Best Left-Handed Guitars in 2026
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Shopping for a left-handed guitar usually starts with a single hook on a store wall, or a product page that says “also available in left-handed” — until you pick a color and discover it isn’t. Left-handed guitars exist from almost every major brand, but in fewer models, fewer finishes and smaller quantities than right-handed ones.
This guide covers the best left-handed guitars across acoustic and electric, at beginner, value and premium prices. For each pick, we confirmed a left-handed version on the manufacturer’s site or at major US retailers, and we note exactly which lefty finishes we found. Specs are from manufacturer listings; the picks are our editorial recommendations. We haven’t tested these guitars ourselves and don’t give them scores.
Want to go deeper? We have dedicated guides to left-handed acoustic guitars, left-handed electric guitars, left-handed guitars for beginners and left-handed bass guitars.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall Fender Player II Stratocaster Left-Handed Best for: Players who want one guitar that handles most styles
Fender’s Mexican-made Player II Strat (launched 2024) in a dedicated left-handed version: alder body, three Alnico V single-coils and a 2-point tremolo.
CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon - Best Acoustic Taylor 214ce Left-Handed Best for: Players who want one versatile acoustic for strumming, picking and playing out
A Grand Auditorium cutaway with a solid spruce top, layered walnut back and sides and Taylor’s Expression System 2 pickup. Taylor builds it left-handed at no extra charge.
CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon - Best Electric for Humbucker Tone Epiphone Les Paul Standard ’60s Left-Handed Best for: Blues and classic-rock players who want Les Paul tone without Gibson prices
Part of Epiphone’s “Inspired by Gibson” range: a mahogany Les Paul with a maple top, SlimTaper neck and ProBucker humbuckers, sold left-handed.
CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon - Best Beginner Option Squier Sonic Stratocaster Left-Handed Best for: First-time electric players who want a real lefty Strat on a budget
Squier’s entry-level Strat in a left-handed version. A light poplar body, slim “C” neck and three single-coils at a beginner price.
CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon - Best Value Fender CD-60S Dreadnought Left-Handed Best for: Players on a tight budget who still want a solid spruce top
Fender’s budget solid-top dreadnought from the Classic Design series, sold in a left-handed version. One of the most affordable ways into a true lefty acoustic.
CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon - Best Premium Option Martin D-28 Left Best for: Experienced players buying a long-term, all-solid-wood dreadnought
The benchmark all-solid rosewood dreadnought from Martin’s Standard Series (updated in 2025), offered left-handed on Martin’s own spec page at the same price as right-handed.
CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Left-Handed Available | Price | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Fender Player II Stratocaster Left-Handed | Players who want one guitar that handles most styles | Yes — 3 finishes, SSS only | About $850 | CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon |
| Best Acoustic Taylor 214ce Left-Handed | Players who want one versatile acoustic for strumming, picking and playing out | Yes — no upcharge | About $999 (Taylor list) | CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon |
| Best Electric for Humbucker Tone Epiphone Les Paul Standard ’60s Left-Handed | Blues and classic-rock players who want Les Paul tone without Gibson prices | Yes — selected finishes | About $700 | CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon |
| Best Beginner Option Squier Sonic Stratocaster Left-Handed | First-time electric players who want a real lefty Strat on a budget | Yes — Black only | About $250 | CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon |
| Best Value Fender CD-60S Dreadnought Left-Handed | Players on a tight budget who still want a solid spruce top | Yes — Natural only | About $200–$230 | CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon |
| Best Premium Option Martin D-28 Left | Experienced players buying a long-term, all-solid-wood dreadnought | Yes — selected finishes | About $3,500 (gloss, Martin list) | CHECK PRICE — retailer link coming soon |
Prices are approximate US street prices from manufacturer and retailer listings we checked in October 2026, and change often. “Left-handed available” reflects what we could verify for the specific model — left-handed finishes, fretboards and stock vary, so always confirm the listing says left-handed for the exact finish before you order.
Product reviews
Best Overall
Fender Player II Stratocaster Left-Handed
Fender
- Best for
- Players who want one guitar that handles most styles
- Left-handed
- Yes — 3 finishes, SSS only
- Price
- Check current price (About $850)
- Retailer
- Retailer link coming soon
- Listed by
- Fender, Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Music & Arts
Left-handed availability
Fender lists a left-handed Player II Stratocaster in 3-Color Sunburst, Polar White and Aquatone Blue, with maple or rosewood fingerboards depending on finish. That is fewer colors than the right-handed model. The left-handed Player II Strat is three single-coils (SSS) only — the HSS version is right-handed only.
Last checked October 2026.
Key specs (manufacturer / retailer listings)
- Body
- Alder
- Neck
- Maple, Modern “C”
- Scale length
- 25.5"
- Fingerboard radius
- 9.5"
- Pickups
- 3 × Player Series Alnico V single-coil (SSS)
- Bridge
- 2-point synchronized tremolo
Why we like it
- Genuine Fender with left-handed controls, tremolo and body contours
- Comfortable Modern “C” neck with rolled fingerboard edges
- Classic Strat sounds from three Alnico V single-coils
Important considerations
- Only three left-handed finishes, and some sell out
- No left-handed HSS option if you want a bridge humbucker
Our take
If we had to recommend one left-handed guitar to the most people, it would be the Player II Stratocaster. The Strat design covers clean, blues, funk, pop and classic rock; it’s comfortable to play standing or sitting; and the left-handed version is a genuine mirror of the right-handed guitar, from the controls to the tremolo and body contours.
Left-handed, it comes in three finishes and only with three single-coil pickups.
Best Acoustic
Taylor 214ce Left-Handed
Taylor
- Best for
- Players who want one versatile acoustic for strumming, picking and playing out
- Left-handed
- Yes — no upcharge
- Price
- Check current price (About $999 (Taylor list))
- Retailer
- Retailer link coming soon
- Listed by
- Taylor dealers, Sweetwater, Guitar Center
Left-handed availability
Taylor’s own 214ce page says the guitar can be ordered left-handed for no additional charge. Left-handed versions of the 214ce Koa and 214ce Plus are also listed at major retailers. Stores often carry the right-handed version only, so a lefty may need to be ordered in.
Last checked October 2026.
Key specs (manufacturer / retailer listings)
- Body
- Grand Auditorium, Venetian cutaway
- Top
- Solid torrefied spruce
- Back & sides
- Layered walnut
- Scale length
- 25-1/2"
- Nut width
- 1-11/16"
- Electronics
- Taylor Expression System 2
Why we like it
- Taylor states left-handed builds cost the same as right-handed
- Comfortable mid-size Grand Auditorium body with a cutaway for upper-fret access
- Built-in Expression System 2 electronics for plugging in
Important considerations
- Back and sides are layered (laminate) walnut, not solid wood
- Lefty stock is thinner in stores — expect to order online or through a dealer
Our take
The 214ce is a comfortable, cutaway acoustic with a solid top and a built-in pickup, so it works for home strumming and open-mic nights alike. Taylor says it’s built left-handed for no additional charge, which is not a given across the industry. More acoustic options are in our acoustic guide.
Best Electric for Humbucker Tone
Epiphone Les Paul Standard ’60s Left-Handed
Epiphone
- Best for
- Blues and classic-rock players who want Les Paul tone without Gibson prices
- Left-handed
- Yes — selected finishes
- Price
- Check current price (About $700)
- Retailer
- Retailer link coming soon
- Listed by
- Epiphone / Gibson, Guitar Center, Sweetwater
Left-handed availability
Gibson’s Epiphone pages and Guitar Center list the left-handed Les Paul Standard ’60s in Ebony, Iced Tea and Bourbon Burst (plus a figured-top version). Stock is patchy and varies by finish. A left-handed Les Paul Standard ’50s is also sold, with a chunkier neck.
Last checked October 2026.
Key specs (manufacturer / retailer listings)
- Body
- Mahogany with AA flame maple top
- Neck
- Mahogany, SlimTaper ’60s C
- Scale length
- 24.75"
- Fingerboard radius
- 12"
- Pickups
- ProBucker 2 (neck) & 3 (bridge)
- Bridge
- LockTone Tune-o-matic and stopbar
Why we like it
- Warm, sustaining humbucker tone for blues and rock
- SlimTaper ’60s neck is easier for smaller hands than a ’50s profile
- Four-knob control layout mirrored for left-handed players
Important considerations
- Heavier than Strat-style guitars
- Lefty stock comes and goes by finish
Our take
If the Strat’s bright single-coil sound isn’t you, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard ’60s is the left-handed electric we’d look at next: thick, sustaining humbucker tone for rock and blues, and a slim ’60s neck. Left-handed versions come in a handful of finishes, and stock varies.
Best Beginner Option
Squier Sonic Stratocaster Left-Handed
Squier by Fender
- Best for
- First-time electric players who want a real lefty Strat on a budget
- Left-handed
- Yes — Black only
- Price
- Check current price (About $250)
- Retailer
- Retailer link coming soon
- Listed by
- Fender, Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Amazon
Left-handed availability
Fender and Sweetwater list the left-handed Sonic Stratocaster in Black with a maple fingerboard. The right-handed model comes in several colors that aren’t offered left-handed. A left-handed pack with an amp is sold by some retailers — check what’s included.
Last checked October 2026.
Key specs (manufacturer / retailer listings)
- Body
- Poplar
- Neck
- Maple, “C” shape
- Scale length
- 25.5"
- Frets
- 21
- Pickups
- 3 × ceramic single-coil
- Bridge
- 6-saddle vintage-style tremolo
Why we like it
- Proper left-handed Strat layout at a beginner price
- Slim “C” neck and light body suit new players
- Standard 25.5" scale, so strings and parts are easy to find
Important considerations
- One left-handed finish
- Ceramic pickups and basic hardware — upgrades come later if you stick with it
- Benefits from a setup out of the box
Our take
The Sonic Strat is a light, easy-playing first electric with a true left-handed layout. Black is the only left-handed finish. Our beginner guide covers bundles, smaller guitars and the accessories you’ll need.
Best Value
Fender CD-60S Dreadnought Left-Handed
Fender
- Best for
- Players on a tight budget who still want a solid spruce top
- Left-handed
- Yes — Natural only
- Price
- Check current price (About $200–$230)
- Retailer
- Retailer link coming soon
- Listed by
- Musician’s Friend, Adorama, Guitar Center, Amazon
Left-handed availability
The left-handed CD-60S (Fender part number 0970115021) is listed by Musician’s Friend, Adorama and other US retailers. Natural is the only left-handed finish we found; the right-handed version is offered in more finishes.
Last checked October 2026.
Key specs (manufacturer / retailer listings)
- Body
- Dreadnought, scalloped X bracing
- Top
- Solid spruce
- Back & sides
- Laminated mahogany
- Scale length
- 25.3"
- Nut width
- 1.69" (43 mm)
- Electronics
- None
Why we like it
- Solid spruce top at a budget price
- Widely stocked left-handed online
- Standard 43 mm nut width
Important considerations
- Laminated mahogany back and sides
- No electronics — the CDC-60SCE is the version with a pickup
- Budget guitars benefit from a professional setup
Our take
For an acoustic on a tight budget, the CD-60S offers a solid spruce top and a genuine left-handed build for not much money. Have it set up and it’s a guitar you can learn on for years.
Best Premium Option
Martin D-28 Left
Martin
- Best for
- Experienced players buying a long-term, all-solid-wood dreadnought
- Left-handed
- Yes — selected finishes
- Price
- Check current price (About $3,500 (gloss, Martin list))
- Retailer
- Retailer link coming soon
- Listed by
- Martin, Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Martin dealers
Left-handed availability
Martin’s product page for the D-28 lists left-handed availability, and the price did not change when “Left” was selected. Left-handed versions of the D-28 Satin and D-28 1935 Sunburst are also listed. The gloss lefty showed as out of stock when we checked, and lefty Martins are often built to dealer order, so allow for a wait.
Last checked October 2026.
Key specs (manufacturer / retailer listings)
- Body
- Dreadnought, 14-fret, forward-shifted X bracing
- Top
- Solid spruce
- Back & sides
- Solid East Indian rosewood
- Scale length
- 25.4"
- Nut width
- 1-3/4"
- Electronics
- None
Why we like it
- Solid Sitka spruce top over solid East Indian rosewood
- No left-handed upcharge on Martin’s own pricing
- Hardshell case included
Important considerations
- Expensive, and lefty stock can mean a wait
- Large dreadnought body and 1-3/4" nut — try one if you have smaller hands
- No pickup fitted
Our take
Martin lists the D-28 left-handed at the same price as right-handed. It’s an all-solid rosewood dreadnought with a hardshell case — a long-term instrument. Expect to wait for left-handed stock; ask a dealer about lead times. Prefer an electric at this level? The Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s Left-Handed is our premium electric pick in the electric guide.
Which Brands Make Left-Handed Guitars?
Most major brands make left-handed guitars — but not across their whole range. This is what we found on manufacturer and major-retailer listings. It’s a starting point, not a complete catalog: always check the specific model.
| Brand | Left-handed examples we confirmed | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fender | Player II Stratocaster & Telecaster LH; American Professional II Stratocaster LH | Fewer finishes left-handed; some configurations (e.g. Player II Strat HSS) are right-handed only |
| Squier | Sonic Stratocaster LH; Mini Stratocaster LH | Budget lefty models often come in one finish; some older lefty models have been discontinued |
| Gibson | Les Paul Standard ’50s & ’60s LH; J-45 Standard LH | Selected models and finishes only |
| Epiphone | Les Paul Standard ’50s & ’60s LH | Several lefty finishes, but stock varies |
| Taylor | 214ce, GS Mini and others | Taylor says all models can be ordered left-handed at no extra charge, except most Builder’s Edition models; many are special order |
| Martin | D-28, 000-15M, D-X2E (Left) | Lefty prices matched right-handed on the models we checked; not every model or finish is offered left-handed |
| Yamaha | FG820L acoustic; Pacifica PAC112JL electric | Look for the “L” suffix; lefty colors are limited |
| PRS | SE Custom 24 LH; SE Silver Sky Lefty | Very limited left-handed finishes; backorders are common |
| Gretsch | G2622LH Streamliner Center Block | A semi-hollow lefty option in several finishes |
| Seagull (Godin) | S6 Original Left | Canadian-made solid-top acoustic |
Based on manufacturer and major-retailer listings checked October 2026. Left-handed ranges change every year — confirm the exact model, finish and configuration before you order.
Buying Guide
Acoustic vs electric
Acoustic guitars are self-contained: pick one up and play, no amp needed. They’re ideal for strumming, singing along and songwriting, but heavier strings take some getting used to. Electric guitars need an amp and cable, but have lighter strings and slimmer necks, and cover rock, blues, pop and metal. For left-handed players, electrics generally offer the wider choice of models and price points.
Choosing by playing style
- Strumming and singing: a dreadnought or Grand Auditorium acoustic (Taylor 214ce, Yamaha FG820L, Fender CD-60S).
- Fingerstyle: a smaller-bodied acoustic such as a 000 or OM — see the Martin 000-15M Left in our acoustic guide.
- Blues, funk, pop and classic rock: a Strat-style electric (Fender Player II, Squier Sonic).
- Hard rock and heavier styles: humbucker-equipped guitars such as a Les Paul or PRS SE Custom 24.
- Not sure yet: an HSS electric like the Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JL covers a bit of everything.
Choosing by budget
Around $200–$300: beginner-friendly lefty guitars such as the Fender CD-60S LH and Squier Sonic Strat LH. Around $700–$1,000: a big step up in build and sound — Player II Strat LH, Epiphone Les Paul Standard LH, Taylor 214ce LH. $1,800 and above: USA-made instruments like the Fender American Professional II, Martin D-28 and Gibson Les Paul Standard, all offered left-handed. Prices are approximate and change often.
Don’t forget the extras
Budget for a tuner, strap, picks and a gig bag or case — plus an amp and cable for electric. A professional setup is one of the best-value upgrades for any guitar, and left-handed guitars that have sat in stock for a while often benefit most.
Left-Handed Considerations
Why buying a left-handed guitar is harder
Left-handed players are a minority of buyers, so manufacturers build fewer lefty guitars, and stores, with limited wall space, stock fewer still. The result: fewer models, fewer finishes and fingerboards, more “special order only” listings, and fewer chances to try before you buy. Online retailers usually have the widest left-handed selection, and many stores will order a lefty model in if you ask.
Why some models are special order only
For higher-end acoustics in particular, makers often build left-handed guitars to order rather than keeping them in stock. Taylor, for example, says most models can be ordered left-handed at no extra charge, but that typically means placing an order through a dealer and waiting. Ask for a lead time before you commit.
What makes a guitar genuinely left-handed
On a true left-handed guitar, everything is mirrored: string order, nut slots, bridge and saddle compensation, cutaway, pickguard, controls, output jack, tremolo arm and strap buttons — and on acoustics, the internal bracing. That’s why it plays and sounds like the right-handed version, just the other way round.
Can a right-handed guitar be converted?
Partly. A tech can restring a right-handed guitar for left-handed playing, but the nut must be replaced, intonation re-set, and the cutaway, controls and pickguard stay on the wrong side. On acoustics, the bracing and angled saddle are still oriented for right-handed playing. Simply restringing is rarely equivalent to buying a purpose-built left-handed model. (Some lefties play right-handed guitars upside down without restringing — a legitimate style, but chord shapes and lessons won’t match standard diagrams.)
How to verify a guitar is left-handed before you buy
Look for “Left-Handed”, “LH”, “Left”, “Lefty” or an “L” suffix in the model name and SKU. In photos, with the neck pointing right, the controls (on an electric) or pickguard (on an acoustic) should be below the strings. Retailers occasionally reuse right-handed photos on lefty listings, so check the model number too, and ask the seller if anything looks off.
Before you order: a left-handed checklist
- The model name or SKU is explicitly left-handed (LH, Left, Lefty or an “L” suffix).
- The exact finish, fingerboard and pickup configuration you want is listed left-handed.
- Photos show controls or pickguard below the strings with the neck pointing right.
- You know whether the guitar is in stock or special order, and the lead time.
- You’ve budgeted for accessories and a setup.
- The retailer accepts returns if a right-handed guitar arrives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best left-handed guitar?
For most players, we’d pick the Fender Player II Stratocaster Left-Handed for electric or the Taylor 214ce Left-Handed for acoustic. Beginners should look at the Squier Sonic Stratocaster LH or Fender CD-60S LH.
Should a left-handed person learn on a left-handed guitar?
Most left-handed players are more comfortable strumming with their left hand, which means a left-handed guitar. Some learn right-handed without trouble. Try holding a guitar both ways before you buy.
Can I just restring a right-handed guitar?
You can, but you’ll need a new nut and intonation adjustments, and the controls, cutaway and pickguard stay on the wrong side. A factory left-handed guitar avoids those compromises.
Are left-handed guitars more expensive?
Often not: Taylor says it charges nothing extra for most left-handed models, and Martin’s lefty prices matched right-handed on the models we checked. Some brands and retailers do charge a small premium, and lefty discounts can be rarer.
Which guitar brands make left-handed guitars?
Fender, Squier, Gibson, Epiphone, Taylor, Martin, Yamaha, PRS, Gretsch, Ibanez and Seagull all list left-handed models — but only for selected models and finishes. See the brand table in this guide.
What is a lefty guitar?
“Lefty” is simply shorthand for a left-handed guitar: one built as a mirror image of the right-handed version, so it’s strummed with the left hand and fretted with the right.
The Bottom Line
The best left-handed guitar is one built left-handed from the start — in the style that matches the music you want to play. The Fender Player II Stratocaster LH and Taylor 214ce LH are our top electric and acoustic picks for most players; the Squier Sonic Strat LH and Fender CD-60S LH are the sensible starting points. Before you order, confirm the exact finish and configuration is listed left-handed.
Shopping for a left-handed friend? See our gifts for left-handed people.
Looking for more? Browse all left-handed music guides.
Related Music Guides
Keep comparing — more left-handed music guides.
Best Left-Handed Acoustic Guitars
Body shapes, tonewoods and the lefty details that matter on an acoustic — with models we confirmed are built left-handed.
Best Left-Handed Electric Guitars
Electrics have the widest lefty selection — here’s which models are really made left-handed, and in which finishes.
Best Left-Handed Guitars for Beginners
Your first lefty guitar should be easy to play and genuinely left-handed. Here are the beginner models we confirmed.