How much would it cost to change a guitar from left to right handed?

[sfla]

It's a Mcilroy, so the bridge would need to be replaced as the saddle is set for left handed.

The reason I ask is someone is selling a Brazilian Rosewood Mcilroy for cheap, cheap enough I'm thinking of learning to play left handed.

What'd it cost me to change the bridge?

[upsidedown]

Originally Posted by sfla

It's a Mcilroy, so the bridge would need to be replaced as the saddle is set for left handed.

The reason I ask is someone is selling a Brazilian Rosewood Mcilroy for cheap, cheap enough I'm thinking of learning to play left handed.

What'd it cost me to change the bridge?

Can't answer your question, but wouldn't the orientation of the top braces be an issue also?

[Wade Hampton]

It shouldn't be necessary to replace the entire bridge. Removing the original bridge and replacing it would be overkill. All that needs to be done is to have the saddle slot filled in with the same species of wood as the bridge, then once the new wood's glue has dried and cured, cutting a new saddle slot slanted in the proper direction for a right-handed player.

It would probably run you something like $150-$200, I should think, maybe a bit less.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by upsidedown

Can't answer your question, but wouldn't the orientation of the top braces be an issue also?

It might make some small tonal difference, but these sorts of handedness alterations are fairly common, mostly right-handed guitars getting converted to lefties. It shouldn't be a problem from a structural standpoint.


whm

[Napman41]

I’m a lefty and when I was younger I played right guitars restrung and only changed the nut. Having a good luthier filland re-slot a bridge should cost less than $200. There is no need to worry about the top bracing. Some guitars have a symmetrical bracing pattern.

[Osage]

Originally Posted by upsidedown

Can't answer your question, but wouldn't the orientation of the top braces be an issue also?

Not structurally. Sonically, it will be a bit different I guess but there are plenty of guitars where the tone bars are backwards from the Martin standard that sound great and are effectively lefty guitars being played righty. Gurian is the first that comes to mind but I know I've seen others. I've switched a bunch of guitars from righty to lefty for clients and one close friend who is a lefty and they always sounded good to me.

[mirwa]

I can only comment on my prices

$145 option 1
Redrill fret side markers
Make new nut
Fill saddle slot
Slot new saddle
Make new saddle
Remove pickguard
New strings

$415 option 2
Redrill fret side markers
Remove and fill old fret markers
Make new nut
Remove bridge
Manufacture and fit left handed bridge
Make new saddle
Remove tone bars internally
Make and fit new left handed tone bars
New strings
Remove old pickguard, manufacture and fit New pickguard

Steve

[Neil K Walk]

Is there something special about this particular guitar. If so, is modifying it without understanding the scope of the changes or the monetary and potential tonal costs really a choice you feel 100% confident in making?

I say move on. If you have to ask, it isn’t worth doing. Just my 2c.

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

Is there something special about this particular guitar. If so, is modifying it without understanding the scope of the changes or the monetary and potential tonal costs really a choice you feel 100% confident in making?

I say move on. If you have to ask, it isn’t worth doing. Just my 2c.

I think this is his motivation: "The reason I ask is someone is selling a Brazilian Rosewood Mcilroy for cheap . . . ."

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by ChrisN

I think this is his motivation: "The reason I ask is someone is selling a Brazilian Rosewood Mcilroy for cheap . . . ."

To which I would ask “what’s wrong with it?”

[phavriluk]

Is a pickguard involved, too?

[Moocheng]

good lefty's are hard enough to find,
maybe pass and leave it for a lefty to enjoy


not a popular thought maybe, but its how I feel

[redir]

I once made a guitar with the bracing orientated opposite and I doubt that anyone even with the best ear would be able to tell. I do realize that one iteration of a guitar is anecdotal at best but IMHO it's not necessary, is expensive to do, and you might not really beniit from it.

I would just remove the bridge, throw it in the guitar case, and make a new one, set it all up and charge ya about $250.

If you are getting a good deal on a righty I say go for it.