Active Bass Battery Life

[Fletz]

I did a board search and couldn't really find what I was looking for.

I have two great active basses (a Stingray 4HH and 2010 MIA Fender Jazz Deluxe) but I don't use them live too often yet for one reason: I don't know how much life I can expect from the batteries. Not that I mind at all playing the Ric, the Geddy and/or the MIA 08 P-bass, but I'd like to get these ladies out on the dance floor.

So, what is the expected lifespan of batteries in the preamps of 2010 Fender American Deluxe Jazz basses and Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray?

Thanks!

[prd004]

They should last forever. I usually end up changing the batteries in active basses more as a precaution because I haven't changed them in such a long time.

[Rickett Customs]

How much do you gig/practice with it? As long as it's unplugged as soon as you are finished, that itself will conserve battery life.

[stepswork4me]

It varies with use....
When I played a minimum of 4 hours a day.... two months max
When I play 4 hours every two weeks.... been in there for 6 months already

[WalterBush]

I change the batteries in my active basses about every 6 months. I haven't had a battery go bad on me in years, and that one took a couple years to go bad.

[CoreyP]

I just checked my the batteries in my jazz bass when I changed the strings and they were past the good until date, which is both scary and impressive. I did play out very sparsely in that time, though.

[Jeff K]

I'm currently down to all passive basses after selling my last two actives. But the rule of thumb I always used with active basses was to change the batteries every 6 months when I had to change the clocks (Spring and Fall).

[Fletz]

Awesome help, TB! (as usual!)

I rehears once a week for 3-4 hours with the band, practice 3-6 hours per week and gig a few times a month. I like the change the clocks reminder. That's great.

[Kenner]

Regular 9V batteries last about a year in a bass. All 5 of my active basses get new batteries on New Years Day. 10 bucks for all 5....done

[christw]

Originally Posted by Fletz

Awesome help, TB! (as usual!)

I rehears once a week for 3-4 hours with the band, practice 3-6 hours per week and gig a few times a month. I like the change the clocks reminder. That's great.

Had my MIM P for years and only changed it once. My Schecter hasn't needed any batteries with sparse play for the last year and a half. My other Schecter never died when I had it (2 years) despite regular play. I always just bring spare 9V to gigs.

[Kwesi]

In layman's terms? A long freakin' time. Besides, the 2010 AmDlxes have preamp bypass WITH passive tone control... why in the world are you concerned with battery life, lol? Flip a switch and you're good.

[rockstarbassist]

You own active basses but don't play them live because... you can't replace a battery or...? LOL.

I've probably gone almost 5~ years on the battery in my Charvel b/c I only play at home but I replace the ones in my gigging basses every 6-9 mo's. It's pretty simple...and at $4 a pop pretty affordable.

[DWBass]

In my experience...........

Not playing much (occasional pratice, occasional gig)- 6-12+ months
Active playing/weekend warrior (Practice 1hr daily, 1-2 gigs a week)-3-4 months.
Pro Stage/Studio- 1-2 months

This is the frequency in which I changed my batteries. I've had batteries go dead on me sooner than I thought so I'm proactive.

[lowendfriend]

With my warwick $$ and my 55-01, I'd say 4 months is more like my usage rate. Also similar for my pocket-rocket practice amp. I seem to notice distortion as their on their way out which is my tip-off.

[Fletz]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

You own active basses but don't play them live because... you can't replace a battery or...? LOL.

Funny. After this thread, there is no way I'm NOT using them!

[Bobby B]

The question has been answered already, but I want to stress the part about leaving it plugged in. As long as your bass is plugged in, whether the amp is on or not, and whether it's being played or not, the battery is on and being drained. I had one crap out at rehearsal because I forgot and left it plugged in one night. The battery was under the control plate and beneath 7 screws. The rest of the band glared at me a bit 3 songs into rehearsal as they filed out for a smoke break, and justifiably so.

[Aussie Player]

On a heavily worked bass, I change the battery and strings every 6 months. My wife's birthday and mine are 6 months apart so I change on hers, then mine. Simple.

I have gone a year on a battery, but I can't take a chance on a battery failure when performing.

[JTE]

I've played active basses since my first StingRay ca.1979. I change the batteries once a year, in the sprint with Daylight Savings time. In that time I've only had one time when I had battery related problems, and that was the one time I didn't use a Duracell (used and Eveready alkaline instead). The current draw varies depending on the EQ settings and the pre-amp design. The current draw on the original Music Man pre-amp that Leo Fender used was so low they didn't even bother to build a switch into the jack- the pre was always on.

My experience covers years of teaching (where the bass could be plugged in for eight hours straight), gigging about 60 times a year, and rehearsals/practicing daily. That experience includes two pre EB StingRays, a couple of basses with EMG P/J (one with regular passive EQ, one with a third-party preamp), a bass with the Seymour Duncan/Basslines Steve Bailey preamp, three US Lakland 4-94 with Barts, and a Skyline 55-01. I don't unplug at the gig between sets either.

John

[Kermin VH]

I'm surprised no one else has said this, but: Use lithium 9 volts! They're about $10, and last WAAAAAY longer than your average battery. They're available at pretty much every battery store I've ever been in (Batteries Plus is where I get mine). I gig without fear, but I still change mine out pretty often, usually around every 2-3 months. And in case something bad happens, bring a backup bass. Always a good idea whether it's a battery issue or not.

[Rickett Customs]

I save the lithiums for wireless. Regular ass duracells work for me, of course all of mine are 18v, so they do last a bit longer than just one 9v.........