Re: string gauges
Yes, the lighter set would be for CGDA tuning. I like to use a bit heavier bass strings for CGDA, eg 35/23/14/10. Switching to GDAE tuning with such a light gauge would cause intonation difficulties, both due to bridge compensation, and to tone-bending just due to normal fretting - the more so if it is a shorter scale. But in general, I do like C tuning (or B-flat, capoing to shorten the scale) on my tenor.
For GDAE tuning, it is pretty important to have a bridge/saddle designed for three wound strings (GDA) and one plain (E). If the bridge has a simple straight, uncompensated tope (ie, no saddle notches, like those on lots of older flattops with movable bridges), you may be able to get decent intonation by slanting the bridge to the best compromise angle, and then possibly modifying/filing the bridge saddles a little to fine-adjust. The key (imo) is getting the right A string - you may find that 0.022 or 0.023 is the lightest wound string that is readily available in bulk-orders online or in stores. But as fox suggests, a wound string of ~0.020 would be preferable.
The gauge you started with sounds reasonable, but the "feel" depends on a number of things. And the guitar needs to have a set-up appropriate for that tuning and string set. My guess would be that the "no-name" tenor, like most no-name guitar, probably has too high action, which is why the lighter strings felt nicer to play. So lowering the bridge height might be the necessary set-up mod.
You
Jeff Rohrbough
"Listen louder, play softer"
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