Batteries in a Bongo

[Grand Wazoo]

How often do you replace yours?

I am asking because I've bought my Bongo from new back in Jan 09, and have been playing it ever since on the same set of batteries.

These batteries I've installed fresh on delivery because the bass had been kept at the distributor for quite a few years and it did sound a bit "tired".
So far I haven't noticed any drop in either power or sound quality and all the preamp controls still boost incredible amount of bass, treble, low mids and high mids, which means so far so good but how about people who have had their Bongo for longer than me, when did they notice a drop in sound or clarity that required a change of batteries?

On the other hand my SR5 had had that one battery for more than a year and it is still going strong. There must be a very low power consumption in these basses as these batteries last for a very long time, provided of course that you always unplug your lead from the socket when you are not playing it.

In comparison I remember my old strat with emg's p/ups and emg preamp requiring new batteries every 6 to 8 months. There must be some very clever circuit board in these basses which is yet another reason to love them!

 

[MingusBASS]

I usually change my batteries every 3 to 4 months. I gig almost every weekend, play at church two Sundays a month and practice daily, so you may find you won't need to change quite as much. It's amazing what a new battery and a fresh set of Slinkys can do for your sound, if your into that kind of thing. I know some of you guys love your flats.

 

[Eggman]

I have had many EBMM basses and have never had to change batteries. Then again - none of them got a ton of playing time from me as I kept buying, trading and selling them.

Now that I am "settled" on my flock of Bongos - I will be interested to see when I have to change batteries too.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

...It's amazing what a new battery and a fresh set of Slinkys can do for your sound, if your into that kind of thing. I know some of you guys love your flats.

I am with you on that one, Slinkys for for life!! As for flats, "nein, danke!"

 

[MingusBASS]

I am with you on that one, Slinkys for for life!! As for flats, "nein, danke!"

I would not mind having a bass with flats for when I want/need that sort of tone. The problem is, I love each of my basses so much with rounds and I rarely have a NEED for a flats equipped bass. I like being able to pick up any one of my basses and use it all night on my main gig, which is a female fronted, Rock/Variety cover band. We play everything from Rhianna to Guns N' Roses, Carrie Underwood to Rage Against the Machine.

 

[oddjob]

I ususally run 6-8 months on a set of batteries, give or take (I have had a few 3-4 month time frames but that is usally in bar season when I am playing 8-15 shows a month on top of rehersals)

 

[Duarte]

I have had both my Rays over a year. Countless gigs/practices/general noodling and they still have the same batteries I bought them with.

Maybe I should change, but I've noticed no drop in quality yet.

 

[MingusBASS]

That's the thing, you don't really notice it until all of a sudden your bass starts to sound...not so good.

 

[oddjob]

That's the thing, you don't really notice it until all of a sudden your bass starts to sound...not so good.

Very true... had it happen mid-song before... not pretty

 

[Grand Wazoo]

That is strange, after this post I have checked out the voltage on both basses and the older battery in my Sitngray5 still shows near to full capacity whereas the 2 batteries on the Bongo are showing 80% and 85%. I'll get a new pair tomorrow, which brings me to my next question, what are the best batteries you guys use?

 

[Mogee]

I think EB recommends Duracells

 

[AnthonyD]

Duracell...

I usually change them every six month just because...

 

[MingusBASS]

I use Duracells but the last pack I bought would not fit in my Ray 5! Talk about a frustrating experience. All four batteries would not fit. I guess they were just a little too long.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I have heard about this problem before, actually it appears some companies are making batteries slightly bigger to pack more lasting energy in order to compete with other brands. Unfortunately sometime these slightly big batteries don't fit in tight compartments.

 

[AnthonyD]

Pay attention to the '-' terminal. I have found that if it is not square with the battery edges it may not seat properly in the receptacle.

 

[strummer]

about every 6 months, haven't had a problem.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I change batteries when they drop below "zing" level on the tongue test.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I change batteries when they drop below "zing" level on the tongue test.

I haven' done that one in a while!

 

[oli@bass]

I change batteries when they drop below "zing" level on the tongue test.

Or when there's no more sound coming out of the instrument jack... it takes years until I have to exchange one. Reason is that I generally pratice unplugged at home.

 

[five7]

The zing test, almost as good as coffee!