Re: String recommendations
My 1901 Gibson oval hole A has the D'Addario 80/20 10-34 (or 36) set. My dad mentioned that it needed to be strung up lightly so as not to self destruct.
If your mandolin is harder to fret than a guitar, it's because the setup is bad. My Doyle Lawson is strung 11.5, 16, 26, 40, and plays effortlessly. The neck and fretwork are very good, and allow an extremely low action with great sound and no buzz. I had 11-40 on it at first, but the thicker plain strings sound and feel better. I use D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings on both F-5s and my guitar. They're a little lower tension than Phosphor Bronze, but I use them for the punchier tone. The extended life and slightly lower tension are bonuses.
Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4
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