Ok, I'm a real novice at this, but I recenlty got a 5 string electric mandolin, and I didn't like the way the 5th string sort of "flops" a little. So instead of stringing the 5th string C with a .052, I put an .014 there and tuned it to the higher C note. I tried a .010 there, but it flopped around a bit too, but the .014 (same gauge as 2nd) tuned in really nice with no flop.

Does anybody else do this? Having played the banjo and pedal steel more than the mando, it doesn't bother me to not have the highest pitch in the 1st string position.

Tab

Here's a link to a you tube of the builder demonstrating this particular instrument in the larger guage setup. It's a sweeeet little instrument!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po03vqzNp20