6TH fret buzz at E string

[mantaraya]

Hi there Guys. I recently acquired an EB MM sterling. I got it new by the way. But i am having a little issue: When i unpackage to play it i noticed right away the 6TH fret at E string made this terrible buzzing sound (kind of rattles). The funny thing is that only happens when i press that fret and at that string. So i took away the stock EB string and put Dr lo riders thinking it was going to be fine. But again the buzziing/rattling started again.
So I raised the action, and then i lowered it: Nothing changed. Straighted the neck: Nothing. Gave it reflief: nothing. SO I DOESNT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE ACTION.
One thing here to think: when i press the 6Th with only one finger theres lots of rattles. BUT... When i press the 6th fret with my 4 left fingers (as 3 position) then when i play the rattles stops. I know the best thing would be taking it to a luthier... but i wanted to listen some opinions. Thnaks guys"!

[JLS]

Originally Posted by mantaraya

Hi there Guys. I recently acquired an EB MM sterling. I got it new by the way. But i am having a little issue: When i unpackage to play it i noticed right away the 6TH fret at E string made this terrible buzzing sound (kind of rattles). The funny thing is that only happens when i press that fret and at that string. So i took away the stock EB string and put Dr lo riders thinking it was going to be fine. But again the buzziing/rattling started again.
So I raised the action, and then i lowered it: Nothing changed. Straighted the neck: Nothing. Gave it reflief: nothing. SO I DOESNT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE ACTION.
One thing here to think: when i press the 6Th with only one finger theres lots of rattles. BUT... When i press the 6th fret with my 4 left fingers (as 3 position) then when i play the rattles stops. I know the best thing would be taking it to a luthier... but i wanted to listen some opinions. Thnaks guys"!

I think you have a rattle that's between the fret & the nut, usually a combination of a too-low nut slot, and too little relief.
Try temporarily putting a few thicknesses of paper shims under the string, and see if it stops.

[EAdanikDG]

High fret?

[Skitch it!]

I posted this earlier but it didn't seem to post?

Sight the neck, hold the bass so the fretboard is parallel with your ceiling (facing straight up). Bring the bass up to your right shoulder in this position and sight down/across the fretboard from body to headstock. Move it slightly (up and down) until you sight the 'train track' effect of the frets (in vision), this is what it appears like, anything out of line there, you'll see it.

[ModuMan]

The rattle is behind the 6th fret, which is why playing the note with more fingers down is stopping it.

As stated above, it sounds like it could be a low nut, could be a high fret. Whatever it is, the string can't vibrate freely. You may try fooling with the relief some more.

The one that drives me crazy is fretting the 6th fret on both the E and G string and playing that chord. It can create a sympathetic vibration. Not all my basses do it but even a clean-fretting Bb on the E can make that rattle if I also play the C# on the G.