LeftyBassist.com

While there are many things common to lefty/righty basses, there are also things that don't necessarily translate with a simple mirroring. Thinking on this, what are the top features you'd like to see builders include on their lefty bass offerings? Examples could be as siimple as body designs, or as complex as asymmetrical neck contours.

all the best,

R

To be honest, I really want to see more FINISH options. For example, not every lefty bassist wants an American Fender Precision Bass in either black or sunburst. I'd love to see a white Fender P-bass that isn't from the bottom end of their product range!

The same goes for other manufacturers. Some of the coolest looking finishes I've seen out there are not offered on lefty basses without ordering from their custom shop (which can be expensive). The big exception to the rule has been Ernie Ball; they apparently have and will build any of their basses in a variety of finishes, provided that the finish isn't discontinued.

But then they don't offer piezo pickups for lefties...

Maybe we should add that to the list, too.

Especially with Fender it'd be nice to get a maple fingerboard or ash body option too.

I agree with the finishes. I've heard that Carvin offers everything in left-handed at no extra charge...not sure.

I live darn close to Warrior Instruments and I've often drooled over the prospect of having a beautiful custom build bass from them!

is everyone here primarily focused on 4-string? how about 5 & 6-string basses and/or single-cut models?

I'm hearing you on the color availability - it is looking rather bleak unless you go Fender CS

all the best,

R

I'm addicted to 4s.

I know we had this discussion once before on Pit II, but it's worth having again for the larger lefty audience this forum will eventually gain.

IIRC from that discussion, there was also interest in a larger selection of body and fretboard woods.

Body woods: Alder, Ash, Mahogany, Spanish Cedar, Walnut, Limba (Black/White Korina)

Fingerboards: Birdseye Maple, Ebony, Rosewood (many speciaes), Wenge, stabilized (acrylic impregnated)

did I miss any?

all the best,

R

Agreed, more finish options. Say a lefty Sonic Blue P-Bass w/white pickguard and rosewood 'board.

Let's keep the wants and ideas rolling here, but for fun you might want to see that this is having an impact in an upcoming build I'll be documenting for the Blueprinting and Bondo forum

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=55

all the best,

R

I want to see a company offer a 35" scale, neck-thru, string-thru body/bridge bass with an ebony fretboard...both in 4 and 5 string setups...I really do like a 35" scale over the standard 34" scale because I enjoy having tighter strings...too bad more bass companies dont use a 35" scale as standard (Traben does with most of their basses, as does Dean I believe)...oh yeah, I own a Traben Array Limited 5er (lefty) btw. Great bass!

Carvin also offers piezo bridges as an option for lefties.

Yes, more finish options is a big thing for me. And how about something as basic as lefty pots?! Some companies simply defy logic to me when they offer left handed models, like offering every spec in lefty except a truss rod cover so they end up using a righty with the brand name or model etched on the cover upside down. Or take Rickenbacker, who uses a righty "R" bridge on their lefty guitars. Stuff like that drives me nuts.

I'd also like to see the "lets charge more for lefty instruments" option destroyed...I dont see why companies charge more for left handed instruments...you will never make a substantial amount of money selling lefty instruments being that we are such a small percentage of the musician population (but disproportionately influential I might add ) so I wish more companies would just take the small hit in profit and allow us to purchase our instruments for the same amount that right handers do...also, I'd just like to see more companies offer beginner, INTERMEDIATE, and advanced level instruments in their inventory as opposed to say JUST beginner instruments, or beginner and advanced instruments...I shouldn't have to jump over 1000 dollars in price from one instruments price level to the next when looking at any particular companies stock of lefty instruments they build...just some food for thought.

Thats my two cents...but since its a lefty's two cents, I better charge 7 cents. Ha.