Is it possible to tune a universe for a lefty player?

Steven Latch · #1 01-28-2007, 03:51 PM

Hi,

I am considering buying a universe and reverse the string to play it left handed.

Is it possible to reset the edge pro tremolo so that I can get the intonation right? If so, is it true only for the edge pro or for all the ibanez bridges?

Cheers

jb4674 · #2 01-28-2007, 04:02 PM

You mean, playing the guitar like Jimi Hendrix? If so, I don't see the reason why not. All of the floating bridges Ibanez makes should have a way to set the intonation.

Jimmy

crevis · #3 01-28-2007, 04:13 PM

switch the saddles around along with the strings and it should be fine. Its gonna look ridiculous tho upside down.

jb4674 · #4 01-28-2007, 04:19 PM

Crevis, don't mind the question but, aren't all saddles on the EP the same? why would you go through the trouble of switching them if you're still going to have to set the intonation on the guitar?

Jimmy

crevis · #5 01-28-2007, 04:41 PM

I dont know about the EPs, but all othe trems have different height saddles to compensate for the different string thickness and the contour of the fretboard, so putting a high on the low B etc saddles may not work.

Steven Latch · #6 01-28-2007, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the replies!

"Its gonna look ridiculous tho upside down."

Quite possible but I am beyond this now :-)

I play a "normal" strat left handed and franckly its fine. I can get along with the buttons and trem bar being on the wrong site. The access to the top frets is tougher but franckly, 3 semi-tones over the whole fretboard is not that crippling. I really want a universe but I want to make sure I will have an instrument that will be in tune :-)

ibanezdiehard · #7 01-28-2007, 06:29 PM

won't you have to buy a lefty nut?

i'm sure the low B won't fit in the high E

**GilkyBear** · #8 01-28-2007, 06:38 PM

I think the nuts are just cut into a universal size groove, and the saddles are the same too I think, just maybe some shims underneath. Actually, now that I look, my saddles do appear to be in a bit of an arch, I just assumed it was shims. I have seen saddles for sale a lot, and even when individually sold, I have never seen them specified by string. Interesting question. But you can get shims for cheap as all hell from Rich (IbanezRules banner above, Steven). Also Steven, you should send a private message to "fettouhi", he is a lefty and has a few custom built lefty axes including a perfect looking UVMC. I think this would by far be the better option for you.

AmazinAzian12 · #9 01-29-2007, 06:14 PM

Isnt there a site that teaches u how to make a trem bar holder for a righthanded edge pro or lo pro into a lefthanded by like drilling a hole into the other side of the bridge? and then u seal the old hole with something. that would help the problem with having the bar in the way. it would be on the right side (correct side)

marianozz · #10 01-29-2007, 06:42 PM

Jimmy and SRV both played with the bar the other way, if hes already acustomed with that, thats the least of his problems... id look into the nut situation 1st...

**GilkyBear** · #11 01-30-2007, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crevis

I dont know about the EPs, but all othe trems have different height saddles to compensate for the different string thickness and the contour of the fretboard, so putting a high on the low B etc saddles may not work.

This is partially correct. The trem saddles are in an arc to account for the fretboard contour, but it isn't the saddles that are different sizes, it is an arc in the base that they sit on...

Lefty Robb · #12 01-30-2007, 02:14 AM

you could but after grinding out the nut slots, swapping saddles, drilling a new strap button hole, the only real use would be for rhythm, since playing past the 19th fret would be virtually impossible. Not to mention the controls would get in the way and it would be uncomfortable.

LuredMaul · #13 01-30-2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Latch

Thanks for the replies!

"Its gonna look ridiculous tho upside down."

Quite possible but I am beyond this now :-)

I play a "normal" strat left handed and franckly its fine. I can get along with the buttons and trem bar being on the wrong site. The access to the top frets is tougher but franckly, 3 semi-tones over the whole fretboard is not that crippling. I really want a universe but I want to make sure I will have an instrument that will be in tune :-)

+1 I play a right handed guitar upside down without restringing it, have for 25 yrs.....who cares what it looks like

Koss · #14 01-30-2007, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

you could but after grinding out the nut slots, swapping saddles, drilling a new strap button hole, the only real use would be for rhythm, since playing past the 19th fret would be virtually impossible. Not to mention the controls would get in the way and it would be uncomfortable.

PLEASE for the love of god don't Hendrix a universe....

I HATE when people hendrix a guitar. Plus, like Rob said, the upper contour would get in the way and honestly, if you don't plan on putting the top 5 frets to use, then you don't need a universe. Not saying that you have to play only 20-24 fret sweeps or anything, but it's such a waste and you could get something much cheaper that will do just as well for rhythm.

I'm not speaking as someone who is saying "OmG don't do it!! It's a Universe!!1! It's a sacred instrooment!!1!!!!" I'm saying it as a fellow lefty who says you can do better.

And no, the grooves on the nut are not universal. You will need a lefty nut, which is easy to get, and cheap.

For less than what you'd spend butchering, and playing a $hitty UV, you could buy an old UVPWH or UVBK neck, get a new body made for it, buy the exact same pickups as the Universe you were going to butcher, and actually have a decent friggin guitar.

Case in point:

Picture is over a year old. Updated pictures to come as soon as I get it back from Chris Woods.

That's the third attempt at posting the image. I dont have a good one with it fully assembled. But one major change from this pic, and what i'll be getting back from Chris, is that the headstock will match the body. (Do you have any idea how hard it is to stain a maple headstock to look like mahogany?) Also, the pickguard will be better.

ibanezdiehard · #15 01-30-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koss

PLEASE for the love of god don't Hendrix a universe....

For less than what you'd spend butchering, and playing a $hitty UV, you could buy an old UVPWH or UVBK neck, get a new body made for it, buy the exact same pickups as the Universe you were going to butcher, and actually have a decent friggin guitar.

Case in point:

thats a much better idea

awesome looking guitar too.