LeftyBassist.com

Hi all:

It looks like I may be pressed to start learning how to play guitar, preferably electric but not exclusively according to my bandmates. I play a jazz bass now, and wanted to see if people could advise me on what electric guitar would be best to transition over a lefty. Strat, mustang, SG, LP, any others?

I learned bass first then learned guitar later, if you understand theory and barre chords should be easy. If you have a Fender bass you may migrate well to a Fender Guitar (Strat) due to similar body styles. However one big difference in guitars is the type of sounds it produces, effects help but a Strat sounds like a strat and Les Paul sounds like a Les Paul, this is really due to the pick up used. I would suggest if you have a chance sit down and play a few and make your decision based on comfort and sound.

I recommend a Squire Classic Vibe Strats which are better than Fender Mexican Strats IMO. The amp is what makes or breaks the tone. Tubes are almost a must. Fender Blues Jr. Is a great option. The reason why I prefer Fender electric guitars is precisely because I am a bass player. They are often less bassy than a Les Paul or other Humbucker type of guitar and tend to stay in their sonic field without overlapping with bass frequencies. But it is not an absolute rule really. They also tend to have a better and more funky clean sound especially with the out-phase pickup selections on a strat.
I started playing guitar a year after playing bass and have always played both. I'll be happy to help if you have any questions. I mostly play acoustic those days and it is where I have the most knowledge.

I agree with everything Frenchy says. A Strat is an excellent starter guitar. I started playing guitar almost 10 years after I took up bass, and my first guitar was a Tokai Strat copy. I would recommend a hard tail bridge to start though, as the floating bridge tremolo was a royal pain in the ass to keep in tune for a novice like me. My main ax now is my '52 RI Tele, however. The thing I love about Teles is they really do grow with you as you progress, revealing their secrets and versatility as you grow as a player. They're simpler than a Strat in terms of electronics and layout, but arguably more complex. (I.e. adjustments to the tone and volume knobs actually do something to your sound). And they sound great right out of the box.

I like a Tele too, same here the Classic Vibe Squier Tele is an incredible value. And again 80% of the tone comes from the amp. Stay away from all those amps with digital simulations like Line6 or Fender XD25 it is really bad IMO.

I don't recommend it.

Does this have anything to do with that bandleader guy we don't like at church?

I have both a fender strat and SG (tokia)guitars and Im a bass player first.
The new Mex strats are very top quality too,
I have found that strats (while they are better quality) are actually harder to get used too.
Especially that extra volume knob that sit just under where my strumming hand sits and 5 way switches, Its a pain until you get used to it.
As i like to rest my hand on the bridge when playing bass , i find the LP type bridges more comfortable to play with.
Plus Im more of a fan of humbuckers than single coils.
Strats sure do have a place and if i want something clean its the first thing i pick up.
but if i want simply rock out I go with the SG with bridge pickup, nothing else to think about