NYXL’s 11s in E standard. I use to use a custom set of 9’s but when I switched to my current guitar (Ibanez RG) the strings felt super loose. I moved to 10’s which was better but ultimately the 11’s felt just right. No problem with bends or anything, and I don’t think I have extra strong fingers.
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I’d often thought that heavier strings = less “give” so therefore it’s easier to pick because the string isn’t flopping around as much. But then Yngwie plays 8s tuned down a half step so my theory is wrong!
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I used to be a 9’s guy for the longest time, but I noticed something great about 10’s when I switched: Tuning stability seemed greater to me.
I started with tuning to Eb with 10’s, but have shifted to standard E and I my finger strength has obviously increased and it feels normal to me now.
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I don’t know if anyone uses these on here but I use StringJoy balanced tension set of 10s and I absolutely love them! Please check those strings out! Hand made in Nashville TN and such an amazing feel, the only strings I have ever put on and felt “broke-in” within 5 mins.
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This does make sense. And I was thinking that it doesn’t help asking Troy because isn’t his guitar a real short scale? Scale matters also. He’s probably said in another post, but I bet Troy is using at least 10s. As far as picking, I usually pick right over the middle pickup. That’s why I hate middle pickups, and lower the Strat middle pickup all the way flush to the pickgaurd. Yngwie does this also.
@TheDivineSage is your action real low with the 11s? Because I am noticing that bigger strings work great with lower action. The vibration field is smaller/tighter and there is less buzz.
@aliendough I’m gonna get s*** for this, but I think the 8’s make Yngwie’s picking have a rubberband slop quality to it. He constantly grabs a new slick Delrin pick every riff, because the slightest wear notch in the pick will snag the flappy 8 too hard to maintain smooth picking. He has admitted to this in his 2nd instructional series ('93-'94)… So we should maybe call Yngwie an exception to the rule because his playing is so good he can manage the rubberbands. DISCLAIMER: I am referring to Yngwie’s Post 80’s playing here.
@AGTG I notice the greater tuning and intonation stability also man. I usually use 9s with pretty high action. I am realizing the ease of play is about the same with 10s if I lower the action down. 10s seem to have a slight bend tradeoff for tighter picking and f’in ringing in pitch intonation.
@axeslinger11 D’addario makes balanced string sets also. 
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I love my 9.5’s. On my ibby std tune, 25.25 I believe.
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Yeah man, I’ve always thought that 80s Yngwie, especially Alcatraz, was his cleanest picking. I wonder what strings he was using back then,…
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Lots of guitars, big variety of gauges. Like the thicker strings for a more pronounced and stately tone, thinner for being practical with bending ease and keeping things easier on my hands. I’ve got some hand problems and I have to play a lot of guitar. So I’d probably like the lead sounds on my strat with 12s or something but I’m not going to torture (and potentially re-injure) myself.
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On my 25,5 guitars I use 10-46. I have a sevenstring with 27" scale (hence my username), I use 10-59 on that one (it’s tuned one whole-tone step down).
I use elixir 10-46 for E standard but my D standard guitar uses 11-56 so they are not as floppy. I heard rusty cooley state that he plays closer to the bridge for the fast stuff due to the string not moving as much the closer to the bridge you get.
Dunlop Heavy Core in Heavy gauge, which is 10-48 (10-13-17-28-38-48), be it on a 24.75in or 25.5 scale length in E standard. I like the slightly thicker strings when I pick while still keeping somewhat flexible high strings without being too thin. I can’t consistently bend 11-48/49 plain strings.
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Currently sticking with 11s on all of my guitars. Good for metal, although I never tune down and play a six string exclusively.
I’m only using elixirs these days.
At the moment I have 2 guitars with 10-46 and one with 9-42. All my guitars are 25"5 (one strat, one chapman ML1 and a charvel st dimas pro mod 1), all in standard tuning.
9s or 8s on 25.5", 10s on 24.75", 12s to tune down to C. D’addario NYXL.
12s for acoustic. Phosphor bronze on dreadnaughts. 80/20 bronze on smaller bodies. I recently started using silk & steel for fingerpicking on my parlor guitar.
Elixir user here, as well - 10s on my electrics, and while I’m currently using a, I thiunk, 62 bass string as a low B on my double-locking guitars, I ordered a few of their 10-59 seven string sets to try to see if I get on welll enough with those. 59 seems a hair lighter thann I might prefer, but it’s not THAT far off what I’m using, so… I used to use 11s with a 68 low B, but that got a little too bruising when I hadn’t played much in a couple weeks and went to play some bluesier stuff.
On acoustic, 12s.
8–38, where the thickest four strings are tuned flat a semitone (4ths). I’d prefer to use Elixir, but they don’t make them in my size, so I usually use Ernie Ball.
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Fender YJM Bullets 8 - 46 tuned to E flat.
Fender YJM Stratocaster latest model.
Action setup high with bridge floating.
Does Yngwie himself still use 8s tunes down a half step? I know he used to, just not sure about his 2018 gear.
GHS Boomers .010-.046