Left-Handed Necks vs Reverse Headstock

[Sam H]

What is the difference between left handed and revers headstock? Could I use a right handed neck upside down in order to get a reverse headstock on a lefthanded Stratocaster. Is the neck different other than the dots location?

 

[rauchman]

I'd think the fret marker dots on the side of the neck are left or right hand specific. Can't think of any other differences

 

[Jeremiah]

If it's a neck that uses the side-adjust truss rod mechanism, that will be on the wrong side if you turn the neck upside down.

 

[aarontunes]

I'd think the fret marker dots on the side of the neck are left or right hand specific.

Yes.

If it's a neck that uses the side-adjust truss rod mechanism, that will be on the wrong side if you turn the neck upside down.

Indeed.

Add to these things: the orientation of the nut slots, if it was originally cut for righty.

 

[Sam H]

Thanks, I had not thought of the truss rod issue nor the nut.

 

[Sam H]

Yes.



Indeed.

Add to these things: the orientation of the nut slots, if it was originally cut for righty.

I can replace the nut with lefty nut? Or is the neck itself different

 

[rauchman]

Yes.



Indeed.

Add to these things: the orientation of the nut slots, if it was originally cut for righty.

Interesting on the nut slot. Had no idea that was left/right specific. I would have thought the slot was cut as a straight cut across the fretboard. Is the slot cut with an angle? Rather, how is the nut slot cut that makes it left/right specific?

 

[supertruper1988]

I think @aarontunes means if you get a nut installed then the string slots will be cut for right/left handed not that the construction of the neck is any different.

 

[aarontunes]

I think @aarontunes means if you get a nut installed then the string slots will be cut for right/left handed not that the construction of the neck is any different.

Yes. The nut slots of a righty neck are cut to fit the string gauges when strung righty. Flip it over, and the slots will be backwards, AKA a big wide slot for the high E string, and a tiny, narrow slot for the low E string.

To make a righty neck work for lefty you would have to cut a new nut.

 

[rauchman]

Yes. The nut slots of a righty neck are cut to fit the string gauges when strung righty. Flip it over, and the slots will be backwards, AKA a big wide slot for the high E string, and a tiny, narrow slot for the low E string.

To make a righty neck work for lefty you would have to cut a new nut.

Ahhh, gotcha. So it's the nut itself that is righty/lefty vs the cut for the nut slot. Makes perfect sense.