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BUDGET
Fender Player Stratocaster (Left-Handed)
$5 on Reverb
ELECTRIC
Gibson SG Standard (Left-Handed)
$8 on Reverb
ACOUSTIC
Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s (Left-Handed)
$350–$480 used

Left-handed guitarists face a simple market problem: fewer choices, narrower used market, and sometimes higher prices. The best approach is choosing from manufacturers who actually produce official left-handed models rather than conversion attempts.

This guide covers the best left-handed guitars from $220 budget options to $1,500 premium instruments. All prices are mid-2026 used market values.

The 8 Best Left-Handed Guitar

#1

Fender Player Stratocaster (Left-Handed)

Left-handed solid body electric · LH offset body, 3 Player Series single-coil pickups, 22-fret maple neck, alder body, modern C profile$750–$850 new / $500–$650 used

Best for: Best left-handed Stratocaster at mid-range price, Fender Player quality, Strat feel and tone

The Fender Player Stratocaster LH is the most recommended left-handed electric guitar — Fender's Player Series Stratocaster provides the authentic Stratocaster single-coil tone and feel with left-handed offset body construction. Unlike many budget left-handed guitars (which are often right-handed designs converted or poorly adapted), the Player Stratocaster LH is purpose-built. Fender maintains the Player line as an official left-handed offering. Used at $500–$650.

What to check used: Left-handed guitars have significantly fewer used options in the market than right-handed — be prepared to search longer and potentially pay closer to new prices for quality used instruments. The Player Stratocaster LH availability on the used market depends on your location; major metro areas will have more options.

Available now

#2

Gibson SG Standard (Left-Handed)

Left-handed mahogany solid body · LH construction, 490R/490T humbuckers, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fretboard, SlimTaper neck$1,500–$1,800 new / $1,100–$1,500 used

Best for: Premium left-handed Gibson electric, SG neck profile and tone, Gibson quality and warranty

The Gibson SG Standard LH is Gibson's flagship left-handed electric — purpose-built left-handed construction with the SG's lightweight mahogany body and the 490R/490T humbuckers that produce the warm, mid-forward Gibson tone. The SG's slim neck profile is comfortable for many players. Gibson maintains official left-handed production runs, though availability is more limited than right-handed. Used at $1,100–$1,500.

What to check used: Gibson left-handed guitars are significantly more expensive than Epiphone alternatives — the SG Standard LH at $1,100–$1,500 used compares to the Epiphone SG LH at $300–$400 used. For players who want the Gibson name and quality, the price is justified. For players who want the SG tone at lower cost, the Epiphone LH is the practical alternative.

Available now

#3

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s (Left-Handed)

Left-handed mahogany electric · LH construction, ProBucker humbuckers, mahogany body, maple top, Grover tuners, AAA-quality build$450–$500 new / $280–$380 used

Best for: Best left-handed Les Paul at mid-range price, Gibson-quality tone at Epiphone cost, ProBucker humbuckers

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s LH is the most recommended mid-range left-handed guitar — Epiphone's ProBucker pickups (an improved version of Epiphone's previous Alnico Classic pickups) sound significantly better than earlier Epiphone pickups and approach the character of Gibson's own pickups. The Les Paul body shape provides the warm, full tone and sustain that Les Pauls are known for. Used at $280–$380.

What to check used: Epiphone produces left-handed versions but not always of every model simultaneously — the Standard 50s LH is typically available, but check current production availability. The used market for left-handed Epiphones is narrower than right-handed.

#4

Squier Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster (Left-Handed)

Left-handed budget Stratocaster · LH offset body, 3 vintage-voiced single-coil pickups, maple neck, vintage C profile, alder body$350–$400 new / $220–$290 used

Best for: Best budget left-handed guitar, Squier quality, Classic Vibe construction, beginner to intermediate

The Squier Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster LH is the most recommended budget left-handed electric — Squier's Classic Vibe series is produced in China to high quality standards and receives consistent excellent reviews for its playability and tone relative to price. The Classic Vibe models play significantly better than standard Squier Affinity series. For a left-handed beginner or intermediate player who wants a quality guitar without the Player Stratocaster price, the Classic Vibe LH is the choice. Used at $220–$290.

What to check used: Squier left-handed availability is more limited than right-handed — Classic Vibe LH models are produced in runs and may not always be in stock. Used availability depends on the secondary market. Consider the Yamaha Pacifica LH as an alternative if the Squier Classic Vibe LH is unavailable.

#5

Yamaha Pacifica 112V (Left-Handed)

Left-handed versatile electric · LH construction, HSS pickup configuration, alder body, maple neck, coil-tap on bridge humbucker$350–$400 new / $240–$310 used

Best for: Versatile left-handed guitar, HSS pickup variety, Yamaha reliability and quality control

The Yamaha Pacifica 112V LH is a consistently recommended left-handed option — Yamaha produces the Pacifica to excellent quality standards, and the HSS pickup configuration (single-coil/single-coil/humbucker) provides versatility from clean single-coil tones to humbucking rock tones. The coil-tap on the bridge humbucker adds additional tonal options. Yamaha's quality control is among the most consistent in the price range. Used at $240–$310.

What to check used: The Pacifica 112V is an extremely reliable choice but not as distinctive tonally as a Stratocaster or Les Paul. Its strength is consistency and versatility. Players who want the specific character of a classic single-coil Strat or humbucker Les Paul should look at the Squier Classic Vibe LH or Epiphone Les Paul LH respectively.

#6

Seagull S6 Original (Left-Handed)

Left-handed dreadnought acoustic · LH construction, solid cedar top, wild cherry back/sides, Canadian made, Tusq nut, silver-leaf maple neck$500–$600 new / $350–$480 used

Best for: Best left-handed acoustic guitar, Canadian-made quality, solid cedar top, warm full tone

The Seagull S6 Original LH is the most recommended left-handed acoustic guitar — Seagull is a Canadian company (Godin Guitars subsidiary) that makes guitars with solid cedar tops at prices lower than comparable American acoustics. The S6's solid cedar top produces a warm, full dreadnought tone. Seagull guitars are among the best-value acoustics available, and the S6 LH is purpose-built rather than a right-handed conversion. Used at $350–$480.

What to check used: Seagull's cedar top produces a warmer, darker tone than spruce-top acoustics — it sounds different from Yamaha FG, Martin, or Taylor spruce-top guitars. Players who specifically want spruce-top brightness should try the Taylor 114ce LH or Martin LX1E LH. Cedar tops complement fingerpicking and warm strumming styles; spruce tops project better for flatpicking.

#7

Taylor 114ce (Left-Handed)

Left-handed auditorium acoustic-electric · LH construction, solid Sitka spruce top, layered walnut back/sides, ES2 pickup system, auditorium body$900–$1,000 new / $700–$850 used

Best for: Premium left-handed acoustic, Taylor quality and playability, onboard electronics for performance

The Taylor 114ce LH is the premium left-handed acoustic guitar recommendation — Taylor produces an official left-handed version of this popular model with the same solid spruce top, ES2 pickup system, and Taylor neck profile. Taylor's NT neck joint produces excellent action and intonation. For left-handed players who want a professional-quality acoustic with electronics, the 114ce LH is the direct path. Used at $700–$850.

What to check used: Taylor left-handed models are available but production runs are smaller than right-handed — used availability may be limited in some markets. The Taylor 114ce LH is worth the search for players who want Taylor quality.

#8

Martin LX1E Left-Handed

Left-handed travel acoustic-electric · LH construction, HPL body, 23-inch scale, fishman electronics, travel-size, Martin quality$220–$260 new / $150–$200 used

Best for: Budget left-handed acoustic with electronics, travel size, Martin brand, affordable entry

The Martin LX1E LH is the budget left-handed acoustic option from a premium brand — Martin's LX1E (the Little Martin) uses HPL (High Pressure Laminate) rather than solid wood construction for weather resistance and price, but produces a functional acoustic tone. The onboard Fishman electronics allow plugging in for small venues. For left-handed beginners or players seeking an affordable acoustic with Martin's brand quality control, the LX1E LH is accessible. Used at $150–$200.

What to check used: HPL construction does not sound like a solid-wood acoustic — the tone is noticeably compressed and lacks the openness of a solid-top guitar. The LX1E is appropriate as a starter guitar or travel guitar. For players who want the full acoustic experience, the Seagull S6 LH at a higher price provides solid cedar top quality.

Left-Handed Guitar Buying Checklist

  • Verify left-handed construction: Confirm the guitar is genuinely left-handed construction (not a right-handed guitar with strings reversed). Left-handed construction: the body cutaway (on cutaway models) is on the correct side for a left-handed player, the output jack is positioned for the correct side, and the nut slots are cut for left-handed string order. Some low-quality sellers list right-handed guitars as 'reversible' — a genuine left-handed guitar is purpose-built.
  • Nut slot verification: On any left-handed guitar, inspect the nut (at the headstock end of the fretboard). The nut slots should be cut with the wider slot on the bass side (for the low string) on the appropriate side for left-handed stringing. If the slots are cut backwards, the strings will not seat correctly — indicating the guitar may have been a right-handed model with strings reversed.
  • Used market patience: Left-handed guitars have narrower used market availability. Plan to search longer than for equivalent right-handed instruments. Online platforms (Reverb, eBay) have nationwide reach and substantially more left-handed inventory than local shops. Expand the search geographically and set up saved searches to be notified of new listings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a left-handed person learn on a left-handed guitar or a right-handed guitar?

There are two valid approaches. Left-handed guitar (recommended for most): play with the fret hand as the right hand (dominant) and the strumming/picking hand as the left (non-dominant). This mirrors how right-handed players use their hands — the picking motion is in the dominant hand, the fretting in the non-dominant. This is the natural way for most left-handed players and the approach most teachers recommend. Right-handed guitar (valid for some): play right-handed even as a left-handed person. Some famous left-handed guitarists (Mark Knopfler, Eric Gales) play right-handed. The disadvantage is fewer left-handed players can understand what you are doing when you ask for help.

Why are left-handed guitars more expensive?

Smaller production runs increase per-unit cost. For every 100 right-handed guitars sold, approximately 10-15 left-handed guitars are needed (left-handed players are approximately 10-13% of the population). This means smaller batch sizes, fewer economies of scale, and less competition in the market. Budget guitar brands often do not produce left-handed versions at all. Premium brands (Fender, Gibson, Taylor) produce official left-handed models but at the same or slightly higher price than equivalent right-handed instruments.

Can I convert a right-handed guitar to left-handed?

Partially — a right-handed guitar can be restrung for left-handed playing by reversing the string order. The problems: the nut slots are cut for right-handed string gauges (lighter slots for high strings, heavier for low strings) — reversing strings means the strings are in the wrong slots. The nut must be replaced or re-cut. On acoustic guitars, the saddle may also be compensated for right-handed use and need modification. Classical guitars can be restrung easily (symmetric saddle). On budget guitars, the cost of modification approaches the cost of a left-handed guitar. The easiest conversion guitars are classical-style (symmetric components).

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