Just curious. I've had my Schecter Custom 5 for about a year and a half and I've never changed the batteries yet. But it still has kept the same amazing tone from when I first bought it. Is this normal?
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How often do you change your batteries in your active bass?
- Thread starter seven ate nine.
- Start date
Depends on the quality of the batteries, the design of the electronics, how often you play, and how often the bass is left plugged in. That said, it sounds like you've had a good long run with your batteries. All the same, I'd make sure I had some backup 9 volts at this stage if I were you.
Usually every 6 - 9 months just depending on how much i've been playing and if I remember ever leaving the bass sitting with the cable in it.
As long as you leave your bass unplugged when you aren't playing, it isn't unusual to get two years out of a battery. I change mine once a year just to be safe though, although it's not hard at all to tell when the battery is starting to go.
Funny thing though is how many people here use "high cost of replacing batteries all the time" as reasoning to not have an Active bass. If you can't afford a 9v or two once a year you probably should be putting your time toward someone other than music.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
When the old battery becomes weak enough to degrade the sound, it's time to install a new one - which usually takes a year or more with my basses.
I seem to recall reading that a 1.5v drop (from 9.0v to 7.5v) is alleged to be audible, but I haven't verified the voltage at which my basses begin to sound bad; next time I have to replace a battery, I'll try to remember to measure the voltage with my VOM.
OTOH, my X2 wireless transmitter seems to require a new battery after about 6 hours of playing: that's about 70 batteries for a year of gigs - which is why I use a cable for practice and rehearsals!
I seem to recall reading that a 1.5v drop (from 9.0v to 7.5v) is alleged to be audible, but I haven't verified the voltage at which my basses begin to sound bad; next time I have to replace a battery, I'll try to remember to measure the voltage with my VOM.
OTOH, my X2 wireless transmitter seems to require a new battery after about 6 hours of playing: that's about 70 batteries for a year of gigs - which is why I use a cable for practice and rehearsals!
Haha, spot on observation. That`s almost like buying a Ferrari, but refusing to pay the extra needed for oil, break fluid, power steering fluid, etc... just because you`re spending a little more money. If you can`t afford the necessities to keep something running properly, then you honestly don`t have the money to buy the thing in the first place.
But back to the OP, I put a new 9v in my StringRay(SH,3B) once every year or so. I`ve honestly never had a battery die on me while playing so it could quite possibly last a lot longer.
Friends:
Whenever the battery in your active bass drops below 9.0 volts distortion is AUDIBLE....test your batteries and replace them when they drop BELOW 9.0 volts-----you can still use the old batteries for your garage door opener etc...but not your bass----preamp distortion is a very bad thing----I play at least 4-5 gigs per week and replace my batteries at least 3 times per year...Stan
Whenever the battery in your active bass drops below 9.0 volts distortion is AUDIBLE....test your batteries and replace them when they drop BELOW 9.0 volts-----you can still use the old batteries for your garage door opener etc...but not your bass----preamp distortion is a very bad thing----I play at least 4-5 gigs per week and replace my batteries at least 3 times per year...Stan
Distortion only becomes audible when the divided voltage rails drop bellow what ever your hottest voltage signal X pre-amp gain is. Also some op amps have a minimum stable operating voltage. 1 9V supplies ~ 4.5Volts per Rail. Once you drop bellow that rail point or stable voltage you will hear your signal start to clip (get buzzy or crackly on string pluck).
My Ibanez BTB Runs 2 9V batteries in series for 18V. It has lasted me for a very long time.
Personally I recommend using Alkaline, never Heavy duty (carbon Zinc). Alkaline chemistry allows the battery to last longer under higher current demands.
My Ibanez BTB Runs 2 9V batteries in series for 18V. It has lasted me for a very long time.
Personally I recommend using Alkaline, never Heavy duty (carbon Zinc). Alkaline chemistry allows the battery to last longer under higher current demands.
I'm a weekend church player. On my Dingwall's 18v preamp, I can go about 9-10 months between 2-9v's. I play 4 services each weekend and when we finish a set I set my bass on the stand and leave it plugged in.
Every 6 months whether I'm noticing any underpowering or distortion or not. Here's a good hint: as a reminder, I write the date of installation on new batteries with a Sharpie so that I'm sure of when I last changed them (I also have a spreadsheet that lists battery & string-change dates as well just to be extra sure 
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My carvin goes about 2 years playing about 3-5 hours / week...so that's about 500 hours...
My Squier goes about 6 months playing the same...or about 125 hours...
each preamp is different, and also it depends on other factors, like the input impedance of your amp (or first effect box), and how much volume you a trying to put out...(I always run with my volumes dimed)
My Squier goes about 6 months playing the same...or about 125 hours...
each preamp is different, and also it depends on other factors, like the input impedance of your amp (or first effect box), and how much volume you a trying to put out...(I always run with my volumes dimed)
Every 6 months whether I'm noticing any underpowering or distortion or not. Here's a good hint: as a reminder, I write the date of installation on new batteries with a Sharpie so that I'm sure of when I last changed them (I also have a spreadsheet that lists battery & string-change dates as well just to be extra sure
do you date your undies, too?
I change mine on a regular basis, usually right after it goes bsssssst. Not a great system, but hey, it works.
I change the batteries in my SR5 (H, 3 band '02 model) about once every 6 months. I have been unfortunate enough to eat through my battery before during a set. Luckily I always keep a stash of fresh batteries on hand, but my days of scrambling for a battery are drawing to a close soon. I'm going to be installing a Glockenklang preamp into my SR5, which has an active/passive switch. Then when the battery dies, I can finish the set in passive mode and then change the battery afterward. 
I've had a battery die right before a show and the backup bass actually bailed me out. So for high-profile gigs, if it's been a while, I at least test the voltage before I leave home. (>9= good, close to 9 OK, <8= bad)
