The Inverted String Arrangement

The Inverted string arrangement, also sometimes referred to as Root-On-Top, is found on very few 12-string basses, well less than 5% of all 12’s are strung this way. This is the same string configuration used by Rickenbacker on their 4003 series 8-string basses, although obviously those 8’s have only one high octave string paired up with each fundamental string.

A statement commonly heard about the 12-string bass is that players sometimes have difficulty getting enough lows out of the instrument, particularly when playing short scale basses. Any time you hear a comment like this you can be certain that their bass is strung using the Standard string arrangement. The high octaves strings can overpower the fundamentals, which is not surprising since there are twice as many high octave strings.

Most players use a pick and are mostly playing downstrokes. In doing so they are emphasizing the high octave strings by not only playing them first but also with slightly more energy since the pick will slow down slightly as it contacts the strings, and that does make a difference in the final sound that is produced. The result is that the fundamental strings are outnumbered and are getting “outgunned”, hence the relative lack of low end.

This comment about lack of low end is seldom made about basses strung Inverted because the fundamental string is emphasized on the downstroke. The high octave strings are somewhat protected by the fundamental string as the pick bounces over the larger diameter string. This tends to de-emphasize the high octave strings, resulting in a much more balanced mix between the fundamental and octave strings.

Musicvox is the only builder of 12-string basses to offer the Inverted string arrangement on production model basses. They refer to this as a “Special Configuration”. All other 12’s strung Inverted from all other companies have been special orders.