had the same problem with a box o' dean markleys... they were in the bilk discount items.. I now own over 20 sets of strings that I wouldn't use to choke my mother in law with! ..... well, maybe

I like the elixr's and the D'Addario exps.. have those on my takamine GS330S and they're schweet! I think the only difference between the elixr's and Daddarios is the way their coated.. 1 is coated before winding and the other after.. don't remember which is which tho..