Something is off with the pickups.
I play on a 50 watt Ampeg amp, with the volume at 4, which is a decent volume that doesn’t make the cat deaf. On my other basses, this is sufficient.
Using the same cable, I plug in the ESP, and when I pluck the string, I hear the sound of the string over the amp. If I use a pick, it’s louder, but still not loud.
I changed out the battery and strings. I tried to raise the pickups, but when I loosened the screws they didn’t move.
I have not pulled them out yet.
Any ideas? I am cranking the amp to 7 or 8 to play but that doesn’t seem to be a solution.