Plans for Left-handed basses (and guitars)

**TK1** · 25th May 2009, 09:44 PM

Hi all,

I tend to lurk around here a bit, admiring the work of you all

. I am mainly pre-occupied with building kayaks (and about to start a stand-up paddleboard for next summer

) but have always had a hankering to build a bass...or guitar - I can't play either, so may end up making bith but seem to have a leaning towards a bass.

So anyway...I'm back in the mood to get going on an instrument. Whilst ideally I'd like a Hofner bass )a la Paul McCartney), perhaps I should start with something simpler

I've had a quick search for plans, but am stuck with the fack I'm left-handed

(OK, I'll stop with the smilies now!).

So (again), can I (a) just take any old bass plan and 'flip' the body so I end up with a left-handed model, or (b) do I need a specific plan?

If (a) is 'yes', then that's great. Any tips from left-handed builders would be greatly appreciated. If it's 'yes' to (b) then any hints on where to start?

I'll see what the responses are, then probably ask some more questions. Oh, and for the future, any links to plans of violin basses??

Thanks,
Darren
Melbourne

**oz tradie** · 25th May 2009, 10:21 PM

Good to see you back on board again, Darren.

A right hand plan is nothing more than a mirror image of a lefty. or vise versa.
Everything has to be inverted. It's not hard at all.

**bassbuilderman** · 25th May 2009, 11:09 PM

I'll second that.
It's not any harder, if you're a lefty building for a lefty.
Just remember that some of the parts you'll need to buy may have to be left handed
as well

**Andrew_B** · 25th May 2009, 11:25 PM

wow a kayak buillder!!!
when i was younger we had ike 6 kayaks lol

do what the other guys say....
its just a mirror.... (i assume thats how commissioned builders do the odd lefty build, flip the templates? lol)

if you decide to go the vintage style bass route, i have a bridge around here somewhere i can offer you

i dont think theres any parts you really need to buy left handed for a bass?
except if you are doing a 4 inline headstock.....
a 2/2 headstock would use normal machine heads whether lefty or righty....
bridges are all pretty straight forward...

i think i read somewhere about lefty pots though... lol (unless you just use the opposite lugs?)

la di da di da....

**woodturner777** · 25th May 2009, 11:56 PM

Does this also mean left handed tone wood.
Cheers Bob

Originally Posted by oz tradie

Good to see you back on board again, Darren.

A right hand plan is nothing more than a mirror image of a lefty. or vise versa.
Everything has to be inverted. It's not hard at all.

**TK1** · 26th May 2009, 01:24 PM

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. Makes sense, just flip the body and invert where the knobs, etc go and install everything upside down

) Will probably do a 2/2 head to make things simpler.

I'll do a search for my posts last year where some good books and plans were recommended, and hopefully get into it soon. I'll read up lots before cutting any wood. Need to learn about types of pickups, sounds, etc to get what i want.

Yes Stu, I'm back...finally! Maybe this time I'll make it to one of your jam/building sessions on a Friday. Will try not to put the next invite off by 12 months

Will keep you all posted on the design I go for and build progress.

Thanks,
Darren

**bassbuilderman** · 26th May 2009, 03:52 PM

Hi Darren,
I have no financial interest here, but once upon a time I found this site which has
some Hofner parts for sale.
If it helps.

http://www.greatguitars.com.au/Hofner_Parts.html

BBM

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