Please say hello

[Jeroen]

The only place I've seen them available is in Japan at Taniguchi-Gakki here:
http://www.taniguchi-gakki.com/catalog/ ... ts_id=1128
I don't believe they export, however.

I've contacted them once about a Fender JB75-US and they refused. They did point me towards a website of a company that buys the bass for you and ships it. It was http://www.dankedanke.com . Guitar Shogun might be a good option too, I've had some contact with Ken about that same Fender.

[priest]

hello!! btw, im josbroek from talkbass!

[Jetrel]

...Since you're a beginner I really think you'd be better off just finding a readily available lefty bass (Fender, Ibanez) first. (Or, don't shoot me forum members, learn to play right handed on a righty bass!). Then, if you want to continue playing bass, you can try to find a Jackson. I think you're going to pay heavy shipping and import fees for the Jackson even if you are able to get it to your country, probably not worth the cost.

pjmuck, thanks!
About playing by right hand: I can't do it, because I'm a 100000% lefthander.
Oh, guys, what will you say about buying this bass? http://cgi.ebay.com/Jackson-Kelly-Profe ... .m20.l1116
Maybe I should buy this bass and turn it on the left side? Will I have any problems if I will do it?
Share your opinion, please!

About shipping to Russia: services of our mediators are about 300$.

P.S. Sorry for my Еnglish

[pjmuck]

Oh, guys, what will you say about buying this bass? http://cgi.ebay.com/Jackson-Kelly-Profe ... .m20.l1116
Maybe I should buy this bass and turn it on the left side? Will I have any problems if I will do it?
Share your opinion, please!

About shipping to Russia: services of our mediators are about 300$.

P.S. Sorry for my Еnglish

No need to apologize for your english, Jetrel, you're doing fine.

Assuming you would be playing like a "true" lefty, i.e. flipped over and strung lowest to highest (E to G), it could probably work, but consider that you would probably have to:

1. Flip or replace the nut
2. Relocate and drill new strap buttons. This could actually prove to be in your favor, as the body design of that bass is often prone to neck dive. By flipping it and redrilling a strap button in the long lower horn (which would now become an upper horn), I have no doubt the bass would balance better than a righty.
3. Reverse bridge saddles and possibly swap out certain intonation screws for others. Looking at the bass, that E string intonation screw looks particularly short compared to the others. Note that when restringing lefty your E string would now extend to the furthest tuning peg on the headstock, thus extending your string length. Since string lengths will now be either lengthened or shortened, (Your G would be shorter now), it may require using longer intonation screws (at least on the E string) to get it properly intonated. You'll also need to use extra long strings, which could limit your options, as most long sets I've seen consider the G as the longest possible string in use.
4. Since your various knobs will now be above the strings instead of below when you play, it might impede your playing style. My first bass was a Westbury Track II righty flipped over, and I constantly brushed up against the knobs when I played. I ended up taping them in position. If you're a pick player, your playing position could be improved, as you could approach the strings from behind the bridge, plucking parallel to the strings.
5. Your tone on the neck PUP will be slightly different. The bass is currently set up with a "reverse P" configuration, meaning the upper coils of the PUP that are closest to the neck lie under the D and G strings as opposed to a standard P setup where they lie under the E and A strings, which is what you'll end up with when you flip and restring it lefty. Personally, I prefer a reverse P setup, as string to string volumes and tones appear more balanced overall across the bass, IMO. But nothing wrong with a standard P setup either.

Do you have your heart set on a Jackson, or is it just the look and design of this particular bass that you find appealing? The reason I ask is this is basically a variation of a Gibson Explorer bass, and Gaskell Guitars in Australia now makes a left handed Explorer-style bass called the X-Bass. Perhaps this is your best option? (Blonde not included) :

http://www.gaskellguitars.com/images/st ... 09%202.jpg

[Jetrel]

pjmuck, thank you very much for advises!

About manipulations of overturning the hardware of righthanded bass to the left side (if i will buy this Kelly): I think, it's a work for the professional luthier, but not for the beginner bassist like me

About exactly Jacksons or just another Explorer-type basses: yes, I really like basses with Explorer bodies, but at the same time I feel unexplained sympathy to the Jackson basses. Why? I don't know. I think, it's because of the acute-angled Jackson's headstock-horn
Jacksons sounds well (for metal music), if they are not made in India or in China, of course
Also I like acute-angled V-styled body forms (not the Gibson or Epiphone Flying-V).

About Gaskell X-bass: I came to the site of this company and read that their instruments are manufactured in China and are equipped with Korean electronics. This alerted me very much because I had never heard of a good (or at least, more or less average) Chinese guitars and basses.
Besides, I will have no more than 800-850 $ for the purchase (including shipping to Russia).

P.S. The blondie on the photo is really hot

[frankenjazz]

hey all just found and signed up for this sign site yesterday

names gur (pronounced gore) originally from Israel currently in jacksonville glad to finally find fellow players in the southpaw struggle

[leftieray]

Came across this forum the other day while off work with a broken left hand. This is great, a place for us lefties to talk about our hard times getting basses that we desire. I've a small collection. 70's Ibanez eb3 copy (not a lefty) Vantage VS600B early 80's a lefty Ibanez soundgear yes black and a MIM Jazz 75 reissue my favorite. What I am after a lefthanded Telecaster bass real or copy

[pjmuck]

Welcome, Leftieray. Glad you're enjoying our little watering hole.

No bass collection is too modest, unless you feel you're lacking something in the low end dept. (And since I'm an obsessive collector, I guess I'm always feeling that something's missing, which usually means it's my bank account, LOL). You seem to have all the basses covered with your collection. Those early MIJ Vantage basses are great, BTW. Top Matsumoku quality. I'd love to find a lefty 2 PUP model someday.

Which Tele bass are you looking for, the single coil version or the mudbucker version? Our resident builder, Rod of Regenerate Guitar Works, just completed a killer custom single coil Tele copy. Check out his posts under his self-titled, "Regenerate Guitar Works" section.

[andrew]

Nice to have you here Ray, I think you're our first Australian member.

Much belated welcome to Gur as well, but you're a regular in these parts now.

[wombat]

Hi there
found this forum while i was looking for a new lefty bass.
great info here!
greetings from Belgium.

[andrew]

Hey Wombat, welcome! What are you playing for a bass right now?

[wombat]

Thanks. My current main bass is a De Armond Starfire (righty switched to lefty). I also have an Ibanez (L) from the early nineties (soundgear i think) that i use as my backup. First bass i got (and it's still mine) was a VP Challenge (L).
And now i'm looking for a Fender Precision (aren't we all? )

[slybass3000]

It's about time I come say hello here on the forum. I didn't know about this very nice and friendly thread.
I've been in touch with some of you already,how impolite is that? I'm sorry.

I think it is really cool for us lonely left-handed bass players to have a place to hang and exchange thoughts,ideas,experience and even gear !

So thank you Andrew to take care of it,


Syl or Sly......it depends

[andrew]

Thank you Sly, for being a regular here. Glad to have you.

[leftieray]

Welcome, Leftieray. Glad you're enjoying our little watering hole.

No bass collection is too modest, unless you feel you're lacking something in the low end dept. (And since I'm an obsessive collector, I guess I'm always feeling that something's missing, which usually means it's my bank account, LOL). You seem to have all the basses covered with your collection. Those early MIJ Vantage basses are great, BTW. Top Matsumoku quality. I'd love to find a lefty 2 PUP model someday.

Which Tele bass are you looking for, the single coil version or the mudbucker version? Our resident builder, Rod of Regenerate Guitar Works, just completed a killer custom single coil Tele copy. Check out his posts under his self-titled, "Regenerate Guitar Works" section.

[slybass3000]

Thank you Sly, for being a regular here. Glad to have you.

Thanks to you Andrew.

Sly

[Josue Martinez]

HOLA A TODOS!!!!

Hi, guys!! I´m really pleased to be here , I´ve discovered this forum thanks to "Arni´s lefties community", and I´m really amazed.... it´s greeeeat to find you!!

I´m a bassplayer and mixing engineer from Spain, I´m 30 y.o. and please, please... excuse me if sometimes I don´t write good english, the little english I know I´ve learned it by myself... so , if at any moment I sound rude or extrange, please feel free to correct me. I´ll thank you so for that.

[Jeroen]

Hi Josue, and welcome!
Your ATK is shipping today

[Josue Martinez]

Thanks so much !! To deal with you it´s been very kind and easy.... I´ll let you know when the bass is here.

[andrew]

HOLA A TODOS!!!!

Hi, guys!! I´m really pleased to be here , I´ve discovered this forum thanks to "Arni´s lefties community", and I´m really amazed.... it´s greeeeat to find you!!

I´m a bassplayer and mixing engineer from Spain, I´m 30 y.o. and please, please... excuse me if sometimes I don´t write good english, the little english I know I´ve learned it by myself... so , if at any moment I sound rude or extrange, please feel free to correct me. I´ll thank you so for that.

Hey Josue,
Great to have you here! Don't worry about your English, you're doing fine, all understood.