drkness

I personally prefer the retrofit just so i can make custom strands and obviously easily replaceable should one burn out. Have well over a thousand of the minleon brand ones.  

A jigsaw with a fine tooth blade cuts it really well, just take your time and don’t rush it. 

Your going to have to find some vintage bulbs to get this color hue.  Today’s bulbs just aren’t manufactured the same way.  One of the commercial grade LEDs MAY get you closer to what you are looking for.