- 1). Locate the compartment needed to access the battery. Guitars designed for active pickups often have a special compartment for the battery alone. This should be labeled “Battery,” but if it isn’t, look for a small compartment with screws holding it in place. If there isn’t a specific battery compartment, either open the tremolo plate on the back of your guitar or gain access to the electronics. Check the tremolo plate first if your guitar has a tremolo arm. Unscrew the screws required to gain access to the electronics. Leave the screws you’ve removed in a safe place.
- 2). Find the old battery. If you are searching through your guitar’s electronics, trace a red wire from your pickups to find the battery. The wire may be a different color, but one will definitely run from the pickups to the battery. Look to the side of the springs holding the spring claw in place if you have a tremolo system in your guitar. The battery should be immediately visible if you have a battery compartment.
- 3). Pry the battery out using your fingers or with help from your screwdriver if necessary. Look to the top of the battery to find the connection to the pickups. Both connections that attach to the top of the battery are usually encased in a small, plastic-coated oval shape. Pull this off the top of the old battery to disconnect it. Put the old battery to one side.
- 4). Attach the new battery in the place of the old one. Notice that the connections on the top of the battery are opposite those on the small oval connector. Connect the opposing tips to install the new battery. Place the battery back in its spot.
- 5). Replace the cover plate you removed to gain access to the battery. Use the old screws to keep the plate in place.