Jackson Sl3mg, Can you explain me my Guitar Options

[Nighthawk1]

Hi there GMC,
I have a question about my Guitar a Jackson Soloist SL3MG. I bought it in April this year and I practice guitar almost everyday. For some time now it really bothers me, that I don't get nice clean sounds out of my guitar. If I strumm a little bit harder or pluck the strings harder there comes distortion very quckly. It has nothing to do with clipping of the channel stripps it is no overdrive. The problem also occurs on my amp ( I usually play through guitar rig and headphones). Strummed chords on the acoustic channel are always a little bit distorted when strummed a lil bit harder.
Now I have to admit that the Jackson was shipped with no manual at all even though I bought it entirely new. So that is the reason why I didn't really know that the EMG pickups are active ones and that's the reason why I wondered about the battery in my guitar the other day Please forgive me but I played a Fender Strat for 6 years and active pickups where totally new to me till this point
All in all my final question to all those out there using active pickups or have a clue about them...does the crappy clean sound has anything to do with the fact, that I haven't been changing the battery for the pickups so far??? I also have the impression that the general output of the guitar tends to get lower..How often do I have to change that battery? Is there a continuum meaning that the lower the battery the crappier the sound or is it just if it is empty there is no sound at all anymore and before that point it is all fine?
Please help me out with that?
Thanks

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