Cutlass battery life

[LH88]

Hi guys, have lurked here for a while but this is my first post!

In November 2025 I bought a 2020 Cutlass. I swapped in a new 9V battery around mid-November.

The sound of the guitar has started to fuzz, which I think is to do with battery life - a new battery seems to solve it. I probably only play the guitar/have it plugged in 2 hours a week on average.

Is the above normal or are my batteries wearing too quickly? This is the first time I’ve had an EBMM or guitar with a silent circuit so I’m not sure what’s normal!

Thanks

 

[beej]

Yeah, that's not right. Should last many many months, depending on playing. The current draw for the buffer & Silent Circuit is really minimal.

The battery should be disengaged when you pull out the plug (I'm assuming from your post that you're not leaving it plugged in). If that's not happening, it's possible something is wrong with the output jack. I can't imagine any other reason for battery drain.

If you're handy, you can have a look at it. If not, I'd suggest dropping MM customer service a line and asking their advice.

 

[LH88]

Thanks! Yes I unplug the cable when not playing (I assume you meant the cable and not the battery itself?).

Definitely not handy so I’ll drop EBMM CS a line.

 

[Sweat]

Battery should not wear out that soon as long as you do not leave the output cable plugged in, try using a high end battery

 

[LH88]

Thank you. What should the battery life be? I’ve read anywhere between 300-500 hours. 300 would be about 3 years’ worth of playing at my current rate!

 

[DrKev]

I would expect six months to a year.

Seeing in your first post it's a 2020 Cutlass and only recently new to you. Have you had a look at the circuit board to see if there is any obvious signs of someone resoldering or changing anything? Can you take a photo?

When my cutlass battery runs out it starts to sound like the fuzz is in the background, like someone mixed it in low underneath the clean signal. Is that what you are hearing?

 

[LH88]

Yes that’s what it sounds like - clean-ish on top with fuzz underneath. But it’s very noticeable from the super clean “new battery” tone.

I haven’t looked at the circuit board no. I think I’ll take it to the shop (EBMM dealer) I bought it from for them to take a look. Thanks for your help!

 

[jodokus31]

You can test, if the battery drains similar fast or as intended, when you always remove the battery, when not playing. (This is usually the same to unplugging, but you are sure, that it's really disconnected).