jackdee, I suppose I can be of more help since I just went through what you're asking. Here's what I learned:

1 -Start witha string that is 3 inches shorter than your AMO. Fast flight has the best reputation but is abusive to the limb tips, so be sure your tips can accept it (Martin will say on their instructions or website). I guessfast flightmust have less springyness which gives it more energy and stresses the tips more.

2 - I am on my third arrow type and weight and finally feel good shooting. I also want to shoot carbon but I got aluminum simply because I can cut them myself. I figured when I finally come up with my ideal length and spine, and learn to shoot this stick, I will think about carbon later.3 Rivers has test kits for both arrows and tips - sets of different weights, etc. I did not get the arrow kit but did get the tip test kit and it was well worth it.

Almost all the shooters on the DVD and websites say to go for 10 grains of total arrow weight per pound of draw weight (at your draw). I am at 9.6 and it finally feels good.Any less and I can't reduce the handshock. My tips are 150 grain. Before I learned this I was using my lighter weight carbon arrows from my compound and I hated the handshock and flight.

3 - start with 7.5 to 8 inches and learn from the websites and other shooters how to figure out whether to go up or down based on your arrows and performance.

Download Eastons tuning guide and arrow selector off their website. Hope I helped you, like others have helped me!