active/batteries

[jollybigginboy]

I was curious how long batteries tend to last ina bass with active electronics. The only active bass i have is a line 6 variax, and i choose not to run it on batteries, but through my pod instead because the batteries get drained so fast (3-4 hours total). Is this normal for active basses or do other basses last longer/shorter? I'm asking because i've taken a liking to the new HH Stingrays and the Bongos but i don't really want to deal with the active electronics if the batteries go that fast.

 

[MM-Stingray5]

That is really short! I can almost get 6 months out of my stingrays batteries. Are you unplugging it when not in use, if you dont it drains the battery.

 

[Casual Karma]

Ya, make sure you unplug it when you aren't using it. I made that mistake with my first one.

 

[jollybigginboy]

yeah, i unplug it everytime that it is not in use, it may be because when i use batteries with it, i use a 9v, and it is meant for... 6 AA's, not one 9v... so that might be what is causing it, but even when i used the 6 AA's i think it only lasted about 11 hours

 

[Jazzin']

Use the top of the line big name 9v bateries, don't use those dollar store ones.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Typical active basses go through batteries every 6-12 months. The Variax is obviously not a typical active bass!

Mike

 

[MM-Stingray5]

I use duramax batteries in mine they are the squier of duracell and they last me a long time, i buy them in like 24 packs, becuase i also needs 9volts for tuners wireless etc.

 

[Don W]

I use duramax batteries in mine they are the squier of duracell and they last me a long time, i buy them in like 24 packs, becuase i also needs 9volts for tuners wireless etc.

I try and buy the bulk packs too for effect pedals. My general rule of thumb it to change the battery whenever I change the strings which is every 3-5 months.

 

[jollybigginboy]

well i just found out via. line 6's customer support section that a standard 9v battery should only last 1-2 hours in the variax and the AA's should only last 10-12 so i am getting good/average time out of the batteries for that bass. I guess they are discharged quickly because they are not only running the active circuitry they are also powering the "modeling technology" in the bass... from the sounds of it, that "technology" sucks up the power of about 40 active basses circuitry systems...

 

[ric stave]

Hmmmm.......

Try reprogramming any of the bass models that are 'active' to 'passive'......


(J/K!!!)

 

[modflea]

I change my batteries every 4 to 6 months, depending on how often I gig. Never longer. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Winky B.]

I change about one time a month. Some times sooner if we have a lot of gigs. The weekends we do two four hour gigs
I will change every week and use the ones I take out in tuners
and practice stuff. I play a Peavey Cirrus BXP 5. I like the sound but the electric bill is a little high two nines volts a week. But when we are doing two gigs a weekend I don`t mine. I have a Michal Kelly I play with another group and I change it before a big gig. I play it every Sunday at a church and it last a long time. I use a volt meter and change at around eight volts but I don`t push it like the Peavey.

Wink