Tell me I'm not crazy

[jasonchamb]

I saw this on Marketplace a few days ago. Dude says it's a RH D-02, but the pickguard shadow is lefty, and it looks like the bridge is too. Am I mistaken?

[StringPicker6]

Looking at the thickness of the strings, it looks like the bass strings are on the left side where the Pick guard is so I would agree with you. I think it's all strange.

[B0WIE]

I believe you're correct. Given the way it's strung, it's a lefty played right handed. With Larrivee symmetrical bracing, this has no sonic consequences like it would with traditional X bracing. But, the intonation will never be correct and I'm curious to know what's going on at the nut.

[StringPicker6]

When you say nut, are you referring to the person that posted this crazy guitar for sale? (see what I did there?)

[jpmist]

Just to note that the bridge saddle slant usually has the lower end of the saddle under the bass strings, so my guess also is this is a lefty . . .

Larrivee saddles aren't straight across, at least mine aren't so I wouldn't rule out at least getting good enough intonation with a reversed saddle (???) But considering how rare lefties are, seller might be better off selling it that way, but perhaps fewer buyers

[unclrob]

I converted my own L10koa by just changing the lefty nut to  a righty no tuning issue or intonation issue either.I done a few lefty to righty and righty to lefty

[jasonchamb]

Thanks for all the notes on the lefty, that confirmed my thoughts, and also for politely declining to discuss whether I am, in fact, crazy regardless of the handedness of the guitar.

[Silence Dogood]

But, the intonation will never be correct...

I'm curious about this.  Could the nut be changed to right-handed and it still not be correct?  Is this because of the left-handed angle of the saddle at the bridge? 

[B0WIE]

I'm curious about this.  Could the nut be changed to right-handed and it still not be correct?  Is this because of the left-handed angle of the saddle at the bridge? 

If you look at where the strings leave the saddle on a normal guitar, not all of those locations can be replicated in a guitar of the opposite orientation (some, not all). With respect to those who feel it's fine (and I respect "fine", guitars are never perfect and most people play open chords) they can't mathematically fall in the correct spots for the intonation to get reasonably close up the neck.
 Paul McCartney had an instrument like this and he sold millions of records so it's clearly good enough when it's good enough. It usually comes down to what material is being played, and in the studio musicians will tune around the part that is being played. But, for me, I'd hear it and it would drive me nuts as I play all over the neck.

For those who want it precise, the fix is to make an ebony plug and then reroute the bridge. It's not as complicated as it sounds but it requires a jig and some skill. You can also replace the bridge. If it doesn't bother you then it doesn't need to be corrected. It will not be in tune up the neck though. There's a specific scale that must be adhered to and that's why saddles are angled and have compensation.