Well, I'm not the richest fellow (pretty poor 17 year old actually) but I'm just gonna return it for another one...however, my main bass (5 string OLP) has a bit of a problem the same way, the string make a buzzing noise when hit with out fretting any notes...every fretted note is fine
I think that's a smart way to go.
If the buzz doesn't blast through when amplified; I'd live with it and enjoy your 5 string.
It's important to be reasonable with a musical instrument. When you pay for an instrument you often pay for a combination of overall quality of workmanship, level of wood quality and electronics.
When those elements are distinctly out of balance we can find remedies that may have a deep pay off. But when they coincide and are on par with one another, the small steps toward what's desirable for our own style of playing have marginal returns. I'm not saying [not] to chase down a problem, just not to expect miracles from other than what you have on the end of your wrists and in your guts.
And that's NOT to say you shouldn't seek an answer - but yet be reasonable. There are some very skilled craftsmen that can work wonders with an instrument and there are those that are
very intuitive in their customizations, but it's always what comes out of the amp when you actually play - that really counts. Most people I know have bought items that they thought would make a greater difference than their chops could at the time. And I'm as guilty as they come!
Most everyone goes through periods where they find faults with their Bass. Some folks get carried away and seek from hardware what could be supplemented via technique & find greater rewards.
If you have a playable Bass; it's in your best interest not to buy another lower priced Bass. But rather, hang on to that money and eventually you'll have enough to get into professional-level quality. Don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket for something you already own. Even as a young man, you'll eventually get some money that will get you a serious, professional-level instrument. And that's when you'll have a grounding of technique to make it worth your time. Making a $250 Bass sound great with technique alone is not only possible, it's a great achievement & investment of your time & effort. Then, when you DO have the money to buy a serious instrument you'll have played enough to make a buying decision that could last decades.
Your soul & hands make more music than any steel & wood. Your patience & perseverance in practice give you more than you could ever buy at one of those "large retail music stores".
Please believe what I'm saying becasue most everyone over a certain age has been there in one way or another.
