Hohner The Jack Bass 5 Custom. Metal thing in Battery compartment, what is it?

[Meatrus]

Hi,

I recently bought a Hohner headless Jack bass. When I got it back I looked at the battery compartment, it says on the back of it outside 1 or 2 X 9V batteries. I opened it and saw one battery, then next to the battery is a metal thing roughly the same size as a 9V, which has a screw on it saying OUT + and -.

My guess would be it adjusts the output of the bass, is that correct? Why would it say 2 9V batteries if there is only room for 1 and the metal thing, could I choose to take the metal thing out and put another 9V in? And what would I gain (if anything) with two batteries? Sorry if this is a silly question!

Thanks in advance for any help

[Kitsapbass]

It's a second 9V clip. When you are running 18V, you tend to have more headroom (cleaner sound) than you would running 9V. My advice would be to try it, see if you like it. Also, it depends upon the bass - one of my active 5's runs 18V, one runs 9V - I just liked the sound of the one with 1 vs. 2.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by Kitsapbass

It's a second 9V clip. When you are running 18V, you tend to have more headroom (cleaner sound) than you would running 9V. My advice would be to try it, see if you like it. Also, it depends upon the bass - one of my active 5's runs 18V, one runs 9V - I just liked the sound of the one with 1 vs. 2.

Thanks very much, so does the screw in the metal thing saying + and - do anything?

Thanks again

[Kitsapbass]

My guess would be telling you which way to install the battery...it may also be a on/off for the 9v, but once the bass is plugged in, it will be drawing current. A lot less than normal, but it will draw some.

[Meatrus]

Thanks again, Here is a picture (I hope!), see if it make any sense to you. I cant see any battery terminals at either end, so I dont know if it can take 2 batteries like it says on it.

[Meatrus]

just noticed it was a H and L not a plus and minus , still dont know what its for though

[Kitsapbass]

OK - that is NOT a jack for another 9V (obviously, because there is no room). That most likely is the preamp module, the hole with the H and L is to allow you to set it up so there is no signal gain when you switch between active and passive modes. Does this one have the XLR as well? Mine (back in the late 80s) had it....

[GeoffByrne]

That *is* the pre. I have/had an identical arrangement in my B bass, but there's a John East in there now.

[Meatrus]

That makes a lot of sense as active mode is WAY louder at the moment. I had never seen a preamp there before.

Thanks again, I'm going adjusting!