kissing
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2009
- Messages
- 4,342
- Reaction score
- 546
I was in the market for a fully electric nylon string guitar, and came across the likes of Godin Multiac series (about $1500-2000 price range), Yamaha Silent guitar series (about $600-800 price range).
And then I discovered that a company I am familiar with for electric ukuleles do guitars too (Eleuke):
https://www.eleuke.com/product-page/bugsgear-bluetooth-silent-guitar-mf-cl65
And it's a winner for price at a mere $320 with free shipping, and I went ahead and ordered it. I have had favourable experience with the Ukulele variety using the same electronics. (Yeh I know the piezo pickup itself isnt as space age fancy as the Godin or Yamaha, but I dont require such advanced gear)
But I note it uses an internal rechargeable Lithium battery, like we have for our phones and laptops. And this powers the pickup as well as the Bluetooth features of the guitar.
And this really made me wonder on whether I want a guitar/uke to have a rechargeable Li battery instead of a standard 9V or AA battery like the Godin or Yamaha.
Rechargeable Li Battery
Pros:
-No need to keep replaceable batteries. You just recharge after use. 1-2 hours recharge = 10-20 hours play time.
-Can power extra features like Bluetooth capability. More powerful and consistent power source than regular alkaline batteries.
Cons:
-What to do when the lifetime of the Li battery is over and it no longer holds a charge?
-Will replacement Lithium battery always be available like standard batteries?
Standard Alkaline 9V or AA Battery
Pros:
-They have been around for decades, and pretty much always will be available at any local supermarket
-You can choose between rechargeable and disposable varieties
Cons:
-When the battery dies, you need to replace. If you don't have a spare, then you are stuck without power
Passive pickup
Pros:
-No battery needed ever
-Less things to go wrong - pickup system will last a lifetime with no maintenance or replacement parts.
Cons:
-Less features and options as standalone instrument for signal strength and tone shaping. May require external preamp to get usable tone for PA systems.
---------
An issue I would like to highlight is, guitars with passive or traditional battery options tend to last the test of time. Standard batteries like 9V and AA will be available virtually indefinitely since so many household items rely on them. You can own such instruments for decades and they will keep working.
With Lithium batteries on the other hand, are we introducing an inevitable redundancy? Eventually the Li battery will no longer hold a charge.. and if the specific battery is unavailable, is the instrument now useless?
Upon an enquiry to Eleuke about this dilemma, I was advised that replacement Li batteries are available:
https://www.amazon.ca/AOLIKES-Replacement-Lithium-Polymer-Battery/dp/B00IEUMAYM
However, this appears to be a somewhat niche battery with no guarantee it will still be around in say 10, 20, 30 years time (but I expect regular 9V and AA batteries will still be around).
I consider every uke/guitar I buy to be something that can potentially last a lifetime. But with Lithium batteries, are they limited in lifespan like how we inevitably replace phones and laptops once they are obsolete along with their battery life?
Or are Lithium batteries the future of amplified instruments, and Eleuke are ahead of the game?
Other future options:
--Replace Eleuke electronics with a passive-only pickup or some other Active pickup like a Mi-Si. The tone and volume knobs will be redundant though.
Or am I overthinking on a $320 instrument..just buy another when the battery for it dies and is no longer available?
Given my "preparedness" mentality, I have a few spare batteries on order to keep just in case. Not sure how much Li batteries degrade from unused storage time though.
And then I discovered that a company I am familiar with for electric ukuleles do guitars too (Eleuke):
https://www.eleuke.com/product-page/bugsgear-bluetooth-silent-guitar-mf-cl65
And it's a winner for price at a mere $320 with free shipping, and I went ahead and ordered it. I have had favourable experience with the Ukulele variety using the same electronics. (Yeh I know the piezo pickup itself isnt as space age fancy as the Godin or Yamaha, but I dont require such advanced gear)
But I note it uses an internal rechargeable Lithium battery, like we have for our phones and laptops. And this powers the pickup as well as the Bluetooth features of the guitar.
And this really made me wonder on whether I want a guitar/uke to have a rechargeable Li battery instead of a standard 9V or AA battery like the Godin or Yamaha.
Rechargeable Li Battery
Pros:
-No need to keep replaceable batteries. You just recharge after use. 1-2 hours recharge = 10-20 hours play time.
-Can power extra features like Bluetooth capability. More powerful and consistent power source than regular alkaline batteries.
Cons:
-What to do when the lifetime of the Li battery is over and it no longer holds a charge?
-Will replacement Lithium battery always be available like standard batteries?
Standard Alkaline 9V or AA Battery
Pros:
-They have been around for decades, and pretty much always will be available at any local supermarket
-You can choose between rechargeable and disposable varieties
Cons:
-When the battery dies, you need to replace. If you don't have a spare, then you are stuck without power
Passive pickup
Pros:
-No battery needed ever
-Less things to go wrong - pickup system will last a lifetime with no maintenance or replacement parts.
Cons:
-Less features and options as standalone instrument for signal strength and tone shaping. May require external preamp to get usable tone for PA systems.
---------
An issue I would like to highlight is, guitars with passive or traditional battery options tend to last the test of time. Standard batteries like 9V and AA will be available virtually indefinitely since so many household items rely on them. You can own such instruments for decades and they will keep working.
With Lithium batteries on the other hand, are we introducing an inevitable redundancy? Eventually the Li battery will no longer hold a charge.. and if the specific battery is unavailable, is the instrument now useless?
Upon an enquiry to Eleuke about this dilemma, I was advised that replacement Li batteries are available:
https://www.amazon.ca/AOLIKES-Replacement-Lithium-Polymer-Battery/dp/B00IEUMAYM
However, this appears to be a somewhat niche battery with no guarantee it will still be around in say 10, 20, 30 years time (but I expect regular 9V and AA batteries will still be around).
I consider every uke/guitar I buy to be something that can potentially last a lifetime. But with Lithium batteries, are they limited in lifespan like how we inevitably replace phones and laptops once they are obsolete along with their battery life?
Or are Lithium batteries the future of amplified instruments, and Eleuke are ahead of the game?
Other future options:
--Replace Eleuke electronics with a passive-only pickup or some other Active pickup like a Mi-Si. The tone and volume knobs will be redundant though.
Or am I overthinking on a $320 instrument..just buy another when the battery for it dies and is no longer available?
Given my "preparedness" mentality, I have a few spare batteries on order to keep just in case. Not sure how much Li batteries degrade from unused storage time though.
Last edited: