Och, Pauline I wouldn't call AEAE wildcat tuning. It is called high bass tuning and is very common with Cape Breton and Scottish fiddle styles. The most used key in Cape Breton is A so high bass tuning really enhances the sound. Years ago before amplification two fiddlers in unison would play the same tune , one using the two higher strings and the other using the two bass. This would give a lot of extra volume for dancing, and it also sounded great.
                        Sandy