Emg 81/85 Battery Life

[jaydog]

do emg 81/85 pups have a long battery life? also does anyone know of an online store that sells 9 volt batteries in bulk quantities for a good price.

thanks,

[fett]

As long as you unplug the guitar, the battery will last quite awhile. Now, take this to the "Tech Section".

[KMud]

I've read plenty of people advocating changing the batteries every month or so to keep the tone optimal, but I can't think I change them more often than every 3-5months. As Fett says, don't leave the guitar plugged in, it has a stereo jack which completes the battery circuit.

If you want clearer tone add a 2nd battery in series, if you want longer life then add another in parallel

[GodOfRhythm]

Mine are in 18v and with the amount I play I find two months to be a healthy changing point. Though sound quality noticeably starts to deteriorate after about a month and a half.

[KMud]

Yeah, should probably mention that I'm playing ever less on my guitar with 81/85's, so it obviously comes down to how much you play each day.

[Jackson/Charvelfan]

I agree with GodOfRythm,
If you play alot you will need to change them more often.
I find 1 to 2 months are best and dont leave the guitar plugged in.
I run an 89/81 combo with 1 9v.

[emperor_black]

And instead of buying 9v batteries in bulk, ever considered going the 'rechargeable' way? better for the environment, better for your wallet.

[Wylde06]

i dont play a whole lot..but ive had EMG's for like a year and a half and never changed the battery...probably wouldnt hurt if i did though

[toejam]

I'd say a year to a year and a half is about normal for my guitars with EMGs.

[jaydog]

I've read plenty of people advocating changing the batteries every month or so to keep the tone optimal, but I can't think I change them more often than every 3-5months. As Fett says, don't leave the guitar plugged in, it has a stereo jack which completes the battery circuit.

If you want clearer tone add a 2nd battery in series, if you want longer life then add another in parallel

are you saying you can rig the emg's so they can use 2 batteries?

[KMud]

are you saying you can rig the emg's so they can use 2 batteries?

Yup, so is Jackson/Charvelfan!

Check the Tech Q&A forum for lots on pickups. You might want to consider Seymour Duncan Blackouts, people seem to be defecting from EMG for them.

emperor_black, don't rechargeables put out a slightly lower voltage than Alkalines? Possible tone eater

[emperor_black]

emperor_black, don't rechargeables put out a slightly lower voltage than Alkalines? Possible tone eater

Not voltage. maybe slightly less current. So, they will last slightly lesser than an Alkaline IMO. but so what? you can still recharge them.

But like Joe (Toejam) said, if they are gonna last a year, then there's no point in spending for the rechargeables. On the net, I found them selling for $10 each. In target you can get a pair of 9 volts for $1.

[toejam]

are you saying you can rig the emg's so they can use 2 batteries?

They can actually use up to three 9v batteries.

[KMud]

Not voltage. maybe slightly less current. So, they will last slightly lesser than an Alkaline IMO. but so what? you can still recharge them.

But like Joe (Toejam) said, if they are gonna last a year, then there's no point in spending for the rechargeables. On the net, I found them selling for $10 each. In target you can get a pair of 9 volts for $1.

Rechargeable AA's put out 1.2V whilst alkalines put out 1.5V...but then again, they're called AA's and don't have the voltage in the name...checking my rechargeable 9V batteries, they put out 8.75V...probably close enough.

[emperor_black]

Rechargeable AA's put out 1.2V whilst alkalines put out 1.5V...but then again, they're called AA's and don't have the voltage in the name...checking my rechargeable 9V batteries, they put out 8.75V...probably close enough.

That is correct. I'm looking at my rechargeable AA and it does say 1.2v instead of 1.5.