Did you know that between 10 and 13% of the world's population is left-handed? However, there are certain professions and hobbies that tend to feature a higher percentage of left-handed people, such as computer programmers and guitar players. In fact, there are estimates that up to 20% or even higher of guitarists are left-handed.
So, why isn’t one in every five guitarists playing a left-handed guitar? Well, the answer is that they probably learned to play on a right-handed guitar. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with this, and I have advised many beginners to play right-handed guitars for a number of reasons. The first is that playing guitar well requires dexterity in both hands, not just the fretting hand. Think of complex rhythm patterns and intricate fingerpicking, they both require a lot of control and skill.
But the most important reason for choosing to play right-handed is that there are a lot more right-handed guitars produced than left-handed ones, therefore, you have much more choices when buying a guitar. This is especially true in the vintage and used markets.
Having said that, if you’re a leftie through and through, there are a number of fantastic left-handed guitars currently on the market, so let’s find out what they are, starting with the…
Best Affordable Left-handed Electric Guitar for Beginners - EastCoast T1 Left-Handed Electric Guitar in Butterscotch with Maple Fretboard
Do you love the look of vintage blonde blackguard Telecasters, but don’t want to spend a fortune? Then get yourself this stylish EastCoast T1.
This is an excellent first left-handed guitar choice for a beginner, giving you the looks and features of a classic Tele, at a much more affordable price. It won’t sound and play as well as the genuine article, but that’s to be expected considering the price. Plus, you can always upgrade to a Fender in a few years when your skills have improved.
A fantastic choice for guitar novices looking for an affordable left-handed guitar on a limited budget.
Best Affordable Left-Handed Les Paul Guitar - EastCoast L1 Left Handed Electric Guitar in Heritage Cherry Sunburst with Rosewood Fretboard
Sticking with EastCoast, but this time we have a guitar based on another of the classic guitar shapes, the EastCoast L1. If you’re looking for a Les Paul-style guitar but don’t want to re-mortgage your home, it's a great option at a very affordable price.
It has the looks, and it feels great to play, but as with the Telecaster I just covered, you won’t get the sound or the vibe of an authentic Gibson. But since it’s less than 10% of the price, that’s completely understandable. Nevertheless, it’s a great guitar for any left-handed player who is starting their musical journey and loves the Jimmy Page/Slash look.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to rock out but is watching the pennies.
Best Left-handed Electric Guitar for Kids - Squier Mini Stratocaster Electric Guitar in Black
This gorgeous little Squier is easily the best left-handed electric guitar for children. It’s a recreation of the iconic Fender Stratocaster but on a smaller scale. Since it’s crafted by Squier, which is a subsidiary of Fender, it has the looks and specs of a Strat apart from having no whammy system, which won’t be a deal breaker for most kids.
Unfortunately, it’s only available in black, which looks fantastic and is great for fans of David Gilmour and Eric Clapton. But if you want a more vibrant color, you’re out of luck, with only the right-handed versions being available in Dokota Red and Shell Pink.
Regardless, there is more to this little marvel than meets the eye. It’s not only one of the best first left-handed guitar choices for children, but it’s also a fantastic travel guitar for those who are away from home a lot. Just plug it into a mini practice amp for a mega-portable setup that sounds great wherever you are.
Best Yamaha Left-Handed Electric Guitar - Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20L Electric Guitar in Swift Blue
People naturally try to emulate their heroes, and this is especially the case with guitarists. We are all subliminally drawn to the guitars our heroes play. Those who grew up idolizing Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Slash, or Ace Frehley naturally want a Les Paul, while fans of Ritchie Blackmore or Jimi Hendrix dream of owning a white Strat. This is why SGs, Strats, Les Pauls, Teles, 335s, etc. will continue to be very popular guitars well into the future.
But some guitarists are more original and don’t want to follow in the footsteps of others. They want a guitar that’s different and makes a statement about the individual playing it… something like the Yamaha Revstar.
Although it’s been called the lovechild of an SG and a Les Paul, it retains its highly distinctive style and sound. This is part of the Element series, Yamaha’s most affordable range of Revstars. However, you still get exactly what the Revstar is famed for - rugged construction, quality parts, and its eye-catching looks, making this a fantastic first guitar choice for any left-handed guitarist eager to carve out their musical personality.
Best Left-handed Epiphone Guitar - Epiphone Left-Handed Casino in Natural
Moving up in price, let’s take a look at a few hollow-bodied guitars, starting with this gorgeous Epiphone Casino.
A quick trivia question… which electric guitar was used on more Beatles albums than any other? I’m sure that most of you will have gone for a Rickenbacker, but you’d be wrong, the correct answer is an Epiphone Casino. The Casino was John Lennon's main guitar from 1966 onwards, George Harrison's main guitar from 1966 to 1967, and Paul McCartney's main guitar from 1965 onwards.
This modern take on the Casino has the looks and vibe of the vintage instruments used by everyone from The Beatles to the Rolling Stones, the Kinks to Paul Weller, and Noel Gallagher to Gary Clark Jr.
If you’re looking for a highly underrated left-handed guitar with a lot of history that is a dream to play and more than delivers in the sound department, get yourself a Casino; you won’t regret it.
Best Left-handed Gretsch Guitar - Gretsch G5420 Left Handed Electromatic Hollow Body Single-Cut in Orange Stain
Next, and a little bit more expensive, we have this gorgeous-looking Gretsch in the best color the company makes… orange.
I’m a massive fan of Gretsch guitars, from the legendary hollow bodies such as the King of Bling - the White Falcon to the much more sedate Country Gentleman, to their classic solid bodies, like the fantastic Duo Jet. And with the G5420, you’ll get the same look and feel as the company's hollow-bodied masterpieces but without paying top dollar.
It features the same controls as found on their more expensive models and delivers the sound that only a Gretsch can create. From Brian Setzer rockabilly to Chet Atkins fingerpicking to Billy Duffy roar, this guitar gives you it all and more. Plus, if they’re playing a guitar that looks as beautiful as this, not only will it produce an amazing sound, but both it and you will look a million dollars.
Best Left-handed Les Paul Guitar - Gibson USA Les Paul Standard '50s Gold Top Left Handed
Let’s finish with a pair of timeless classics, starting with the iconic Gold Top Gibson Les Paul Standard, one of the most popular guitars in history.
This incredibly accurate recreation of a ‘50s Les Paul features the classic design and looks that made this such an iconic guitar. Crafted from a solid Mahogany body with a Maple top, the gorgeous Gold-top finish and pair of killer PAF-style Pickups will give you the swagger that you can only get from a Les Paul.
Plus, you’ll get all the authentic 1950s specifications that made guitarists fall in love with this guitar when they first saw it more than 70 years ago. It’s simply the best, a left-handed guitar masterpiece.
Best Left Handed Stratocaster - Fender Custom Shop '59 Left Handed Stratocaster in Olympic White
As every guitarist knows, Fender produces some of the highest-quality guitars that money can buy. But what if you want something even better? Well, you’ll need to make a nervous call to your bank manager and check out the latest offerings from the Fender Custom Shop.
The Custom Shop has only one goal - to deliver the ultimate guitars in terms of build quality, playability, and tone that are also simply stunning to look at, such as this beauty…
This stunning remake of a ‘59 Strat looks, sounds, and plays like a vintage instrument; it is, after all, the best of the best!
However, there is a bit of a problem… the price. However, if that call with your bank manager went well and you are looking for the ultimate left-handed guitar, then this is probably it.
Wrapping it Up
That’s it for my rundown of the best left-handed guitars that money can buy. Regardless of your budget, there is something in this selection for everyone, from the very affordable EastCoast Tele and Les Paul-style guitars right up to a pair of dream guitars that are firmly on most players' wishlists, the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster.
So, get down to your local music store, or browse online and find the ultimate left-handed guitar that you’ve always dreamt about!
