The hunt for 1st lefty guitar begins...

syk0t1k

So ive been scouring the web for resources on all things lefty guitar related, essentially getting the lay of the land learning all the different terminology etc i must say wow its alot to take in as a complete beginner, and rather overwhelming at times.

From the advice i have received from various sources i have decided to buy new and something that is suited for the style of music which i ultimately want to play and something that i shouldn't have to change after a year or less.

For an example of the type of music i want to play please search "Ryan Siew Music" on Youtube that is exactly the style and sound im after. Truly talented kid although his youtube vids are all covers he does write his own music aswell. Sorry i cant link to youtube due to work access limitations...

One particular model that keeps popping up all over the place is the Ibanez RG370DXL can anyone offer any input?
An SA online store listed on these forums has it for R3500.00 only thing i dont like is the Trem i dont think ill ever need or use it imo.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page13.php?area_id=4&data_id=88&color=CL01&year=2013&cat_id=1&series_id=147

Forgive my ignorance if evident ? this is all new to me!!

IceCreamMan

my first proper lefty was an Ibanez guitar which worked real well. I have no experience with the 370 but owned a 470 at some point which was made in japan and was an excellent guitar, I just failed to bond with the edge zero (sp) system implemented.

YOu cant go wrong with Ibanez , they make good quality guitars and they make them well. will last you years and years. Trem should be removable too so no worries.

Edit: Sorry forgot to add keep an eye out on the usual classifieds, they do pop up in left format from time to time on gumtree etc...buying second hand is always a win situation

warrenpridgeon

syk0t1k wrote: So ive been scouring the web for resources on all things lefty guitar related, essentially getting the lay of the land learning all the different terminology etc i must say wow its alot to take in as a complete beginner, and rather overwhelming at times.

From the advice i have received from various sources i have decided to buy new and something that is suited for the style of music which i ultimately want to play and something that i shouldn't have to change after a year or less.

For an example of the type of music i want to play please search "Ryan Siew Music" on Youtube that is exactly the style and sound im after. Truly talented kid although his youtube vids are all covers he does write his own music aswell. Sorry i cant link to youtube due to work access limitations...

One particular model that keeps popping up all over the place is the Ibanez RG370DXL can anyone offer any input?
An SA online store listed on these forums has it for R3500.00 only thing i dont like is the Trem i dont think ill ever need or use it imo.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page13.php?area_id=4&data_id=88&color=CL01&year=2013&cat_id=1&series_id=147

Forgive my ignorance if evident ? this is all new to me!!

Right...I youtubed the guy... off to burn my guitar and amp... see you later :O

syk0t1k

Hahaha I know right!!! He inspired me to learn.

Here is a link for those to lazy to search :bopping:

=

Chabenda

Great link. Thanks.

syk0t1k

I think ive found the one!

doc-phil

I'm left handed. I wanted a guitar for approximately 5 years before I actually got one. I knew being a lefty would be a hassle, and at the time, I'm not sure of whether the same applies today, left handed guitars were much more expensive and fairly rare.

I therefore practiced air guitar as a right handed player (meaning every time I imagined having my dream guitar in my hands I imagined myself playing it right handed) until I tricked my mind into thinking I could only play right handed. I now can only play right handed and wouldn't dream of playing left handed.

Do the same - mind over matter 8)

syk0t1k

doc-phil wrote: I'm left handed. I wanted a guitar for approximately 5 years before I actually got one. I knew being a lefty would be a hassle, and at the time, I'm not sure of whether the same applies today, left handed guitars were much more expensive and fairly rare.

I therefore practiced air guitar as a right handed player (meaning every time I imagined having my dream guitar in my hands I imagined myself playing it right handed) until I tricked my mind into thinking I could only play right handed. I now can only play right handed and wouldn't dream of playing left handed.

Do the same - mind over matter 8)

The problem is i picked up the habit of turning a righty upside down so now it cannot be undone.. trust me ive tried learning right handed my left hand works the frets fine but the right hand just does not translate what my brain is telling it to do...

Left handed guitars are still relatively rare so i have learnt in the past few days, in SA that is. Ive decided to import from the US. Does anyone have any experience on this? Im wondering what customs will cost before i buy. Shipping already is costing $170 alone...

IceCreamMan

syk0t1k wrote:
doc-phil wrote: I'm left handed. I wanted a guitar for approximately 5 years before I actually got one. I knew being a lefty would be a hassle, and at the time, I'm not sure of whether the same applies today, left handed guitars were much more expensive and fairly rare.

I therefore practiced air guitar as a right handed player (meaning every time I imagined having my dream guitar in my hands I imagined myself playing it right handed) until I tricked my mind into thinking I could only play right handed. I now can only play right handed and wouldn't dream of playing left handed.

Do the same - mind over matter 8)
The problem is i picked up the habit of turning a righty upside down so now it cannot be undone.. trust me ive tried learning right handed my left hand works the frets fine but the right hand just does not translate what my brain is telling it to do...

Left handed guitars are still relatively rare so i have learnt in the past few days, in SA that is. Ive decided to import from the US. Does anyone have any experience on this? Im wondering what customs will cost before i buy. Shipping already is costing $170 alone...

before you do that go down to the music stores in kzn and see what they have, get a feel for what sounds good and what looks good and a feel for the various guitars that are available in left handed format.... then mebbe pop up to jhb and check out music connection and marshall music in woodmead who each a small selection of lefties..... I know marshall had some left handed epi LP's not so long ago. Also check out some of the Tokai lefty customs that are floating around in wine red colour. check out as many guitars as you can before pulling the trigger on an import ..if you oing to import checkl out the used gear on musiciansfriend.....also keep an eye on gumtree , there is always a couple available.

Also speak to Gavin @ TOMS in sandton...they are the Ibanez importers as I understand it so can make a plan for you if that is specifically what u want...

you should only pay VAT on guitars , 14% and a small customs fee of like 25 rand or something.

syk0t1k

IceCreamMan wrote:before you do that go down to the music stores in kzn and see what they have, get a feel for what sounds good and what looks good and a feel for the various guitars that are available in left handed format.... then mebbe pop up to jhb and check out music connection and marshall music in woodmead who each a small selection of lefties..... I know marshall had some left handed epi LP's not so long ago. Also check out some of the Tokai lefty customs that are floating around in wine red colour. check out as many guitars as you can before pulling the trigger on an import ..if you oing to import checkl out the used gear on musiciansfriend.....also keep an eye on gumtree , there is always a couple available.

Also speak to Gavin @ TOMS in sandton...they are the Ibanez importers as I understand it so can make a plan for you if that is specifically what u want...

you should only pay VAT on guitars , 14% and a small customs fee of like 25 rand or something.

Thank you so much!! You see that is why i joined this forum!!

I have been communicating with music connection, they are seeing what they can do for me, but i will follow the rest of your advice aswell dont know when ill get a chance to go up to jhb though ive never even been there!! It definately wont me a rushed decision thats for sure!