Why did the dummy humcancelling center pickup have a removable plate on the older models?

IIRC on the oldest Series instruments that's actually the battery compartment. The humcancelling coil is in the regular back cavity.

Welcome to the club Frosty! That is a beautiful bass. 'tis very special indeed.
 
(serialnumber12, I know you are proud to have serialnumber12, and while having serialnumber12 is very nice, I know you wouldn't want to intentionally usurp someone's special introductory moment by announcing you have serialnumber12, for seemingly no other reason than to say you have serialnumber 12)

Thanks for the welcome man,Nice to talk with those that love these beautiful old basses. I have many basses but nothing plays like this, the long neck isn't for everyone but for me its never been a problem just give yourself lots of room..lol

Can we hear it?

Keith:
 
Keavin (Serial #12) wasn't making an announcement.  He is very well known around these parts as one of the most active members.  We all already know he has #12.  His pics are sort of like his logo, like mine is tgo for the guitar one.  Wait until you see the one he posts from time to time with the headstock broken off.  I still cringe thinking about it!
 
But, more importantly, very sweet old bass, Frosty.  I love the old ones!
 
Bill, tgo

Wow Frosty!!!!  
 
Thanks for sharing!!!!  
 
#43 seems to have a really nice set of features... I'm not certain, but this has to be one of the first standard points w/ a shorter bottom horn.

I really need to stay away from the computer when I'm on sleep aids.

Flashbacks Moonliner? pleasant dreams...lol

Old thread, but cool! Pretty sure this is my SI's closest sibling.
It has alot of the same features.
Exact same body shape
Tailpiece (my ABSOLUTE favourite)
Logo (Allthough yours seems like it's sitting on some black stuff)
PU's
Nut (has the little valleys between the slots for the strings)
Even the backlid looks the same!
 
But, what is that extra control knob? Mastervolume?

Do I detect some Wolf DNA in those horns?
 
Bill, tgo

Looks like a typical 73 horn arrangement to me.

Maybe it's the angle of the photo, but the upper horn looks a little more stubby, like the Wolf guitar, than on my '77 Series guitar.
 
Bill, tgo

Regarding the lower horn~ what I meant was how 72-1, John McVie's first, #12, and the Jerry guitar that Matt Kelly auctioned are all standard points with asymmetrical horns. #43 is a relatively low number, and when some of the other body shapes are factored in, there cant be too too many other standard points before this one with a shorter lower horn... maybe a handful, i dunno....

This is late in coming and a bit embarrassing but I feel I need to apologize for my comment to serialnumber12. It was snarky and uncalled for. It's old news, but it's bugged me ever since it happened. I had a follow up comment about needing to stay away from the computer while on sleep aides. A rather vague and incomplete comment..... while I can't totally shift the blame for being a jack*ss back then the truth is I was on ambien that night and don't remember making the original comment.  I'm not normally a negative person, and it's not the kind of forum member I want to be.  
There it is... Embarrassing, but I wanted to get that off my chest. Sorry serialnumber12.