Common Left Handed Guitar Mistakes to Avoid

Buying a left-handed guitar is harder than buying right-handed because inventory is thinner and mistakes are costlier. That said, people make the same mistakes over and over—and most of them are avoidable if you know what to watch out for. I've seen left-handed players blow their budget on the wrong guitar, skip a professional setup and wonder why they quit, or spend weeks wrestling with a converted right-handed model that nobody should have sold them in the first place. The good news is that knowing these pitfalls exists means you can sidestep them.

Mistake 1: Buying a Converted Right-Handed Guitar Thinking You're Saving Money

A mate offers you a right-handed guitar at half price, and you think, "I'll just reverse the nut and restring it." That is the mistake that costs you most. Reversing a right-handed guitar properly means replacing the nut (because the old slots were cut for the opposite string order), modifying or replacing the bridge or saddle for correct compensation, possibly replacing the pickguard, and still accepting that controls might sit awkwardly. That £400 "bargain" becomes £500+ after modifications, and you end up with an instrument that still does not feel right. A purpose-built left-handed guitar costs more upfront but avoids this false economy completely. If someone is offering you a reversed right-handed guitar, politely decline.

Mistake 2: Not Verifying That the Nut Is Actually Cut Correctly

An online retailer sends you a "left-handed" guitar, and you unbox it to discover the nut is cut for right-handed string order. This happens because shops sometimes misfile inventory or reuse photos without checking. Before you buy, demand confirmation that the nut is cut for left-handed string arrangement. Check the product code against the manufacturer's specification—a left-handed Stratocaster will have a different model number than the right-handed version. If the retailer cannot confirm the nut detail, find someone who can. A nut replacement costs £30–£80 and the hassle is not worth saving a few quid.

Mistake 3: Choosing Scale Length Without Thinking About Your Hand Size

You fall in love with a guitar's look and order it without considering scale length. Then it arrives: the frets feel too far apart, your hand cramps within minutes, or the whole thing just feels physically wrong. Scale length—the distance from nut to bridge—profoundly affects comfort. Gibson's shorter scale (24.75 inches) suits smaller hands and looser, easy bending. Fender's longer scale (25.5 inches) suits larger hands and provides tighter tension for lower tunings. Before you commit to a guitar, try one with a similar scale length in a shop, even if the exact model is unavailable. A guitar that does not fit your hand will frustrate you into quitting.

Mistake 4: Skipping Professional Setup and Wondering Why the Guitar Plays Like Rubbish

You bring your new left-handed guitar home and immediately try to play. The action is sky-high, the strings buzz against the frets, tuning drifts within minutes. So you assume the guitar is cheap rubbish. What it really is: unset-up. A professional setup—adjusting neck relief, action, intonation and pickup height—transforms any guitar. A £300 instrument with setup beats a £800 one without it every single time. Do not skip this. Budget £40–£60 and book a technician before your first real practice session. You will thank yourself within a week.

Mistake 5: Choosing a Guitar Solely Because It's Famous

Jimi Hendrix played a reversed Stratocaster, so you decide you must own a left-handed Strat, even though you have small hands and prefer humbucker tone. The guitar arrives, your hand cramps, and you discover it feels nothing like what you wanted. Hendrix played a Strat because it was available and he made it legendary. That does not make it right for you. Choose a guitar based on neck profile, scale length, pickup type, body comfort and weight—not based on who played the same model. The wrong guitar played by a legend is still the wrong guitar for you.

Mistake 6: Buying from a Retailer Without a Proper Return Policy

You find a left-handed guitar at a brilliant price from a shop with a no-returns policy. Then it arrives and does not suit you. You are now stuck with an instrument you do not want and cannot return. A retailer with free 30-day returns and clear return procedures is worth the premium. If something costs £500, paying slightly more for the security of a return policy is not extravagant—it is sensible. Online retailers like Thomann, Gear4Music and Sweetwater all offer strong return terms. Local shops sometimes do not. Verify before you buy.

Mistake 7: Not Confirming That Controls Are Actually Left-Handed Positioned

You receive your left-handed guitar and discover the volume and tone controls sit in positions designed for a right-handed player's picking hand. This is uncommon but happens. Before purchasing, ask the retailer explicitly whether the controls are mirrored for left-handed playing. Some manufacturers position controls centrally and never mirror them; others do. Verify specifically rather than assuming.

Mistake 8: Buying Used Without Inspecting for Hidden Damage

A used left-handed guitar arrives from a private seller at a tempting price. You play it once, notice the neck has a sharp twist, or the frets are worn unevenly. Returning it to a private seller is nearly impossible. With used instruments, always buy from retailers that accept returns, or inspect the guitar in person before committing. Do not assume that a lower price reflects only market rarity; it might reflect hidden problems. Ask for detailed photos of the back of the neck, the headstock, the bridge and the body finish. Ask about any cracks, scratches or hardware issues. When in doubt, pass.

Mistake 9: Not Comparing Specifications Between Left-Handed and Right-Handed Versions

You assume that a left-handed Les Paul has identical pickups and hardware to the right-handed version. Sometimes it does not. Production runs for left-handed models are smaller, so manufacturers sometimes substitute components to reduce cost. Verify pickup type, bridge design, tuning machines and hardware against the right-handed specification. If specifications differ, ask why. Do not accept vague assurances; get the exact details in writing.

Mistake 10: Not Having a Case or Gig Bag, Then Damaging Your Guitar

You save money by skipping a case, then drop your new left-handed guitar or catch the headstock on a doorframe. A decent case or gig bag costs £30–£80 and prevents thousands in damage. Factor it into your budget from the start. Used guitars are often cheaper than new ones partly because buyers damage them by not protecting them.

The left-handed guitar world is smaller, which means fewer retailers and narrower selection. That scarcity also means mistakes cost more. Know what to avoid, buy from retailers with clear return policies, verify every specification, and book a professional setup before your first serious play. Do that, and you'll end up with an instrument you love, not one you regret.

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