A string tuning stability

[Shnmclr]

After 30 years of flatpicking guitar, I bought an Eastman MD 305 a little over 4 months ago. I am totally hooked and I've really enjoyed learning all of the fiddle tunes I've played on 6 string for a few decades. I am noticing that the problem string seems to be the A on the mandolin. I have been using a 15 gauge string for the A, but I am constantly having to tune. Would increasing the gauge to 16 help correct this issue? And Are there a set of strings that come with a 16 gauge A that you enjoy? Thanks for any help.

[HoGo]

That sounds like typical problen with nut slots. Find a good luther to check the nut. The a strings are thick steel and suffer from this most. You need clean, well cut, lubricated slots. Sometimes the rust and gunk accumulates in the slot and prevents free movement of strings, that's all.
There may be some other reasons for this problem but this is by far the most common one.

[NDO]

This.
Read Rob Meldrum’s e-book mentioned in the post in this forum.

[Sue Rieter]

I put powdered teflon in my A string slots until I could get to the luthier. It helped alot.

[Zach Wilson]

I'd advise that you see a skilled lutherie for a set up as well. But if you cant soon try putting some graphite from a mechanical pencil in the nut slot (and bridge) for lubrication.

[billykatzz]

the A strings are always the problem strings on mandolins

[Mark Gunter]

I think the A strings on most mandolins are even more finicky than the G or B strings on guitars. Just have to make sure that all is well with nut and saddle and the general intonation of the instrument, and then live with the fact you’ll be tweaking your mandolin’s tuning as long as you live.

Jethro Burns said you’ll spend half your time tuning it. You spend the other half your time playing it out of tune.