12 string setup

JohnS37

Hoping to get some insight from you esteemed experts!
Which is the best way to string a 12 string (my 335 conversion) - do I put the main strings above (for the downstroke) the secondary strings, or vice-versa, as in some Ricks?

Switch625

I was just looking into this yesterday as I've picked up a 12 string that needs some TLC. Found this site useful:

https://guitargearfinder.com/guides/how-to-tune-a-12-string-guitar/

ICBM

Personally I would do it the conventional way for a 335 12-string, which is like an acoustic. The Rickenbacker sound is very distinctive and only really suits their guitars in my opinion.

Kittyfrisk

Would have thought the way the nut and saddle(s) were cut would dictate the string position?

Funkfingers

Yes, which why it is necessary to decide whether to go conventional or Rickenbacker before slotting a nut blank. 

FWIIW, the RIC type is of very different proportions to anything that will fit a 335-alike.

Kittyfrisk

^ Ah yes, * facepalm* I had presumed the nut was already present & cut. Doh!

JohnS37

Nope, I ordered a bridge and tailpiece set, but it didn’t come, so I decided to grind the grooves off a six-string bridge I already had.  Now I need to decide where to put the 12 new grooves.

Kittyfrisk

Mike58

100% put octave strings above normal pitch strings . I tried the other way ( Rickenbacker) on my 12 string and could really only hear the octaves properly on forceful upstrokes.
I also found pairing the G strings in unison far more practical from an intonation viewpoint with virtually no detriment to the overall 12 string sound.

ICBM

Mike58 said:

I also found pairing the G strings in unison far more practical from an intonation viewpoint with virtually no detriment to the overall 12 string sound.

A plain non-octave G is really bad for that, it intonates extremely differently from the 8 or 9 gauge octave G. A wound one around a 20 gauge is much better.