"re-spacing" A 12-string?

[takeout]

Anyone ever had this done?  I played an L-03R 12 the other day; I loved the sound, but there was practically no real estate between the string pairs; as such, fingerstyle was a wash.  

I also played a T*yl*r, which had more room for my fingers, but not the tone.

Is it as simple as recutting the nut and saddle?  To make it absolutely clear: I want each string in a given pair to be more closely spaced to each other, making the space between pairs wider.

[Ratishna]

Recutting a nut, especially a 12-string, is certainly possible but should be handled by a compentent luthier.

E. Shoaf

[takeout]

Spacing at the saddle is what I'm more concerned about.

[bri]

Spacing at the saddle is what I'm more concerned about.

this would take recutting the bridge pin holes which i can't see being done without retopping the guitar

[slowgypsy]

I was thinking similar thoughts some months ago regarding string spacing.  I play with fingers only... no nails or attachments... and though I loved the sound of an "L" body it seems a bit "spaceless" when compared to my six stingers.  Yeah, the Taylor 12's have slightly more spacing at the saddle, but it's still tighter than I'd like.  Maybe a stock 12 string just isn't in the cards for me.  I did chat with a luthier/builder (her name is well known) and was told that I had a few options for my style.  A neck could be made a bit wider... say 2" or so... giving better spacing at the nut.  And the profile of the neck could be made broader allowing more spacing at the saddle.  I was told that taking a stock instrument and trying to re-cut the nut, and trying to re-do pin spacing would result in string spacing that would often cause the strings to bump into one another... making sounds I wouldn't like.  Apparently the spacing of the string pairs in a 12 string is somewhat set.  There is a limit to how close they can be.  Wider spacing sort of requires a wider neck and saddle/bridge/pin arrangement.  Or, I was also told... just get one and work with it.  Perhaps with time and practice I'd work out a method for myself.