9V Battery Brand = Sound

[bluesquidd]

I was reading a thread in another bass forum and the discussion was that different batteries produce different sounds. One person said that using Energizier Batteries gives him more highs and low than Duracell. Another said the opposite. It's almost like they were talking about valve tubes but, it was 9Volt batteries. They weren't talking comparing a cheap brand to good ones, the topic was Energizer Vs. Duracell and how they effected the tone. So, I tried and tested and to me, no difference. Then I thought this was a crap of a topic. But, curious has anyone every heard this debate before?

 

[silverburst]

9 volts is 9 volts. Ohm's law still applies.

 

[strummer]

Yes, Eric Johnsson claims that he can hear differences with different brand batteries. Maybe he can, too.

But imho, and as Silverburst said, ohms law still applies and 9 V is 9 V. 18 V otoh

 

[cdb]

Just use Duracell or Energizer. I think that any distinction in sound by battery is total BS. Especially if you play with a band. Trust me, when the drums and other instruments are playing, the here is no effect whatsoever. I have played for 25+ years, in many different situations. Batteries DO NOT make a difference. Your fingers carry the bulk of the tone. And the pups and the wood, the bridge , the amp, the cabs, the room...batteries are nothing. Merry Xmas.

 

[RiddimKing]

A little OT, but the effects pedal people are funny on this subject. Fultone recommends high quality "industrial" 9v for their bass overdrive pedal, while Throbak Electronics, which makes some cool retro guitar effects pedals specifies "dollar store" 9v for their products.

 

[HornetAMX]

I usually use Engergizer or Duracell. Just today I was checking out the electronics on my SR5 and forgot to put the battery back in. Although the volume was cut in half I still got sound out of the amp. I had no idea these basses would work without a battery in them.

 

[Figjam]

I usually use Engergizer or Duracell. Just today I was checking out the electronics on my SR5 and forgot to put the battery back in. Although the volume was cut in half I still got sound out of the amp. I had no idea these basses would work without a battery in them.

It seems that some do, some dont.

 

[tadawson]

Battery chemistry is the same in all batteries, and DC is DC. The only place any difference could show up is in high draw applications, where some batteries are build more able to deliver higher currents than others, and the weak battery will show a voltage drop. Basses, however, are pretty much the direct opposite, being insanely LOW current devices, so this will not apply . . . . . DC is DC folks - no such thing as "designer electrons", and voltage is determined by the chemistry, which is the same for all . . . .

The only difference I think some of those would-be "pros" hear is the "Ka-Ching!" when the endorsement checks come in . . . . .

- Tim

 

[tommixx]

Just use Duracell or Energizer. I think that any distinction in sound by battery is total BS. Especially if you play with a band. Trust me, when the drums and other instruments are playing, the here is no effect whatsoever. I have played for 25+ years, in many different situations. Batteries DO NOT make a difference. Your fingers carry the bulk of the tone. And the pups and the wood, the bridge , the amp, the cabs, the room...batteries are nothing. Merry Xmas.

Ditto...My experience as well and I have pretty darn good ears if I say so myself as I make my living as a Pro engineer/Producer and Session Player...I have heard all the arguments and i would tell Eric Johnsn or anybody else to their face that they are nuts...now I grant you that if you THINK you hear a difference then YOU probably do... and who am I to argue??!!

Peace,

T

 

[silverburst]

Of course, I would use Energizer or Duracell, beacuse they will pay for repairs if the battery leaks and damages the instrument. Duracell bought me a set of EMG pickups one time.

 

[adouglas]

What a load of mammalian waste product!

Good Lord, people will believe anything.

 

[ibanez2005]

I read a story in a TV magazine and it reckoned that using higher quality mains leadsto things like your surround sound, stereo etc, made a big difference to the quality. Cant remember the exact details cos it was a while ago.

 

[adouglas]

That's different. AC power fluctuations can definitely have an effect on certain electronics.

Batteries are like a bucket of water with a small hole in the bottom. The pressure of the water coming out is like the voltage.

Claiming that one brand of battery somehow delivers "better" power is like claiming that you get "better" water pressure from a particular brand of bucket. Nonsense.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Volts are volts and amps are amps...period

 

[GassieBall]

I respectfully disagree. When I use Duracell, I tend to have more of an old school motown sound. When I switch to Energizer, I get more of a hi-fi sound. I'm surprised you guys can't hear the clear distinction. It's as clear as day.

 

[Chris C]

What a load of mammalian waste product!

Good Lord, people will believe anything.

You can say that again. DC electricity is DC electricity. That's that. Sure, some batteries last longer, but they are delivering, by definition, those same volts, folks. There aren't "shades" of DC electricity. When you hook a multimeter to two different batteries, does it somehow distinguish different "types" of DC volts? No. All it tells you is the number of volts--and volts are volts.

The only difference is the gullibility of the masses, the skill of marketing folks/rhetoricians, and the power of suggestion/psychology. Which of course can't be discounted!

 

[screaminhugger]

I respectfully disagree. When I use Duracell, I tend to have more of an old school motown sound. When I switch to Energizer, I get more of a hi-fi sound. I'm surprised you guys can't hear the clear distinction. It's as clear as day.

I wonder what kind of tone the "Wal-Mart" BRand will give me?

 

[Psycho Ward]

I stopped using batteries in my basses long ago; I’ve had all my EBMM refitted with Faraday generators…

 

[ibanez2005]

I stopped using batteries in my basses long ago; I’ve had all my EBMM refitted with Faraday generators…

Whats that involved then, ive not heard of those.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Whats that involved then, ive not heard of those.

It's the same technology used in those battery less flashlights, just give it couple of shakes and you're good for a whole set!