Aerodyne Clone Build

[Bassmanmike1]

Started my next build. I had a nice piece for a neck left over from my six string build here http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/six-string-neck-through-bass-build-878208/ So that is where I started.

My first good bass was a jazz bass, and I have loved the look of the Aerodyne jazzes with the binding on the top since they came out, so that is what I decided to build. It was high time I had a four string back in the stable after playing nothing but fivers for the last 25 years too. Unlike a Fender Aerodyne though, this will be neck through, and 24 fret. I'm going to paint the front of the body and headstock black like an Aerodyne, but the back I will leave clear so you can see the five purple heart stringers in the neck. I ordered a piece of basswood for the body, so I am using the same wood Fender used on the Aerodyne. While I waited for all the hardware and wood for the body to be delivered I started on the neck.

I started with a squared side on my neck blank and transfered the headstock pattern after laying out for the nut, bridge, and pickups. Then I rough cut the neck and headstock shape and started shaping it. I also glued a maple cap on the headstock, drilled the holes for the tuners and put in the slot for the trussrod.

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That pretty much covers the first couple of days. More to come.

 

[joeyl]

nice, looks promising

 

[Bassmanmike1]

The hardware, electronics, and wood for the body and fretboard were all delivered.

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I scored a complete set of Fender Aerodyne smoked chrome hardware on E-Bay.

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Seymour Duncan Basslines "Lightning Rods" active P/J set, complete with pots, jack, battery clip, cap and wire.

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An Ebony fretboard and double acting trussrod from LMI. The body wood is basswood, like Fender uses for the Aerodyne.

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OK, time to get to work.

 

[Geoff St. Germaine]

It looks like the start of another great build!

 

[moe.moe]

to me that is just simply AMAZING !!!!!

Awesome !

 

[J Posega]

Will the top be radiused like an Aerodyne?

 

[s_mcsleazy]

me like

 

[Bassmanmike1]

Will the top be radiused like an Aerodyne?

Yes. According to specs it's a 39" radius. I've been shaping and sanding all day. Just came in for a little break. I'll try to post more progress pics later.

 

[J Posega]

Very cool. I'd love to see one with a back contour, similar to what Warwick does. Lots of work, though.

I really like the painted top, clear back idea, too.

 

[iamlowsound]

Very cool. I'd love to see one with a back contour, similar to what Warwick does. Lots of work, though.
.

Keep an eye on my challenge build.

lowsound

 

[Bassmanmike1]

Got the body wings cut and glued on in a late session last night. I took the clamps off this morning and went to work filing, sanding and shaping.

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Thats all for today. Will try to post more in the next couple of days.

 

[s_mcsleazy]

that is one sexy slab atm

 

[Tonegasm]

This has WIN written all over it.

 

[Bassmanmike1]

Here's todays update. Spent all day shaving the neck down to where I wanted it and got the taper nice and straight. Smoothed out the heel where the neck transistions into the body. Then I rounded over the edges on the back and put in the belly cut.

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[Bassmanmike1]

Concentrated on getting the pickup and control cavities routed today. Got that done and I made a cover for the control cavity from some of the basswood that was cutoff from the body. Still have to make the route for the strat jack plate. Don't have a pattern for that so I'll have to make one from scratch.

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I laid the knobs and the jack plate on top just to see how it looked. I also got the hole drilled for the bridge ground wire.

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[webelo]

I am in love with this project. Keep up the good work and more importantly... keep the pictures coming.

 

[Bassmanmike1]

No work or pics today. Have a safe and happy 4th everyone

 

[Bassmanmike1]

Here's todays update.

Since my last posting I made the pattern for the Strat jack plate and got that routed. Then I put the radius in the top and I routed out the ledge for the binding on the top. I did a whole lot of sanding all over, and lastly I shot primer on the front of the body and the head stock.
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[Bassmanmike1]

Got the first coat of color on the front.

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[francotedescoga]

Beautiful!