The problem was I had bought them months prior. I like to stock up on stuff like that so I always have string on hand. I'm sure if I contacted Dean Markley they would have made good on it, but I just couldn't be bothered.

My hands sweat a lot and I have acidic sweat, so I'm pretty rough on strings. It's part of the reason I stopped playing guitar seriously for a long time because I didn't have a solution and I got tired of my guitar's intoation going off in a matter of days because my strings were destroyed by my sweat. I would trash a set of strings in a single jam session - it was pretty bad. My focus on string quality was how long they would withstand my sweat. I even tried stainless steel strings - they were pretty bad - not recommended! Dean Markleys seemed to do the best. Now I think my body chemistry has changed because any brand last about a month for me now.

The d'addarios are holding up, but they have a rougher feel than other strings I've used. They are also not as bright as the Fender strings I've used. However, they have the same tonal quality through their life, which I think is better. The Fenders would be bright and then mellow out. I think this is all OK...I'm just 100% sure at this point.