Professor Monkey Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Alright, I read somewhere that if you leave the cable attached to the pedal, the battery will drain.. So I'm curious, will the same effect happen with active pickups? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuben Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Yes, The jack is the switch. Leave the cord in and the battery will go dead. I have one Strat with actives that I tour with and change the battery every week. It is probable over kill but most guitar techs tell me to be safe then sorry. Peace http://www.spotcheckbilly.com http://www.littlefeat.net http://www.bonnieraitt.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 You can afford to change the battery on tour, Zuben, but a good test would be to check the voltage of the battery after that week. I can't imagine active p'ups would be expected to last less than several weeks worth of gigs on a single battery, so this could save you a bundle in batteries and protect the environment too. A new 9v alkaline should read 9.6v on a volt meter when new. A 9v is simply six smaller 1.6v cells in a single package. A "fresh" 9v would be considered anything above 9.0v. Some electrical equipment doesn't work well below 8.8 but most guitar electronics that use 9v batteries will work properly down to 8.7v or even 8.6v. For your purposes I would suggest making the cutoff at 8.8v. If the battery is relatively easy to replace you can test it before sound check. Again, you can save money and help the environment by using 8.8v batteries in rehearsals or private practice. Before wireless units were able to last over 10 hours we used to put fresh batteries in prior to showtime and keep them through the next rehearsal, then replace. AA & AAA batteries should meter 1.6v when brand new and will operate most consumer electronics down to 1.3v or 1.4v. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesape Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 The batteries in my active guitars get changed every 10 years, whether they need it or not. Never a DUH! moment! Well, almost never. OK, OK! Sometimes never! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I had a feeling they might last longer 'Ape, but Zuben played a lot of gigs when on the road, methinks. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 The batteries in my active guitars get changed every 10 years, whether they need it or not. WELL DOH!! REIF....tell em what you are using!! :http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/ellwood1/batt.jpg http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Monkey Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 Waugh! you must not use your actives that much... Ive been considering switching my pick ups to passives but then my guitar would look funky.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramer Ferrington III. Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Yeah, I guess battery life must change from guit to guit. The battery on my piezo PUP, for example, lasts me about 10-12 hours. That's about four band rehearsals and a bit. Band MySpace My snazzy t-shirt empire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuben Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Just remember, if you leave the cord plugged into the guitar, the circuit is ON. Peace http://www.spotcheckbilly.com http://www.littlefeat.net http://www.bonnieraitt.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caprae Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 My son plays almost daily and has had the same pair of batteries (SD Livewires require two batteries) for over a year. Raise your children and spoil your grandchildren. Spoil your children and raise your grandchildren. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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