How often do you change batteries in your active instruments?

[semborg]

How often do you change your battery/batteries in your instrument?

When do you know it is time?

Also tell if you have both active onboard pre and/or active pickups.

 

[Frank Martin]

In 3 years I've changed the battery about 3 or 4 times in my Corvette.
I almost never use the pre, though, just the p-ups are draining power (a-a). Oh and I practice unplugged most of the time.

I know it's time if the output is not hot enough to overdrive amps when vol is on full; if I have a gig coming up, then I also check and replace the batteries, if necessary.

 

[semborg]

If you boost with EQ will the batteries die faster then?
In my mind they should do.

 

[steveksux]

If you boost with EQ will the batteries die faster then?
In my mind they should do.

To some extent, its really the output level if anything. And EQ boost would affect that. And the impedance its driving (amp input). If the preamp is class A, the output level doesn't matter, only the impedance.

I usually change the batteries every change of seasons for a reminder. Just carry a spare, you should hear distortion when the battery is getting weak. Should have lots of warning before it dies completely, as long as you have a spare battery its no big deal.

Randy

 

[5stringDNA]

Carry a spare and change whenever you hear a slight drop-off in volume or some distortion.

 

[PilbaraBass]

Carry a spare and change whenever you hear a slight drop-off in volume or some distortion.

+1...

Since, I've invented perpetual energy, however, I haven't had to change batteries...














seriously, I change mine about 6 months - 1 yr....just for grins

 

[Scottie Johnson]

Somewhere between six and seven months just so I don't totally forget and have it run out on me.

Remember to unplug your active basses when you are not using them. Sounds obvious, but I didn't know this when I first bought one.

 

[Xierion]

In my gig bag, I carry a multimeter wired to a TS plug, and I just plug it in the guitar jack. When my batteries are down to 9v (from 18v) I know its time to change.

 

[Hopkins]

Usually I change them every 3 or 4 months if they need it or not. Batteries are cheap enough and its to easy not to.

 

[doktorfeelgood]

There was a time when I put EMG pup's in every bass I played.
I used to change the battery every 6 months no matter what...
But always carry a spare battery and unplug yer instrument cord between sets. )-(

 

[intheory]

I must be doing something wrong-have Bartolini's, and change every 2 gigs (4 hour shows)... if I don't-it definitely dies out on me.

 

[a-lenthe]

I have 14 months of practicing/touring/recording on mine and have never changed it. I like taking risk, and probably won't change it till it dies in the middle of a set.

 

[Hawaii Islander]

Six to eight months with cheap batteries. I unplug the instrument cable as soon as I stop playing/practicing.

 

[maurilio]

I must be doing something wrong-have Bartolini's, and change every 2 gigs (4 hour shows)... if I don't-it definitely dies out on me.

definitely something wrong... I bet the ground and the negative from the battery are wired reversed...

 

[jjk2007]

definitely something wrong... I bet the ground and the negative from the battery are wired reversed...

Yeah man.

 

[intheory]

yowch, thanks for the tip!!

 

[prd004]

I change mine every time I record. If I haven't changed them in a while (3-4 months) and I have a gig, I will change them prior to the gig just to be safe.

 

[namraj]

I have a streamer stage one, active pickups and preamp, 18volt, I can't remember the last time I had to change my batteries. But I know it's time when the signal is week or distorting in a battery low fashion (like a farty distortion not like amp overdrive).

Also I you can test if the batteries are low by placing the contacts on your tongue, as you will feel a small tingle if the battery has charge left.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

On a bass I use a lot, maybe once a year. On a bass that sits in it's case almost all the time, 5 years?!

As mentioned before, if you start to hear distortion, battery is getting weak. But that also depends on the preamp. In my G&L, as the batt gets weak, it sounds more and more like it does in passive mode. Never distorts.

 

[Rob22315]

Never - I converted both my active basses to draw power from a wall wart into a TRS cable. I don't need batteries for my preamps or my pedals.