We've partnered with eBay and Musician's Firend for multiple reasons. Lefthand guitars are continually listed with competitive pricing and a nice combination of new and used. There are lefthand guitars available from most major names including Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, and so on.
You may have an opportunity to save on sales tax when buying here. They only collect sales tax where required by law. This has become a hot-bed issue since these tax laws are continually changing.
It is imperative you understand the current laws in your home state if you wish to receive the best pricing on a specific guitar.
As with cars on dealer's lot, inventory of musical instruments will change. I usually recommend an eBay search or a search at MF if you are looking for a discontinued lefthand guitar or some rare breed of guitar you've only seen in a magazine.
As these venues feature many different sellers so you would have a better chance at finding an odd-ball lefty.The traditional guitar shops will most likely stock only the latest catalogued models and if you're lucky the unsold old stock.
One other item to watch for, many of these lefthand guitars will qualify for free shipping since they meet the required order minimums set by most of these vendors. This can mean more savings than buying locally at a guitar store if you've got the right circumstances.
We know for certain that lefthand guitars are not manufactured in the same quantity as the righty's so finding the right price on the right guitar is always more challenging.
And as for the elusive lefthand Explorer style electric guitar, the battle continues. Gibson no longer manufactures a production model so if you have enough cash you always have the option of a custom from their shop.
This is the case with a few other maufacturers like Hamer, their custom shop can buzz together a lefty Hamer Standard on order. But for budgetary reasons, most of us can't afford that option, so production Explorer style lefty's are a rarity.
Also, Gaskell is another option for lefty's, and eBay sometimes has an actual Gibson listed if you watch carefully...
Can you spot the difference between a new or used lefthand explorer-shaped guitar? Look for signs of wear and tear on the guitar's body, neck, and fretboard. Used guitars may have scratches, dents, or worn finishes, whereas new guitars should appear in pristine condition.
Check the frets for signs of wear. New guitars typically have sharp and unworn frets, while used lefthand explorers may have indentations or wear on the frets.
New guitars usually come with original packaging, tags, and documentation like manuals and warranty cards. Used lefthand guitars might not have these items. New explorer-shaped guitars would have a distinctive fresh-out-of-the-box smell, while used guitars may have a more neutral or familiar scent.
Examine the hardware (e.g., tuning pegs, bridge, knobs) for signs of oxidation or corrosion. New guitars should have shiny and pristine hardware. New explorer-shaped guitars often come with factory-fresh strings, while used guitars might have strings that show signs of use and age.
Consider the price and the source of the lefthand explorer in question. Used guitars are typically sold at a lower price than new ones, especially if they show signs of use. It shouldn't be impossible to spot the difference between a new or used explorer-shaped guitar if you take a step back for a moment.
