9V Battery Brand = Sound

[Chris C]

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

Now THAT's got to pump out some tone! None of this whimpy Duracell tone. It's even beating the Energizer low-mid bump, I'll bet.

But, have you put it up against the Fujitsu Manganese 3600??? I'll bet your Faraday powered basses can't match the slight boost at 168.5 Hz and 837 Hz and the subtle dip at 1278 Hz that I get out of the Fujitsu. Nothing can compare to the Fujitsu tone. It rules. It kills all others and makes Energizer and Duracell look pale and sick--even the Duracell lithium. Not even close.

Fujitsu, my friends. Fujitsu power all the effing way. Yeah!

 

[ibanez2005]

Oh ive seen those, i might have to look into that. The only other option is to have a dual lead with a 9 volt lead on that you can plug straight into the mains.
Wouldnt be too hard to do.

 

[plato]

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.

+1

This is true and weird. I found it hard ro believe at first but I *CAN* easily hear this. I was using Duracell for years and I once had a problem with one of my Spector basses where the battery connector went loose on the slightly smaller battery poles of the Duracell so I switched to Energizer and... the tone changed... I had to cut a little on the bass and treble boost knobs (around 5%) to get my regular tone. Same thing with my SR's. I too prefer the Energizer and used it exclusively since. I think they live longer too, but this is hard to measure.
I guess there is a slight difference between the two brands and therefore a slight difference in the preamp output/EQ.
By all means, this is a minor thing!!! But it's there.
Of course you may call me crazy, but don't do so before you test it yourselves, OK?

 

[russinator]

Well, as a former lab assistant at the Energizer R&D facility, all I can say is.....
















...Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[GassieBall]

Plato,

You're not crazy. The other people here are crazy. Those gurly little Fujitsu's and Faradays. I upgraded to a VandeGraaff generator with a Tesla coil that I borrowed from the local science museum's lightning show. That wasn't enough for my tone. So then I got a Flux Capacitor. It was a major step up. I really didn't need to tweak my EQ at all after that. When I boosted it up to 1.21 GigaWatts and set the tempo to 88 bpm, I achieved a tone that was timeless!

 

[Chris C]

Plato,

You're not crazy. The other people here are crazy. Those gurly little Fujitsu's and Faradays. I upgraded to a VandeGraaff generator with a Tesla coil that I borrowed from the local science museum's lightning show. That wasn't enough for my tone. So then I got a Flux Capacitor. It was a major step up. I really didn't need to tweak my EQ at all after that. When I boosted it up to 1.21 GigaWatts and set the tempo to 88 bpm, I achieved a tone that was timeless!

Are you happy? I just sprayed my computer screen and choked on a pistachio. Hilarious post! This just keeps getting funnier!

 

[midopa]

It helps to discharge a bit of static electricity onto any metal part on your bass before any playing. It'll give the bass a bit more attackiness... but not as much as sparkle finishes give you.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I use whatever 9vs I find at the dollar store and they sound just as good as any other brand of 9vs. Tell Eric Johnson to shove that in his ear.

 

[tkarter]

My Duracell batteries make the bongo sound better if I pet them before playing.

tk

 

[Dr Stankface]

My Duracell batteries make the bongo sound better if I pet them before playing.

tk

<--- On the ground laughing

 

[bovinehost]

Strap length is much more important than brand of battery.

When your bass is lower, you get a punkier sound.

Higher, more jazzy.

And paint - paint can make a big difference.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Strap length is much more important than brand of battery.

When your bass is lower, you get a punkier sound.

Higher, more jazzy.

And paint - paint can make a big difference.

Don't forget you strap buttons.

Strap locks = More secure sound

 

[bassmonkeee]

Batteries? Sheesh...

I just make a point to shave the top layer of skin off my fingers before I play. The fresh, pink skin gives me a much more intense sound then that old dead stuff. For an added bonus, no fingerprints to muck up the shine!

Who wants dead skin touching their strings?

 

[Psycho Ward]

Well since we’re discussing all the little known facts of tone enhancement I’ll let you guys in on a big secret, I’m actually right handed!
That’s right; the King of Lefthanzia is a righty! But I discovered quite by accident that left handed basses sound superior to right handed basses, hence the collection of lefty’s stated in my signature. This is a complex phenomenon based on planetary physics dealing primarily on the earth’s magnetic polarity. This effect has only been tested in the northern hemisphere, but we are trying to secure a research grant at MIT to prove this theory.

It could simply have something to do with the reverse pots and tuners…




And you guys just thought I was trying to be more “Paul” like…

 

[bassmonkeee]

Well since we’re discussing all the little known facts of tone enhancement I’ll let you guys in on a big secret, I’m actually right handed!
That’s right; the King of Lefthanzia is a righty! But I discovered quite by accident that left handed basses sound superior to right handed basses, hence the collection of lefty’s stated in my signature. This is a complex phenomenon based on planetary physics dealing primarily on the earth’s magnetic polarity. This effect has only been tested in the northern hemisphere, but we are trying to secure a research grant at MIT to prove this theory.

It could simply have something to do with the reverse pots and tuners…




And you guys just thought I was trying to be more “Paul” like…

I believe you, Chuck. It's the same principle that allows Superman to turn back time by flying around the Earth and reversing the spin for a little bit.

 

[Narcosynthesis]

One small bit you have missed out that will distinguish between batteries...

A volt is the same everywhere, but a 9v battery isn't always putting out nine of them

depending on the battery you use, some can be putting out a tad over 10v when completely fresh, and a battery putting out 10v will sound different than one putting out 9v exactly, as it will give a bit more headroom and effect in the preamp, so hearing a bit more treble in your signal after changing batteries is actually possible.

I would guess there is more of a difference between dollar store batteries and the 'large' brands than there is between Energiser. The biggest difference is that the better batteries last a hell of a lot longer normally - I noticed it worst in a maglite with AA batteries, cheap batteries lasted bugger all time compared to a decent set.

David

 

[PocketGroove82]

For my bongo, is the factory 256mb memory stick sufficient or should I upgrade to 1 gig?

 

[mbgreene]

For a true vintage sound I tend to look for companies that carry NOS 9-volts typically from the mid to late sixties (I try to stay in the 67/68 manufacture date).
I can usually find Evereadys originated in the Parma, Ohio factory or Ray-O-Vacs out of Wisconsin. Foreign manufacturers of that time frame don't have the same growl factor.
I know I may pay a premium for these but my tone is all mine.

 

[plato]

One small bit you have missed out that will distinguish between batteries...

A volt is the same everywhere, but a 9v battery isn't always putting out nine of them

depending on the battery you use, some can be putting out a tad over 10v when completely fresh, and a battery putting out 10v will sound different than one putting out 9v exactly, as it will give a bit more headroom and effect in the preamp, so hearing a bit more treble in your signal after changing batteries is actually possible.

I would guess there is more of a difference between dollar store batteries and the 'large' brands than there is between Energiser. The biggest difference is that the better batteries last a hell of a lot longer normally - I noticed it worst in a maglite with AA batteries, cheap batteries lasted bugger all time compared to a decent set.

David

OK you jokers... just had to do the test. I used my old multimeter to test a fresh Energizer and Duracell. I can't tell the exact voltage measure for each since I can't calibrate this old multimeter as the knob fell out, but... listen to this.... the Energizer gave almost a 0.5 higher voltage measure.
(Ducking)

 

[GassieBall]

Both were brand new?