Help with a Jackson bass electronics.

[Fidens]

I need help with this bass, it was given to me by a bandmate that no longer wants to play bass. I plugged it in and no sound. I changed the battery and nothing, my experience with electronics is NONE. And can anyone tell me what is that black box, never seen anything like it. Thanks!

 

[Alexdeth89]

The black box is the preamp itself, if you like active basses I suggest you to get a new preamp, there are tons of options.