What strings for a 35'' Ibanez BTB Bass

[countrybassist]

I use either LaBella Rockin' Steel or DM Blue Steel. Both have low B's that are .128

 

[floatingaxe]

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

I have to orient the ball N/S too to get it in the slot, but i do that before winding. I wind the strings as if i were tuning, not wrapping them. I don't want them to twist either. I don't pay close attention to if the ball is twisted after the string is wound, but I don't think it twists much. I agree Meatrus, I don't think it matters as long as it's secure.

 

[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.

Success!
I was right, the 40-95 set is great, and the super long .132 B is nicer than the long because it's a different tension even though it's the same guage.

 

[Makatak]

I have to orient the ball N/S too to get it in the slot, but i do that before winding. I wind the strings as if i were tuning, not wrapping them. I don't want them to twist either. I don't pay close attention to if the ball is twisted after the string is wound, but I don't think it twists much. I agree Meatrus, I don't think it matters as long as it's secure.

Thanks guys , just me being pedantic !