SE Hollowbody II Piezo: How long should the battery last?

[Rocketscientist90]

I got my SE HB II Piezo 3 weeks ago, and put in a fresh Duracell 9V block straight away. I just had to replace it again, as the Mag/piezo output gave no signal whatsover. It seems that the battery is already dead. I will check the output voltage of the removed battery with a multimeter to confirm.

I play for about 30-60 minutes per day, and remove the guitar cables after the session before I put the guitar back on its stand or back on the wall. I recall reading that the battery is disconnected when you remove the cable and that I should get about 200 hrs of so of play before the battery would be dead.. not 10-20 hrs.

Any thoughts?

 

[veinbuster]

Mine easily lasts a year.
Leaving a cable plugged in does drain it.
I suspect pulling the plug isn’t opening the piezo circuit.

 

[tdroid]

I play about every day. Sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes an hour. 90% of the time, I have the cable plugged into the piezo jack, though it's rarely turned past 3 or 4. Sometimes I'll play full acoustic 10, though.

All that being said, the original battery lasted me a year. I only replaced it a week ago, and I got it in September of '23.

Edit: I added that the battery was the original.

 

[Rocketscientist90]

Hmm, I will see if this new battery lasts longer. Otherwise I will have to go back to the store to get it checked out. Sounds like it shouldnt be draining good quality batteries at that rate.

 

[tdroid]

Hmm, I will see if this new battery lasts longer. Otherwise I will have to go back to the store to get it checked out. Sounds like it shouldnt be draining good quality batteries at that rate.

I've replaced the original with a cheap rechargeable. Curious how long it lasts, as well.

 

[DarkskyZ]

I used to uplug the cable everytime after my playing session. Lasted too long for me to change the new battery I used before I sold the guitar ( about 2 years after I think) It was not my most played guitar though.
I got stung before that with an always plugged in cable on a stand. That didn't last very long before the battery died.

So... just unplug when not playing (when using the piezo/mix out that is, the mag out doesn't do anything to the battery).

 

[Rocketscientist90]

So... just unplug when not playing (when using the piezo/mix out that is, the mag out doesn't do anything to the battery).

That is what I've been doing and good to see confirmed that indeed makes a difference.

I also checked the 9V that I removed from the guitar. Both the original and my initial replacement are now at 4.5 V where the fresh one sits at 9 V, so they are indeed drained. I think that indeed something isn't right on the PCB or the mix/mag connector that causes the piezo power to remain on all the time.

 

[dsenoj]

I used to uplug the cable everytime after my playing session. Lasted too long for me to change the new battery I used before I sold the guitar ( about 2 years after I think) It was not my most played guitar though.
I got stung before that with an always plugged in cable on a stand. That didn't last very long before the battery died.

So... just unplug when not playing (when using the piezo/mix out that is, the mag out doesn't do anything to the battery).

I think I remember that the US piezo models would drain the battery if either cable was plugged in. I don't know if this applies to the SE models. I read this before the SE piezo models were released and I'm an old dude so my memory could be incorrect.

I'd recommend unplugging all cables from the guitar when you're not using it just to be safe.

 

[shinksma]

I think I remember that the US piezo models would drain the battery if either cable was plugged in. I don't know if this applies to the SE models. I read this before the SE piezo models were released and I'm an old dude so my memory could be incorrect.

I'd recommend unplugging all cables from the guitar when you're not using it just to be safe.

This.

If you leave just the mix/mag plugged in, the guitar assumes you are in mix mode, and powers the piezo.

I think that indeed something isn't right on the PCB or the mix/mag connector that causes the piezo power to remain on all the time.

Indeed, it sounds like the plug itself is not disconnecting the piezo from the battery when unplugged - possibly an easy fix by physically manipulating the internal contacts.

You aren't the first to have the problem - have your shop contact PRS Support to see what the typical fix should be.

 

[Rocketscientist90]

I just had to replace the battery again. Also seem to be experiencing episodes in which I get short bursts of white noise on top of the guitar signal.. based on what I've read on the forums so far that also could be battery related.
I've contacted the store and they will pick it up with PRS..

 

[tdroid]

I can tell when mine is dying, because the piezo starts to get dirty.

Also, my rechargeable battery only last about 2 weeks. It was a cheapo from Amazon. I may purchase a normal battery for it. Those battery clasps and damn tight and those wires damn thin. The less I have to mess with it, the better.

 

[aphantomvaper]

I just had to replace the battery again. Also seem to be experiencing episodes in which I get short bursts of white noise on top of the guitar signal.. based on what I've read on the forums so far that also could be battery related.
I've contacted the store and they will pick it up with PRS..

This happened with mine too. I opened a case with the PTC and it went to Maryland, and came back back fixed with a super sweet setup. PRS will make it right.

 

[Rocketscientist90]

I am sure it will get fixed one way or another. Wonder whether this a design flaw or a quality assurance issue.

 

[BrianC]

I do change the battery from time to time now BEFORE it goes out. Went out during a show once - I learned my lesson.

They easily last a year even with a lot of play. My P24 is my main band gtr.