Last Updated on November 18, 2024 by Chris
Table of Contents
Does Strandberg Make Left Handed Guitars?
Yes, they do! At the time of writing, there is one left handed Strandberg guitar model, available in two different finishes.
Options are limited for left-handed guitarists when looking for unique, high-quality instruments.
Strandberg Guitars makes very distinctive guitars, and while not all models are available in a lefty configuration, they do cater to left-handed players, offering the same innovative design, ergonomic comfort, and craftsmanship that Strandberg is known for.
Let’s take a look at what left handed Strandberg guitars are available.
Read on for more information, or see which lefty models are available.
Disclaimer: I’m using affiliate links on this page, so if you decide to buy anything through those links, I’ll get a commission, but at no extra cost to you. If you do, then thank you so much! It really helps keep this site going.
Who Are Strandberg Guitars?
Strandberg Guitars, founded by Ola Strandberg, has evolved from a personal project into a respected name in the guitar industry.
Ola’s journey began in the mid-1980s when he built guitars as a hobby while playing in local bands, while professionally, he pursued a career in software development.
In 2007, during the Christmas holidays, Ola revisited his passion for guitar building, when he began developing his Ergonomic Guitar System (EGS) after stumbling upon an online community called “Building the Ergonomic Guitar”.
These forums encouraged him to develop a guitar focusing on ergonomics, comfort, and beautiful aesthetics.
The EGS aimed to enhance playability and comfort, addressing the lack of suitable hardware for ergonomic designs. Ola developed lightweight, high-performance components, including a headless design and a unique neck shape.
By 2008, Ola shared his designs under a Creative Commons license, encouraging collaboration and innovation within the guitar-building community.
He showcased his hardware at the Uppsala Guitar Festival, receiving positive feedback. The following year, sales of EGS hardware gained momentum, and Ola built his first complete guitar, which won the “Guitar of the Month” award on the Project Guitar Forum in December 2009.
In 2010, Ola built prototypes to demonstrate the EGS’s capabilities at the Fuzz Guitar Show in Gothenburg, Sweden. This exposure led to his first customer, Chris Letchford of Scale the Summit, who ordered guitar #5.
The same year, Ola developed the EGS Pro tremolo system to address issues with conventional tremolos. His designs attracted the attention of other musicians, including Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders and Misha Mansoor of Periphery, who both ordered custom guitars.
The viral success of a 2011 NAMM Show clip featuring Tosin Abasi playing a Strandberg guitar significantly boosted the brand’s visibility.
Ola rebranded to “.strandberg*” and launched the strandbergguitars.com website. The guitar model was named “Boden,” inspired by a comment likening its shape to reindeer antlers, leading to the selection of a town in northern Sweden known for reindeer farming.
In 2012, Ola transitioned from hobbyist to full-time entrepreneur, establishing Strandberg Guitars AB, introducing three product lines; Made to Measure (fully custom), Custom Shop (custom specifications within a set framework), and Off the Shelf (serial production models).
Collaborations with manufacturers like Strictly 7 Guitars facilitated limited serial production of Boden models. Ola also patented the EndurNeck profile, an ergonomic neck design inspired by luthier Jerome Little‘s work.
Over the years, Strandberg Guitars has continued to innovate, expanding its product range to include 6-, 7-, and 8-string models, all featuring the distinctive headless design and ergonomic features that define the brand.
The company’s commitment to quality, playability, and innovation has solidified its reputation among musicians worldwide.
What Do I Think of Strandberg Guitars?
I think Strandberg guitars are a breath of fresh air; they have a unique, eye-catching shape while being incredibly comfortable to play.
Although they have an unconventional appearance, I think their lightweight, headless designs look modern and feel incredibly balanced, making them ideal for extended playing sessions.
The asymmetrical body and ergonomic contours aren’t just about aesthetics; they’re purpose-built to enhance comfort and reduce strain, something rarely experienced with other brands.
As a left-handed player, it’s rare to find a guitar company that makes unconventional instruments available to us. The market for headless and ergonomically designed guitars is already a niche for right-handed players, so left-handed options are often overlooked entirely.
Strandberg has bucked that trend, recognizing that lefty players also want access to the same innovative features. This inclusivity is one of the many reasons the brand stands out for me.
Strandberg has rightfully gained a reputation for quality, sound, and playability, along with its focus on ergonomics. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the multi-scale fretboards that enhance intonation and playability to the use of premium materials that ensure a consistently great tone.
These features combine to create instruments that are as practical as they are innovative.
I’m also impressed by the EndurNeck profile. It’s unlike other neck shapes and feels revolutionary in practice. Designed with an almost trapezoid shape, the EndurNeck encourages better thumb positioning, which is supposed to help with technique and reduce hand fatigue.
For anyone who’s dealt with discomfort during long playing sessions, this design is a game-changer. It might look unusual at first, but many say that once you play it, you won’t want to go back to a traditional profile.
This, combined with Strandberg’s other innovations, makes their guitars stand out from the crowd.
Different Types of Strandberg Guitars
Strandberg offers a variety of models catering to different playing styles and preferences, including 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-string guitars. Their range includes:
- Boden Essential: Designed to make the brand’s innovative features – such as ergonomic design, lightweight construction, and the EndurNeck profile accessible to a wider audience, from hobbyists to professionals, at a more affordable price.
- Boden Original: Designed for forward-thinking musicians who value innovation and seek to break new ground. They combine the best of traditional craftsmanship with modern features like headless design, multi-scale construction, and the EndurNeck profile, offering exceptional comfort, playability, and sonic versatility.
- Boden Standard: Crafted for musicians seeking Strandberg’s signature ergonomic design and playability at a more accessible price point. These guitars feature solid-body construction, proprietary pickups, and figured maple top veneers, delivering outstanding value without compromising performance.
- Boden Prog: Designed for progressive and metal players, offering exceptional playability, tonal versatility, and features like the EGS Pro Rev7 Tremolo System, Richlite fretboard, and premium Suhr or Fishman pickups for precision and articulation.
- Boden Classic: Designed for musicians who appreciate traditional aesthetics, and modern ergonomics. Featuring a solid Alder body with a pickguard, Maple neck, and either Birdseye Maple or Rosewood fretboard, providing a versatile range of vintage-inspired sounds suitable for various genres.
- Boden Metal: Crafted for modern metal and progressive musicians seeking power, speed, and articulation. These guitars offer versatility and clarity across various high-gain genres.
- Boden Fusion: Designed for fusion, shred, and modern jazz players seeking a warm, full-bodied sound. They offer rich midrange tones, as well as versatility and smooth tremolo response for a wide range of musical styles.
- Boden RESQ:D: Environmentally conscious, high-quality, ergonomic guitars with an accessible price by repurposing bodies with natural wood blemishes, reducing waste without sacrificing performance. All feature EndurNeck, a lightweight construction, and versatile sound making them ideal for diverse styles.
- Sälen Series: Designed for musicians who appreciate the classic single-cutaway guitar aesthetic combined with modern ergonomics and playability. They deliver vintage-inspired tones suitable for genres from rock to jazz.
- J Artisan Series: Crafted for the discerning musician seeking exceptional craftsmanship and unique aesthetics. Handmade by master luthier Makoto “Nick” Sugimoto, these limited-edition guitars feature high-grade, exotic woods and distinctive finishes, each run offering a unique look.
Left Handed Strandberg Electric Guitars
When it comes to left handed Strandberg guitars, one model is available in two finishes. These left handed models are part of the Boden series.
These guitars maintain the innovative Strandberg design, with features like the EndurNeck, multi-scale fretboard, and lightweight body.
Boden Standard NX 6 Lefty Tremolo
$1,745.00 MSRP, Manufactured in Indonesia
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Solid Basswood with Arm and Torso Carves
- TOP: Flame Maple Veneer
- BODY FINISH: Satin Acrylic – Natural, Charcoal
- WEIGHT: Approximately 2.3kg / 5 lbs (+/- 10%)
- SCALE: Multiscale 25″ – 25.5″ (635 – 648 mm)
- NECK: Bolt-on Roasted Maple (Quartersawn & Carbon Fiber reinforced) with NX sculpted neck joint heel
- NECK PROFILE: EndurNeck
- FINGERBOARD: Rosewood with Original Luminlay Green inlays and side dots
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 20″ (508 mm)
- NUT TYPE: Stainless Steel Zero fret
- NUT WIDTH: 1.65″ (42 mm)
- FRETS: 24 Stainless Steel
- HARDWARE COLOR: Black Anodized
- BRIDGE: .strandberg* EGS Rev7 tremolo bridge & string lock
- NECK PICKUP: .strandberg* custom OEM humbucker
- BRIDGE PICKUP: .strandberg* custom OEM humbucker
- CONTROLS: 1x Volume, 1x Tone, 5-way Pickup Selector (Bridge Series Humbucking, Bridge Inner Coil + Neck Inner Coil in parallel, Bridge Outer Coil + Neck Outer Coil in parallel, Neck Outer coil, Neck Series Humbucking)
- MISC: Includes Strandberg Standard Gig Bag
Check price/availability at:
Left Handed Strandberg Bass Guitars
Strandberg’s bass hardware was developed back in 2009, but production on the Strandberg bass didn’t start until 2019!
Although Strandberg currently has three bass guitar models, they unfortunately do not make left handed versions at the time of writing. Check back to see if this changes.
Related reading:
Left Handed Steinberger Guitars & Basses
Left Handed Eart Guitars
Left Handed Manson Guitars
Final Thoughts
If you’re a left-handed guitarist looking for something unique, ergonomic, and well-crafted, Strandberg Guitars should definitely be on your radar.
Whether you’re into progressive metal or prefer more traditional styles, Strandberg’s left-handed models are a fantastic choice for players who want to push their playing to the next level while enjoying superior comfort and performance.
It’s cool that Strandberg caters to lefty players, but it’d be nice to have a few more models or colors. Some basses would be nice too.
What do you think of Strandberg guitars? Let us know in the comments!
Photo credit: strandbergguitars.com