Left-Handed Guitar: Buying Guide, Setup & Best Models

Left-handed guitarists have three main options: a true left-handed guitar (built mirrored from the factory), a right-handed guitar restrung and flipped upside-down (the Jimi Hendrix method), or learning to play right-handed. For most beginners, a true left-handed guitar is the simplest and most ergonomic path. Every major manufacturer — Fender, Gibson, Taylor, Martin, Epiphone, Squier, Yamaha — offers left-handed models in 2026. Selection is narrower than right-handed guitars and prices can run $20–50 higher, but dedicated lefty instruments exist at every budget level.

Approximately 10% of the population is left-handed, yet left-handed guitars typically represent only 3–8% of most manufacturers’ catalogs. This has historically meant lefty guitarists face a narrower in-store selection. Online shopping has largely solved this problem — major retailers like Guitar Center, Sweetwater, and Musician’s Friend stock full lefty lines from all major brands.

Understanding What “Left-Handed Guitar” Actually Means

• The thick low E string is at the top when the guitar is held to play
• The body is shaped with the waist cutaway (on cutaway models) facing upward and forward
• Controls, pickguard, and <a href="/knowledge-hub/guitar-strap-selection-guide">strap button</a> are positioned for a right-handed player

• The low E string is still at the top when held to play — but the body is flipped
• The strap button, control knobs, and pickguard are on the opposite side
• The nut is cut with string slots in the reversed order for correct string spacing

This means a left-handed guitarist holds the guitar with the neck pointing to the right and picks with the left hand — which is the mirror of how a right-hander plays.

The Three Options for Left-Handed Guitarists

Option 1: Buy a True Left-Handed Guitar (Recommended)

The cleanest solution. The guitar is designed from the factory for left-hand playing. No modifications required, and everything — nut, bridge, electronics, strap button placement — works as designed.

Pros: Ergonomic and comfortable immediately; no setup modifications needed; available at all price points; fully correct action and intonation out of the box.

Cons: Smaller model selection than right-handed; occasionally $20–50 more expensive; fewer options to try in physical stores (though online selection is excellent).

Option 2: Restring a Right-Handed Guitar (The Jimi Hendrix Method)

Jimi Hendrix famously played right-handed Fender Stratocasters restrung upside-down — the iconic look of his white Strat at Woodstock. This involves flipping a right-handed guitar and reversing the string order to accommodate left-hand playing.

• The nut must be replaced or re-cut with slots sized for the reversed <a href="/knowledge-hub/electric-guitar-string-gauges-explained">string gauge</a> order (the thin string slot now holds a thick string, and vice versa)
• Saddle adjustments may be needed for correct intonation
• On cutaway electrics, the cutaway now faces the “wrong” direction, limiting upper fret access
• Control knobs and output jack are now in awkward positions

For beginners, these modifications add cost and hassle when dedicated left-handed guitars are readily available. The Hendrix method makes more sense as a vintage guitar preservation choice (preserving a right-handed collectible) or as a deliberate stylistic decision.

Option 3: Learn to Play Right-Handed

Some left-handers choose to learn right-handed, particularly if they begin guitar at a young age before strong hand preference has fully solidified. Famous left-handers who play guitar right-handed include Paul Simon, Gary Moore, and Mark Knopfler.

Advantages: Access to the entire right-handed guitar market; no issues finding instruments in stores; can pick up any guitar and play.

Disadvantages: Feels unnatural initially for many lefties; some players report that their dominant (left) picking hand never feels as precise as it would if they played left-handed.

This is a personal decision with no universal right answer. Try both orientations for a week each and see which feels more natural. For adults starting guitar later in life, most find true left-handed playing significantly more comfortable.

Best Left-Handed Guitars for Beginners in 2026

Best Left-Handed Acoustic Under $350: Fender CD-60S Left-Hand Fender’s most popular starter acoustic is available in a genuine left-handed version. Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, scalloped X-bracing for improved resonance. Easy to play with comfortable low action. Suitable for fingerpicking and strumming alike. An excellent first guitar at an honest price.

Best Left-Handed Electric Under $400: Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster LH Squier’s Classic Vibe series consistently punches above its price range. The left-handed Strat offers three single-coil pickups, alder body, maple neck, and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge. Covers rock, blues, country, and pop without compromise.

Best Left-Handed Acoustic Mid-Range: Seagull S6 Original Left Seagull is a Canadian manufacturer with a strong reputation in the $400–$600 range. The S6 Left uses a pressure-tested cedar top and wild cherry back and sides for a warm, full tone that stands up to much more expensive guitars. Wider-than-standard nut width (1.8 inches) suits fingerpickers.

Best Left-Handed Electric Under $500: Epiphone Les Paul Standard Left-Hand Epiphone’s Les Paul Standard delivers genuine humbucker tone (ProBucker pickups, AlNiCo V magnets) at an accessible price. The left-handed version is available in several classic finishes. Excellent for rock, blues, and alternative styles.

Best Premium Left-Handed Acoustic: Taylor 214ce Left-Handed If budget allows, Taylor’s 214ce in left-handed configuration is one of the finest entry-to-mid-range acoustic-electrics available in any orientation. Layered rosewood back and sides, solid Sitka spruce top, Expression System 2 pickup. Street price approximately $1,100.

Setup Tips for Left-Handed Guitarists

Get a proper nut check: Any new guitar should have its nut checked and adjusted by a luthier or guitar tech. Left-handed guitars from major manufacturers are generally correctly set up, but verifying nut slot depth and action height at the first fret is worth the $20–40 setup fee.

Learn to read chord diagrams left-handed: Standard chord diagrams assume a right-handed perspective — they show the fretboard as seen from the front, with the lowest string on the left. For left-handed players, everything is reversed. Apps like GuitarTuna, Fender Play, and Yousician all offer dedicated left-handed mode that mirrors the diagram automatically.

Find an appropriate teacher: Many guitar teachers can teach left-handed students effectively by sitting facing the student and demonstrating on a right-handed guitar (which the student mirrors). If you prefer a left-handed teacher, they exist — search specifically, as they’re less common but available in most cities.

String changes are identical: The technique for changing strings is the same for left-handed and right-handed guitars — just mirrored. The same tools and winding direction apply.

FAQ

Is it harder to learn guitar as a left-hander? No — left-handed players learn at the same rate as right-handers once they have the right instrument and resources. The initial challenge is setup (finding a proper left-handed guitar and appropriate chord resources), not any inherent difficulty with left-hand playing. Some lefties feel their dominant picking hand gives them a natural advantage in picking precision.

Can I use any guitar tutorial as a left-handed player? Yes, with one mental adjustment: you mirror chord diagrams and video demonstrations. With practice, this becomes automatic within a few weeks. Apps with left-handed mode eliminate even this step. YouTube tutorials can be followed by imagining the mirror image of what you see, which most lefty guitarists adapt to quickly.

Are left-handed guitars more expensive? Sometimes — but not always dramatically. Most left-handed guitars from major manufacturers are within $20–50 of their right-handed counterparts. The bigger challenge is selection: fewer models are available in brick-and-mortar stores. Shopping online (Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Musician’s Friend, Amazon) gives you access to the full lefty catalog of every major brand.

For left-handed guitar recommendations, gear comparisons, and personalized advice, visit [professionalgl.com](https://professionalgl.com) or use our Pro Concierge service to find the right instrument for your style and budget.

• [Best Electric Guitar for Beginners](/knowledge-hub/2026-06-20-best-electric-guitar-for-beginners)
• [Best Acoustic Guitar Under $500](/knowledge-hub/2026-05-30-best-acoustic-guitar-under-500)
• [How to Change Guitar Strings](/knowledge-hub/2026-06-16-how-to-change-guitar-strings)