I've just had a 12 string made for me with reversed stringing on the 4th 5th and 6th courses. That's because I like to play fingerstyle, and predominantly hit the bass string with my thumb. I have the 3rd (G) the normal way around - so if I hit it with my thumb I get the octave string (in a kind of re-entrant banjo sound), but if I pluck it with my finger I hit the fundamental first.

There's a pic of the guitar on the Brook guitars web site. So far I'm very pleased with it, and its making me rethink what a 12 string can do. It works well in normal tuning (for 60's style Dylan, Band songs), in DADGAD for Scots/Irish music, and in a slightly bizarre DGDGAE to emulate the sound of a mandocello. One thing to remember is, just because you've got 12 strings you don't have to play them all at once...I plan to get around to recording a couple of bits of music with it and Brook may put that on their site.

The classic arrangment works well for strumming, where you get that distinctive 12 string shimmer (listen to early Bowie for example), but you'd need to recut the nut to change the strings around.

If there is real interest I'll get on to making those recordings sooner rathr than later (although not this weekend...)

cheers!