I'm assuming the calico tuning is named after the song calico that uses this tuning. A lot of banjo tunings are called by a popular song name that uses said tuning.
Medium gauge strings will have more give on them, so try medium gauge Daddario Helicore strings, that's what I use generally. Gotta be real careful if you're going up to the E minor tuning though, it's a risky tuning.
Question: Standard tuning is perfect 5ths, which is not exactly the same as, say, on a piano. What do you tune these strings to when you can't hear the perfect fifth, since it's not tuned to fifths? If my ear is accustomed to hear a perfect fifth, how do I accustom my ear to hear a perfect fourth or octave? I can't just tune to a piano, can I?
