RondoMusic are back with a further run of semi-custom guitars, which are of course all available to order left handed.  This new batch includes six different models and aims to ship in August and September 2012.

Customisable options include color, fretboard wood, scale length, number of strings, inlay style, and pickup choice to name but a few. Prices range from roughly $500-$800 plus additional custom prices, but all that is needed to secure yours is a 50% deposit with the rest being payable upon completion.  If you have the patience for a 6 month wait this is a great opportunity to create your dream guitar at a very affordable price.

Agile Semi-Custom Left Handed Guitars

The above image is there to show the style of each guitar, keep in mind that you can alter almost anything on these from the number of strings to the fretboard wood.

For August delivery you can order an AL-3200 or a Septor.  The AL-3XXX, Interceptor Pro, Pendulum Pro and Intrepid Pro guitars will all ship in September.  Check out the link below to find out more about the guitars and to see exactly which options are available for each model.

For more information:
RondoMusic Custom Quote Page

Tom Richardson is back again with another finger-twisting ‘Lick of the Week’. Every other Monday Tom will publish a new lick lesson in video format along with a brief description and tabs.  These licks are aimed mainly at the intermediate and advanced level players, so get your game faces on!

If you have missed previous lessons then be sure to check out the ‘Lick of the Week‘ archives.  Also make sure to subscribe to the LeftyFretz YouTube Channel to make sure you get your fortnightly fix of left handed guitar licks from Tom 

Lick of the Week Lesson 20

Lick 20 is based on the C Harmonic Minor scale. It is similar to an Aeolian scale except it has a natural 7^th instead of a flat 7^th. The natural 7^th interval creates a very distinctive sound.

Here are the scale intervals to compare
Aeolian – R 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 – C D Eb F G Ab Bb
Harmonic Minor – R 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 – C D Eb F G Ab B

The lick starts with a descending chromatic phrase using pull-offs before landing on the 5^th fret of the G string. The next note at the 4^th fret is the natural 7^th. Try playing the lick with this note moved down a semitone to the 3^rd fret to create a b7 interval instead and compare the sound.

In the second bar, 16^th notes are used for the first two beats. The descending part from the 4^th note to the 6^th note can be seen as an Eb major arpeggio built from the third degree of the C Harmonic Minor scale.

.
The lick finishes with two octaves, Bb and C. Here the b7 is used instead but the natural 7^th will work just as well, if not better, to keep with the Harmonic Minor tonality of the lick.

Download tab in GuitarPro 5 format

Feedback

If you’re struggling to get this lick down then leave a question below and we’ll get back to you.  If you manage to nail this lick then consider leaving a video response for us on YouTube.  Also be sure to check out more of Tom’s playing on his YouTube channel

Suhr Guitars was founded by John Suhr and Steve Smith in 1997 and is based in California, USA.  They produce a range of electric guitars, amplifiers, effects units and have recently introduced a new bass design.

Since our last look at Suhr they have quite significantly increased their ‘lefty-friendly’ status by making a larger selection of their Custom models available to order left handed.  They have also recently introduced four new M Series guitars from their Pro Series line.

Suhr Left Handed Guitars

The good news is that all Suhr guitars are now available to order left handed, with the exception of the Modern Set-Neck, the 7-string Modern and also the Classic J-Bass.  If recent developments are anything to go by, it won’t be long before these are available as well.

The image above shows a sample of the different body styles available.  A huge variety of options are available so be sure to check out the Suhr website for the full run-down on what can be ordered.

Suhr Website

Unfortunately the Suhr website hasn’t become any more lefty friendly in recent times.  There is still no mention anywhere regarding which models are available left-handed, and as a result I had to contact the company to uncover this information. Luckily the Suhr customer service department is fantastic and quick to respond.

For more information:
Suhr Guitars Website

Gretsch Guitars was founded in the USA in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a young German immigrant who initially started the company selling banjos, tambourines and drums.  From humble beginnings the company has grown to become one of the biggest players in the guitar world, with several high profile names endorsing the brand.

Unfortunately there are no left handed acoustic or bass guitars at the moment – looking at the website you quickly notice that Gretsch concentrate heavily on their electric guitars over anything else.  Luckily they do offer some unquestionably gorgeous 6-strings to the southpaw guitar players of the world, featuring absolutely stunning attention to detail.

Gretsch G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary Left Handed Guitar

Gretsch commemorates its 125th anniversary (1883-2008) and a 50-year legacy of incredible guitars with a very special instrument, the G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary. Its bound laminated maple body has a metallic gold-finished back and sides, with a rare mid-’50s Gretsch color—Jaguar Tan—chosen for the arched top.

Gretsch G6118TLH Anniversary Left Handed Guitar

Created in 1958 to celebrate Gretsch’s 75th anniversary, the 6118 Anniversary had an ultra-cool two-tone smoke green finish straight from that era’s Cadillac. Today’s model still has it, with other features including dual Filter’Tron pickups, Space Control bridge and Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece.

Gretsch G6119-1962HTLH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose Left Handed Guitar

This is a left-handed version of one of the Gretsch guitars that famously led the British invasion and helped create the mania. The G6119-1962HTLH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose features vintage-style Hilo’Tron pickups, “rocking bar” bridge, Gretsch by Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece, simulated f holes and deep burgundy stain finish.

Gretsch G6119LH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose Left Handed Guitar

The classic Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose features a 16” laminated maple body, rock maple neck, Neo-Classic fingerboard inlays, dual High Sensitive Filter’Tron pickups, “tone-pot” circuitry, Gretsch by Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece and a striking deep cherry stain finish.

Gretsch G6120-1959LHTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body Left Handed Guitar

The ’59 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body made the sound that defined a generation. Features include bound archtop body with bound oversized f holes, two-piece maple neck, bound ebony fingerboard with zero fret and Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays, three-position pickup switch, three-position master tone switching, gold plexi pickguard with “Chet Atkins” signature signpost, chrome “rocking bar” bridge, gold-plated hardware, gold-plated Grover Sta-Tite tuners, bound headstock with curly maple overlay, and Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece.

Gretsch G6120LH Chet Atkins Hollow Body Left Handed Guitar

This is the one—the modern version of the classic 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body guitar. Features include a 16”-wide, 2 ½”-deep single-cutaway hollow body, rock maple neck, ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic™ thumbnail inlays, dual High Sensitive Filter’Tron pickups, Grover Rotomatic tuners, Adjusto-Matic bridge and Bigsby B6G vibrato tailpiece.

Gretsch G6120SSULH Brian Setzer Nashville Left Handed Guitar

Gretsch Brian Setzer Nashville models are built to Brian’s exacting specs and modeled on the guitars in his killer vintage collection. The trestle bracing matches that of Setzer’s favorite ’59, giving it a more solid feel and tons of sustain. Standard features include 1959 trestle bracing, TV Jones® Classic pickups, Sperzel locking tuners, pinned Adjusto-Matic bridge, nickel hardware and Bigsby B6CB vibrato tailpiece.

Gretsch G6122-1959LH Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Left Handed Guitar

Designed in cooperation with Chet Atkins’ longtime rhythm guitarist and close friend, Paul Yandell, the G6122-1959 Country Gentleman precisely replicates the world’s most famous ’59 6122 model—one of Atkins’ personal favorite guitars. Features include handmade TV Jones custom pickups, a slightly wider neck, Bigsby B6GWST vibrato tailpiece with stationary arm and optional swivel arm.

Gretsch G6122-1962LH Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Left Handed Guitar

From driving rhythm to ripping leads, the classic double-cutaway G6122-1962 Country Gentleman Classic does it all. Features include dual High Sensitive Filter’Tron pickups, three-piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard with Neo Classic thumbnail inlays, double mutes, back pad, gold plexi pickguard, gold-plated hardware and Bigsby B6G vibrato tailpiece.

Gretsch G6128TDSLH Duo Jet Left Handed Guitar

With looks that evoke cavernous early-’60s U.K. clubs where the seeds of the British Invasion were first planted, the left-handed 6128TDS Duo Jet™ features aged binding and inlays for vintage vibe, with brilliant DynaSonic single-coil pickups, “rocking bar” bridge, Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece and mahogany stain finish with jet black top.

Gretsch G6128TLH Duo Jet Left Handed Guitar

The classic Gretsch Duo Jet dates to the earliest days of rock music. Modeled closely on its late-’50s ancestor, today’s Duo Jet features dual High Sensitive Filter’Tron pickups, “tone switch” circuitry, ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays, Space Control™ bridge, Gretsch by Bigsby B3C vibrato tailpiece and mahogany stain finish with jet black top.

Gretsch G6134LH White Penguin Left Handed Guitar

A veritable holy grail among classic electric guitar aficionados, the Gretsch White Penguin combines the gold and glitter of the Falcon with the sleek style of the Duo Jet. Features include single-cutaway semi-hollow body with arched top and gold-sparkle binding, one-piece mahogany neck, gold-sparkle-bound ebony fingerboard with feather-motif hump block inlays, gold-sparkle-bound headstock with inlaid winged Gretsch logo and gold-sparkle truss rod cover, dual DynaSonic single-coil pickups, three-position pickup switch, gold plexi pickguard with Penguin motif, rhinestone and white dot control knob inlays, Synchro-Sonic bridge, Gretsch “G” Cadillac tailpiece, gold-plated Grover Imperial tuners, banjo armrest and gold-plated hardware.

Gretsch G6136TLH White Falcon Left Handed Guitar

The left-handed G6136T White Falcon features classic 1959 styling, with a single-cutaway hollow body, arched top, 1959 trestle bracing, gold-sparkle binding and oversized bound f holes. The three-piece maple neck has an ebony fingerboard with gold-sparkle binding and Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays. Other features include dual High Sensitive Filter’Tron pickups, three-position pickup switch, three-position master tone switch, gold plexi pickguard with Falcon motif, Space Control bridge, gold-plated Grover Imperial tuners, horizontal Gretsch gold-sparkle headstock logo and a Bigsby B6GB vibrato tailpiece.

Gretsch G6196TLH Country Club Left Handed Guitar

The G6196T Country Club features a single-cutaway bound hollow body in Cadillac green with arched spruce top, parallel tone bar bracing and oversized single-bound f holes. The three-piece maple neck has a bound ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays. Other features include dual High Sensitive Filter’Tron pickups, three-position pickup switch, three-position master tone switch, standby switch, gold plexi pickguard, Grover Imperial gold-plated tuners, Space Control bridge, gold-plated hardware and Bigsby B6G vibrato tailpiece.

Gretsch G5191 Tim Armstrong Left Handed Guitar

Loud and ferocious, the Gretsch® G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic® Hollow Body bears the personal stamp of Rancid founder and punk godfather Armstrong. Huge tone resonates from deep within its bound single-cutaway hollow body, which features parallel tone bar bracing with sound post and bound f holes.

Gretsch G5434 Pro Jet Left Handed Guitar

Electromatic® Pro Jet left-handed models take on a new voice and identity, with chambered basswood bodies and arched maple tops that resonate true to “That Great Gretsch Sound,” a two-tone body color scheme (Black or Two-Tone Sunburst tops with Walnut-stained back and sides) and dual “Black Top” Filter’Tron™ pickups.

Gretsch Website

The website is well designed and aesthetically pleasing with plenty of large, high quality images for players to drool over.  The site does have a search bar which can be used to find the lefty guitars but as always, an option to browse by dexterity wouldn’t go amiss!  If you type ‘left-handed’ into the search bar the site should throw up all of the lefty models, watch out though as a couple of the results are not left handed.

For more information:
Gretsch Guitars Website

Time for a brand new competition!  This month LeftyFretz has teamed up with Eppo Franken from ChickenPicks, who has very graciously offered to give away a couple of prize packs featuring his incredible guitar plectrums.  Read on to find out how you can win…

Earlier this month we posted our ChickenPicks Guitar Picks Review and found them to be absolutely fantastic little boutique picks.   With an amazingly dynamic tone and ultra long-lasting design these are definitely a great tool to have in your arsenal. As these plectrums are so utterly badass we really wanted to let you guys try them out as well, so let’s give some away shall we?

The Prize

Two lucky winners will each net themselves FIVE ChickenPicks from the designer Eppo Franken.  Eppo claims that each pick should last you for at least an entire year, so this prize package should see you through for the next FIVE YEARS at minimum!

That’s a total prize giveaway worth over 100 Euros (~135 USD).  Entering this competition couldn’t be simpler, so what are you waiting for?

How To Enter

1. Head over to the LeftyFretz Facebook Page
2. Click the ‘Competition‘ tab on the left and fill in your email (used to contact winners)
3. Cross your fingers.
4. Increase you chances of winning through Twitter…

Twitter – Extra Chances To Win!

Those of you who are on Twitter can gain more chances to win the picks. Just hit the ‘Tweet‘ button below and post the message to your feed – if you edit the message it will not be counted as an entry.

Tweet

Also, make sure to follow @LeftyFretz on Twitter! Follow @LeftyFretz
You must be following LeftyFretz to be eligible to win

Rules

1. This contest is open worldwide and closes Monday 12^th March 2012 at 2300 GMT
2. The winners will be selected by random number generator (1 from Facebook, 1 from Twitter)
3. One entry per email address – duplicates will be removed
4. Email entrants must enter their name as it appears on their Facebook profile
5. You must remain a Facebook fan or Twitter follower to be eligible to win
6. Twitter entrants may enter once per week
7. Winners will be contacted via email or via Twitter DM (so be sure to follow @LeftyFretz)

Good Luck!

For more information on Chicken Picks:
Chicken Picks Website

Breedlove is a USA based guitar company, founded in 1990 by luthiers Larry Breedlove and Steve Henderson (both previous employees of Taylor Guitars ).  The company specializes in custom-built acoustic guitars, but also offers a range of affordable Asian-made models.

Currently Breedlove only offer one of their production guitars in a left-handed version, however you can order quite a number of their USA-made guitars with no additional upcharge.  Read on to find out exactly what is available…

Breedlove Left Handed Acoustic Guitars

Breedlove currently offers their entire range of American made guitars in a left handed option at no extra charge – this includes the American Series, the Voice Series, the Focus Series, the Master Class Series and all Custom Shop guitars.

The image above shows a few examples of the different styles of guitar available, but make sure to head over to the Breedlove website (link below) to see exactly what is offered.

Breedlove Atlas Solo C350/CRe Left Handed Acoustic Guitar

As well as these higher-end guitars the company also offers a single left handed model from their more affordable Atlas Range, which is made in Korea.  This is the Atlas Solo C350/CRe

• Body Type Concert
• Neck Wood Nato Mahogany
• Top Cedar
• Back/Sides East Indian Rosewood
• Fretboard East Indian Rosewood
• Tuners Chrome Grover-Mini
• Pickup LR-T CV

Breedlove Custom Shop

If you know exactly what you want, but it isn’t quite available from the current range then you might consider taking a look at the Breedlove Custom Shop where you can build the guitar of your dreams.

Breedlove Website

The Breedlove website lists the single left handed model in the Atlas series separately, so it’s fairly easy to find.  However there is no mention anywhere on the site about the USA made guitars being available left handed.  As a result I had to contact the company to discover this information.  The site does have a FAQ, so it would be nice to see them add this to help clear up any confusion.

For more information:
Breedlove Guitars Website

Alvarez is an acoustic guitar manufacturer, founded in 1965 and based in Missouri, USA.  Apart from the high end Yairi models (not available left handed) all Alvarez guitars are produced in China.  They are owned by LOUD Technologies which also runs the Mackie, Ampeg and Crate brands.

Unfortunately, unlike most other acoustic-only brands Alvarez does not offer many of its guitars in a left handed version.  Alvarez currently offers only two left handed acoustic guitars, both steel string dreadnoughts. The RD16L is from their affordable ‘Regent Series’ whilst the AD60L is from the slightly more expensive ‘Artist Series’.

Alvarez Left Handed Acoustic Guitars

Alvarez AD60L Left Handed Acoustic Guitar

• Top: Hand selected, ‘A’ grade, solid Sitka spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Machine heads: Premium die cast chrome
• Bridge: Alvarez bi-level rosewood
• Strings: D’Addario EXP’s

Alvarez RD16L Left Handed Acoustic Guitar

• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Machine heads: Die cast chrome
• Bridge: Alvarez bi-level rosewood
• Strings: D’Addario EXP’s

Alvarez Website

As I write this, the Alvarez website is undergoing a bit of a makeover.  There is currently no FAQ section which comments on left handed availability, however the left handed models are clearly displayed when browsing through the differing guitar ranges. There is also a slightly hidden left handed section which displays all available models – you can find this here

For more information:
Alvarez Guitars Website

Tom Richardson is back again with another finger-twisting ‘Lick of the Week’. Every other Monday Tom will publish a new lick lesson in video format along with a brief description and tabs.  These licks are aimed mainly at the intermediate and advanced level players, so get your game faces on!

If you have missed previous lessons then be sure to check out the ‘Lick of the Week‘ archives.  Also make sure to subscribe to the LeftyFretz YouTube Channel to make sure you get your fortnightly fix of left handed guitar licks from Tom 

Lick of the Week Lesson 19

Lick 19 is a bit more laid back compared to previous weeks and has quite a jazzy feel to it.

The lick is based on the E Dorian scale. The Dorian scale is often the first choice for improvisation over minor chords in jazz. It is built from the second degree of a major scale and it features a natural 6^th as opposed to the b6 found in the Aeolian scale which is also commonly used for minor chords.

This example shows the A Dorian scale built from the 2^nd degree of the G major scale and also shows the difference of the 6^th interval between the two minor scales.

.
The lick also features grace notes. This is where you start one fret behind the intended target note and slide in to it. The trick is to make the grace note shorter than the target note. The first note of the lick features a grace note at the 6^th fret before sliding to the 7^th fret. The two notes in the second bar also make use of grace notes. These are a great way to make your licks sound instantly jazzier and can also be played by sliding to the target note from a note above instead of from below.

Download tab in GuitarPro 5 format

Feedback

If you’re struggling to get this lick down then leave a question below and we’ll get back to you.  If you manage to nail this lick then consider leaving a video response for us on YouTube.  Also be sure to check out more of Tom’s playing on his YouTube channel

As you’ve probably figured out by now I have a little smidgen of a guitar pick fetish going on.  They’re just an inexpensive way to add a little fresh excitement to the daily guitar practice session, and every now and again you stumble across one that becomes a firm favorite in your arsenal…

Last month I picked up a couple of interesting sounding boutique picks from a new company based in Holland called ChickenPicks. Read on to find out what I thought…

ChickenPicks Plectrum Review

First of all let’s start of by pointing out that ChickenPicks are thick, chunky plectrums – so if you like wussy little bendy picks then these are not for you.  At the moment they come in two sizes: light (between 2.1 and 2.4mm) and original (between 2.5 and 2.8mm).  The benefits of a thicker pick include more efficient playing, less grip required to hold on to them and a fuller, warmer guitar tone.

Both picks are white in color and have some indiscriminate graphics on the back to help differentiate the two.  The front of the pick is emblazoned with the ChickenPicks logo, which features some type of weird sock puppet looking character having a smoke.  As the picks come from Holland it isn’t too hard to guess what he’s smoking…

I’m assuming that they are finished by hand judging by the bevels on them.  These look very similar to the picks I made myself with the PickPunch, as it isn’t easy to get a perfectly smooth line by hand.  In saying that, these tiny little imperfections have no impact at all whilst playing.

One of the biggest selling points of the ChickenPicks is the highly durable thermosetting plastic that they are fashioned from.  They don’t give away any secrets, but the site does suggest that you can use a single ChickenPick for a year or more! I’ve been using these little guys regularly for over a month now and there is honestly no wear at all (that I can notice).

In Play

Let’s start off with grip, because you know how fussy I am when it comes to holding on to my pick! I like these a lot because the large glossy surface area makes them very easy to keep between your fingers. The fact that they’re thicker than most other picks also means that you don’t have to grip so tightly, again causing them to be easier to hang on to.

Don’t let the name fool you, because these picks can do way more than just chicken pickin’.  Although I do have to admit that this is the genre of music that I found that they really shine in – they are a great compliment to my fingers when hybrid picking as the tone produced is very, very similar.  As a result I’ve been using these picks exclusively for practicing my country licks.

In general these picks are just great for extracting every last ounce of tone from what you’re playing.  Especially when playing clean or slightly dirty, these guys just really seem to make the sounds I produce much richer and more dynamic.

The picks also feel quite unique against the strings – they’re not quite silky smooth, but they aren’t exactly rough either.  They produce quite a punchy, percussive tone and due to their size the sound is also much thicker and fuller than you would usually get when playing a normal sized pick.

The Skinny

At €9.95 each these picks aren’t exactly cheap, but when you consider that one will last you probably in excess of a year they suddenly become a real bargain. As an introductory offer you can also save money by ordering a sample set of two.

They look classy, the bright white color makes them incredibly hard to lose, they’ll last you forever and they really bring a very unique, dynamic sound to the table.  I’d definitely recommend these little boutique picks, especially if you are a country hybrid picker!  I was genuinely super impressed by these Dutch picks – give them a try and i’m sure you will love them too!

For more information:
ChickenPicks Website

Do you ever wonder why your YouTube videos only receive a pathetic dribble of views? It’s not because you suck at guitar, it’s because you suck at making interesting videos! As a guitarist it has never been easier to get your work out there for potentially billions of people to see and hear. After all, how hard is it to hit record on your webcam and then upload the results right?

For many this is as complicated as it gets, but for those of you who really want to make the most of YouTube and generate the highest levels of exposure you will probably need to take a few extra steps!  Modern videos are becoming increasingly more impressive both in terms of image/sound quality and editing prowess, and if you want to have the best chance of standing out, you will need to follow suit!

To build a large base of loyal subscribers your videos need to have a unique selling point, they need to stand out in terms of quality and/or creativity.  You could be a mediocre guitarist but as long as your videos are interesting you will gain a following. Look at MysteryGuitarMan for example; his big break was a stop-motion acoustic cover of a mozart composition– easy to play, long-winded to edit!  To make it big, you must innovate!

Of course you don’t have to go all out with production values to build some influence, let’s take a look at a few simple tips which should help boost your following!

Image Quality is Key

Nothing looks worse than a low resolution, grainy video shot on your buddy’s phone.  You are far more likely to be taken seriously if you have spent the time and effort required to make a quality video.  This doesn’t necessarily mean forking out for an expensive camera as many modern webcams will easily shoot high quality HD videos.

A good piece of video editing software will also aid in producing the best quality visuals.  While free software such as Windows Movie Maker or iMovie will get the job done there are other inexpensive options available which are much more feature packed, for example Sony Vegas is very popular and affordable.  On the higher end there is Final Cut for the Mac and Adobe Premiere Pro for Windows.  You can also dabble in special effects with software such as Adobe After Effects if you should be that way inclined.

Audio Quality Matters

While just chatting to your viewers you may get away with using your camera’s in-built microphone, however when recording a guitar video, this just isn’t going to cut it.  If I load up a video and the audio is too muffled, too quiet or is clipping I will generally move to the next video immediately.  For best results you should either connect a quality microphone to your camera (if possible), or record the sound separately and then sync the audio and video in your software afterwards.  A good all-in-one alternative would be something like a Zoom Q3HD which combines a video camera with high quality studio microphones.

Get the Lighting Right

It’s amazing how many people overlook this simple but utterly necessary job.  Most guitar videos on YouTube are shot indoors, usually in a dimly lit bedroom – it doesn’t matter how good your camera is, if you don’t properly light yourself the image quality will drop dramatically!

Don’t rely on your camera to compensate in low lighting situations – shoot during the day (shoot outside!), or use indoor lighting such as a directional lamp to make sure you are as well lit as possible.  If you want to be really flash, a reasonable quality lighting kit can be had for as little as $50 on eBay. Personally I shoot beside a large window and combine the daylight with a couple of 400watt worklights from my local hardware store – total cost of around $25.

Also keep in mind that you will be able to use your video editing software to alter brightness to a degree. YouTube now has a built in video editor which let’s you change a few settings such as brightness and contrast.  If the video comes out too dark or even too light sort it out!

Background Imagery

Having an eye-catching background in your videos will help to add a little more interest for the viewer.  There’s nothing duller than having a plain wall in the back of your videos – make your videos stand out by putting up interesting posters, having funny videos playing on your TV or perhaps try playing in front of a window if you have a great view – get creative!  If you are technologically minded you could even try a green screen to get really innovative! The example below is an extreme one, but you get the idea! Green screen can be a lot of fun, but having tried it myself it just isn’t worth the extra hassle without spending some serious extra money on adequate lighting.

Appearance is Everything

Many YouTubers will film with the camera zoomed right in on the guitar which results in them appearing headless.  If you don’t want to be forgotten you need to give people something to remember you by – put your face in the video!  If you don’t, you will just end up becoming lost in the sea of other headless videos.

This is another area where you can get really creative with props.  If you’re doing a video in the style of ZZ Top try and find a cowboy hat and beard for the shoot.  It may feel silly at first, but whip out your bright pink Hello Kitty guitar for real stand-out power!  I recently saw a video where one of the most well known YouTube guitarists did a video in a bright orange MorphSuit – it’s hard to get rid of that kind of mental image!

And for the love of God, don’t be that guy who records in his vest or even topless, we don’t want to see your man-boobs hanging over the guitar.  Although this tactic can also work in your favour as many people will feel compelled to scream at your to put a shirt on, thereby giving you extra comments and potential extra views from their friends.  If you’re not a guy – YouTube commenters are 90% horny teenage boys, so dressing provocatively will absolutely gain you a crap-ton of subscribers.  It’s pathetic, but if you’re a good looking girl who is at least semi-decent at guitar you already have it made.

Camera Angles

The classic front-on camera angle is tried and tested but let’s face it – everyone does it.  Every now and again try some different angles for some unusual results.  For example you could attach the camera to your headstock for a quirky neck view or you could put the camera on the floor pointing up to make yourself appear huge!  Try using two cameras and flick between the two angles during the video.

Long Introductions

Unless you have a reason to talk don’t do it, and if you really have to, do it at the end so that people don’t have to suffer through your waffling if they don’t wish to.  Most people just want to watch you play, they’re not interested in the back-story behind why you chose to play the song.

Tell People Who You Are and Make Yourself Easy to Find!

YouTube includes a variety of different ways of promoting your work and making it easy to find, so make use of these tools!  Give the video a good description and include a link to your website if you have one.  Make sure your name is in the video title and ensure you use plenty of descriptive tags to allow people to search for your videos.

Add a small annotation to the start of the video linking to your website or giving extra information.  Try and add a caption half-way through to try and convince people to subscribe, favorite,comment and ‘thumbs up’ your video – the more interaction a video gets the more likely it is to appear on featured pages on YouTube.

The new YouTube layout allows you to add custom links on your profile page – use this feature! It also allows you to sync up Twitter and Facebook pages to automatically post updates when you upload a new video.

Consider adding your upload as a Video Response to another similar video.  This means that every time someone watches the other video they will see a link to your video below it.

Be Selective With What You Upload

Don’t upload every single 20 second lick you learn, be picky and only upload videos that you think other people will appreciate.  If you want to upload something for your own records make these videos private so that only you can view them.

Participate in the YouTube Community

Look for other YouTubers who are doing a similar thing to you and invite them to be friends – they may ‘friend’ you back and perhaps even subscribe.  Leave notes on profile pages and people will often feel obliged to visit your page and reply, perhaps resulting in another sub!  But just don’t spam people…  Comment on other similar videos along with a subtle plug of your own material.  If you join in with the conversations you will get a steady trickle of friends and subscribers.

When someone comments on your video – reply! If people think they will get a reply from you they are much more likely to leave a comment.  This might get harder if your videos start getting a lot of views, but you can still reply to a few to show that you read them.

Enter Competitions

Many companies and popular YouTube players will often host competitions which involve posting a video response as your entry.  Getting involved in these contests will boost your views as you have a built-in audience of the competition host, the judges, the other entrants and all the fans that come along with these people.  These competitions are a great way to gain exposure, with the added bonus of the chance of winning some kick-ass prizes to boot!

Capitalise on Popular Music

Take a look at the music section on YouTube – besides the mainstream artists which videos get the most hits? It isn’t the guitarists playing Flight of the Bumblebee at 700bpm that’s for sure!  The most popular videos by far are from the kids who cover popular mainstream music.  And why? Because FAR more people are searching for this stuff.  Cover a Justin Bieber song and you instantly have a potential subscriber base of millions of teenage girls.

Take a look at this band below who took a Lady GaGa track and made it into something really interesting. This video has racked up nearly 1 million views (at the time of writing).

If popular music ain’t your bag I’m not saying that you should sell out in exchange for exposure, but it couldn’t hurt to throw something in every now and again.  Bieber may be mocked by anyone over the age of 12, but perhaps an instrumental fusion cover of one of his tracks could be interesting.  Hell, it could even go viral!

Magnetic Titles

Give your video a title that will almost force someone to watch it. If you cover a Pink Floyd track call it “The BEST Pink Floyd Comfortably Numb Cover EVER” – people might not agree with you, but they’ll feel compelled to watch and see if you can live up to the claim. Give people a reason to be curious about your video by thinking up a provocative title. No one is going to watch a video called ‘My Acoustic Song 2″ (unless you have boobs in your thumbnail…)

Backing Tracks

If you really want to bump up your view count and you have the ability, making a few high quality backing tracks can generate a mountain of exposure.  Backing tracks have the advantage of repeat plays as people will keep coming back to their favorites over and over, possibly every day.  I’ve seen YouTubers who have maybe 200 views on most of their personal videos, but then their backing track videos have hundreds of thousands! Doing backing tracks of actual songs is probably not the best idea (copyright issues), but tracks ‘in-the-style-of’ are great as people will easily find these whilst searching.  Also, general backing tracks do very well, e.g. ‘Blues in A Minor’.

Buying Views

There are many websites dotted around the web which you can pay to help gain views, however these are generally not recommended.  YouTube are not stupid and eventually you are going to lose all of your money as policies are updated and new anti-cheating technology is employed. It also looks incredibly suspect when your video has tens of thousands of views and only 100 comments, all on the same day, and all in very poor English…

Cash in on Your Success

Once you have a decent base of regular subscribers companies will start to take notice and will often send you free products in exchange for mentioning or using them in your videos.  This may start out as a free set of strings, but who knows where it could lead.  Once you become popular you will also have the chance to become a YouTube Partner, which means that you receive a small sum of money for views of your videos, and a share of the profits made on adverts placed on your uploads.

What have you got to lose? The bottom line is that YouTube has changed significantly since launching and it is no longer good enough to simply make the minimum effort. Right now YouTube commands over 4 billion video views per day – grab some of that action!

Leave your own tips in the comments section below!

Tom Anderson Guitarworks was founded in 1984 and is currently based in California, USA.  After leaving Schecter Guitars, Tom Anderson started his own company to initially make pickups and necks, but a growing reputation soon meant that the company could focus on producing their own line of guitars.

The good news is that Tom Anderson Guitarworks is another company which can be added to the top of the ‘lefty friendly’ list, as they make all of their guitars available left handed at no additional charge.  The only option that isn’t available to the left handed guitarist is the mono option on the Crowdster Plus and Plus 2 as reverse taper components are not available.

Below is a quick summary of the left handed guitars available from Tom Anderson. All guitars can be fully customised, the images used are just examples of the different styles.

Tom Anderson Left Handed Guitars

Bulldog Left Handed Guitar

Knock-out looks, light as a feather and with tones to die for, the Bulldog is one seriously badass looking single-cut!  Focused and muscular, musical midrange predominates but the Bulldog is a purebred Anderson through and through. So, no need to fret, as every outrageous Anderson attribute is soundly intact and at your command.

Atom Left Handed Guitar

A brand new body shape accompanies mahogany-based construction and a shorter 24 3/4-inch scale-length. Legendarily effortless Anderson neck playability is at hand with a new and extremely comfortable tilt-back neck geometry supporting the incorporation of a light-weight top-mounted bridge. Booming and focused musical tonality is the result of this well-balanced instrument.

Atom Special Left Handed Guitar

Atom Special is special because it does not have a maple top crowning its body as does its older sibling, the regular and now established Atom. So then, the Atom Special derives its ultimate specialness from a body that is all one type of wood through and through. All-Mahogany, Atom Specials deliver a thunderously round sonic blow to all within earshot.

Atom CT Left Handed Guitar

Atom in it’s carved-top incarnation.  An artistically sculpted flame maple top defines Atom CT’s refinement and dominate character.  Lightweight top-mounted Tune-o-matic type bridge with twin H-series pickup layout sticks with a somewhat traditional arrangement—Anderson style.  Control is accomplished via Atom’s 5-Way, two knob with push/pull, promoting quick-flicking full dominion over everything you have to say or play.

Crowdster Left Handed Guitar

There is no longer any debate; Crowdster is the premiere live-music acoustic guitar—the one to bring your acoustic guitar sounds effortlessly to life on stage with all the fullness great acoustic guitar parts deserve.  Crowdster is a guitar most at home in front of large crowds where it can show off superlative amplified acoustic guitar tones, unencumbered by the usual trappings of live acoustic music.

Crowdster Plus Left Handed Guitar

Same amazing guitar as the regular Crowdster…plus…the addition of an Anderson electric guitar pickup made especially for Crowdster—so you can blend in or select impressive supplemental electric guitar sounds to augment Crowdster’s already substantial acoustic voice.

Crowdster Plus 2 Left Handed Guitar

The same wonderfully lush and uncompromised live music acoustic abilities as the Crowdster Acoustic; expanded to utter magnificence by 2 electric guitar pickups that are specifically tuned to listen to the voice of bronze strings, so all your acoustic guitar attributes remain firmly embedded while a large variety of ripping electric tones are now at your command.

Cobra Left Handed Guitar

Cobra find their muscular voice solidly based on a Mahogany foundation and 24 3/4-inch scale length, while their defining clarity comes from a string-through-the-body bridge—tremolo or fixed—and flat neck-to-body geometry. It is the best of both worlds as Cobra stands midway between Anderson’s long-scale guitars and Bulldog – granting giant legato growl with a bit of a Cobra bite.

Cobra Special Left Handed Guitar

An all mahogany body 24 3/4″ scale length Cobra usually equipped with Anderson Soapbar type pickups. The shorter string-length in combination with its all mahogany body and mahogany/rosewood fingerboard neck, create a very fat, powerful and concentrated mid-range tone. And when you include the aforementioned pickups, you have the most beautiful sounding and structurally stable guitar of this type found anywhere.

Cobra S Left Handed Guitar

Those who lived and breathed the obvious advantages of Cobra but also reveled in their S-shaped Andersons wanted  the two to merge into one magnificent instrument that could and would boast all Cobra attributes but look and hang like their favorite “S-shaped” “Andie”.  In 1996, Cobra S took its rightful place alongside the now renown Cobra to add the same Cobra “crush” to the world of “S.”  Taking over the (musical) world with an “S” just got a lot easier.  This is the “S-shaped” guitar that will command everything within its earshot.

Cobra S Special Left Handed Guitar

Cobra S Special is the all mahogany body version of the Cobra S. Not sharing the spotlight with a maple top, mahogany rises to the occasion with sound akin to controlled thunder – huge and rich with strong, round midrange. The absence of the maple top rounds off the upper-mids just a bit more for those who seek fat everything in their tone.

T Classic Left Handed Guitar

Time-honored layout with many Anderson perks. 25 1/2-inch scale, traditional pickguard and control layout. Just pick one up…just once…and strum it, hold it close and feel it resonate.  Listen to it ring out—even unplugged—and you will know for sure. All doubt will leave you forever. This is the “T” that will allow you to transcend all of your previous “T” trappings.

Short T Left Handed Guitar

The Anderson Guitars Short T is a shorter, 24 3/4-inch scale length, T-style guitar with customary pickguard—like the Anderson Hollow T Classic or T Classic but with the shorter scale length.  Only the services of traditional “long-scale” woods are enlisted to insure that all desired T-ness remains soundly in tact.

Drop T Left Handed Guitar

Very soon after the revelation of the revolutionary drop top in 1990, Anderson Guitars knew they needed to apply the same Drop Top technology to the “T” platform. The result was Drop T—a “T” of a profound nature—completely new and different than anything “T” that had come before. Single cut, non-pickguard styling and with a 25.5″ scale length makes this a real player’s guitar.

Drop T Classic Left Handed Guitar

Not a pickguard in sight here but instead a stunning Maple, Walnut or Koa top astride a wonderful tone-wood back and full body contours. 25 1/2-inch scale length and almost any pickup configuration you can imagine. A “T” style guitar with a difference!

Drop Short T Left Handed Guitar

Drop  Short T is the same big deal as its traditional tonewood sibling, the Short T.  Exhibiting the same seamless playability and tonal distinctions—but with the added visual presence of a beautiful maple, koa or walnut top. It is visual virtue at its finest for feasting your eyes upon.

Mongrel Left Handed Guitar

With such similar DNA (dynamic note amplitude), it is a mating that had to happen.  When the doors of Anderson Guitarworks are finally locked for the night, S & T-style guitars will come out to play.  And the result is … Mongrel … an offspring of S & T style guitars—a cool and so playable amalgamation.

Drop Top Left Handed Guitar

This is the guitar that started it all! Before Drop Top, the number of S-style guitars that had a maple top that was “dropped” or swooped over the top to create a comfortable forearm contour was exactly…zero. But with the introduction of the magnificent Drop Top in 1990, all changed and the “S” instrument could now have it’s full contours, be a thing of astounding beauty and have ample amounts of tone wood backing its exotic wood top to sound rich and spectacular.

Drop Top Classic Left Handed Guitar

Drop Top Classic is “classic” pickguard styling collaborating with Drop Top technology—merging the grandeur of flame or quilted maple, koa or walnut top, and its flowing and comfortable body contours, with the time-honored passion of a pickguard.  Along with its venerable look, pickguard styling also adds more overtone and less fundamental to Drop Top demeanor. That means that Drop Top Classic presents all it has to say with a bit more “classic” voice.

Pro Am Left Handed Guitar

In the mid 80′s, a whole new guitar company was launched, Tom Anderson Guitarworks. As they stated in their first magazine ad, “We are a small American company dedicated to creating the world’s finest feeling, playing and sounding electric guitars. Period!” Well, it was this commitment that led to the Pro Am, the most amazing feeling, playing and sounding guitar to appear on the scene. It changed everything in the guitar world!

The Classic Left Handed Guitar

The Classic is vintage body and neck woods with pickguard styling and any configuration of Anderson pickups you prefer for your sonic pleasure. Could this superlative instrument be the most profound, best playing and best sounding vintage double-cut-away electric guitar on Earth?  Customary “S” can get no better than this with your choice of traditional body woods and pickguard styling.

Tom Anderson Website

The Tom Anderson website is a simple, but elegant design which works very well.  However there is one niggling thing to be improved upon. In order to find out if a guitar is available left handed you need to navigate to the guitar info page and download a custom order PF document.  Inside this document there is a menu which unlocks the  lefty option, it’s a little confusing and time consuming.  It would be nice to see an FAQ page with information about left handed options.

The website really shows that Tom and his team are incredibly passionate about what they do and proud of the guitars that they produce.  Unlike many of the bigger companies Tom Anderson Guitarworks really comes across as being a down-to-earth brand who are super-excited to share their guitars with the world.  The down to earth mentality really shows when you email the company with a question and Tom Anderson himself replies.

For more information:
Tom Anderson Guitars Website

Following on from our article on how to uncover the best left handed guitars on eBay we’re back with a follow-up guide on how to get the best prices on the guitars and other gear that you manage to discover.

There are several methods which you can employ, some sneakier than others, some riskier than others, but they do all work…very well!  If you have any of your own little tips be sure to leave a comment at the end of the article.

1. Bidding At the Last Second (Sniping)

If you bid on an auction early and show your interest in the item you are likely to start a bidding war between yourself and the other trigger happy eBayers, which is generally great for the seller and not too great for you.  A bidding war is likely to increase the price of the item considerably.

Sniping is just a term for bidding at the last second.  The hope is that if you bid late the current highest bidder won’t have time to retaliate and place an additional higher bid.  It is of course pot-luck as the current bidder could have a maximum bid which is higher than your last minute offering.  However, more often than not sniping will result in a terrific deal.

There are several variations of sniping software available which will carry out this task for you, but personally I wouldn’t recommend them. A few years ago they were convenient, but now that eBay has implemented a second by second countdown timer on all auctions you can clearly see when an auction will end and can easily place your bid at the right time. Of course there is always the risk that your connection could crap out in the last few seconds of the auction, so be careful!

2. Antisocial Auctions

Another great tip for finding the best deal is to look for auctions that end during unsociable hours.  An item which ends at 3am is going to have far less people bidding on it at the last minute, if any at all.  Likewise, auctions ending during work hours will attract slightly less attention.  Possibly even items ending on Friday/Saturday nights when most people are out getting hammered.

3. Incorrectly Listed Auctions

A sure-fire method which will almost always guarantee a cheaper sale is to look for items that are listed in the incorrect category.  If we stray from the subject of left handed guitars for a minute I can give you a great example of this idea in action.  Whilst I was studying at university I bought a PlayStation which had been listed in the Sega Dreamcast category and ended at silly o’clock in the morning.  I did some sniping and won the console for stupid money. Six months later I got bored of it and put it back on eBay and sold it for twice the price.

4. Use the Completed Items Filter

One sneaky method of landing a killer deal is to use the completed listings feature.  If you search eBay for a guitar and don’t find what you are looking for, scroll down the page and on the left-hand side you will find the ‘completed listings’ option in the sidebar.

You will need to sign in to eBay to use this feature but what it does is shows you recently ended auctions. If you spot an item which has its price highlighted in red this means that it did not sell.  Maybe the price was too high, maybe they listed it incorrectly, maybe they only offered local pickup, there could be any number of reasons why it did not sell.

If you find something you are interested in which did not sell, shoot the seller an email.  Offer them a price you are happy with and you may just get lucky!  After all, if it didn’t sell the first time they may just be in the mind-set to get rid of it quickly.

5. Local Pickup Only Auctions

Many sellers do not have the means or know-how to ship larger items and so will often list their goods as ‘local pickup only’.  Depending on where the item is located you can get fantastic deals on these types of auctions.  If the item is located somewhere which is a little off the beaten path there will be significantly less competition for it.  While I was at university I bought a mountain bike from a small town 30 miles away for £350.  I used it for 3 years while I studied and then sold it for £400 because I listed it for sale in Scotland’s largest city where there was far more interest.

Even if you don’t live near to the seller you may be able to convince them to ship it to you if you explain how to do it.  So don’t just automatically disregard local pickup items, try your luck. I’ve bought at least a couple of guitars from the USA where the seller didn’t offer international shipping.

6. Check Newly Listed Buyouts

Periodically sort your search results by ‘Time: newly listed’ and check the ‘Buy It Now’ (BIN) tab to show only the newest BIN auctions.  Buyers will often list items for a great BIN price in the hopes of a quick sale, so some really great deals can be had here as well.  You can try a similar idea with auction format listings by asking the seller if they’d end the auction early for a specific price.

7. Use Best Offer

Make use of the ‘Best Offer’ feature if the seller is offering it.  Even if you send a silly offer the seller may send you a counter-offer with a price he/she would be happy with.  They wouldn’t use this option if they weren’t open to accepting lower offers.

8. Ditching the Middle Men

This tip is against eBay’s terms of service so use a little common sense here. eBay will charge a seller Final Value Fees (FVFs) which basically means that for whatever they sell their item for eBay will take a cut of the profits.  On an expensive guitar this can amount to a significant chunk of change.

If both you and the seller have a reputable feedback score you can try and come to a deal outside of eBay.  Offer them 5-10% less on the condition that you ditch eBay and complete the deal yourselves.  The result is that you get a cheaper deal and the seller gets rid of his item for the same price as if he were to pay FVFs on it through eBay.

You can even go one step further and ditch PayPal to get an even cheaper deal. You can save the seller another 5-10% by paying without PayPal.

Please use some common sense here folks, this is a very situational method and can obviously be risky. Make sure to research the seller beforehand.

That should be enough to keep you going for a while.  We have no doubt omitted a few techniques so leave any insider tips you may have in the comments!

Tom Richardson is back again with another finger-twisting ‘Lick of the Week’. Every other Monday Tom will publish a new lick lesson in video format along with a brief description and tabs.  These licks are aimed mainly at the intermediate and advanced level players, so get your game faces on!

If you have missed previous lessons then be sure to check out the ‘Lick of the Week‘ archives.  Also make sure to subscribe to the LeftyFretz YouTube Channel to make sure you get your fortnightly fix of left handed guitar licks from Tom 

Lick of the Week Lesson 18

This is a bluesy lick in the key of A. The lick is played with a triplet feel (3 notes per beat, count: 1-trip-let, 2-trip-let, 3-trip-let etc…) Knowing which note starts on a beat will help you to get the feel of the lick. While practicing it may be helpful to slow the lick down and accent every note at the start of each triplet grouping to emphasise the rhythm.

It starts with the open A string, then a hammer on to the 3rd fret with the second finger and thento the 4th fret with the third finger. This leaves the first finger free to bar across the D and G strings to play the notes at the second fret. The slide from the 6th fret of the G string to the 7th fret is played with the little finger leaving the first finger free again to bar across the B and E strings at the 5th fret.

There are two half tone bends in the lick, the first note (B – 7^th fret E string) of the first bar and the last note at the 11^th fret of the G string with some added vibrato!

Download tab in GuitarPro 5 format

Feedback

If you’re struggling to get this lick down then leave a question below and we’ll get back to you.  If you manage to nail this lick then consider leaving a video response for us on YouTube.  Also be sure to check out more of Tom’s playing on his YouTube channel

Today’s post is a guest review of the Gaskell Classic I guitar by Alan Williams, who has recently taken the reins at Gaskell’s new European division.  This very guitar is available to try out or purchase, or alternatively those in Europe can contact Alan directly for other available options and pricing.

Higher quality images of this guitar (and others) can be found on the Gaskell Europe Facebook page or on the main Gaskell website – links at the end of the article.

Gaskell Classic Review by Alan Williams

Gaskell Guitars build only left handed guitars.  That’s got to be good news for us lefties who have every reason to feel unloved by the mainstream manufacturers.   I don’t know about you, but this hits me every time I read a review – go down to the “left hand available” and find a stark “No” staring back.  Most makers do a token number of “easy call” models as lefties and a few are now offering a wider selection, but there are almost no other companies who offer only guitars for us southpaws.

Any of you who’ve seen my guitar collection on the Leftyfretz Facebook page will see I’m predominantly a Gibson/PRS fan.  Given that the Classic is based on a Gibson design, comparisons to those come most naturally to mind. Despite being involved with Gaskell Guitars, I’ve aimed to be unbiased in this review.  I know how let down I feel if I’m oversold something.  Happily my experience closely reflects Neal’s findings with his Gaskell Allrounder (edit: It’s my favourite guitar at the moment! –Neal)

Gaskell Classic I Left Handed Guitar Review

The Classic is based on the time honoured Gibson Explorer design.   It’s available in production, PRO, or full custom versions.  Within the production version there are 2 variants, the main difference being the scratchplate on the Classic II.  A wide range of colours are available for each configuration.

The angular styling and stark colour schemes of the original explorer has a pretty strong association with metal/hard rock style music.  This colour scheme of model demonstrates the versatility of the body shape.  The sunburst finish adds an interesting twist to an established image, is very neatly applied and is nicely graduated as the photos demonstrate.

Construction and Feel of the guitar

The Classic comprises a mahogany body, maple set neck and rosewood fretboard.  The neat grain of the mahogany is clearly visible through the lighter part of the finish, giving the guitar a classy look.   The high gloss finish is smooth, with just one or two signs of buffing marks evident on very close inspection, but easily removed with a bit of elbow grease if they really bother you

This particular model weighs in at around 7½ pounds, (that’s about 3.5 kilos in new money) so it’s a fairly comfortable proposition, as you’d probably expect with the relatively small body.  No instant backache.

I understand that the body on the Gaskell Classic has been slightly redesigned (slightly more rounded and reduced in size), improving the balance of the guitar.  Never having had the chance to hold a lefty Gibson Explorer I can’t personally comment on the difference.  What I can say is that it’s well balanced, no hint of neck heaviness.

22 frets on a 24 ¾ inch scale is immediately familiar to anyone used to the feel of a Gibson.   Although described as a “thinner 60’s neck” I found it to a reasonable handful of wood, very comfortable and familiar, not at all like some of the skinnier necks I’ve found on some more modern designs.   The chunky frets are cleanly installed and very well finished.  One or two of the dot markers would have benefitted from a bit more TLC on installation, but compared to similarly priced lefty models from far bigger companies, nothing to be noted.

The strap pegs are large and provide a secure anchor for your strap, more akin to bass pegs or those on a PRS than the smaller type found on many guitars.  In fact putting on a reasonably heavy leather strap will require a reassuring few minutes of twisting and tugging.   Probably not a lot of need for straplocks (health warning, don’t come to me if I’m proved wrong but I wouldn’t be installing any).

One aspect I wasn’t really anticipating was the ease of access to the dusty end of the neck.  The location of the strap pin (on the body, behind the heel of the neck) holds the neck well out to your left (well, only a tiny amount really) thus putting the mid/high end of the neck very closely in touch.  This, combined with the amazing high-end access (the body meets the neck a little below the 22^nd fret) encourages you (me) to spend more time up here.  Conversely, if you spend all your time playing open chords, this layout probably doesn’t favour you.  But then again, you might not be looking for this style of guitar if that were the case?

Sounds

Unplugged I was surprised at how loud this guitar is.  It’s pretty bright acoustically, probably a consequence of the body shape distribution and maple neck.   Sustain is considerable too, comparable to many of the higher priced guitars I’m lucky enough to own.

Plugged in the Wilkinson humbuckers do the job admirably.  I struggle when I read descriptions of how things sound.  Hence I’d struggle even more to write descriptions of how things sound.  Fortunately for us all, I don’t have to bring my limited playing talent to the fore to demonstrate the Classic.  A number of helpful contributors have done so already.   Try looking / listening here and here (the second showing the non scratchplate version) and judge for yourself.

Summary

The Classic in this review represents the heart of Gaskell’s range.  Being based on a Gibson Explorer, it has become the company’s most popular model.  Reviewed here is a standard production model.  The PRO series offer the next step up in component quality, with upgraded hardware, finishes and Platinum setup as standard.  If you’d like to specify the guitar of your dreams, the custom shop will take the Classic template  (or any shape you specify) and hand build you a unique guitar (there are a number of custom Classics on my Facebook page)

This Gaskell guitar sits comfortably in the low-middle end of the price range of lefty guitars available.   It’s neither incredibly cheap, nor scarily expensive.   The build quality is pretty much exactly what you’d expect at this price.  It comes complete with a lockable shaped hard shell case or a quality gig bag.  I personally think it looks stunning, and gives a very refreshing interpretation of a classic design.   Where else are you going to get a left handed sunburst Explorer style guitar??

Gaskell Guitars

So what are you getting in buying a Gaskell?  Well, often you’re buying a model that, being a lefty, you just can’t get from the originator of the design.  Make no mistake, these aren’t fakes trying to pretend to be the original, these are “inspired by”, and in cases (as in the redesign of the body here) modified by Kevin and his team to improve things in their view.   Buying from Gaskell is supporting an initiative that’s totally focused on us lefties – so when you next read “Not available left handed” in your favourite guitar mag, think of the company which says “only available left handed”.

For more info on Gaskell Guitars exciting range, take a look at the site, or email me

Coming soon– reviews of Gaskell Hybrid and Gaskell Firestarter LE.

We’re now into day two of Winter NAMM 2012 and it has become quite a chore keeping up with all of the new products!  Ibanez USA have recently updated their website and it now features another couple of new left handed models which I didn’t spot yesterday.

The RG350DXL and GRX70QAL (who comes up with these names?!) are the latest guitars to be offered to the southpaw community, and many will be glad to note that there isn’t a gloss black guitar in sight.  The RG350 come in a nice and bright white finish, whilst the GRX70 features a slightly more adventurous transparent redburst finish.

Ibanez RG350DXL Left Handed Guitar

.

Ibanez GRX70QAL Left Handed Guitar

.
If you managed to miss the other new left handed guitars which Ibanez released, you can check them out at the links below:
Ibanez RG870QMZL Premium Left Handed Guitar
Ibanez SA160FML Left Handed Guitar

Winter NAMM 2012 has now officially opened it’s doors and we are being literally bombarded with amazing new products.  One little gem that I’ve spotted is a brand new guitar from Ibanez, who have introduced their first left handed Premium Series guitar!

Brand new for 2012 is the Ibanez RG870QMZL from the company’s Premium series of guitars which Ibanez bills as their range aimed at the working professional musician.

Ibanez Premium RG870QMZL Left Handed Guitar

.
For more information:
Ibanez Website

Winter NAMM 2012 is now just a day away from opening its doors, but already we’ve seen a barrage of new products, including a few very welcome new left handed guitars.  Suhr is now going to add to that list of guitars with a further four new models from their Pro range!

The new Pro Series M5, M6, M7 and M8 models expand the range of the Pro Series line by incorporating the features requested by hard rock, metal and technical fusion players who prefer two humbuckers and the tuning stability of the Gotoh Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo (M5,M6) or the Gotoh 510 2-post tremolo system (M7,M8).

Suhr M5, M6, M7 and M8 Left Handed Guitars

The M5 and M6 are the same guitar with the exception that the M5 has a maple neck with pau ferro fingerboard and black headstock, whereas the M6 has a one piece maple neck.  The differences between the M7 and M8 are the same.

• Body : Basswood with Flame Maple Top
• Neck : Modern Elliptical GG .800-.850, 10-14R
• Frets : 24 Stainless Steel Jumbo
• Tuners : Hipshot Locking
• Pickups : SSH+ Bridge, SSV Neck
• Bridge: Gotoh Floyd (M5,M6) Gotoh 510 (M7,M8)
• Finishes : Too many to mention! (see link below)

Spec Your Own

These guitars haven’t appeared on the Suhr website yet, but quite a few stores are already allowing you to custom order one to your specs.  Diffusion Audio in Canada has a great form which will let you see exactly which options are available. Take a look at the links below…

Suhr M5/M6 Order Form
Suhr M7/M8 Order Form

For more information:
Suhr Guitars Website

NAMM is just a few days away now, and another juicy piece of news has recently emerged.  Fender recently released a signature Kurt Cobain Jaguar, and now it seems they will also be releasing a Kurt Cobain Mustang!

This new guitar will be on offer in three different finishes, and each will be available left handed.  The finishes are Fiesta Red, Sonic Blue, and Lake Placid Blue w/ stripe.

Fender Kurt Cobain Mustang Left Handed Guitar

Inspired by his arsenal of modded guitars, the new Fender Kurt Cobain Mustang takes you back there, with highly distinctice features including the classic 24” Mustang scale length, an angled single coil Mustang neck pickup and ferocious Seymour Duncan JB humbucking bridge pickup mounted directly to the body.  There are dual on-off/phase in-out switches for each pickup, a polyester-finished alder body and an adjustomatic bridge with dynamic vibrato tailpiece.

• Body : Alder, Urethane finish
• Neck : C-Shape, Maple, Urethane finish
• Fretboard : Rosewood
• Fretboard Radius : 7.25”
• Frets : 22, Vintage style
• Scale Length : 24”
• Pickups : Seymour Duncan JB, Mustang Single Coil
• Bridge : Adjusto-Matic w/ Dynamic Vibrato Tail-piece
• Finishes : Fiesta Red, Sonic Blue, Lake Placid Blue w/ Stripe

For more information:
Fender Guitars Website

Winter NAMM 2012 is now only a few days away and already a good number of companies have released their 2012 catalogues.  Dean has recently unveiled their 2012 range and I’m pleased to say that it includes a few new juicy left handed guitars and basses.

As far as I can see there are two new left handed guitars and one more acoustic bass to add to Dean’s respectable range of lefties.  If you would like to browse through the catalogue yourselves you can read a PDF version here – Dean 2012 Catalogue.

Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT Angel of Deth Left Handed Guitar

• Mahogany Top / Body
• 25-1/2″ Scale
• 1-11/16″ Nut
• Mustaine Spec. Set Mahogany D Neck
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Pearl Mustaine Inlays
• Mini Grover Tuners
• Black Hardware
• Tune-O-Matic Bridge
• Dave Mustaine Duncan Live Wire Pickups
• Hardshell Case Included
• Finishes: “Angel of Deth” Graphic

Dean Deceiver X Left Handed Guitar

• Mahogany Top / Body (according to website, catalogue claims basswood)
• 25-1/2″ Scale
• Bolt-On Maple C Neck
• Rosewood Fingerboard
• Pearl Deceiver Inlays
• Grover Tuners
• Black Nickel Hardware
• Tune-O-Matic Bridge
• Dean DMT Design Humbucker Pickups
• Finishes: Classic Black, Metallic Charcoal

Dean EAB C Bass Left Handed Bass Guitar

• Select Spruce Top
• Mahogany Body
• 34″ Scale
• Mahogany Neck
• Rosewood Fingerboard
• Pearl Dot Inlays
• Die Cast Tuners
• Celluloid Binding / Rosette
• Rosewood Bridge
• Dean / Passive Preamp Electronics
• Finishes: Satin Natural

For more information:
Dean Guitars Website

Winter NAMM 2012 is edging ever closer and already a barrage of new products have been announced.  Ibanez haven’t officially announced their 2012 range yet but we’ve already spotted a new budget model in select European stores which is currently available for pre-order.

The new SA160FML from the Ibanez SA range probably isn’t going to excite veteran players but it should get newer players and the budget conscious salivating.  For me, this is now the best looking guitar that Ibanez currently offers left handed – the Trans Yellow Sunburst finish is beautiful and it’s great to see Ibanez giving the southpaws a matching headstock finish as well.

Ibanez SA160FML-TYS Left Handed Guitar

• Neck : 3pc SA Maple neck
• Body : Mahogany with Flamed Maple Top
• Frets : 22 Medium
• Bridge : SAT Pro II
• Pickups: STDH2 bridge, STDS middle and neck
• Finish : Trans Yellow Sunburst

I’ve so far spotted these at a couple of UK based stores for pre-order:
GuitarGuitar
DV247

I’m really hoping this is a sign of things to come at NAMM, it would be fantastic to see some higher-end lefty Ibanez guitars in eye-catching finishes such as this.  Perhaps Ibanez has finally taken note of us moaning about the constant barrage of black guitars…

For more information:
Ibanez Website