Vartas for me, as I get them for a buck a piece I have a lifetime supply of them around the house. Then again a lot of gadgets like smoke detectors use them too, so at least they don't go dead on me in the drawer...
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Best 9v batt for active basses
- Thread starter TomB
- Start date
while i'm playing passive axes these days i have two active instruments: i put lithium batteries in both a couple of years ago and they're still charged enough that when i pick one up to play it = they play! seems like a no-brainer.
I keep these around. And usually extras with each bass.
Not really old-school ones, I don't think.
I forget the brand, offhand, but I spent $40 on rechargeables & charger after reading a thread here a year or so ago and no love...
If I can find them I'll give another go...
Obviously, some of you are unaware of of Ansmann rechargeable batteries. They are professional grade Pro Audio batteries for demand of high-drain devices such as wireless mics, IEM's and portable recording devices. They are the #1 rated battery in the Pro Audio industry for their high, consistent voltage levels, and long run-times.
Almost all top sound companies use them. They will certainly work for active electronics in basses.
They aren’t cheap, but they’re worth the cost, because they are reliable.
https://ansmann-pro-audio.com/
Almost all top sound companies use them. They will certainly work for active electronics in basses.
They aren’t cheap, but they’re worth the cost, because they are reliable.
https://ansmann-pro-audio.com/
Last edited:
Duracell or Energizer.
I personally have never had any luck with rechargeables. Never seem to last and when they die I always seem to have lost the charger. YMMV.
I personally have never had any luck with rechargeables. Never seem to last and when they die I always seem to have lost the charger. YMMV.
Current Duracells, at least from Costco, are not the same as Duracells of years gone by.
I have had 9v Duracells go dead in smoke detectors and leak enough to corrode the contacts in a short amount of time.
I had an entire set of LED candles (also from Costco) have their their battery compartment contacts ruined by Duracell AA batteries leaking, destroying some of the candles. I also had this happen in an older JVC dvd recorder remote. The Duracells leaked enough to completely corrode the entire circuit board in the remote to near dust.
I would trust any other battery before the current Duracell offerings. They used to be great, especially ProCells. I don't know what they've changed, or if the Costco ones are of a different quality. But, they leak. Badly.
On another note, I just removed a 21 year old 9v foreign no-name battery out of a 1999 NOS Spector NSCFRM. It was the original battery in the bass, and had not leaked whatsoever. Could have been a disaster!
I have had 9v Duracells go dead in smoke detectors and leak enough to corrode the contacts in a short amount of time.
I had an entire set of LED candles (also from Costco) have their their battery compartment contacts ruined by Duracell AA batteries leaking, destroying some of the candles. I also had this happen in an older JVC dvd recorder remote. The Duracells leaked enough to completely corrode the entire circuit board in the remote to near dust.
I would trust any other battery before the current Duracell offerings. They used to be great, especially ProCells. I don't know what they've changed, or if the Costco ones are of a different quality. But, they leak. Badly.
On another note, I just removed a 21 year old 9v foreign no-name battery out of a 1999 NOS Spector NSCFRM. It was the original battery in the bass, and had not leaked whatsoever. Could have been a disaster!
That really sucks.
If you do find them, I'll be curious to know what brand and type they are, if only so I know which ones to avoid.
I use rechargeable ones. I think I just buy the AmazonBasics brand. Never had a problem, never run out, never wasteful and never have to put them in a landfill or find one of those special battery disposal things.
We tried rechargables, but the draw put on them by certain items, bleed them down very fast for some reason. Gave up on that idea. But haven't tried Lithium Ion ones.
Sadowsky recommends (recommended? It was many, many years ago!) Energizer as he said they fit more securely. I don't know if that is still true.
one of these has been powering the duncan basslines / blackout preamp in my sub ray for over a year now, without issues.. i'm not sure how they'd behave in a high drain device, though.
The first battery mentioned by the OP - the Procell is my first choice though I will use a regular Duracell or an Energizer alkaline as well. I've only been able to get the procells by mail order though. Anything else I'd worry about...
The energizer lithiums are pricey but last ages...try the aa's in an xbox controller and see how long they go it's impressive
Duracell, Don't go cheap. also never hurts to date it with tape once you put it in.
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,620
- 4,666
- Disclosures
- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
Rechargeable batteries often have slightly lower voltage output compared to alkaline batteries, which may be fine but might cause some problems with certain basses.
