When did shorter scale strings originate?

[Dan_reeves]

The Fender Mustang bass was launched in the mid 60s, and the Hofner 500/1 was launched in the mid 50s - which then became really popular in the 60s because of Sir Paul. I realize short(er) scales were created also from a variety of manufacturers, but these are arguably the two most popular. When these basses came out, were they launched with shorter scale strings? Or if you played one back then, did you just make due with regular long scale strings and just cut them down?

It’s just a random thought/question I had as I have been looking through short scale options considering how long shorter scale basses have been around. Those of you who were around or in the know, how did it work? I was born in the 80s and honestly have no idea and would like to hear about your experiences.

 

[JTE]

LaBella strings used to come great big envelopes compared to what most bass string packs are. And the strings had several boxes on them with a check mark for different brands as I recall (it's been over thirty years since I managed a store that had about a half dozen D and G ancient LaBella singles) so Fender was for 34" scale, "Gibson" was for 30", etc.

 

[JimmyM]

There’s no way that long scale strings could fit on the guitar tuners that many companies used for bass since the 50s.

 

[GIBrat51]

Yes, the early short scale basses used short scale strings. IIRC, they were mostly flat wounds - pretty light gauge ones, too; the original La Bella Danelectro flats (760FD) are 42-83 gauge, and made to fit the little guitar tuners they used...