Hofner 12 string. Needs new strings.

[Gibs Fan]

Hi,

I am sorry if this is the wrong forum for my question. 

I have a 1983 Hofner 12-string that I converted to 6-string  because of difficulty in picking the strings. I tried to reset it to 12-string but it just doesn't sound right. I would like to take it to a local luthier are there any recommendations (in and around Milpitas/Sunnyvale/San Jose/Palo Alto, ca)? I don't know what the guitar is worth and I don't know what it is going to cost for a job like this. 

Thanks,

sri

[Greg Mirken]

Other than installing the strings and tuning it up, what is involved? Did you do anything more than taking off the octave strings?

Shouldn't be something you need to take to a luthier.

[Gibs Fan]

Thanks for responding Greg. I am a novice, picked up the guitar only a few months ago and the 12 string caught my eye and ear. Long story short, when re-stringing I might have been confused about which strings go where, as a result when I pick, the "C" note played on the G string sounds higher than the "E" note played on the B string. Are there any guidelines on which gauge strings to use where? Also, I intend to buy new strings, what gauge/brands should I buy?

[Greg Mirken]

This is actually a great question. Look at the slots in the nut. The 'standard' setup is to have the high octave string toward the bass side so your pick hits it first on a downstroke. But if you look at Rickenbacker 12 nuts they intended the reverse so the low string is more dominant. The Roger McGuinn sound. Unless you are willing to have a new nut made (even with a zero fret) you should go by the way the original nut is slotted for the octave strings. Frankly I don't remember which way Hofners are set up.

[Gibs Fan]

My guitar has the high octave on the Bass side, so it gets hit first on the downstroke.

[Tim Mace]

How the strings are arranged should be visible at the saddle..string contact points on strings 12,11 10,09 08,07 06,05 one forward one back to allow for good intonation.
E A D G
Generally higher octave is forward lower is back. so look carefully so as not to reverse how the saddle is laid out. B's & E's are the same at saddle.I hope this makes sense 'cause it's difficult to write about.