I recently had a pure western trinity system installed in my Larrivee.
It had a brand new battery which ran down in just 4 days. I played it only sparingly and even unplugged the chord between times. Does anyone else have low battery problems with their system?
Is there a solution?
Thanks.

Brad

email or call K&K. They are happy to answer customer questions.

I had one a few years ago, and I'm sure the battery lasted much longer than that.  Give K&K a call or email them.

Here is my update to this post. As you requested, I contacted KK Sound for their response on this issue. Here is the email I received.
_________________________________________________________
Hello,

Thanks for your email.

The battery live is supposed to be about 50 hours with alkaline batteries.

Please try again, maybe you battery was weak to begin with.

I do not think that there is a problem, because if it would drain the bat. it would have happened already after 2 days.

I hope I could help you.

Thank you and best regards
Dieter
K&K Sound
__________________________________________________________________

Based on this official reply, I will be looking for a different pickup system. To me.. this is totally unacceptable. I have to loosen all my strings, reach inside and feel around for the battery compartment, get a new battery onto the terminals which you can't see because of your hand and wrist being jammed inside the sound hole. Then I tighten all the strings and retune. I do NOT want to do this every 50 hours. It sucks to go to my music room and pick up my favorite guitar (Larrivee) and plug in and get ZERO sound.
Enough about that though.

Now I'm asking you guys to help me solve this problem. I will be changing pickups ASAP and I would like one that sounds good but that does not have this battery life problem... Keep in mind my transducers are superglued to the inside of my guitar already. What are my options?
Thanks for your help.

Brad :(

Hey Brad,
    I'll actually be happy if I get 50 hours out of the battery in my BBand! I mean 50 hours for ME would be great since I only plug in about 2 hours a week. My battery is located the same place yours is and will no doubt be a pain to change. You could always go with a  p/u like the K&K Pure Western. I've heard good things about their sound with and without a preamp. Heck..maybe they'll let you trade for a PW and the belt clip preamp.

                                   Chris

What is the battery inside wired to?  My Trinity system had no internal battery, just the one inside the external preamp.  The pickup part of the system is passive,  and the mic required the battery in the preamp.  Is it possible that it's installed wrong?

Edit:  I just looked at K&Ks website and see that they now sell an Onboard Trinity System.  I'm guessing that's what you have?  Any active system is going to require battery changes, otherwise you'll need a passive pickup with an external preamp.

Hi Chris,

I'm looking at the Bband A2.2 for my guitars. I play out 3-6 times a month. When practicing or rehearsing I play unamplified (I'm 1/2 of an acoustic duo!). Is changing out the battery that much of a pain? If so, I may be back to square one!  :(

I want a blend type system because I think they sound better than an undersaddle system alone. Anyone out there know of a good blendable system that has an external preamp?

Rare Earth Blend.
Soundhole plus internal mic. I heard lot of positive things. It does have 2 small battery behind the soundhole pick up, but it's very easy to replace.

OK, I'll offer this bit of advice once more.

Try the Dean Markley Sweet Spot.

It is:

1. Inexpensive -- $40 to $50

2. Great Sounding

3. Easily installed

4. High output (No battery or preamp needed)

5. Highly recommended by our unclrob.

What more do you want?

Deb, did you get yours put in? If so, how about a review.

I can second the opinion on the Rare Earth blend. I've had one for 5 years and have been pretty pleased with the sound. In terms of ease of operation, installation, battery replacement, it's really simple...

Hey Mazareth,
      The BBand battery holder mounted in a way that's gonna required strings to be loosened or capo'd and taken out at the bridge to change the battery. Sounds really good though.
   
                           Chris

QuoteI can second the opinion on the Rare Earth blend. I've had one for 5 years and have been pretty pleased with the sound. In terms of ease of operation, installation, battery replacement, it's really simple...

How do you blend your Rare earth system?
I mean, do you use much of MIC? I am asking because of some people(owners of RE Blend) claiming that they rather buy the humbucker and save some $$$, for they don't think Mic does much good.

I have experience with the b-band A2 UST/SBT and the Baggs Element.  I think I'm going with 2 elements soon.  I really like that pickup. I just don't think changing a battery is that big of a deal, i do it about every 2nd or 3rd time a change my strings,
Rafe

I wouldn't say their response was unnacceptable,
Rafe

50 hours of playing time is quite a lot of a 9 volt battery.  That should atleast last you a few weeks, right?  I mean, can't you turn off the preamp in between uses so that the battery doesn't run down on you?  I have a Trinity Western with the outboard preamp and haven't had a battery issue.

Okay let me clarify my original post. My battery life was 50 hours with or without playing. This is what the KK Sound people told me also. I play about 30 minutes a day or so. But every 4th day my battery is dead whether I play it or not..... and there is the problem.....
I think they are going to recommend I use the outboard preamp....
I could also do a rewire and just use the transducers and not the mic which sucks the battery life down.
I'll keep you posted.

Brad

Really???? That's strange.  I have 2 suggestions. 1- if you're good with wiring just wire in an On/Off switch.  2- if not, just take out the battery when you're not playing plugged in.

My best choice is to send the guitar to Elderly where my wife purchased it. They are going to get a new part from KK Sound and fix this problem for me. I'll be without the guitar for awhile but that's okay I guess....

Quote

QuoteI can second the opinion on the Rare Earth blend. I've had one for 5 years and have been pretty pleased with the sound. In terms of ease of operation, installation, battery replacement, it's really simple...

How do you blend your Rare earth system?
I mean, do you use much of MIC? I am asking because of some people(owners of RE Blend) claiming that they rather buy the humbucker and save some $$$, for they don't think Mic does much good.

Oh, I totally disagree - the mag pickup has a distinctly mag pickup sound when I take out the mic. I keep the mic in at 50-50 or maybe just a little more, and it gives the sound all of it's woodiness...