Honestly.. unless I am planning on having my strings on the guitar for longer than 2 weeks, I will just buy Ernie Ball (ie. the cheapest( strings in my preferred gauge, which is .10 to .49.. if I do plan on having strings on longer than that I always put Elixirs on.

The only reason I would have strings on longer than 2 weeks is because I really hate the new-string sound when I am trying to play bluesy rhythm.. I need a duller sound but without reducing the EQ dynamics of the guitar by changing the tone on the guitar or the amp.