[carol m]

I have just bought a new cheapy electro-acoustic and have re-strung it to play lefty. I also changed the saddle around and have noticed that the saddle under the B string is angled differently. This angled bit is now reversed (the edge under the B string now points towards the nut). Does this make a difference, and if it does, in what way? Would it be best for me to try and find a 'lefty' saddle and replace this one or does it not make any real difference?

Any advice is appreciated.

[eddiez152]

Carol m,
I think it changes to intonation of the strings. The length of the string for each does make a difference. I think your gonna want to change it. Lets see what others think.

[eXperiment63]

You'll want to get a lefty saddle.

[starsailor]

Hi Carol, you have to redo the slot as the angle of the saddle has to be different and it can be a bit fiddly to do but here's a solution that is a lot easier but you'll have to decide if it's worth spending the money, thought I'd pass it on.

SADDLEBOY.COM SOUTHPAW SATISFACTION

All the Best

Chris

[carol m]

What a find Chris! I had no idea of the 'lefty' sub-culture. Do you understand what 'intonation' means? Is it that the string becomes out of tune as you go up the neck? (not a problem I need to address just yet!)

Also, what is the 'converter' they talk about?
Quote:
"Subsequent fine-tuning of the intonation can be achieved by locating the converter off centre. An offset towards the treble strings results in decreased pitch, offset towards the base strings increases the pitch. This fine adjustment can only be made after first experience with the converter located centrally as per step 5."

In 'other news' I'm planning to post my base-line lefty piece on Jan 1st. How are you going?????? At the moment my right hand fingers are sore and I don't have the strength in my ring and pinky to get a clean note, and as for stretching for the frets its mind-boggling - I can't really stretch to do a G chord cleanly, and C is even worse. And how the hell are you supposed to fit all your fingers in to do an A chord without buzzing the adjacent strings!!! And as for the dreaded F chord, maybe by March.....

[starsailor]

Intonation, I'm out of my comfort zone here but it's fun, you play an open string and then fret the string at the 12th fret and the two should show up the same on a tuner or ie open E and E on 12th fret, I've just done it on my guitar and it works although my intonation is out on the E as my saddles on it's last legs, the A was fine though, the 12th fret is the centre of the guitar measuring from the nut to the saddle, think that's right, I'm reading up on it and there are loads of variables to consider when setting up a guitar but I have tried to keep it simple to be honest some of it went over my head but it is Sunday and my brain has a half day on Sundays.

On the other question that appears to be a minimal adjustment affecting string height and therefore length of strings between saddle and nut I'm assuming they mean moving it up or down a tad to achieve the perfect tune, it would though be a very minimal move
I haven't used one of these Carol but they seem to be well thought of.
What does your base lefty piece consist of Carol sounds interesting, look forward to hearing it, my progress is slow and I have all the grace of a Giraffe on an ice rink, I might be able to practice yours or I've got a simple thing in D I might be able to do, my lefty guitar doesn't sound half as good as my Yamaha I might convert my electro acoustic as it's a cheap encore but I'll have to think about that, It does feel a bit crowded playing with the left but it must be our brain saying it's not natural.

Best Wishes

Chris

[carol m]

I just tested my lefty for intonation, and it wasn't good. The low A and E were flat and the upper E and B were sharp. G and D were good though. I'm not going to worry about that for now, although the strings are a bit low in the trebles and high in the bass. Probably because I didn't change the nut around (Grrrr! forgot about the nut ). And tomorrow is Jan 1st and I am supposed to record something!!!! I might have to do a few takes.......but I'll keep it short (very short - I wouldn't want anyone do themselves an injury either to the ears or from falling about laughing). It'll give the newbies something to feel good about i.e. being better than me!

My lefty was cheap ($85 ) which is about 35 pounds and it really does have electrics with a graphic equaliser and volume knob. I haven't checked out how it sounds when recorded. I'll take that hurdle tomorrow. It's hard to judge anything much about it because my playing is so bad, so I don't really know if its just me or the guitar which is making the buzz and muted notes. Probably a bit of both, but what the heck, at least I can play guitar for as long as my finger tips hold out, and I don't have to worry about 'over-use' etc. Its black and I got a black straw cowboy hat to go with it as a present, so I'll have to wear that for my recording session, its bound to help.

It's New Years Eve evening here and because we live quite near the harbour, the fireworks are going full tilt. The dogs are looking a bit anxious and the cat is hiding in a box. We are having quite a good time though! Hope your New Year goes well.

[starsailor]

Mines pretty cheap as well Carol and doesn't sound that great, on the plus side before you asked the question I knew very little about intonation so that's been a great benefit, we're also learning quite a bit about set ups and we've opened up parts of the brain right hand guitars couldn't reach so it's all good in my eyes, no worries about the recording I admire your tenacity, I'm not that good yet and we have a whole year in front of us.
Sounds like you're all having a great time Aussies always put on a great party, a Happy and prosperous New Year Carol to you and your Family.

Cheers

Chris

[carol m]

Thanks Chris. Not up to recording yet???? Ready to concede defeat yet???? When you hear mine, you'll be encouraged. Its 20 to midnight here and there are revellers in the park...shocking....

[starsailor]

I'll never surrender Carol but you definitely have the upper hand, I assume the revellers have drunk large quantities of ale and are on the verge of singing Auld Lang Syne, is it safe to go in the park or will you watch from a distance

[carol m]

Hey Chris, I somehow abandoned this thread and didn't see your last post. It is safe in the park, as safe as anywhere anyway. We sometimes go down to the water to watch the fireworks, but I must be getting old because without young children to get excited about them, they become a bit ho-hum over the years.

About the playing left handed, I think I have an unfair advantage as I'm not playing righty at all now, so if I want to play, its left handed only. That certainly helps.

[starsailor]

Hi Carol, fireworks bore me a bit now and they frighten the crap out of the dogs so we don't have them, there were a few round here but it's pretty remote so we had quite a peaceful New Year, I used to go to the celebrations, but now we just pop a bottle of Champagne and put our feet up. I'm a very laid back person these days.
I think that goes back to practice again Carol that is an advantage but I can find time to do it. so I'll stick at it. I'm learning electric as well which does actually need a different approach to acoustic, the whole guitar thing is a continuous learning curve and music is quite time consuming when you get into it it does tend to takeover.

Cheers

Chris