Yes, truncated ball end guitar strings are the obvious solution but making up mandolin sets in that way is costly and wasteful. As Dave says, Eagle Music sell ball end Newtones (custon gauges if you want) but they're actually cheaper if you buy them direct from Newtone. (Incidentally, Malcolm Newton retired a couple of years ago and the business is now run by Neil Silverman from new premises.) Didn't realise that ball end mandolin strings were so popular. Then again, I have nothing that needs them. The D'Addario OM strings, irrespective of the wrong ends, are too light. I use/need 13-52s.
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