Strings for TMB

Well my TMB project has got to the stage where I need to string her up. I've tried mounting an old string I had lying around - it's about .030 I think and sounds really good. I have to say I'm very impressed with the screw in eyes as tuners, they work really well.

VSL is 26 1/2 inches. Any suggestions on string sizes and what I should be tuning it to? I was thinking of 1-8-8 tuning to get best use of the good bass compared to an hourglass MD.