Depending on the song but mostly medium to light.Come to think about it I cant remember the last string I broke that was not from a bend.

+1

All of the above... there is use for all levels mentioned on this post.
But I will say this...
I desire a light touch with small movement as a habit, I strive for this habit.
Some reasons:
* Less exersion
* Conserves energy & more stamina
* "Digging in" becomes a "concious effect" or "dynamic feel"
* Speed & smaller movements (no reason to "fly off the handle")
* Some other reason I am not thinking of right now lol

And also (least important of them all to me)
* Less wear on the instrument

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explorationx

I believe that I play as a "bull in a china shop" might play. Very heavy without really intending to be.

bss comes closest.

Lots of players think that "digging in" represents some kind of deep feeling, but even guys who play crazy heavy music get the best string tone and the greatest control with a light left hand and a steady, light picking hand.

Light but secure, loose but precise, skipping over the ocean like a stone.

I wish I could say "it depends on the song" but the fact of the matter is I fall under the "ham fist", "Bull in a china shop" or "broad sword in the operating room" catagories.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Sure... the most freely-vibrating string, unhampered by fret rattle and buzz, not having its sustain reduced by overdriving (not electronic, but physical overdriving of the string).

I play with my right hand fingers a lot, coming from a jazzier blues background originally. I guess that means I've a light touch overall, particularly when I'm playing any classical or flamenco-style pieces on electric guitar (portions of them sound quite good in the right context, but mostly they do seem at home on a nylon-stringed instrument).

For single-note stuff, my approach varies. Some of what I play is influenced by the pick I'm using... I have a Red Bear faux-tortoiseshell pick that glides beautifully over the strings, and works well for Hendrix-style melodic rhythm (or my approximation thereof) and more skittering melodies. Otherwise I have a big, thick Wegen gypsy jazz pick that encourages -- wait for it -- "digging in". Something about the bevel on this one keeps the attack a bit soft even if I'm overdoing it with my rhythm hand, so I can flail away if the mood takes me and still produce quite a consistent flow of notes.

Generally, though, I would say the better the player, the more economical they are in their movements. There's no logical reason for me to lift my left hand fingers more than a couple of millimetres off the fretboard when I'm not actually fretting a note, yet I still do. I need to work on that...

Tendency is light, especially for pieces requiring articulation...most of playing. When much more is needed, 'let the amp do the work.

i cant really say why....but i have always played light

All of the above and so much more. It's called technique.

I used to be heavy handed on pretty much everything but as I learned the nuances of the Strat I have lightened up a great deal. However, there are times when I dig in for some dirt. Although I play heavy, medium, and light, and lighter I would have to say I play medium most of the time. I find that my Strat sounds best with this pick style. I also use a multitude of picks: heavy and medium Fender, Dunlop Nylon .73 and .88, and I'm using more and more often the Dunlop Ultex .73. The Dunlop Ultex fits my playing pretty well if I had to use just one pick and its not as slippery as the Fender picks. Another benefit of softening your touch is the abiltiy to lower your action.
Russ