I am in the same boat Tim, I do everything lefty except right, but my father was also left handed. It was just natural for me. Being a technical player though, I disagree that you want more dexterity on the board. The limitation most shredders etc face is the right hand regardless. Thing is you have 1 pick, and 4 fingers on the other side. Picking is much more difficult a mechanic, and holds a lot of players back, and increases the painstaking practice hours despite being their dominant hand. I also play Tennis/Squash left though, not much right. I could fence poorly with both hands when I did though
I'm left handed but I play right handed. I first grabbed a guitar at 13 years old. I started (for 3 weeks) playing left handed. By older brother Bob said "whoa - kill the motor!" And went on to explain I'd either find it hard to find a guitar or wind up paying more as lefties were scare. Furthermore, he pointed out my left hand the wrote, used scissors, etc. has all the dexterity. Thus it would be better.
So I play right handed.
As a side note, having three older brothers who are all right handed ~ I learned to bat in baseball, throw a baseball, shoot a rifle all right handed. However, I shoot a pistol left handed, I play tennis both left & right. In other words, I'm a basket case.
Generally I need to wing it as I cannot get my gear around, I do not drive. My last amp, and my bass amp before it I bought about 10 years ago were bought without even trying them in the store! The bass amp was a fender BXR, and I was 14, figured it is a fender, must be good. I like that amp a fair deal, it has served me very well. The newest was a Mesa Mark V and I truly believe trying it in store would have not helped. It took a few days or practice to narrow in good tones, 2 weeks or so to get good high gain lead tones. This amp is just so versatile, and complex, a few hours trying probably won't get you anywhere.
Thus my question is do you take time? Do you bring your gear? Or do you walk into a store and just “wing it”?
I orderred my ASAT special without playing through my amp again also, I played through an Orange AD30 instead. Just as it was what was there. I am more concerned with the feel of a guitar than its overall sound.
So what’s my question of the day? I’d like to hear YOUR stories if you’ve ever had an encounter with Leo, Dale or George. If you haven’t, then tell us your favorite G&L Moment (maybe in a store, or at a guitar show, or at a Jam, that time at a gig that people commented on your tone?). Let me know!
2/3 of these guys were gone before I had played a G&L, and living in Ontario (Canada) I have never encountered them. I can understand being ones own worst critic though, I am guilty there too. I am extremely hard on myself, especially when composing.
In turn I will supplement the closest thing I have had to meeting any of them, discovering G&L. I had just bought an engagement ring from my friends dad (a jeweler) and proceeded to hang out with him in the city. For fun, and to kill time we popped in a music store, Pongettis. I figured what the heck, I am getting into country music lets try out one of them there telecasters. Normally Fenders are pretty unplayable for me, due to the thin necks, small spacing, and heavy radii. I was able to adapt quickly, despite heavy radius. The neck carve is comfy and similar to my Carvins, my favourite fret size, and I did not stick to the gloss. I did not plug it in, but knew I had to have one. about 4 months later it was being built and still is.