Dead strings VS. dead battery

Toadsmacker · #1 05-27-2011, 05:07 AM

I wasn't sure if I should put this in the strings or the electronics forum, but here we go:

I put some Dean Markley Nickelsteels on my ATK between 2-3 weeks ago, and for the cheap price, they are fantastic. The other night I had a gig where I needed to set up a few other things after soundcheck and accidently left my bass (active) plugged in. Being pretty fresh, these strings got to the gig sounding like new, but I started playing at home today and my bass sounds significantly less bright.

So, can anyone comment on the lifespan of DM Nickelsteels? Or does a dying battery contribute to a dull tone as well?

EDIT: This battery has been going strong for over a year, and I think the 90mins it spent plugged in at the gig may have just pushed it to the limit

Bassmickeyd · #2 05-27-2011, 05:12 AM

If you sweat alot a couple of weeks for strings, if you don't and play the bass alot then a couple of months and a battery should go at least a couple of months.

**Rune Bivrin** · #3 05-27-2011, 05:13 AM

My reaction would be to change the battery. Cheaper and easier. Donate the old battery to Eric Johnson; I'm sure he has an overdrive where your battery will be golden...

AshdownMad · #4 05-27-2011, 05:15 AM

Well I can't comment on the strings iv never used them.
Past experience when the batt goes it starts 2 crackle/quieten/die (on both my Sting ray and ibanez)
But tbh a batt doesn't cost that much and you'll always need them so give it a go.

Do you have any inline FX pedals? Batt in them might be on the way out also.
Had some real bizzar problems with FX pedal batt's goin!

AmadeusXeno · #5 05-27-2011, 02:48 PM

From my experience when a bettery is going dead in my Ibanez basses it has a similar affect to dead strings. I usually loose some low end too. I'd replace the battery and if it doesn't bring your tone back to life then it's the strings. Not sure on how long those ones last as I've never tried them.

FunkMetalBass · #6 05-27-2011, 03:57 PM

I've never noticed an effect of "dead strings" when my battery dies. It usually starts to distort, the signal drops in volume, cuts in and out, etc. How do the strings sound unplugged?

James Judson · #7 05-27-2011, 04:13 PM

On my basses a dead battery seems to effect my tone controls before cutting out/dead output. Dead strings go unnoticed until I replace them with a "wow these strings are lively". I change my batteries at the same time I change strings, don't really have a problem with either.

keiththebassist · #8 05-27-2011, 04:15 PM

It's definitely the battery dude. A battery is inexpensive to replace and not meant to last a whole year. Active EMG's (for example) are rated at 1500 hours of playing time to one battery. Seems like a whole lot of playing right? well just leave it plugged in for a few days at a time here or there and that 1500 hours dwindles pretty quickly. The biggest thing I've noticed with dying batteries is that the lowest and loudest tones seem to require the most power and are therefore the first to get distorted and start cutting out. If I'm unsure of how much life a battery has in it I just swap it out before a gig. I mean a battery is what 5$? Way worth it compared to **** tone or even cutting out completely during a song.

Nomadskills · #9 05-27-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I've never noticed an effect of "dead strings" when my battery dies. It usually starts to distort, the signal drops in volume, cuts in and out, etc. How do the strings sound unplugged?

+1 If it was your battery I'd assume you'd know by now. When I notice mine is failing it tends to go out pretty soon thereafter. Put a new battery in. You'll know right away.

Toadsmacker · #10 05-27-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keiththebassist

It's definitely the battery dude. A battery is inexpensive to replace and not meant to last a whole year. Active EMG's (for example) are rated at 1500 hours of playing time to one battery. Seems like a whole lot of playing right? well just leave it plugged in for a few days at a time here or there and that 1500 hours dwindles pretty quickly. The biggest thing I've noticed with dying batteries is that the lowest and loudest tones seem to require the most power and are therefore the first to get distorted and start cutting out. If I'm unsure of how much life a battery has in it I just swap it out before a gig. I mean a battery is what 5$? Way worth it compared to **** tone or even cutting out completely during a song.

I always keep several spare batteries, and with the exception of my gig the other night, I unplug everything as soon as I put the bass down