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The 12 String Richness

No one has ever played two guitars both at one time but with a 12 string instrument you are actually playing two guitars at once. Producing a richer, more ringing tone than a standard six-string guitar, the twelve-string guitar is an acoustic or electric guitar with 12 strings in 6 courses. Due to the subtle differences in the frequencies produced by each of the two strings on each course, it is essentially a type of guitar with a natural chorus effect.

Disadvantages

Because of the great tension placed on the instrument by the 12 strings it has a reputation for arching after a few years. At the expense of appearance and tone some twelve-string guitars have non-traditional structural supports to prevent or postpone such a problem. One of the main advice to those who own a 12 string guitar is to slack the strings after use so it won’t continue to put tension on the bar.

Other Difficulties

Particularly for the plucking or picking, the greater number of strings complicates playing. More precision is required with a pick or fingertip when you are simply strumming chords because the gaps between the dual-string courses is usually narrower than that between the single-string courses of a conventional six-string guitar. Presenting difficulties to players is the pairing of thin, easily broken octave strings with larger, stiffer bass strings and only very skilled player can reliably pluck single strings from within a course at any speed. The twelve-string guitar is not difficult to play as you will learn after a few practices. It is its unique sound that a lot of people fall in love with this guitar.

Where to purchase

Twelve-string guitars are made in both electric and acoustic form. However, it is the acoustic type that is most common. If you intend to buy or purchase a left handed guitar why don’t you look up lefthandedguitarmall.com. The site also offers valuable information on the latest in left hand guitars and accessories.

While left handed instruments used to be harder to come by, many of the classic guitar manufacturers have realized there is a demand from left handed guitarists that feel more comfortable and are better skilled at left hand guitars, than traditional right handed ones.  It used to be that right handed guitars would be adapted for use, or guitarists had to transpose chords to play left handed, but that is no longer the case.

Left Handed Gibson:

Gibson Guitar Company was one of the first to launch a solid body, steel string, electric guitar.  They later became famous for the Les Paul model, named after the guitarist and designed with some of his input.  It is possible to get all kinds of left handed Gibson guitars, including the Les Paul, which still remains a favorite.  The left handed Gibson guitars have options that mimic some of the retro 60’s and 70’s models.

Left Handed Fender:

Fender Instrument Company was another of the first in this class, with their Telecaster model.  Later adding a vibrato bridge that made Fender famous with its Stratocaster, they remain popular, even in the left handed guitar market.  Left handed Fender guitars are much the same as Gibson, in that you can still get the popular models with options in different price ranges.

Left Handed Guitar Jackson:

Jackson Guitars are an innovator in the field, even though they have been around three decades.  Famous for their futuristic designs and appearances, such as V-shaped electric guitars, some of their top models include: Kelly, King V, Double Rhoads, Soloist, Dinky and Concert Bass guitars.  Available in a left handed guitar Jackson is still popular with many of the top names in the performing field, and builds custom guitars, as well.

Left Handed Taylor Guitars:

Taylor has introduced a new semi-hollow T3 line of electric guitars that offers the option of a vibrato bridge.  Taylor offers a robust acoustic line of guitars with different body shapes, woods and tonal possibilities.  Left handed Taylor guitars are a popular option for many left handed guitarists, and offer a selection of acoustic and electric guitars with different options.

Left Handed Banjos:

In the bluegrass world, it is hard not to mention that banjos have now come out with left handed banjos that are readily available.  Any musician that has an interest in stringed instruments, might readily adapt to a banjo in certain circumstances, and with left handed banjos on the market, they are sure to become more popular, which it comes to accompaniment choices.

If you are a left handed musician, there is a world of possibilities, when it comes to left handed instruments, go to the experts for recommendations on the one most suited to your needs.

Yamaha Left Handed Folk Acoustic Guitar in Natural – Yamaha FG720SL

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Left Handed Guitars or Right Handed Guitars?

Many left handed guitar players may chose to adapt a right handed guitar by changing the nut and the bridge to allow the strings to fit. Acoustic guitar bracing is non-symmetrical, but adapting an electric guitar can cause problems when it comes to the controls. It is possible to find left handed Yamaha guitars, in acoustic or electric, at an affordable price, and it is a top-rated choice of many amateur guitarists. Left handed guitars allow the controls to be in the proper configuration and alleviate the challenges of adapting to an upside down right handed guitar, and can make life easier for a left handed player. Some left handed people can play guitar right handed, and use a right handed guitar, and some are not ambidextrous and can’t play right handed on a right handed instrument.

Dominant Hand Determines The Best Fit:

Your strongest guitar playing hand will be the one that is most comfortable at picking or strumming. Others may determine that by how you hold the guitar the first time you pick it up.  You can also test by clapping your hands and the most dominant hand will be the one that does the most movement.  If you use both hands or the right hand does more, then you might be able to play a right handed guitar.

Whether you are just starting out as a left handed guitar player, or have decided to purchase a left handed Yamaha, you will find many models and selections to choose from. Left handed Yamaha guitars are a quality made, affordable left hand configuration that is backed by a well established and successful company.

Inspired in Mexico:

Founder Kim Breedlove, became inspired to be a stringed instrument builder on a surfing trip to Mexico in 1972. When he visited the city of Peracho, which was a guitar-making town, he was so stricken with the craftsmanship that he decided to try it himself. By 1973 he built his first instrument, a dulcimer and started producing those and banjos.  After going to work for Taylor Guitars in 1982, he left with partner Steve Henderson in 1984 to form Breedlove Guitars.

Brings In New Management:

Breedlove Guitars has experimented with tonal qualities, body depths, sizes, soundhole designs, bracing patterns and thicknesses. In 1997, the first Breedlove mandolins hit the stores and in 1998, they developed nylon string guitars as steel string crossover instruments. After encountering some finish and bridge problems, Peter Newport was recruited in 1999 to bring in new management to Breedlove Guitars.

Award Winning Instruments:

On Breedlove Guitar Company’s 10th anniversary in 2000, they won two Players Choice Awards, to be followed by many more in the following years.   In 2008, they entered Kim Breedlove’s 35th year of building Breedlove guitars, and launched an expanded electric guitar line. Since many left handed guitars used to be custom made, at a premium, Breedlove Guitars has always been a logical choice for this market.  Now that left handed guitars are more readily available and popular with left handed guitarists, Breedlove Guitars are still a logical choice, especially for custom made embellishments and a one-of-a-kind guitar investment.

New Chambered Electric Guitar Line:

Breedlove’s new Chambered Electric Guitar series are lightweight and have tone versatility. With a chambered body that is ergonomically designed and contoured, they are well balanced and resemble a beautiful piece of art in appearance. Of course, they can be custom accessorized like the other guitars in Breedlove’s line of instruments, and would make impressive left handed guitars, as well. Breedlove guitars are owned and played by many famous artists, like Madonna’s band, (she ordered eight of them for the “Drowned” world tour), Randy Scruggs, Sugarland and Sammy Hagar.

“Extraordinary Experience”:

Each year, Breedlove Guitars hosts an “Extraordinary Experience” package for up12 potential instrument owners and their guests to purchase on a first come basis.  The package includes the ultimate indulgences such as chauffer driven limousines, massages, a tour of the facility, and a credit towards the next instrument purchase. In 2008, it earned them “A Different Kind of Guitar Company” article in the Music Trades Features magazine. Kim Breedlove and Breedlove Guitars have made a name for themselves, and their high quality craftsmanship in stringed instruments.  If you are looking at left handed guitars, they are certainly a brand you should consider.

The newer left hand Fender guitars have the classic duo of single-coil pickups, 3 way switching, alder body, with a new bridge, new finish but still has the rolled fret-board edges and staggered tuning, and the “Tele tone” that the original Telecaster was famous for.

Fender Telecaster

Telecaster was the first real success of the Fender Guitar company and it is still a sought after guitar, even with the improvements that have been made to the classic over the past 50 years. The tone range on a left handed Telecaster is the same characteristics and range as the original, from a cluck to warm sustains or crystal-clear notes.

The tremolo or vibrato bridge arm feature was a first on Fender guitars.  It has also been called the whammy bar as it is a lever that attaches to the bridge and the tailpiece of an electric guitar and enables the guitar player to quickly vary the tension and length of the strings to temporarily create a vibrato effect.

Also known as the Fender synchronized tremolo or Fender floating tremolo, the Telecaster was the first electric guitar released and the technology was later used on the Stratocaster guitars, as well. A left handed Telecaster guitar is a guitarist’s classic electric guitar that is beautiful, yet built with the technology of the original classics by the same name.  For over 50 years, Telecaster has been a staple of the Fender guitars.

Guitar Selection Over the Years

For many left handed guitarists, selection was limited in years past, and many adapted to right handed playing with right handed guitars, or turned them upside down, which made it more difficult to play and adapt chord tables and music that is typically written for right handed guitars.  Now there are many classic models of left handed guitars to choose from, including a left handed Telecaster.

If you are left handed, then you are used to adapting to many things- scissors, throwing a ball, bowling and guitar playing in a right handed world.  Many guitar players that adapted to playing right handed have found that they perform better and it feels more natural to play left handed. With a left hand Fender guitar, such as the left handed Telecaster, your performance can be greatly improved.

Hendrix and The Stratocaster

Jimi Hendrix played a right handed guitar, the Fender Stratocaster, altered for left handed playing, which was a later model of the Telecaster. Jeff Beck was a Telecaster fan and Bob Dylan owned a 1958 black and white Telecaster that formed his controversial musical sound.

It is easy for left handed Telecaster fans to get a left handed Fender guitar that looks like the classic, but has improved features.

Fender Musical Instruments produced some of the classic, solid body guitars like the Telecaster before becoming famous for the Stratocaster, which came with a vibrato or tremolo bridge.  It has been used by famous performers, like Jimi Hendrix, who played a left handed Fender Stratocaster. The company was started in 1946 by Leo Fender, a southern California inventor that never played the guitar, himself.  He came up with the solid body guitar after much thought on how to improve a hollow body instrument.

When the first Stratocaster came out in 1954, Fender had perfected the bridge that allowed players to bend the strings with a tremolo bridge that produced a vibrato effect. The company went through some hard times after Leo Fender sold the company in 1965 because of poor health. The company revamped itself in the mid 1980’s by re-introducing the models that made it famous, namely the Telecaster and Stratocaster, which were available to purchase in a left handed Fender Stratocaster model or left handed Telecaster option.

Left Handed Fender Stratocaster:

The left handed Fender Stratocaster is the newer version of the classic, with a few more bells and whistles added. You can get a left handed Fender Stratocaster that looks like the classic models, without paying an outrageous premium for a left handed configuration, like used to be the case.  There is no reason to compromise quality in a steel stringed, electric guitar and you will see your performance improve the more you fall in love with this American classic electric guitar.

Adapting a Right Handed Electric Guitar is Tough:

Left handed players that have adapted a right handed electric guitar spend additional energy adapting to the backward controls.  When that energy is put into playing, they concentrate on getting the best tone from the left handed Fender Stratocaster, which is what it is known for. The improvement in the music quality is greatly enhanced and the performance of left handed guitars for a left handed guitarist improves dramatically.

When looking to purchase left handed guitars, the main thing to consider is whether you are truly a left handed player.  There are a few simple tests that you can take, such as how you pick up the guitar naturally, and clapping your hands to see which does the most clapping movement. If you find a guitar that makes you feel comfortable, you will play better. A left handed Fender Stratocaster guitar gives you ownership of a classic guitar that will give you years of enjoyment.

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	Guitar Accessories

While left handed instruments used to be harder to come by, many of the classic guitar manufacturers have realized there is a demand from left handed guitarists that feel more comfortable and are better skilled at left hand guitars, than traditional right handed ones. It used to be that right handed guitars would be adapted for use, or guitarists had to transpose chords to play left handed, but that is no longer the case.