Converting a RH guitar to LH

[Triggs]

Seeing as how Guild doesn't make anything in left hand other than the GAD series (just bought a GAD-50L), what are the thoughts on changing a guitar over. I would love to eventually get an American made Guild, but don't want to ruin it.

Help!!

 

[cjd-player]

You just need to take it to a luthier to have it switched.

1. It needs to have the nut replaced with a LH nut.

2. The saddle slot in the bridge will need to be filled in, then a new slot routed, and a new LH saddle installed.

It will not ruin the guitar.

If you are buying it new from a dealer, I would ask the dealer to have it converted to a LH model.
Although you'll likely have to pay for the conversion work.
If he won't, I'd find a different dealer.

Actually, if you are buying it sight unseen from a dealer, then have him order it left handed from Guild.

If you are buying it used, then you are on your own to have the work done.

 

[wontox]

You can do all those alterations (don't forget the pickguard and side dots as well), but frankly, you can just restring it...the intonation won't be perfect at the fourteenth fret but, it is certainly quite playable....and you can file the saddle (perpendicular to the strings) to improve the intonation. I had a lefty Gibson CW I picked up cheap years ago (I'm a righty), I merely switched the strings around, and it was just fine, for me. I did install new side dots because I play standing up quite a bit in dark places.

Wontox

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

.....Or you could just buy one that was built as a lefty originally or converted by someone else:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1978-GUILD-D-55...C-/190491690820?pt=Guitar&hash=item2c5a308744

Guild build a fair number of left-handed guitars in the past. I've seen lefty Westerly-built Guilds come up periodically.

Edit:http://www.gbase.com/gear/guild-d44-m-bl-lh-1978-maple#

2nd Edit: There are even Counterfeit left-handed Guilds:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-Acoustic-...E-/200566581713?pt=Guitar&hash=item2eb2b329d1
This is NOT the real thing. Talk about an equal opportunity scam....... :roll:

3rd Edit: There were a couple for sale by an LTGer, last fall. You PM him and check to see if they are still for sale:
http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=21115
http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=21114

~nw

 

[Triggs]

I was told by two shops that sell Guilds, that they do not make them left handed at the factory, but I will look into it. Thanks for the advice

 

[fronobulax]

have him order it left handed from Guild.

Will they accept and fill the order? I thought left handed would fall into the Custom category and the NH factory isn't accepting custom orders yet.

 

[chazzan]

I am a left handed player and have converted several Guilds from right hand to left hand with no problems at all- I have heard the the factory left handed Guilds made in Westerly were right handed Guilds with a lefty nut, bridge saddle and saddle slot, and pickguard.

to convert an acoustic guitar to left handed you need a new nut, bridge, and fill and re-cut the bridge saddle slot to intonate for the strings reversed

I have a Guild f-30 lefty on consignment- pm me if you want the details

good luck!