Strings history - BP can you tell us a story?

[Grand Wazoo]

Dear BP, I have a question in relation to the history of the electric bass strings as follows: it appears no one can confirm when or who invented the electric bass, however wikipedia (right or wrong) quotes that circa 1930, Audiovox built what they called an electric bass fiddle, and this is considerably earlier than the time your dad started making Ernie Ball strings and in particular roundwound strings,

Wikipedia also quotes that Ernie Ball slinky's started somewhere in the mid 60's following a lack of interest from both Leo Fender and Gibson to make wound 3rd strings for the electric guitars which your dad's client were requesting. Your father began ordering these directly from a manufacturer and then eventually started his own factory and the rest we pretty much know.

My question is, what type of strings preceeded what we know today as EB roundwound bass strings? I mean for example on Leo's first bass, the 51 PBass, on some of the records from the time, like Beach Boys, Elvis and other, it sounded like the fattest thing ever and I am wondering if they were using double bass flatwound strings or even piano strings? Who were the companies that supplied strings to Leo and Ampeg for example was it Labella or did he build his own strings already on those basses?

Thanks for clearing these historical points and I hope you don't find any of this offensive or out of order, it's just nice to place things correctly in time.

 

[Big Poppa]

Im not correcting anything...there were custom string companies back then Leo contracted VC Squier to make the strings and eventually bought them The Squier Guitars are there because the trademarks were already paid for...WHo would have know the old family would have their name on all of these starter guitars THey were in Battle Creek Michagan The Holcomb family the H in GHS were offshoots of Squier

 

[Colin]

cool piece of info Sterling, thanks