Hohner Professional B Bass V - Dead Preamp

[nashsnazzy]

Hey Gang,
I sort of inherited a Hohner Professional B Bass V a long time ago before I started playing bass. I got it out today with the intention of checking it out and selling it as I assumed it would suck. I tuned up fine, action is good, and the pups sound pretty good too. The issue is the preamp seems to be dead. I swapped the battery out with a new one. I get no light when the jack is plugged in and preamp is activated. I also get no sound either. With the switch flipped to what I assume is passive mode I get sound and no tone control. Could this be something as simple as replacing the little preamp board in the bass, and if so, any idea where I could get one?

 

[nashsnazzy]

Update to the Hohner preamp situation, turns out the LED is working but it's very faint. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be that way or not. There actually is output from the bass when the preamp is engaged but it's also faint. I'm taking a flyer and guessing the opamp is toast or there might be some sort of cold solder joint on the preamp board. I ordered a new opamp from Mouser and I'll try to replace it next week. Fingers are crossed this sorts it out. If so then I can move on to repairing the small ding in the neck and replacing the strings on this guy.

 

[ronin614]

It may just be the the preamp is turned down.

Depending upon the Hohner model, and when it was made, there may be an adjustment notch. On my Jack Bass, it’s in the battery compartment. On others it’s right on the back of the bass.

You put a screwdriver in the slot and you can adjust the output of the preamp.

Hope this helps.

 

[WillyW]

It may just be the the preamp is turned down.

Depending upon the Hohner model, and when it was made, there may be an adjustment notch. On my Jack Bass, it’s in the battery compartment. On others it’s right on the back of the bass.

You put a screwdriver in the slot and you can adjust the output of the preamp.

Hope this helps.

Ahh, so that’s what that’s for...

 

[ronin614]

Glad I could help.

By the way, Hohner’s are actually much better basses than their price would suggest.

 

[YARAH8]

I'm experiencing the exact same symptoms, and hoping that it's a simple fix in my case!