W-O; how can you call an Eastman A-505 a "bluegrass instrument" - it doesn't have a scroll? You'll be telling us that you don't wear dungarees next!

I've never quite got my head round Elixirs on mandolin as only half the strings are wound. ... but its not quite as bad as Elixir's on banjo.

The simple answer for lacking As and Es is to economise whilst you're changing them. The wound strings always go dead first so, if you find you're taking off a half decent set just to liven up the wound sets, don't change the plain ones and you'll get yourself some spares. Alternatively, I think Strings Direct stock Newtones in singles at 70p apiece - go on, treat yourself!