Dead G string

[Asllan Pizzatto]

Good afternoon. I'm having an annoying problem with my P-Bass. About 2 months ago, I put a set of Rotosound SH77s on it, and all the strings came out bright, except for the G string, which was completely dull. Well, the store sent me a new set, and I took it to my luthier to have it put on. Result: dead string again. Does anyone know what might be happening? I spoke to my luthier, and he told me it might be a resonance problem with the instrument itself... Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?

 

[AK Bass Guy]

Does raising the pickup on the G side of the split coil closer to the G string help?
Any issue with the G string in the nut slot? Both legs on the G string saddle making contact with the bridge?

Just throwing stuff against the wall…

 

[Asllan Pizzatto]

Does raising the pickup on the G side of the split coil closer to the G string help?
Any issue with the G string in the nut slot? Both legs on the G string saddle making contact with the bridge?

Just throwing stuff against the wall…

I believe the problem is not the pickup, because the string sounds dull when played with the bass off... I imagined that maybe there is a problem with the Badass bridge itself, or with the tuning peg... I've tried taking the string off and putting it back on and I didn't notice any difference.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Didn't Billy Sheehan leave rotosound for a while because of dead strings?

 

[AK Bass Guy]

I believe the problem is not the pickup, because the string sounds dull when played with the bass off... I imagined that maybe there is a problem with the Badass bridge itself, or with the tuning peg... I've tried taking the string off and putting it back on and I didn't notice any difference.

The “singing” part of the string is between the nut and the saddle, so AFAIK the tuning machine shouldn’t have any noticeable effects on the sound of the string. Unless the tuning machine is also what sets the break angle across the nut like on a Fender P or J for the E and A string.
So if there is an issue of the string not resonating it would probably be related to things like:
The break angle on the nut.
The height of the slot on the nut.
The width of the nut slot.
Not enough relief.
A warp or high fret.limiting the vibration of the string.
Something on the saddle and how it is contacting the bridge.

That just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

 

[Rockin John]

This is an interesting thread because I have exactly the same issue on an 2017 American Elite Precision. I, too, wondered what might cause the problem and have concluded it’s a resonance issue somewhere in the mechanical system that is a bass guitar.

Unfortunately, I cannot figure out how to resolve it!

Many instruments - particularly Fenders, I believe - are known for dead spots around D on the G string and folk have fastened blocks of metal to the headstock as a sort-of cure. In my case the poor resonance stretches from about B to about F on the G string. I’ve not tried the block idea … yet.

Replacing strings - gauges, brands, rounds/flats, etc - may help but there is a large expense issue to overcome with that, which is something I cannot afford to do.

Other suggestions about the bridge and/or nut may be relevant but I doubt it. Truss adjustments will alter the compliance of the mechanical system, but there are settings to observe with truss adjustment.

Specifically, I’m interested to know if lighter or heavier strings are likely to alter (cure?) the problem.

I’m truly stumped over this which is making a lovely instrument a dislike to play.

Wisdom much appreciated.

John.

England.