'googlesearched' 'til' my fangers bled. Turned up nothing except info re CF Martin and Antonio de Torres. Steel string and classical developers, respectively. Nothing on strings beyond lutes being 'double coursed' and Leadbelly using piano wire...probably the truth. He did play that 12 string tuned awfully low.

The only available strings I was aware of when starting were Black Diamond...in fact I have a pack unopened found at a yard sale for 0.50US. Then Martin, Guild Phospher Bronze and finally Elixer Nano-webs. Great strings.

It would seem the 'barn dance' pickers would use Martins while the jazz and orchestra players would use flatwound, maybe? And what about banjo players from that time period? It boggles the mind!

Like LF said, I'll watch this thread as well.