These new 12 strings were intended to be tuned lower than a six string (two to three steps) and were presumably treated like a baritone instrument. The Oscar Schmidt instruments tended to have a longer scale length at 26 1/2" , while the Chicago instruments tended to have a shorter scale length at 25 1/4" - 25 1/2". While there was some variety in the bracing, all of the instruments (that I have come into contact with) were ladder braced.