7 String help!

I took the low B off my seven string, shifted all 6 of the other strings on the guitar one spot over. Then added an A string where the high E string was. So my 7 string guitar goes E-A-D-G-B-E-A. This adds a little more range and depth to my playing(shredding, hehe).

This is nothing new - I remember George Lynch had an ESP 7 string back in the 80's with a high A string.
Does anyone else out there that uses this setup? I keep breaking the high A. Probably because I used the high E string from a 9 gauge set. The rest of the strings are a standard 10 gauge set. Any suggestions as to what I should use for the high A gauge wise?
Thanks

how did u manage this? i tried that one too on a guitar but it didnt work. i tried to tune an high e string up to a but i never succeeded with ANY gauge (i even tried a .007!) - the string kept tearing at G#. only once i managed to get it to a, but as soon as i played a note it snaped. but the again.. i wont need that anymore once my 36fret is done MUAAAAAHAHAHAHHAAAAA

I had to tune down pretty far...I also had to tweak the truss rod too, but the string only lasts about 1 bend before it pops...

You've been bragging about that 36 fret guitar for over a year is seems...hurry up and get it already..SHEESH!!!

hehe - it will be done before christmas! maybe even november!