Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi! Sorry if this question has been addressed elsewhere, I haven't been able to find it here on the forum.
I'm wondering about the curious arrangement of strings on the Rickenbacker 12ers. Being the proud new owner of a 2004 660-12, I'm still getting used to the octave strings' placement on the treble side on the low E, A, D, and G courses. I'd heard about this curious arrangement before, but had not had the opportunity to play one before I got this one (at least, the two that I played had the strings arranged in the "traditional" fashion, so I assume they'd been changed..?).
So, what's the deal? Do they all come from the factory like this? And how many of you have them changed to the standard stringing?
I ask because I'll likely be taking the guitar in to a luthier sometime soon for a setup, which may include a new nut (the strings in each course are spaced too far apart for my taste -- even further than those on my Guild acoustic, which has a much wider fretboard). Taking some time to see if I like the different arrangement, which is kind of growing on me. I'd be grateful if the experts could weigh in, thanks!

I'm not an expert, but my opinion is not to change it. If I compare a "normal" strung 12 string and the Rick style stringing, strum a few chords, do a few single-note runs, the sound of the Rick style stringing sounds a bit brighter. I have an old Gibson acoustic 12 that I restrung this way.
I bought a 370/12 from a guy who had it restrung the conventional way (new nut and all). I had it changed back to Rick standard style.
I think it's part of what makes a Rickenbacker a Rickenbacker.

I hope that helps,
Cheers!

Thanks for the reply!
You mention the Rick style sounding brighter... I'm not sure I hear that (though I don't have another electric 12 to compare), but I am sure that I'm not hearing an overemphasis on the octave strings, which sometimes happens for me on my acoustics, especially when my picking downstroke is not as clean as it could be.
I am leaning toward keeping the Rick arrangement (but will probably still opt for a new nut to get the spacing closer to what I'd like). Interesting that you restrung your acoustic this way; I was just toying with the idea of doing that with one of my acoustic 12ers.
Thanks again!