Lefty beginner Mandolins?

[MikeEdgerton]

The tonebars have been discussed over and over for years. The general consensus from a luthier population has been that it doesn't make any difference (with one exception). One well know luthier even reported one mandolin sounding better after having been switched. An F would look silly reversed, an A is no problem. This really is not a new discussion.

The biggest problem after the nut and the bridge is the side dots and they aren't all that hard to do. Frank Ford actually has a tutorial on www.frets.com.

By the way, the old Gibson oval hole mandolins were not X braced.

Here's one thread that pretty much sums it up. We could dig out more.

[mandroid]

Looking in my 22 A , given 1 transverse bar , would make lefty conversion most practical,
BUT they ain't cheap ..
perhaps the OP, LeftyGal, will be able to pony up enough for a flattop like Big Muddy.
the construction is simplified , rather than going abroad for budget Labor.

All the same notes on the fingerboard..