Simon Middleton launches Left Hand Bear brand

The new brand is Left Hand Bear, the UK’s only acoustic instrument retailer selling exclusively left-handed instruments.

Left Hand Bear is an online retailer selling a range of banjos and mandolins manufactured by the superb Goldtone company in Titusville, Florida, plus a unique range of left-handed guitars designed by the legendary Wayne Rogers and Paul Beard of Goldtone fame.

Left Hand Bear was created specifically to serve the needs of the neglected lefty instrumentalist community: thought to number around 13% of musicians and including some of the greats, from Paul McCartney to Kurt Cobain, from Slim Whitman to Bobby Womack, from Jimi Hendrix to Dick Dale.

“Us lefties have been neglected for too long,” explained Simon, “particularly when it comes to acoustic instruments. Often virtually forced to choose the only lefty instrument on the rack, then charged up to 20% more for the privilege.”

“So Left Hand Bear is a modest attempt to right that wrong. With a small but growing range, a passion for quality and a real small-firm commitment to service, we hope our very specific audience will grow to love Left Hand Bear.”

The brand name Left Hand Bear derives from the belief of indigenous American tribes that lefthandedness was indicative of a connection with the spirit world. Native Americans also believed that bears were inclined to lefthandedness and for this reason they revered bears in particular. There was even a Sioux chief named Chief Left Hand Bear.

In the 21st Century ancient Native American wisdom has been vindicated by modern science. Naturalists have observed that lefthandedness (or leftpawedness perhaps) is much more common amongst bears than amongst humans. Bears are frequently observed catching fish, picking berries and searching for termites and for honey with their left paws. Polar bears too are highly inclined to lefthandedness.

The perfect name for a lefthand instrument specialist: we hope you agree!

“We believe in the superb quality of design and build of Goldtone’s wonderful banjos and mandolins, and we know you will love them just as much as the many high-profile professional bluegrass, folk and country musicians around the world who choose Goldtone,” explained Simon, who is also a songwriter and singer/guitarist with acoustic-roots band The Proposition.

“And we are absolutely thrilled to present our completely unique range of Left Hand Bear guitars, designed by Wayne and Paul and built to their exacting standards. We think it’s the only range of exclusively lefthanded guitars in the world, offering terrific quality at an affordable price, coupled with the true distinctiveness of the Left Hand Bear brand.”

Date posted: Monday 10th May 2010Back to news home page >