How many lefty guitarists play righty's upside down?

bnjp · #1 01-14-2003, 11:10 AM

How many artists do you know of that play right handed guitars left handed? I've always been more into Christian music so I know about Michael Card and Brent Lamb. I've seen both of them play guitars upside-down (Brent said it was okay because he was born upside-down!)

I'm not left-handed, but It's always intrigued me that these guys could learn upside down chords, etc.

Noflatpick · #2 01-14-2003, 11:15 AM

Dick Dale

And also a guy who used to play around western Washington by name of Pat Chase. He's an excellent blues guitarist who played under the stage name of Guitar Slim. Played upside-down guitar like you can't believe. Now plays in the El Paso, Texas area.

Stuart · #3 01-14-2003, 11:23 AM

I once saw a lefty play a righty guitar right-side-up. That is, his wound strings (E, A and D) were on the bottom. Yep, all of his chord shapes were upside-down. Try finguring that one out.

It was in Jacksonville, Fla. Mike Johnson and the Sounds of Bluegrass. Played real good bluegrass guitar, too.

d28mikeip · #4 01-14-2003, 11:28 AM

I believe Doyle Bramhall II plays a righty guitar upside down. I was watching some Roger Waters concert and Doyle was playing lead.

Anj · #5 01-14-2003, 11:33 AM

2 blues guys out of the 50s/60s

Otis Rush with a Strat,

and Albert King with a Gibson Flying V.

I saw Michael Card in Concert about 2 years ago....
WOW. MOST impressive. He can play a mandolin
"upside down" too....for the song "How Long".
there's my .02

Anj

charlemagne52 · #6 01-14-2003, 11:34 AM

My daughter does...that way she can play my guitars.

I think Albert Collins did also.

Edit: right, Albert King, not Collins. Thanks.

leftydude · #7 01-15-2003, 01:15 AM

I can somewhat although its not my primary way. Basically, let me get my hands on a guitar of any type and I'll find a way to play something on it.

jimklein · #8 01-16-2003, 08:03 AM

I'm a lefty also but gave into the force & play a righty guitar.

gmccall · #9 01-16-2003, 08:46 AM

Hi all,

Hey jimklein,

I have always thought a left-handed person would have a very kool advantage over a right-handed person playing the standard guitar as it is, for standard flatpicking.

Would you agree?

Many times when I was learning, I used ponder if I would have had an advantage being left-handed, and being able to use the favored left hand for all the finger work.

It just seems to me that should be the case...no???

Now, being also trained in classical, I can see where the advantage may deminish somewhat with the increased digital gymnastic of the right hand...?

Have a great day,
grm

Godzilla · #10 01-20-2003, 12:43 PM

Eric Gales, phenomenal young guitarist from Tennessee (I think) plays righty-thrown-upside-down.

I have a lefty Strat I restrung and flipped over. Sounds cool

crowdedstr · #11 01-20-2003, 04:24 PM

kurt cobain did during nirvana's mtv unplugged show way back in what, late '93/early '94

mccartney also used one of his oldies in concert this past tour -- during yesterday if i remember right. and he even pointed it out to the crowd....that was the same exact guitar he played on the ed sullivan show years and years prior. kinda neat

Pancora · #12 01-21-2003, 09:11 AM

Bill Staines - locally (Massachusetts) bred folksinger/songwriter with a national following for many years now. He's both a flatpicker and fingerpicker and makes that upside-down Martin sound so nice I sometimes think about getting a lefty guitar just so I can give it a try!