Battery boxes -- love 'em, hate 'em or meh?

[roller]

Thoughts on pop-open battery boxes/compartments on bass guitars that hold the battery/batteries, especially when a bass already has a "swimming pool" compartment to house the other preamp and other electronics?

 

[ZenG]

Easy to get at...and you don't have to have a screwdriver with you...so me likey.

 

[line6man]

They look tacky and cheapen the vibe of an otherwise nice looking bass.

It's better to hide the batteries in the control cavity, if it's big enough for them. Some people get uppity about the inconvenience of taking the control plate off to change batteries, but you will be doing that no more than once a year.

 

[RoadRanger]

Mine are noisy - intermittent contact when your belly presses on them . I haven't tried cleaning them yet.

 

[Mechayoshi]

Cool if it's screwdriverless but if it needs screws it might as well be in the main cavity. And yes it does look slightly worse having multiple black covers on the back of the bass...

 

[dukeorock]

Until this thread, it’s never once crossed my mind

 

[lz4005]

They look tacky and cheapen the vibe of an otherwise nice looking bass.
It's better to hide the batteries in the control cavity, if it's big enough for them. Some people get uppity about the inconvenience of taking the control plate off to change batteries, but you will be doing that no more than once a year.

I won't buy a bass if I need a screwdriver to change the battery.

If you think how the back of the bass looks is more important than being able to change a battery in 10 seconds at a gig with no tools you have bizarre priorities.

 

[Bodeanly]

Using a screwdriver to change a battery?! What are we?! Barbarians?!

 

[lz4005]

Using a screwdriver to change a battery?! What are we?! Barbarians?!

Exactly.

Though I do have one where the control cavity cover is made of matching wood and held on by magnets, with the battery inside. That's a nifty way to go.

 

[el murdoque]

Exactly.

Though I do have one where the control cavity cover is made of matching wood and held on by magnets, with the battery inside. That's a nifty way to go.

Me, too!

My other actives have separate compartments for the batteries that allow for easy access.

 

[Bodeanly]

Exactly.

Though I do have one where the control cavity cover is made of matching wood and held on by magnets, with the battery inside. That's a nifty way to go.

Magnets! What will they think of next?!

 

[JimmyM]

I think they're kind of cheesy, but I wouldn't run from them in revulsion.

 

[micguy]

I have some - on pedals. None on my basses. But, if I were conviced I wanted a bass that needed one, ugliness would not be a deterent. So long as it's on the back. I'm forgiving of stuff on the back:

 

[grinx]

I have some - on pedals. None on my basses. But, if I were conviced I wanted a bass that needed one, ugliness would not be a deterent. So long as it's on the back. I'm forgiving of stuff on the back:View attachment 2835940

I've never seen that.
Cool.

 

[micguy]

I've never seen that.
Cool.

I have a few chambered basses. This one doesn't have wood covering the chambers. The audience doesn't know anything is different, but my back does.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I have some - on pedals. None on my basses. But, if I were conviced I wanted a bass that needed one, ugliness would not be a deterent. So long as it's on the back. I'm forgiving of stuff on the back:View attachment 2835940

That's one way to shave off some weight. Basically you could go even further and remove all of the unused wood from the back leaving only the structure, a thin front and around the edges. Wow, you could end up with a 3-4 pound 4 string or a 6-7 pound 6 string. That would be sweet!

 

[rtslinger]

Hate'em
Twice had to fix the one in my Epiphone El Segundo

 

[tedious1]

I had to go with the carrots option, but in this case, I really think a little Rob Schnyder tribute was in order, and the fourth option should have been:
"You can put your weed in it."

 

[JACink]

I don't "love them", as I agree that they look pretty shabby, but they do make life easier, which gives them my vote.

I would also agree that the best option is a quick release main cavity cover in wood that matches the bass, but again, that is low on my list of priorities when choosing a bass.

 

[JACink]

I had to go with the carrots option, but in this case, I really think a little Rob Schnyder tribute was in order, and the fourth option should have been:
"You can put your weed in it."

I also prefer the main cavity for this, as there is far more space!!