Pancho was recently featured in a local news article in celebration of “National Lefties Day”. The article ran in ‘the Ticker’, a local online business journal for the Traverse City Area.
Original Article

Local Lefties Celebrate Today

Are you sinistrophobic – having a fear of everything to the left and lefties?

If so, today might not be your day.  August 13th is National Left-Hander’s Day, a holiday started in 1976 meant to promote awareness of the inconvenience of being a southpaw in a right-handed world.

The Ticker tracked down some local lefties, who make up about 10 percent of the population, to find out more about those inconveniences.

Gary Swaney of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan says there are several disadvantages to being a southpaw, such as scissors not cutting right, and the infamous pen smudge.

“It’s just part of the writing experience for lefties. Kind of a sign someone is a lefty- a smudgy left hand.”

Fellow southpaw Trevor Tkach of the National Cherry Festival adds, “My hand written notes are embarrassing. I’m always looking for quick-dry pens to reduce smudging.”

Both Swaney and Tkach agree that writing in spiral notebooks and three ring binders can also be a challenge for lefties. But right-handed desks and notebooks aren’t the only nuisance for lefties in the classroom. Sometimes it’s the teacher.

“In the early 1980s, my first grade teacher was very much bothered by the lefty in her class,” recalls Interlochen Public Radio reporter Linda Stephan. “She insisted I hold my paper straight up and down, and insisted I use right-handed scissors.”

Some studies have shown that lefties are more creative and artistic than their right-handed counterparts. Tkach agrees and jokes that they are also better looking. (Is now a good time to mention that the author of this story is left-handed?)

Phil Wolinski aka Pancho

One of those artistic lefties is guitarist Phil Wolinski of Old Mission Peninsula, who runs his own internet site selling left-handed guitars (www.panchosleftys.com). He says being a left-handed musician has several challenges.

“Prior to discovering eBay, the selection of new lefty guitars was almost nil at any music store.”  And when he did find that rare guitar, there was usually an extra cost to go along with it.

“Typically, a lefty pays anywhere from 10-20% more compared to the identical model that a righty buys,” says Wolinski, who hopes one day to make and sell lefty guitars constructed only of Michigan hardwoods.

Nick Edson of Cherryland Electric is a third generation southpaw when it comes to batting and golfing. Officially he is ambidextrous, meaning he is a true right-hander, but does many activities left-handed.

Edson says renting clubs was always a challenge when on the road.

“When I would mention to the golf pro that I had to rent clubs, he would smile and tell me what a great assortment they had. But when I said I was left-handed, the smile would come right off. Several times they would lead me to the downstairs dungeon where I would get to choose between three sets of clubs that were at least 20 years old.”

Did you know?
Six of the past 12 presidents have been left-handed- including President Obama.  (Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama).

Original Article

Spring 2010

Springtime Guitar

Spring has sprung a full month early here in northern Michigan. After a remarkably mild February, March and early April have been nothing short of spectacular. With much more reasonable heating and snowplowing bills there’s been a chance for me to save up for my next GAS attack. Finally! Hopefully full time employment will once again be available for us all so we can have something to save.

At the end of 2009 I was fortunate to add six new lefty lovers to my harem. Check these out in the galleries:

• Suhr S4
• R6 Les Paul goldtop
• Les Paul Supreme
• 1952 ES-125
• Gibson J-185
• Gibson EC-30 Blues King

I’d like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to all of you that purchased a lefty from me in 2009. In my first year of online sales a full two thirds of the initial inventory from my collection sold, with each sale representing a new southpaw friendship. Your words of praise and encouragement have helped deepen my commitment to this little enterprise. I hope to bring more valuable content to Pancho’s in the form of interviews of Luthiers and lefty players, a showcase for you to display your lefty collections, and slide show/video tutorials on all things lefty which will include guitar construction and upgrading instruments. After all this time the situation for lefties has finally made strides towards parity with our righty brethren and sistren.

We of the sinister persuasion are truly a community in our common plight. I’ve heard a common thread of sentiment in your phone calls and e-mails concerning the usual frustrations of having quality choices for left handed guitars and now, thankfully the much improved market conditions for a growing number of selections of great axes from an ever growing legion of builders. From big box brands to boutique – we are truly in the second golden age of guitars. Electric and acoustic, hybrids, from the classic to the eclectic there seems to be at least 3-5 new names on the scene each month. Sometimes I thank the stars that I’m not a righty – can you imagine the GAS? Anything we want and at any time? The horror! Refreshingly there’s a growing trend to offer lefties without the dreaded lefty markup. Kudos to those of you that have the soul and understanding to offer the lefty player the same price point as the righty. The net result will be more sales to southpaw slingers I assure you.

It’s a similar situation with amplifiers as well. What’s hard to fathom is the commitment these new amp companies bring to the market. Typically a new amp company comes to the floor with not just one or two models but an entire lineup of various wattage heads and combo’s. An added challenge facing any amp builder is a lower markup over wholesale cost. My head is wrapped around guitars and amps 24/7 completely and I’d venture to say that if I were asked to name as many amp companies as possible that I’d be lucky to name 50% of them all. With quality, features, and tone going thru the roof it must be a nasty dogfight to gain market share in ampworld. Their dogfight is our ‘gain’.

If anything remains to be addressed in 2010 it just has to be the retail price of American built guitars and basses. The quality of Chinese, Korean, and other imported instruments is on a trajectory to give a serious challenge to US builders. Many of the bigger manufacturers have  ‘second tier’  company affiliates(like Gibson with Epiphone) now based in China, South Korea, and Indonesia with American, Canadian, and European supervision.

Gibson recently completed a new state of the art factory for Epiphone and the buzz on the street is that these new Epi’s are close to a US made Gibson in every way save for the name on the headstock but at 1/3 or even 1/4 the cost. While very few of these imports come in left hand mode the recent ones that have been made are outstanding in terms of both build quality, attention to detail, and high grade components.

And PRICE! The average cost of a new import is around $700 US. Oft times these are guitars that have a US-built counterpart that costs as much as 3 -5 times what the import would go for. Being true to the red, white, and blue this isn’t a plea for whatever can be had for the lowest possible price. I do wish that US companies become more down to earth with the prices they ask for. There’s just little to no justification in a line produced solid body electric guitar costing over $3000. The wood and components of a typical electric solid body cost approximately $300-400 at wholesale(or less depending on a companies buying power).

A recent trend for new guitars, basses, and amps has been a ‘hybrid’ business model whereby the body and neck is constructed overseas and then inspected, assembled to some degree and given a pro setup in the US. This business format keeps more Americans employed while bringing the street price well within reach of anyone. The timeworn concept of annual price increases is no longer valid. Just ask Fender or Gibson how that worked out for them in 2009(hint: it didn’t).

While these enlightened Luthiers and companies move forward in this golden era with a mindset of inclusiveness for players from both sides there’s always our old ‘friends’ at PRS to remind us that the more things change, the more they stay the same. This story has been several years in the making so I’ll leave it as a tease for the next  Pancho’s Blog entry.

Peace, Love, and Tone

Phil(Pancho)

April 2009

Here in the Great White North of northern Michigan I hope it’s safe to say that the endless winter of ‘08/’09 is behind us. While the calendar date of spring may be March 21 I’ve grown accustomed to thinking of April 21 as our true first day of spring. Our economy in Michigan is about the worst in the nation but really, everyone is feeling the effects of this severe downturn with the exceptions of the utility industries and apparently the major guitar manufacturers.

In January I received my copy of Musician’s Friend annual comprehensive catalog. Naturally I didn’t expect to find any nice lefty guitars within their massive selections but as a habitual glutton for frustration I thought I’d see what fine new guitars are hitting the market for righties. Checking Gibson’s new retail prices first I wasn’t at all surprised to see that they raised their prices yet again for 2009. This new price hike comes on the heels of at least two price increases for Gibson in 2008, if I’m not mistaken.

When I came to Fender’s new list pricing, specifically the Eric Clapton Signature Strat at around $3599, I flung the catalog against my bedroom wall! Honestly, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought we were in a depression?

On average it appears that Fender has raised prices by at least 33% across the board. Give or take 5%. It looks like Gibson has a policy of raising prices substantially every year, at least once.

When was the last time the average wage has been increased at all? I seem to recall them flatlining or even being reduced for quite some time now.

I’m well aware that in times of economic sluggishness music retailers tend to fare better than many other sectors of the marketplace as people have more time to play. Call it ‘food for the soul’. When money’s tight many of us feel the need for music and entertainment even more acutely. It doesn’t cost anything to dust off the case stashed under the bed and entertain ourselves, family, and friends. When the question is asked about what would be the first item to save from a house fire(after family and pets I presume) how many of us mention a prized musical instrument. In all practicality I hope your favorite instrument isn’t a Steinway baby grand! Furthermore, while discretionary spending gets curtailed severely for most of us in times like these it isn’t all that unusual for music lovers to buy that new guitar, amp, keyboard etc. that they’ve been wanting and saving for. Those of us afflicted with GAS are stalwart contributors to renewed economic health so feel good about having done your part to bring back the financial good times. Go spend a few bucks and feel good about it!

How in good conscience can the major manufacturers be so totally profit minded and, I have to say it, greedy? I guess part of the answer would be the ‘good conscience’ part of that question. The idea of conscience in business historically isn’t a well respected concept for the most part. We would hope that these price hikes are necessary for improving employee wages, salaries, and benefits but that is pretty naïve in today’s workplace. The majors are corporations with the attendant shareholders and their proxy demands for a bigger bottom line. Granted, the fine tonewoods in musical instruments are in ever decreasing supply and are going up in price dramatically. But how much does that REALLY add to the cost of your average solid wood instrument? With the economies of scale at work for such large manufacturers the actual added expense for these tonewoods is no reason to constantly jack up the cost just because another calendar year has gone by. To be fair, some of the smaller big concerns have indeed held off on price hikes as long as realistically possible. Ebay sellers stand to receive a better price for their gear since these new price increases send more and more of us to the used instrument market where prices for used, mint condition pieces are cheap by comparison.

There is an unexpected (to me) upside to this. With mass produced guitars at these lofty new price levels it now reflects very positively on the independent Luthiers and boutique builders. Many of the best of the indies like Warren, Suhr, Anderson etc. now have their retail prices for truly custom creations seem more within reach and affordable when something like a Fender Custom Shop Strat is considerably more expensive. Many of these individual builders’ prices start in the 3K neighborhood. For this sum you are getting a true custom guitar that is built to your preferences with far less frustration when it comes to requesting certain special features, hardware, or finishes.

Tonemeister Don Warren is one such independent Luthier that will also build lefty models at no lefty surcharge whatsoever.

The majors like Gibson and Fender don’t even offer all of their product line in lefty mode and whatever they do offer has that stupid upchuck, I mean, upcharge added on for the privilege of such a limited selection. Hopefully the new strata of prices from the established corporations will result in the golden era of the indie builder.


In 2008 I took delivery on my first custom order from an indie – a Don Warren Arlen Roth Signature Tele. It was Don’s first lefty ever and he hit a grand slam in his first at bat! I paid $3100 in 3 installments. No added charge for lefthanded – just $100 additional for providing my request of tortoise binding to create a ‘custom’ model from his AR Signature platform. Please read more about Don and this fabulous axe in my very first entry at Pancho’s Gear Porn this week. I had close to 65 electric axes in my collection before the Warren arrived. Suffice to say for now that the Arlen Roth Signature Custom became one of my top 2 electrics of them all immediately. More quality tones are found in this beauty than a half dozen others combined.

Don Warren Arlen Roth Signature Tele

This is NOT hype. You may already have that next custom order in mind but take a moment to check out Don’s work at: www.warrenguitars.com A true master whose time has come.

New at Pancho’s this month is the first listing at Pancho’s Gear Porn. I will use this section to feature the latest and greatest in guitar eye candy. I’ve also updated the galleries for guitars for sale with at least 5 new kick ass axes and included several more as my personal keepers (for now).

I’d like to thank all of my newest customers for your business and kind words of support and encouragement. I’ve been kept happily busy speaking and e-mailing with you as well as packing up guitars you’ve purchased from me. I never expected this little endeavor to take off so fast. I’m also happy to say that with my overseas sales there have been no negative reports of anything whatsoever other than the occasional extended wait while the axe gets custom clearance. So, for overseas guitarists that are curious – YES I will ship to you wherever you may be.

Peace
Phil aka Pancho

Well, so much for starting out the new year by keeping my resolution to writing a weekly blog. The Winter of ’09 has been real, to say the least.

In the meantime, we’ve bid good riddance(I hope!) to the nightmare that was Bushco. No matter what your political leanings, our new Commander in Chief could very well be the champion for the cause of lefties everywhere!

Did you happen to see it? When President Obama signed his very first piece of legislation on national TV, he signed it with his LEFT hand while remarking, “I’m a lefty, get used it.”

KA-CHING! Talk about resonating with me. “Why am I not surprised?” was my first impression considering the intelligence, ability, eloquence, and leadership that Obama exudes. Humility is obviously not a defining trait of lefties when discussing other great lefties.

It struck a barre chord even more deeply for me as this event happened right at the time I was(and still am) immersed in daily readings of the bible for lefty guitarists ‘Uncommon Sound’ by John Engel. Each day, after reading about more guitarists that were actually true lefties but either played straight righty or ‘upside down’ I was seeing a pattern forming that was built on the pioneers and true prodigies of guitar. Pioneers like Dick Dale, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney. Prodigies like Danny Gatton and Michael Angelo Batio.

It makes for an impassioned drunken argument that the greatest percentage of either the most capable or the most creative and daring(or both) guitarists for all time are naturally left handed. I know it’s a bold statement but it’s enlightening indeed to read Engel’s magnum opus and discover for yourself the similar backgrounds, thought processes, and tales of overcoming adversity in a right handed world that these players share. I’ll be reviewing ‘Uncommon Sound’ at length in the days to come.

New at Pancho’s

I’ve created a new feature called ‘Pancho’s Gear Porn’. This section is devoted to hot new axes arriving soon that have eye candy status. I will showcase guitars of special interest for lefty shoppers as well as museum grade pieces that won’t necessarily be for sale at the time.

Pancho’s is working to become a retailer for new handmade acoustics and custom order electrics from several different builders. Watch for the announcement of these retail agreements and be prepared to get GAS all over again.

Pancho’s is producing an instructional video that will show the viewer how to take a blank Tele body and neck and outfit it themselves with personally chosen pickups, pots and wiring, truss rod, tuners, and finishing. Soon come.

Thanks very much to everyone that has purchased a guitar from Pancho’s these past few months. I’m really happy that you all love them. Thank you also for the kind words of praise for the website and enthusiastic support. I’ve promised a lot so that means I’d better get crackin’!

The situation for left handed string players is getting better every day and I’m very happy to be a part of it. Pancho’s Leftys is here for the long haul. I appreciate your patience as it goes through its growing pains.

Peace.
Phil

PANCHO’S RANT (per the poisonous pen of Pancho the Polish plectrum player)

I’d like to inaugurate this new blog at Pancho’s Leftys by extending a warm welcome to everyone stopping by and checking out a new web home for lefty guitar fans. This website began as a simple photo gallery for my personal left handed guitar collection. It quickly morphed into a small enterprise as I began to sell a few after receiving unsolicited offers. Being a typically frustrated lefty guitar buyer over the years, it was all too obvious that there is a definite need for another source for buying lefty guitars, whether online or in an actual shop.

My decision to expand the commercial aspect of Pancho’s Leftys was not based solely on the desire to have a home based online business however. Building community is and has been a focal point for me to value and develop within the context of my working life and I saw no reason to change that behavior with the start up of something more than just a photo gallery. For instance, I’ve made numerous friends and amassed invaluable connections by buying and selling at ebay and elsewhere that today act as a solid cornerstone for me to build a larger community foundation on.

Lefties have a lot in common and not necessarily just the side they choose to sling from. There is a perspective we tend to share and point of view we see things from. There is also the common desire to buy specialized gear from someone that treats that desire as a mainstay of business and not a mere afterthought. No token lefties for sale here!

The decision to go from an HTML site to a more dynamic blog format was based on a commitment on my part to be as current and as interesting as possible with my limited web design skills. Here in January 2009 I have dedicated my energies to bring fresh content at least weekly to start. I’m not going the route of having diverse forums as is common for many dedicated sites. Think of it perhaps as more of an entertaining, educational, and commercial site that you’ll be able to interact with in certain areas in real time. For 2009 look here for many more lefty guitars for sale, interviews with industry insiders and luthiers, plenty of gear porn, gear and book reviews, and hopefully video presentations of home built guitar assembly.

Amplifiers will not be left out of the picture either. D’ya hear that righties? I really do hope that I can make Pancho’s Leftys be as bookmarkable for righties too. There may be a ‘slight’ bias toward us southpaws but you lefty challenged fold will just have to make do!

I’ve rambled enough for this week. Time to put my nose to the grindstone and make this happen. Please bear with me as I finish with guitar descriptions and photographing more guitar pix for the gallery. Check here at Pancho’s Rants for weekly columns that I hope you find worthwhile. I’ll try to only make promises that I can keep . . . and that’s a promise. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2009.

Peace, Praise, and Thanks

Phil (aka Pancho)