The Day I Discovered...

[ChWillie]

I have a modest collection of basses and came into possession of a right handed Jackson pointy Kelly Bird bass.  It doesn't really matter what's up and down.

 

Then I started thinking, bet there are some other righties that'd make cool lefties.  Of course, most importantly, its bridge is straight, so intonation isn't a problem.

 

So I got an Epiphone Explorer bass and gave it the flip. As a buddy suggested, crank up the knobs, push them through, and fill in the holes.  

 

So on these and on guitars that are or nearly symmetrical, it doesn't matter lefty or righty.

 

I had also discovered that when I want a neck for a Fender type, a righty neck will do.  Really easy to put side dots on a neck.

 

Edited June 4, 2022 by HippieNerd

[bpc]

The main problem I have with symmetrical basses is neck dive. I have one that is a righty flipped. I replaced the pots with flush push buttons that let me switch the pickups on and off separately. It works well but I play it rarely because it neck dives badly. This has put me off trying any others.

 

The one style that I think would actually work better flipped is that utterly stupid design by Gibson, the thunderbird. It would be improved by flipping it. Probably still an ergonomic disaster but less so than a flying V or an SG.

 

I have used a few righty necks and agree adding dots to the other side is easy and the reverse headstock thing doesn't affect the ergonomics.

 

Could you show us a better pick of that kelly bird you are holding? Nice colour.

[uk_lefty]

I've only ever had lefty instruments... If I got into buying right handers I'd be bankrupt. I recently bought an Epiphone Casino six string though and I sweat sometimes when I look at it it must be a righty body, the lower horn seems ever so slightly bigger than the top horn. I should measure it one day so it's not taunting me from across my office.

 

One bass I'd like to try flipping though is a Gibson/ Epiphone EB-3. If I was playing heavy rock/ classic metal I'd want one done up like Iommi's SG.

[ChWillie]

1 hour ago, uk_lefty said:

I've only ever had lefty instruments... If I got into buying right handers I'd be bankrupt. I recently bought an Epiphone Casino six string though and I sweat sometimes when I look at it it must be a righty body, the lower horn seems ever so slightly bigger than the top horn. I should measure it one day so it's not taunting me from across my office.

 

One bass I'd like to try flipping though is a Gibson/ Epiphone EB-3. If I was playing heavy rock/ classic metal I'd want one done up like Iommi's SG.

Thanks. Here we go. 

[ChWillie]

2 hours ago, bpc said:

The main problem I have with symmetrical basses is neck dive. I have one that is a righty flipped. I replaced the pots with flush push buttons that let me switch the pickups on and off separately. It works well but I play it rarely because it neck dives badly. This has put me off trying any others.

 

The one style that I think would actually work better flipped is that utterly stupid design by Gibson, the thunderbird. It would be improved by flipping it. Probably still an ergonomic disaster but less so than a flying V or an SG.

 

I have used a few righty necks and agree adding dots to the other side is easy and the reverse headstock thing doesn't affect the ergonomics.

 

Could you show us a better pick of that kelly bird you are holding? Nice colour.

Fortunately, I have no neck diving problems with either one of them. I had a righty long scale SG type  bass, and the dive made it undesirable.