The 7 Best Left Handed Acoustic Guitars
Are you a lefty looking for the best acoustic guitars for you out there? Look no further, because we've got the top 7 best left handed acoustic guitars for you to check out, whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned pro.
Since most people are right-handed, guitar manufacturers usually design and produce more right-handed guitars; so if you are a lefty musician, you may have a harder time finding a left-handed acoustic guitar than a right-handed one.
However, there are some great options out there for lefties, so don't give up - there's no reason why you can't play the guitar if it's designed for your dominant hand.
Additionally, all of the lefty guitars can be purchased with a gig bag that fits them, just like with a regular "righty" guitar, and you can find features such as a spruce top, x-bracing, solid mahogany top or body, and rosewood fingerboard.
There are some great companies that make left-handed acoustic guitars, including premium manufacturers like Fender, Taylor, and Gibson, and most music stores will have a few options to choose from, so you're sure to find something in your price range.
If you're looking for a specific model or color, then it might be harder to find what you're looking for, but there are definitely left-handed acoustic guitars out there - you just might have to look a bit harder for them.
This guide is intended to give you a head start in your search.
Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Thinline
Why it Rocks
The Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Thinline Acoustic Electric guitar is an excellent choice for professional players seeking a high quality, comfortable, and versatile instrument.
With a 3" thick thinline body that provides a lighter weight without sacrificing sound or tone quality, this guitar is the perfect choice for musicians who need a reliable and responsive instrument that they can take on the road.
In addition, the 41" full-sized body features a cutaway design at the neck to provide better access to the spruce top and neck frets, making it easier and more comfortable to play even for experienced musicians.
Crafted from high-quality X-bracing spruce for strength and durability, this guitar also has a back and sides constructed from sturdy yet warm basswood.
The strong, balanced marine grade Okoume solid wood of the neck further ensures superior stability, making this instrument perfect for musicians who need reliable performance from their instrument no matter where their music takes them.
And with integrated 4-band pickup/EQ controls including control slides for presence, bass, mid-range, and treble as well as a volume control knob for fine-tuning your tone, you'll have everything you need to bring your music to life onstage or in the studio.
What Else
Equipped with high quality steel core strings that are wound with phosphor-bronze and stainless steel and coated with an anti-rust coating, this guitar offers smooth playability while also providing great resonance and sustain.
Strong yet lightweight chrome diecast tuning pegs and the spruce top keep your strings secure so you can perform at your best throughout every song.
And if you purchase the package with accessories, it even includes a gig bag for transport and storage.
Whether you're looking for an all-purpose acoustic guitar or simply want something smaller and more travel friendly than your full sized model, the Ashthorpe Full Size Cutaway Thinline guitar is definitely worth considering, especially at such an unbeatable price.
Jameson Guitars Full Size Thinline
Why it Rocks
With its elegant design and exquisite sound, this guitar is the perfect choice for any player, from beginner to advanced.
With its durable wooden construction and solid spruce top and basswood body, this guitar offers clean, raw, acoustic tones unplugged, as well as customizable electric tones when plugged in.
In addition to its excellent sound when unplugged, users can also take advantage of the acoustic electric tone that this guitar offers thanks to its onboard 4-band pickup and EQ system.
Whether you're learning to play or looking to improve your skills, this guitar makes it easy with its smooth texture and excellent coordination capabilities.
What Else
This Thinline model is a perfect example of Jameson's dedication to superior craftsmanship and design. With its sitka spruce top, nato body, and rosewood fingerboard, this instrument provides a bright and vibrant sound with plenty of sustain. And thanks to its sleek, thinline design, it is lightweight and easy to play. Additionally, with its smooth high gloss finish and diecast tuners, this guitar looks as polished as it sounds.
And if you purchase the package with accessories, it even includes a gig bag for transport and storage truly a steal at this price.
Donner Left Handed Full Size Cutaway
Why it Rocks
Featuring a sitka spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides, this guitar provides excellent durability, resonance, and dynamic range, with a rich, bright sound and balanced tone. Additionally, with its scalloped X-bracing and 20 brass frets with fret position marks along the neck, this guitar offers great playability across the entire fretboard.
The cutaway design allows for comfortable access to the higher notes on the fretboard, while the natural color and finish lend a timeless aesthetic appeal.
What Else
Designed specifically for lefties, this Donner is the ideal choice for musicians who want a smooth playing experience and easy fretting.
With a C-shaped neck profile that provides an ergonomic grip and allows for fluid up-and-down sliding, this guitar makes it effortless to play even the most complex riffs and licks.
The high-quality strings and tuning machine set this instrument apart from other guitars, ensuring that it stays in tune after every tune-up, providing a consistent sound and tone.
And if you purchase the package with accessories, it even includes a gig bag for transport and storage.
Whether you're looking for your first guitar or just looking for a reliable mahogany-based instrument with an x-bracing structure to jam on, the Donner Left Handed Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for any musician seeking a professional, high-quality instrument at a reasonable price.
Ibanez AW54LCE
Why it Rocks
The Ibanez AW54LCE 6-string acoustic-electric guitar. With its comfortable body, beautiful tone, and built in tuner, this instrument makes it easy to play in any setting.
Additionally, its low impedance plug lets you play anywhere without the need for a direct box, making it an ideal choice for musicians who like to be on the go.
Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced player looking for a reliable guitar that delivers fantastic tone at an unbeatable price, the Ibanez AW54LCE is an excellent choice.
What Else
Made from premium top wood materials, including Okoume and a solid mahogany top, back and sides, this guitar has a stunning natural finish that makes it a true work of art.
And with its ovangkol fingerboard and Nyatoh neck, it offers unparalleled playability along with great sound quality and tone.
Martin LX1 Little Martin
Why it Rocks
C.F. Martin & Co. is one of the most trusted and respected names in the world of guitars. Known for their high-quality instruments and innovative design, Martin guitars are preferred by professionals and amateurs alike.
The Martin LX1 Little Martin is a prime example of Martin's commitment to superior craftsmanship and durability. Made from top-quality sitka spruce top and solid mahogany body, fretboard materials, neck, back and sides, along with a quality bone nut and saddle, this guitar is built to provide years of dynamic sound and consistent tone quality.
In addition, the Martin LX1 features robust 6-string phosphor bronze strings that can stand up to even the most demanding playing styles.
What Else
The Martin LX1 Little Martin is the perfect choice for musicians and guitarists who are looking for a small, portable guitar that doesn't compromise on tone, quality, or versatility.
This model features a solid Sitka spruce top, as well as mahogany back and sides made from high-pressure laminate (HPL). Its warm satin finish makes it an ideal instrument for travel or student practice, while the Martin name ensures that it's built to last.
Whether you're looking to play around the house or at a campfire, the Martin LX1 Little Martin is the perfect choice for musicians of all levels.
Fender CD-60S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Why it Rocks
This Fender is a great choice for any musician looking for a solid top on a dependable instrument that can produce bright and dynamic tones, with plenty of midrange and volume.
With its solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, quality bone nut and saddle, and easy-to-play neck, this guitar is ideal for any player, from beginning players to seasoned grand auditorium professionals, utilizing any acoustic technique from hard strumming to delicate fingerpicking.
What Else
With its solid spruce top and mahogany body, this guitar offers a rich, resonant, balanced tone that is paired perfectly with its 25.3-inch scale length mahogany neck and 20 fret walnut fingerboard.
Additionally, its "Easy-to-Play" neck shape features rolled fretboard edges, making it perfect for players of all experience levels.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this left-handed acoustic guitar has everything you need to take your playing to the next level, and is a real bargain for the price.
Yamaha FG820 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
Why it Rocks
Thanks to cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology developed by Yamaha's R&D Division, this guitar has a rich, full sound in the low to mid-ranges that is sure to impress, whether you're playing acoustic or acoustic-electric. And with its new scalloped x-bracing pattern and variety of tone wood options, this guitar can meet the needs of musicians with any style or skill level.
What Else
Designed with professional musicians in mind, the Yamaha FG820 Solid Top is a top-of-the-line instrument that boasts premium construction and superb tone. Featuring a solid spruce top for excellent resonance and projection, this guitar also has solid mahogany back and sides for warmth and richness, as well as a nato solid wood neck for comfortable playing.
In addition, the rosewood fingerboard and bridge provide smooth playability, while the diecast tuners ensure reliable tuning stability.
And with its adjustable truss rod, this guitar with an x-bracing structure can be easily fine-tuned to meet your specific playing needs.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, the Yamaha FG820 Solid Top will deliver beautifully nuanced sound and effortless performance, making it the ideal choice for anyone who wants to take their musical talents to the next level.
FAQs About the Best Left Handed Acoustic Guitars
Is it harder to learn guitar if you're a lefty?
No, it's not harder to learn guitar if you're a lefty. In fact, many lefty guitarists find that they have a natural advantage over right-handed players, since they can more easily contort their hands into the required shapes for certain chords and techniques.
So don't worry - if you're a lefty, you can still learn guitar just as easily as anyone else. Just be prepared to do a bit of extra searching for a lefty guitar that's suitable for you.
Which handedness is best for guitar?
There is no best handedness for guitar - it's simply a matter of what works best for you.
If you're right-handed, you'll probably find it easier to learn on a right-handed guitar.
And if you're a lefty, you'll probably find it easier to learn on a lefty guitar.
At the end of the day, it's important that you choose the guitar that feels most comfortable for you. If you're not sure which handedness is best for you, it's always a good idea to try out both right- and left-hand guitars before making your decision. Whichever one feels more natural to you is probably the best option.
Which hand is more important for guitar?
It depends on what you mean by "important".
If you're asking which hand is more necessary for playing guitar, the answer would be your left hand (on a guitar intended to be played by righties).
The left hand is responsible for fretting the strings along the neck, while the right hand is responsible for strumming them.
However, if you're asking which hand is more important to develop as a guitarist, the answer would be your right hand. The right hand is responsible for both fretting and strumming, so it's essential that you develop strong technique with that hand in order to become a well-rounded player.
Are lefty guitars worth more?
There is no definitive answer, as the price or market value of any musical instrument depends on a variety of factors, including make, model, year of manufacture, and overall condition.
However, certain lefty guitars may be more coveted by collectors or aficionados and could be worth more on the secondary market.
Some notable examples include instruments crafted by renowned luthiers such as Gibson or Fender, or those that are particularly rare or unique.
For example, a 1955 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst lefty guitar sold at auction for a price of over $60,000 in 2016.
Ultimately it comes down to what price the market will bear.
What percentage of guitar players are lefty?
It is estimated that around 10% of guitar players are lefty, reflecting the approximate percentage of lefty people in the general population.
Why do lefties need lefty guitars?
It has to do with the way that the instruments are designed.
Most are designed for right-handed people, so the strings and pickups are in a different place on a lefty guitar. This can make it more difficult to play for a lefty.
Many lefties find it more comfortable to play a guitar that is specifically designed for them.
There are also many companies that make lefty guitars, which makes it easier for lefties to find the perfect instrument.
How do you know if you are a left- or right-handed guitarist?
The easiest way to determine if you are a lefty guitarist is to look at the direction your hand is pointing when you are holding the guitar.
If your hand is pointing towards the floor, then you are a right-handed guitarist. If your hand is pointing towards the ceiling, you are a lefty guitarist.
There are also some physical clues that can help determine if you are a lefty or righty. For example, if you write with your left hand, you are most likely a lefty. Or if you throw a ball with your dominant arm (the arm that's opposite from the hand that's holding the ball), then you are most likely right-handed.
If it's still unclear, the best way to figure out if you're left- or right-handed is to try playing a guitar with both hands and see which one feels more comfortable. Many people find that they are ambidextrous and can play equally well with either hand.
What are the different tone wood types for acoustics?
Tone woods are the materials used to make the soundboard, back, and sides of acoustics. Each type of tone wood has its own unique tonal properties that can affect the overall sound of the guitar, which is why guitar manufacturers use a variety of tone woods to make their instruments.
The most common tone woods used are spruce, solid cedar, mahogany, and rosewood.
Spruce
Spruce is a light-colored solid wood with a bright tone and a strong attack. It's often used for the top of the guitar because it helps produce a clear and articulate sound, and it's well-suited for different strumming styles. A sitka spruce top is a very common feature, and spruce is also frequently used for x-bracing.
Cedar
Solid cedar is also light-colored, but is a reddish-brown wood with a warm, balanced tone and rich midrange that has a mellower tone than spruce. It's often used for the back and sides of the guitar.
Mahogany
Mahogany is a dark-colored wood with a warm, balanced tone and deep bass response that's popular for blues and rock music. Many players prefer a solid mahogany top, mahogany neck, and/or mahogany back and sides.
Rosewood
And rosewood is a dark solid wood with a deep bass response that's often used in high-end acoustic guitars.
Other Woods
There are also a number of other tone woods that are less common but can still be found on some acoustic guitars, like maple, walnut, and koa; and you'll find them being used for a solid top, neck or back and sides. Each top wood has its own unique tone and sound, so it's important to try out different types of guitars to see which one has the quality you like best.
What is the "x-bracing" of an acoustic guitar?
Acoustic guitars have a bracing inside the body of the guitar. This is the internal structure that helps to hold the guitar's top and back part of the body shape, as well as the back and sides. It also helps to transfer string vibrations to the body of the guitar, as well as help to reinforce the top so that it doesn't buckle under the tension of the strings.
Different types of bracing are used in different guitars, depending on the size, style and make of the guitar. There are several different types of bracing, but X-bracing and ladder bracing are the most common in acoustic guitars.
Can you restring a guitar to make it lefty?
It is possible to restring a guitar to make it lefty, but it is not a simple process and it is not recommended for beginners, or maybe even intermediate players.
The most important thing to keep in mind when restringing a guitar is that the strings must be in the correct order.
The thickest string (the one with the most tension) should be at the bottom and the thinnest string (the one with the least tension) should be at the top. In order to convert a guitar from right to lefty, you would need to reverse this order.
If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, it is best to take your guitar to a professional luthier who can do it for you.
Should I get my child a lefty guitar?
There's no right or wrong answer to this question, as it ultimately depends on your child's preference and playing style.
Some lefty guitar players find it more comfortable or easy to play a right-handed guitar reversed, while others prefer to use a lefty guitar specifically designed for left-handers.
However, here are a few things to keep in mind if you're considering purchasing a lefty guitar for your child:
1. Not all guitars are created equal - some lefty models may be more difficult to play than righty models. So it's important to do your research and find a guitar with a body shape that is specifically designed for lefty players.
2. Lefty guitars can be more expensive than right-handed guitars. So if you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider buying a standard right-handed model and a lower price and having it converted to a lefty.
If you're still not sure, the best thing to do is to take your child to a music store and have them try out both left- and right-handed models. This way, they can see which body shape feels more comfortable or easy to play.
Are there ambidextrous guitars?
There are no ambidextrous guitars, but there are left-handed and right-handed guitars.
A guitar can be played either lefty or righty, but it won't sound the same when its strings are strummed in the opposite direction.
For instance, a right-handed guitarist playing a lefty guitar will have to hold the instrument upside down and use their left hand to fret the strings on the neck. This can be awkward for some people and may make it difficult to play certain chords or melodies, depending on the scale length on the neck, and especially if using a steel string.
Conversely, a left-handed person playing a right-handed guitar will have to hold the instrument normally and use their right hand to fret the strings on the neck. This may feel more natural for some people, but it can make it difficult to reach the higher strings.
While the string direction and layout needs to be taken into account for the reasons mentioned above, there are, however, certain types of "ambidextrous" body shape (with a more-or-less "neutral" back and sides) that can be set up to accommodate either preference.
Do left-handed people play guitar better than right-handed people?
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that people who play left-handed are better at playing guitar than people who play right-handed.
However, some lefty guitar players find it easier to play certain chords and melodies than right-handed guitar players.
Additionally, a left-handed guitar player may have an advantage when it comes to learning new guitar techniques, as they can mirror the movements of right-handed players.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and each person's individual playing style.
If you're a lefty looking for the best acoustic guitar for your needs, check out our list of the best left-handed acoustic guitars. We've included a range of different models to suit every budget and playing style. So whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, you're sure to find the perfect guitar for you.
Who plays guitar lefty?
Among notable lefty guitar players are Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Paul McCartney. Some famous right-handed guitarists who also play guitar left-handed include Keith Richards and John Mayer. There are also a number of ambidextrous guitarists who can play either lefty or righty, such as Slash and Derek Trucks.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter if you're a lefty or a righty - what matters is that you enjoy playing the guitar and feel comfortable with your chosen handedness.
Summary of the Best Left Handed Acoustic Guitars
It's not hard to find left-handed guitars, it's just that most guitars are made for right-handed people. Left-handed guitars are made by reversing the string order and mirroring the fretboard so that it's easier for left-handed players to play. However, because only about 10% of people are left-handed, there aren't as many options when it comes to choosing a left-handed guitar.
Additionally, there are also a number of conversion kits that can convert a right-handed guitar into a lefty.
So it's definitely not impossible to find a lefty guitar, you just might have to do a little more digging than if you were looking for a right-handed model.
Regardless of whether you want a solid top and mahogany back, spruce back and sides, rosewood neck, or any other features, you can find excellent options with just as desirable tone and sound quality as righty instruments, at a price you can afford.
Just to recap our picks of the best left handed acoustic guitars from above:
Best Thinline Option: Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Thinline
Best Budget Option: Jameson Guitars Thinline Acoustic
Best for Beginners: Donner Left Handed Full Size Cutaway
Best for Aesthetics: Ibanez AW54LCE
Best for Smaller Hands: Martin LX1 Little Martin
Best Value: Fender CD-60S Dreadnought Acoustic
Best Overall: Yamaha FG820 Left-Handed Solid Top Acoustic
Thanks for checking us out, and keep rockin’.
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