How to Replace the 9 Volt Battery in a Danelectro Effects Pedal

In the 1960s, Danelectro created and marketed a line of inexpensive guitars with a killer tone. Danelectro guitars from this era were sought after by collectors, and so Danelectro started manufacturing faithful replicas.



Danelectro is following much the same path with its guitar effect pedals, which are small, stylish and inexpensive. They typically cost between $30 and $40; their competitors sell similar pedals for much more. Like most effect pedals, Danelectro pedals contain a 9-volt battery that must be replaced periodically. Changing the battery is easy, and takes about two minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Turn the pedal upside down.

2. Unscrew the bottom plate, which is held in place with a Phillips head screw, and remove it to expose the battery compartment.

3. Disconnect the old battery from the power connector. Discard or recycle the old battery according to local regulations.

4. Install the new battery, making sure that both snap fittings on the pedal's power connector are firmly attached to the battery terminals. Reattach the bottom plate.

5. Test the pedal. Plug a guitar cable into the pedal's input jack, and plug the opposite end into your guitar's output jack. Plug a second guitar cable into the pedal's output jack, and plug the other end into your amplifier's input jack. Turn the amplifier on, and step on the pedal while playing to ensure that it produces the desired effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep spare batteries and a Phillips head screwdriver in your gig bag.

• Some guitarists develop a bad habit of saving old batteries, just in case there's a little electricity left in them. However, placing a weak battery in a pedal can cause serious performance issues.

References

• Better Guitar: Danelectro Effects Pedals