What might be causing this, and how can I fix it?

[craigie]

I had a bass like this where the G string was like that.

it's the bass. sadly enough I don't think there is any solution what so ever. I went though everything and tried really hard to like my old bass with the nearly silent G string, and ended up selling it and taking the biggest loss I think i ever have on an instrument sale.

weirdly enough, i clearly disclosed the issue in my ebay ad, and the new owner claimed he didn't hear it at all - i think he was a guitarist who had no ears... so, there's probably someone who can love this instrument how it is.

Good luck sorting this out!

Was it a stingray par chance?

 

[Joe Nerve]

Thanks everyone.

Been super busy so I haven't had a chance to try all the suggestions here yet, and I want to reread them all.

I'm going to have a go at lowering the pickups before doing anything else. That made the most sense, given what I've tried thus far. I also want to listen closely unplugged, and see what the deal is with that. When I did last time, I didn't really notice a difference, but I'm half deaf - so its tough to tell.

I'm also wondering if I somehow MAY have gotten 2 funky E strings in a row. We'll see.

Anyhow... thanks again. Not Lownering the thread, just swamped...

 

[Rich48]

May be a dump question but have you checked to make sure the silk on the e string is not extending across the nut or across the saddle?