What strings for a 35'' Ibanez BTB Bass

[ilmaio]

Hi folks, i have to change strings to my Ibanez BTB 675 for the first time since i bought it.
Problem #1 is that i don't konw what type of strings i have to buy: the bass is a 35'' scale, do i need to buy long or extralong strings?
Problem #2 is that i don't know the dimension of the strings currently equipped: on the ibanez site they only say that the strings are elixir, someone that have the same bass can tell me the strings dimensions? I think they are .45 .105 with the fifth .135, but i'm not sure

Thanks in advance to everyone that will answer.

[fivestringgecko]

I had an Ibanez SR535 that came stock with Elixirs, .045-.105 with a .130 low B string. I wasn't a particular fan of those strings, so I put on D'Addario EXLs. However, the SR's are 34" scale.

I guess it depends on what strings you like (if you have a preference). I stick with D'Addarios, so when I put them on my 35" scale basses, I have to order super longs. I've also tried SIT strings and the 6-string regular set (Power Wound Nickel) DID work on my Peavey Cirrus, 35" scale.

You'd have to check whether or not your favorite strings are tapered at the nut side, if they taper too soon they won't fit the nut on a 35" bass.

Sounds like you might not know what strings you like though, since you haven't changed in a while? Best suggestion would be to take a trip to your local store and see what they've got, then do a little research to see if they'll fit. Also, Talkbass is a fantastic resource for info, I'm sure SOMEONE here will know if a particular set of strings will fit on your BTB.



5sg.

[Meatrus]

You wont have any problem with most normal long scale strings, I use Rotosound 66 on mine and love them. Gauge wise is up to you (experiment!).

[ilmaio]

Thanks for the answers guys

Sounds like you might not know what strings you like though, since you haven't changed in a while?

Yep,i have no idea what strings i do like
Speaking of gauge and action, it's easier to obtain a low action with light or heavy gauge? I like to have an action as low as i can without buzzing

[fivestringgecko]

I'm not entirely sure about the heaviest strings sets, but even with average (.045-.130), you can get a great low action. My Stambaugh 6 came with regular gauge SIT's and Chris had it set up so low that all I had to do was practically breathe on them to make sound. It's beautiful. lol I also took my Jazz V, also with regular gauge, to a local luthier to get it setup and he got a pretty low action too. I'm not good enough (yet) at doing my own setups to get them that low... but I'm working on it.

5sg.

[chadhargis]

+1 on using the D'Addario super longs. The longs won't work.

I just ordered a set of Circle K strings. I have heard good things about them, and I'm hoping what I've heard is true.

[miner49er11]

I'm using Dean Markley SR2000's, set #2694, on my BTB455. They fit nicely. Sound great for stainless strings and the sustain is extra-special. Also like the D'Addario XL's/super long. I like the sound of the B string, in particular, tight. Had the stock Elixir's on for a long time, but I'm cheap...

[ilmaio]

Thanks for the replies, so if i want to use a d'addario set i have to go for the super-long, right?
This set will fit, right?

And what about the d'addario EXP coated? Are they worth the price (about 50% more of the normal EXL)?

[darkstorm]

Rotosound 66's 45=105 or maybe as light as 102 for the E. Less then that I find too loose. More then that I find too tight. Should be no problem getting very low action. GHS boomers as my 2nd fave. Or Dean Markley blue steel if you want a brighter sound that still has crack of thunder lows. Theyre overly bright to me untill well broken in though.

[Meatrus]

I'm not sure about the D'addarios, you may want the super longs as I heard the normal longs are a bit short, but I could be wrong.

The fact that you are not stringing through body (as you cant!) will mean most long scale strings will reach, the exception possibly being the D'addarios. Its only an inch in difference so I would think they would be long enough, but I do remember hearing they are short compared to others.

I personally would leave coated strings alone until you have tried a new set of un coated strings (that coating affects the sound IMO)

The lower the gauge, the more the rattle/buzz which has to be gotten rid of (with highering action). But the easier they will feel to play. If you have a heavy touch I would go for med lights, or even medium (which are probably what you have now).

Hope this helps, and dont be afraid to experiment .

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by ilmaio

Thanks for the replies, so if i want to use a d'addario set i have to go for the super-long, right?
This set will fit, right?

Correct. That's actually the exact set I use for my 35" scale basses.

Originally Posted by ilmaio

And what about the d'addario EXP coated? Are they worth the price (about 50% more of the normal EXL)?

Not sure about EXPs as I've never tried them, but I would imagine they're made the same way as the EXLs... just coated?

Originally Posted by Meatrus

I'm not sure about the D'addarios, you may want the super longs as I heard the normal longs are a bit short, but I could be wrong.

The fact that you are not stringing through body (as you cant!) will mean most long scale strings will reach, the exception possibly being the D'addarios. Its only an inch in difference so I would think they would be long enough, but I do remember hearing they are short compared to others.

The lower the gauge, the more the rattle/buzz which has to be gotten rid of (with highering action). But the easier they will feel to play. If you have a heavy touch I would go for med lights, or even medium (which are probably what you have now).

As Chad and I have said, he'll need super longs on a 35" scale if he chooses D'addario, for sure. The taper winding on regular longs only goes about 1/4" beyond the nut on a 34" scale bass, so they wouldn't sit right in the nut of a 35" scale bass.

As far a gauge, you can get rattle/buzz with any gauge set depending on setup. Lighter gauge doesn't necessarily mean you'll get more. I had the fortune of playing Ray Riendeau's Zon Mosaic 5 during a lesson and he had super lights on that bass (strung E A D G C) with a very low action, no rattle or buzz. After that lesson, I put super lights on my Modulus Quantum 5 (and a ramp, just to experiment) with no buzz either. It all depends on setup and technique.

5sg.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by fivestringgecko

Correct. That's actually the exact set I use for my 35" scale basses.



Not sure about EXPs as I've never tried them, but I would imagine they're made the same way as the EXLs... just coated?



As Chad and I have said, he'll need super longs on a 35" scale if he chooses D'addario, for sure. The taper winding on regular longs only goes about 1/4" beyond the nut on a 34" scale bass, so they wouldn't sit right in the nut of a 35" scale bass.

As far a gauge, you can get rattle/buzz with any gauge set depending on setup. Lighter gauge doesn't necessarily mean you'll get more. I had the fortune of playing Ray Riendeau's Zon Mosaic 5 during a lesson and he had super lights on that bass (strung E A D G C) with a very low action, no rattle or buzz. After that lesson, I put super lights on my Modulus Quantum 5 (and a ramp, just to experiment) with no buzz either. It all depends on setup and technique.

5sg.

Sorry, I hadnt seen that you had mentioned they would be too short.

I really didnt need the lecture on gauges though jk. All I was saying is that light gauge will require a higher action, I never said it will buzz more with lights when played and setup correctly, just it will take more setting up (I have done my own setups for years....so I out rank you ).

No response needed I'm joking .

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by Meatrus

Sorry, I hadnt seen that you had mentioned they would be too short.

I really didnt need the lecture on gauges though jk. All I was saying is that light gauge will require a higher action, I never said it will buzz more with lights when played and setup correctly, just it will take more setting up (I have done my own setups for years....so I out rank you ).

No response needed I'm joking .

No worries man, certainly no offense intended! Sorry if it came off that way!

I'm still learning how to do a super low setup like that... I couldn't believe how low Ray's Mosaic was or the action that my Stammie came with. I mean seriously, breathe on them and they'd make sound. That's exactly what I want on all my basses, but I'm still afraid of over tightening the neck on a $2k+ bass!

5sg.

[TomA1234]

I too are looking for new strings for a BTB475. I am presuming mine is 35" as everyone else's BTBs seem to have the same scale. Does anyone have any suggestions for strings for me? (preferably long life strings as I don't have the money to change them regularly) I do quite a lot of down tuned stuff so would prefer to have slightly heavier gauge strings. What strings would you suggest I get? I am seeing a lot about d'addrios.

No I am not intentionally hijacking this thread, my question was of a similar topic.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by TomA1234

No I am not intentionally hijacking this thread, my question was of a similar topic.

Not hijacking, it's definitely a similar question.

As far as string life, it depends on how much you play. I leave my D'Addarios on for quite a while (sometimes 6+ months or longer), but I play several of my basses regularly, so strings last a little longer for me. I've never really used any coated strings, but if you're looking for longevity, I'd say try a set. If I had to pick a set of coated strings right now, I'd go with D'Addario EXPs... from what I understand, the individual windings are coated as they're being wound, as opposed to other companies that just take a finished string and then coat it.

Since you play a lot of down tuned stuff, you should check out DR... they just introduced DDT strings, made specifically for drop tuning. Don't know how long they last though, I've never used DRs.

5sg.

[ilmaio]

Ok guys, thanks to all for the precious informations, i think i'll go with d'addario.

Speaking of gauge, a .135 low B is "playable" or it will bo too "deep" and "muddy"?

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by ilmaio

Speaking of gauge, a .135 low B is "playable" or it will bo too "deep" and "muddy"?

Definitely playable, but depends on the bass as well, I think. I've played both 34" and 35" scale basses that have awesome low B's, and others where the 5th string leaves much to be desired.

5sg.

[floatingaxe]

I hope this helps...
I have a BTB 575 and use d'addario chromes. Long scales are too short although they physically fit, but the silks on the chromes sit in the nut.
Remember, the bridge on the BTBs is different for each string and the ball actually sits inside the body. This will add to the length that you need, almost like a string-through-body design.
I can't comment on the guages because I'm switching from a Long scale Regular guage to a Super-Long Soft 4-string set with a Super-Long individual B (132). This should give me close to a balanced set of tensions.
What I have now is a standard 5-string Long Regular set (45-132 i think). They are OK, but the volume is different accross the strings and the E is a little muddy to my ear. I'm hoping that the 95 E on the Soft set will be a little brighter.
My first set of strings on this bass was the d'addario Nickels. I liked them, but decided to switch to flats.

[Makatak]

How are you guys going with fitting the mono bridge end part of the string on a BTB ? , ive found you have to turn the flat part of the " ball" end " North and south " to get it into the trap slot and then turn it " east west " to trap it , but sometimes it is a bit off centre but still stays , is that correct or does the end have to be lying flat to be totally secure and not damaging the seat of the bridge ? . I like to wind my strings around the post first before trapping the ball end so as not to have the string tensioned " twisted " therefore sometimes the end could align at any position . I hope this makes sense and thanks in advance

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by Makatak

How are you guys going with fitting the mono bridge end part of the string on a BTB ? , ive found you have to turn the flat part of the " ball" end " North and south " to get it into the trap slot and then turn it " east west " to trap it , but sometimes it is a bit off centre but still stays , is that correct or does the end have to be lying flat to be totally secure and not damaging the seat of the bridge ? . I like to wind my strings around the post first before trapping the ball end so as not to have the string tensioned " twisted " therefore sometimes the end could align at any position . I hope this makes sense and thanks in advance

No need to worry, it wont matter what angle the ballend is at as long as it doesent come out. They end up angled on most other bridges anyway.