My name is Rick Fertal, and I was 15, in 1966, when first introduced to bass guitar. I started to teach myself and in the way it was most comfortable to me left-handed, upside down. So, I wound up playing like that for the next 30 years, until about 5 years ago, when I decided to invest in a left-handed bass,a Yamaha TRB5L-II, strung left-handed, and have been playing like that ever since.

I started playing in night clubs when I was 19 years old and also played a lot of years on the road trying to play the music which was and is dearest to my heart: Blues, R&B, Funk, Jazz, and Hard Rock, but these styles are not always able to support ones self, and so Mainstream Top 20-40 was also included. In between road tours,I managed to fit in, playing in original rock or funk bands, making recordings, and hoping for the big break, but you all know how that goes! Currently, I have added Christian Gospel to my music repetoire and I am keeping quite busy.

If any of you should happen to find your way down here to Tucson,Az., look me up and say hi!

In the mean time I would like to thank Arni for thinking of such a great idea as immotalizing we left handed bass players, from around the world.
Music is the universal language! Keep on playing!!!

Yamaha TRB5L-II

Amplifier = Acoustic 470

Bass Cabinet = Hartke 4X10 w/ alum.spkrs & a 1x15