Ladder Logic 🇨🇦Well I’m slowly coming to the realization that my days of playing the #guitar are quite possibly coming to an end. The arthritis in my left index finger is so painful now I can barely function at all, and of course it’s the primary chording finger. I’m considering taking my cheaper Squire Strat and reversing the strings to attempt retraining myself to play left handed. It would mean reversing the nut and redoing the intonation. Any thoughts or tips #gearsquad ?
Peter Herndon@GuitarSith Good luck retraining left-handed, I have no experience with that. BUT, I do have arthritis in my right hand, such that I can't hold a normal pick because I can't curl my fingers tightly enough. I found I can use a spring-loaded thumb pick (https://blackmountainpicks.com/pages/thumb-picks) and keep my fingers straight. Takes a bit more practice to stay accurate, but it's working for me so far. If you find yourself with a similar problem, you might give that a try.
Black Mountain Thumb Picks - Black Mountain Picks
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@tpherndon
Pick is definitely going to be an issue too. Initially just trying to get comfortable with the reversal will keep me busy, then I’ll worry about the pick.
Pick is definitely going to be an issue too. Initially just trying to get comfortable with the reversal will keep me busy, then I’ll worry about the pick.
@GuitarSith Sounds about right. Good luck with the switch-over
@GuitarSith It occurs to me to mention, down strokes work just fine with those picks, but unsupported upstrokes tend to open the spring mechanism a bit, so you need to pinch consciously and consistently if you alternate pick, or else the thumb pick will slip a bit and thus kill your accuracy. Or just downpick all the time, you can get pretty far with just thumb movements that way.
@tpherndon
Going to rent a leftie for a month to see how it goes. That way I don’t have to make any alterations at all, at least not yet.
Going to rent a leftie for a month to see how it goes. That way I don’t have to make any alterations at all, at least not yet.
Steven Woolgar@GuitarSith I started using Turmeric which has helped with my knee and gotten rid of it in my hands (for now obviously). It might not help enough to play right handed, but it might help after you are a lefty.
@woolie
I tried some IcyHot today and that’s helped a bit. I’ll definitely look for it as a supplement tomorrow. Thanks for the advice. 👍🏻
I tried some IcyHot today and that’s helped a bit. I’ll definitely look for it as a supplement tomorrow. Thanks for the advice. 👍🏻
NigelTufnel@GuitarSith @woolie ack, sorry to hear about the pain and its consequences, Alan. I have to be careful about playing guitar due to tendonitis and two things have helped: stretching and warm up before playing, almost like getting ready to play a sport; and an infrared heat lamp for recovery afterwards. Hope you find a path that works for you.
@NigelTufnel @woolie
Had some good suggestions here that I’m going to try out. I’ll head into Long & McQuade in the next couple of days to see about reversing the string setup on the Squier. I don’t want to experiment with my more expensive guitars until I can make sure it’ll work.
Had some good suggestions here that I’m going to try out. I’ll head into Long & McQuade in the next couple of days to see about reversing the string setup on the Squier. I don’t want to experiment with my more expensive guitars until I can make sure it’ll work.
Geoff Duncan@GuitarSith @NigelTufnel @woolie
I’m sorry about the pain I have some idea what that’s like.
What about just getting a left-handed Squier or similar and see how it does? That way you get a reasonable control layout/jack placement/etc. and don’t have to worry about rebuilding anything.
I do know a mando player who switched to left-hand in his 40s due to an injury. Took a while, but he’s as good as he ever was.
@geoffduncan @NigelTufnel @woolie
Actually that’s a great idea. I can rent a leftie Squier for $16 a month, so that’s probably a better option to see if I can handle it. Thanks! 🙏
Actually that’s a great idea. I can rent a leftie Squier for $16 a month, so that’s probably a better option to see if I can handle it. Thanks! 🙏
Scott the F is implicit Baxter@GuitarSith Good luck - sorry to hear! I put a lefty neck on a guitar and changed the nut recently. It was okay. It helps to have nut slot files. Before that I cut notches in feeler gauges. I am reading this thread with interest.
@GuitarSith Michael Angelo Batio plays a left-handed guitar stuck to a right-handed guitar, and helped a student with an injury learn to play the other way. He has *many* videos, and he talks about playing lefty in some. (He talks a lot.)
https://youtu.be/lcy18Si74vw
https://youtu.be/lcy18Si74vw
Right vs. Left-Handed Guitars: Explained by Michael Angelo Batio
@eyesquash
Will definitely check this out. Thanks! 🙏
Will definitely check this out. Thanks! 🙏
L0wKeyHey man, that sucks and you’re a hero for finding solutions.
There is nothing about a guitar that is bothered about being reversed, except for the nut. Even then, it’s just the size of the grooves that would be different and it will work pretty fine without any changes needed at all.
The body etc will be awkward, but useable. You can put on a lefty neck with little issue if it’s a bolt on which can solve the machine heads/nut bits.
Jimi did it so it’s rockstar approved.
You can also change nothing and learn to play with the strings reversed. Again, absolutely no reason musically or physically why this won’t work, it can mean breaking the thinner strings more often as they are the point of contact of most force now, if you have a heavy picking hand.
Eric 🇨🇦@GuitarSith Sorry to hear that Alan. Hope that lefty Squier trial works out. I guess you’ve tried all the over the counter stuff like voltaren cream, ibuprofen etc.? One random thought, have you ever messed around with keyboards? I can relate as I’ve got wicked tendonitis.
@strayhorse
The finger actually has a couple pretty major bumps in the joints that take the flexibility right out of them. I’ve been trying several things but pretty much reached the end of the line. A couple things have been suggested that I haven’t tried, so I’ll see if they help. I’m also going to rent a leftie from Long & McQuade to see if I can actually make the switch.
The finger actually has a couple pretty major bumps in the joints that take the flexibility right out of them. I’ve been trying several things but pretty much reached the end of the line. A couple things have been suggested that I haven’t tried, so I’ll see if they help. I’m also going to rent a leftie from Long & McQuade to see if I can actually make the switch.
John Griffith 🎸@GuitarSith long shot, but this sounds familiar: have you ruled out Dupuytren's contracture? Not all gps know about it. If you have anglo-saxon-ish ancestry like me, it's a pretty common genetic condition.
I had a bump on my little finger that my gp couldn't identify. After much fruitless imaging etc, she referred me to a hand specialist who diagnosed it in literally 30 seconds. One very unpleasant surgery and recovery later, I have my mobility back. There are other treatment options too.
@johngriffith
I’ll check in on it. The Turmeric Curcurmin that another player recommended has made a difference.
I’ll check in on it. The Turmeric Curcurmin that another player recommended has made a difference.
David W. Jones@GuitarSith
Hmm, pull a Jimi Hendrix and flip the guitar over? No changes needed to the guitar.
Hmm, pull a Jimi Hendrix and flip the guitar over? No changes needed to the guitar.
@dancingtreefrog
I think that would be a lot harder after playing 54 years right handed. It would be bad enough mirroring the chords, but trying to flip them 180 degrees too would really strain my already stressed out brain. 🙄😬
I think that would be a lot harder after playing 54 years right handed. It would be bad enough mirroring the chords, but trying to flip them 180 degrees too would really strain my already stressed out brain. 🙄😬
@GuitarSith
59 right-handed years here. I don't think my right wrist could handle it.
We used to do it just for fooling around.
Sorry, it was just a thought. I figured it might help by being a nearly-complete break from the old way. But it would add to the stress!
ZillionNot just Hendrix: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cotten
Diclofenac cream helps some with joint swelling and pain. 'Sounds like you are past the point where that will let you play, but it may help you sleep better!
@zillion
Started taking Turmeric Curcumin this morning and again tonight. Along with some liberal doses of IcyHot roll on it’s made a big difference. The finger is still kinked at the joints but at least it’s not killing me to clench my fist or bend the finger backwards. That’s a huge improvement.
Going to be out of town for a week starting Thursday, so I’ll rent the guitar when I get back. No point in paying for the rental when I won’t have the opportunity to play.
@GuitarSith 'Glad to hear something helped!
Amber Grey@GuitarSith ahhhh I missed this post. I think it’s incredibly inspiring that you’re trying this out as a solution. Also, Jimi Hendrix will come watch over you and help you get the hang of it!!!!! :D 