Hi there. I am hopefully going to take delivery of an old (1979) short scale Series 1 in the next month. While I appreciate that the external power supply box/cable obviates the need for 9V batteries, does it actually harm to have them in the control cavity as backup? Also do they drain when the external power supply is engaged or do they only do so when there is a lead in the 3/4 input jack? Thanks in advance!

Hey Mark,

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new bass (coming soon)...  Plugging a cable into the 1/4" jack on the bass switches on the internal 9v power which is otherwise not connected.  There's no harm in having batteries onboard as they only come into play when you use that 1/4" jack.  If you don't already know, the external power supply chassis has 1/4" jacks which are the instrument's "normal" outputs, so you never plug both the multi-pin cable and a 1/4" cable into the bass at the same time.

Post pics when you can.

Jimmy J

Perfect answer, thanks Jimmy!

PS I assume you are Jimmy Johnson in which case I am truly honoured. Love your playing with JT esp the live album

PPS the bass in question has to travel half way round the world to reach me in the UK and will doubtless be sat in customs for at least several days. Will post pics when I have my hands on it... but it's a walnut SSB which has been commented upon in the 'seen on eBay, Craigslist etc' sub-forum. Don't want to jinx matters by posting pics too early!!!!

Excellent!  When customs eventually releases it, let us know so we can help you get it up and running to spec.  We all hope you'll love it.

Yes that's me, part of the Alembic squadron for many years and often found here in the forum with this nice bunch of folks - including several in the UK.  Thanks for the kind words. 

Jimmy J

Hi Clarky, is this the same clarky who was interested in buying my Black maple Europa a few years back? I think you had a spoiler at one time too?

Yep it is indeed me. Your Facebook friend Clarky bass!

Aren't these virtual communities special! You can know all sorts of folks, and benefit from everyone's experience.

Any pics of this new bass?

Its this one

Very nice! Congratulations

Wow!  Nice...

Hey Clarky, that is a nice one. I got myself a 1980 one roughly 3 years ago from a seller in OZ. I had a few teething problems with it but now it's fine. Probably spent far too many years upside down.... ;-)