Why Are My EMGs Dying So Fast?

BassGod · #1 08-15-2006, 10:12 AM

I just changed the battery in my bass barely a month ago, and I'm already getting a distorted signal... what could be the cause of my battery dying so fast? I play anywhere from one to three hours a day, and I use Duracell batteries. Are EMGs simply battery eaters?

Graeme

Stu L. · #2 08-15-2006, 10:13 AM

I assume you unplug when you are not playing? If so, you may have a bad connection inside that causes the circuit to stay on. I run an 18 volt P with EMG's and only change batteries when I get bored.

mwm70 · #3 08-15-2006, 10:15 AM

Do you leave the cable plugged into the jack when the bass is not in use? If so that will kill the battery.

joeyl · #4 08-15-2006, 10:17 AM

+1 on the need to unplug, also you may have a wire shorting and draining the battery

BassGod · #5 08-15-2006, 10:19 AM

I forgot to mention, I unplug every time I leave the bass.

Graeme

Stu L. · #6 08-15-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassGod

I forgot to mention, I unplug every time I leave the bass.

Graeme

Then it sounds like a wiring issue. EMG has their wiring diagrams on their site, you might check it out and try tracing the leads yourself.

elros · #7 08-15-2006, 11:32 AM

EMG pickups are not battery eaters at all (unless there's something very wrong with them).
I easily get a year out of a regular Alkaline battery in my EMG bass.

**bassybill** · #8 08-15-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elros

EMG pickups are not battery eaters at all (unless there's something very wrong with them).
I easily get a year out of a regular Alkaline battery in my EMG bass.

Same here.

Willem · #9 08-15-2006, 01:04 PM

that's great!

sargebaker · #10 08-15-2006, 02:00 PM

I had the same problem and nobody could figure out what was causing it. I had HZs in the bass. Ended up selling it for a 50% loss

Stu L. · #11 08-15-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sargebaker

I had the same problem and nobody could figure out what was causing it. I had HZs in the bass. Ended up selling it for a 50% loss

HZ's are passive. I assume you had a pre in there also?

BassGod · #12 08-15-2006, 02:15 PM

Thanks for the insight so far guys.

I also have another question about pickups: if I turn up the volume on my bass all the way, with my amp reasonably loud, and I tap the pickups or bridge (et cetera) should I be able to hear that sound through the amplifier?

Thanks again,
Graeme

sargebaker · #13 08-15-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubi19

HZ's are passive. I assume you had a pre in there also?

yessir, I actually had a passive switch installed too cause i was sick of the dying batteries...then the tone wasn't as good.