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Longest Lasting 9v for Active Pickups?
Posted on 8/23/26 at 6:03 pm
Posted on 8/23/26 at 6:03 pm
I know not to leave it plugged in. But the 9v's are still dying after 3 months or less. Do they just not make them like they used to?
I have a bass with active pickups and the battery in it is much older, still plays fine.
The Gilmore pickups in my strat copy are draining battery regardless.
I have a bass with active pickups and the battery in it is much older, still plays fine.
The Gilmore pickups in my strat copy are draining battery regardless.
Posted on 8/23/26 at 7:09 pm to deeprig9
quote:
I know not to leave it plugged in.
Man, I've sworn off active pickups for this reason. 9/10 times I remember to unplug it, but just that one time... dead.
Posted on 8/23/26 at 9:34 pm to deeprig9
quote:
Do they just not make them like they used to?
Yes.
Also, I can’t believe the amount of players that will stress over replacing a $5 battery every three months.
Also, the Energizer max batteries work pretty well for me. I’ve heard regular alkaline is the best way to go. Not lithium or NiCad or rechargeable.
Also, I don’t know what happened to Duracell but their batteries are garbage now.
This post was edited on 8/23/26 at 9:36 pm
Posted on 8/24/26 at 7:25 am to deeprig9
Those do tend to drain faster than basses... 3 months isn't bad if you're playing a good bit.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 12:56 pm to deeprig9
I always had the best luck with Duracell ProCells...far better than the standard copper tops IMO
Posted on 8/24/26 at 1:05 pm to wareaglepete
quote:
Also, I can’t believe the amount of players that will stress over replacing a $5 battery every three months.
It's not the battery cost- it's having to remove the pick guard and restring it every time. I guess what I need to do is drill through to the back and mount the battery in the spring hole, or whatever it's called.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 2:07 pm to deeprig9
Gotcha. I’m spoiled having compartments on the back. But, you would probably want new strings after 3-4 months, wouldn’t you?
Posted on 8/24/26 at 2:33 pm to deeprig9
Yours doesn’t have a compartment that opens in the back of the body?
Posted on 8/25/26 at 5:33 pm to deeprig9
Adding a battery box is easy for a competent tech. Not only does a battery box make changing them fast and easy, not having to lift the guard means you're not potentially creating more problems and/or delays by snapping soldered connections, introducing more dust to the cavity (a common contributor to scratchy pots), stuff like that.
Buy alkalines, Duracells or Energizers, don't buy cheap carbons for active electronics applications. The only thing musical I use cheap carbons in are vintage circuit fuzz pedals. Duracell or Energizer for everything else.
Avoid generics unless you want to test their life compared to the more expensive batteries.
And most importantly, do not get batteries from Amazon, whether it's the Amazon branded or discounted name brands. You may be buying old overstocks and/or closeouts that lost some of their lifespan already.
Get your batteries from stores that sell a lot of 9Vs, meaning they are constantly turning their stock and you are getting 9Vs that haven't sat around on shelves long.
A Google search just told me Wal-Mart sells more 9V batteries than any retailer in America. I'd buy my batteries there.
Buy alkalines, Duracells or Energizers, don't buy cheap carbons for active electronics applications. The only thing musical I use cheap carbons in are vintage circuit fuzz pedals. Duracell or Energizer for everything else.
Avoid generics unless you want to test their life compared to the more expensive batteries.
And most importantly, do not get batteries from Amazon, whether it's the Amazon branded or discounted name brands. You may be buying old overstocks and/or closeouts that lost some of their lifespan already.
Get your batteries from stores that sell a lot of 9Vs, meaning they are constantly turning their stock and you are getting 9Vs that haven't sat around on shelves long.
A Google search just told me Wal-Mart sells more 9V batteries than any retailer in America. I'd buy my batteries there.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:16 pm to shutterspeed
quote:
Yours doesn’t have a compartment that opens in the back of the body?
The bass, yes.
The guitar, no. It wasn't built with active pickups. I put those in 35 years later.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 10:10 pm to TheFretShack
quote:
Buy alkalines
Posted on 8/27/26 at 1:01 pm to deeprig9
Order the bulk 9 volts from Amazon.
24 pack for $29.
They work great and last....
24 pack for $29.
They work great and last....
Posted on 8/27/26 at 1:25 pm to Portballs
quote:
Order the bulk 9 volts from Amazon.
24 pack for $29.
They work great and last....
The guy up above you who is a luthier and inventor/manufacturer of custom pickups for pros and famous people, that guy, says you are wrong.
Posted on 8/27/26 at 1:28 pm to deeprig9
Ok. Don't care.
I'm speaking from my experience....
I'm speaking from my experience....
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