties until recently when they had a limited run.

The supply and demand is complicated though. PRS doesn't have to make lefties because they can sell almost every guitar they make. Fender and Gibson can't do that as well so they try and take advantage of a poorly tapped market.

I've always found it interesting that companies like Taylor charge you nothing for a lefty but others have an upcharge.

Ebay really changed the lefty market though. I remember in the early 90s when I first started playing you were lucky to even see a lefty at a store and even more lucky to find a buyer to sell it. I took some pretty steep hits selling some gear. Took a while too. When Ebay started it opened a huge market for us lefties. We now have much greater access than we had before and can sell one of our guitars pretty quickly.

I started building about a year ago. I've finished one and have three others near completion. Now my options are unlimited.

My'59 replica

Paul and I

That's awesome stuff! I know how you feel about the Pre-Ebay days. Someone joked earlier in the thread about flipping a guitar over...well, to be honest...that's exactly what I did the first 4 or 5 years that I played because there weren't any left handed guitars available. It was a boon to finally get one in the early 90's.

As for PRS, and Gibson...Honestly? It goes back to that question of what percentage of the lefty audience plays high end guitars. I don't think most of us do. I think the only 2 companies that are marketing lefties correctly is Rondo which does low-to midrange stuff, and Schecter which is mainstream and does midranged price guitars. I expect Schecter to have a larger and more loyal market in the coming years when it comes to left handed players. (If you go to any mainstream outlet, they have 4 times as many models available.)

BTW: That's an awesome guitar! I think luthiers are a great option for lefties. I don't regret my experiences with Doug or Roman! I hope to see some original work alongside those replicas!

 

[The_Sentry]

I've actually purchased several of the 2012 Gibson guitars-three in the last several of weeks when they slashed their prices.

I know own a 70's tribute Firebird of each color-Cherry, Black, Silverburst, and Sunburst.

I also purchased an SG Std P90 in ebony.

None of the other 70's tributes (SG, LP) did anything for me. Also, Gibson stopped the 70's tribute line entirely-not just the left handed models. The righties are going for even less than the left handed versions.

Also, Gibson is making the Firebird USA "Standard" model in lefty next year, and there will be a lot of new lefty SG and LP models too. So they are still making lefties.

I just wish that Gibson would make an Explorer or flat top LP junior with P90s or HBs in lefty. Also, Gibson will not make many guitars in lefty. No matter how much you pay them. Baiscally, if they do not have a CNC lefty program for it, they will not make it.

I only know of one right Gibson that works well as a lefty. That is the Gibson Flying V-it works great!

Call Roman Rist. He'll take care of you if that's what you're looking for...

 

[John Vasco]

that's exactly what I did the first 4 or 5 years that I played because there weren't any left handed guitars available. It was a boon to finally get one in the early 90's.

I can't agree with this point, Sent, because I have always found that lefty guitars were available. It was a matter of looking, enquiring, and finding them.

Bought in 1968, a Wilson ES-335 copy:


1970 SG Standard bought new in 1970 (prior to ordering this one, I had tried lefty Banjocasters...):


1969 LP Custom bought in 1973:


Bought in 1974:


Bought in 1980:


Bought this year, but couldn't get on with the '57 Classic pups:


The present collection: 76 Deluxe bought in 2003/LP Junior bought this year/2009 '08 Standard bought in 2010/1991 LP Custom bought in 1994:


Leftys have always been out there, you just gotta track them down!

 

[The_Sentry]

JV, I get your point, but there's something to be realized:

1. In rural areas.....no, no lefty guitars. Even in the metropolitan areas...no lefty guitars. My first 4 years of playing...I still lived in Wyoming. I doubt that to this day there are more thana dozen left handed guitars in the entire state!

Now granted, back then you could order one by mail, but in those days I wanted the guitar in hand prior to purchase.

 

[John Vasco]

Sent,
The Wilson - bought in Liverpool;
SG - bought in Liverpool;
1969 LP Custom - bought in London;
Early '70s Goldtop - bought in London
1980 clownburst LP Custom - bought in Birmingham;
1991 LP Custom - bought in London;
1976 LP Deluxe - bought from the States via internet & phone;
2009 '08 Standard - bought in Norwich;
2009 '57 VOS LP Junior - bought in Southend;
2009 '61 VOS SG Custom - bought from the States via the internet & phone.

Also:
1971 Eko Rio Bravo 12-string - bought in 1971 in Liverpool;
2002 Taylor 314 bought in 2002 in London.

So, of all the guitars I've had (not counting the two crappy acoustics I started learning on), only two were bought via the internet. The others were in-hand shop bought.

But I do believe there are a lot more available across the board nowadays.

 

[The_Sentry]

John, I didn't live near a city like that.

The nearest city I lived in was Casper, WY. They had...50,000 people. There were only 2 music stores in the whole city..and no lefties. That was also 120 miles away. The town I lived in (Riverton) had less than 10 thousand people.

No lefties.

Sacramento was a big step...almost half a million. Once I moved near THERE I found a lefty but that wasn't until almost 5 years later. And back then I had no interests in Gibsons. I wanted Strats! (Oh, how I learned my lesson on that! )

 

[Dino Velvet]

Ya just got to always be looking.

 

[Dino Velvet]

I've found all kinds of stuff out there over the years.

 

[Dino Velvet]

So

metimes its just a few things pop up ya gotta have.

 

[Dino Velvet]

And sometimes a whole lotta stuff just comes avilable at once..

 

[The_Sentry]

Ah, come on, now Dino...you're just showing off!

PS: Hey, gotta spare Custom for a brother?

(I keed! I keed!)

 

[mgenet]

Because...

Lefties comprise approximately 10% of the population and
there are not that many leftie musicians.

Erg...a very small constituency.



Do I get a new Gibson Les Paul?

 

[Aussiemodo]

Those guitars just look so wrong....

Cheers.

 

[John Vasco]

John, I didn't live near a city like that.

The nearest city I lived in was Casper, WY. They had...50,000 people. There were only 2 music stores in the whole city..and no lefties. That was also 120 miles away. The town I lived in (Riverton) had less than 10 thousand people.

No lefties.

Sacramento was a big step...almost half a million. Once I moved near THERE I found a lefty but that wasn't until almost 5 years later. And back then I had no interests in Gibsons. I wanted Strats! (Oh, how I learned my lesson on that! )

Point taken, Sent.

Bottom line: restricted availability always. But we are a special breed, unlike the massive 'herd'!

 

[John Vasco]

Those guitars just look so wrong....

Cheers.

Ya can always trust a POHM to come out with something somebody has never said before...

 

[kfowler8]

There's some serious guitar porn on here. Great stuff. First electric I owned was a Horner strat righty strung upside down. Hated it!

I travel to London 5 times a year. I swear they offer more lefties than shops in the states. I played a 75 Tele over there last month. Cool guitar but they wanted 3,500 quid. Are you kidding me! Mid-70s weren't exactly the golden years of Fended.

 

[kfowler8]

This one's in final stages. Should be ready this week.