Fender Aerodyne Club!

[mertz44]

I use a Seymour Duncan SPB-1 Vintage for the P-Bass pickup on the neck and a Seymour Duncan STK-J2 Hot Stack J pickup on the bridge.

They sound terrific. But it's also worth considering other upgrades in tandem. My own include using a BadAss II bridge (increased the sustain) and Hipshot Ultralight tuning machines (eliminated neck dive as they are much lighter than the stock tuners). I also use Status half wound strings, but these are strictly a personal preference.

Is the Badass II a direct fit or is there some fitting required?

 

[mertz44]

My fav combo btw is a Duncan in the Jazz slot with Fralin's for the P's. Solo'd they sound incredible, together you just have to hear it. When I had that combo on my last PJ, that bass would get into any bass situation and fit in anywhere and sound killer. Everyone always commented on how pimp it sounded.

Thanks for the suggestions, now I've got some ideas to put on my Christmas list!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Is the Badass II a direct fit or is there some fitting required?

It's a direct fit. Make sure the grounding wire underneath has all the black paint scraped off for a clean contact with the new bridge. Otherwise you'll hear crackling through the amp/cab.

 

[hdracer]

It's a direct fit. Make sure the grounding wire underneath has all the black paint scraped off for a clean contact with the new bridge. Otherwise you'll hear crackling through the amp/cab.

Are you sure? On my Aero the bridge is resessed into the body. I have not found any bridge on the market that will fit in it. Mine is a non export.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I'm reporting my experience for an Aerodyne purchased new almost six years ago. The swap was painless, no recess chamber was under the old bridge.

 

[hdracer]

May be it is just the non export models that have it. My bridge sits in the body. The curve of the body will not let a bridge sit flat on the body.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

May be it is just the non export models that have it. My bridge sits in the body. The curve of the body will not let a bridge sit flat on the body.

If you want to do this, have your luthier use a router to make the recess bigger to fit the bigger bridge. Not a big deal. The more massive bridge makes a huge difference in sustain. The stock Fender bridge is crappy by comparison.

 

[mertz44]

Are you sure? On my Aero the bridge is resessed into the body. I have not found any bridge on the market that will fit in it. Mine is a non export.

Maybe the Jazz Aerodyne bridge is not recessed, my Precision bridge is recessed into the body. Or maybe they changed it up over the years? Confusing...I'd like to try a better bridge but it looks like some bodywork is required.

 

[hdracer]

Maybe the Jazz Aerodyne bridge is not recessed, my Precision bridge is recessed into the body. Or maybe they changed it up over the years? Confusing...I'd like to try a better bridge but it looks like some bodywork is required.

Mine is a real Jazz, not a P J jazz, it has a control plate & pickguard. I would not mind putting a Hipshot A on it but I would never rout the body to do it. The stock one is fine.

 

[Burgardj]

New to the Bass and this forum. Just got my first Bass - an Aerodyne, and pulled the trigger on a Boss GT-10B. Have played guitar for years, but hoping to make a quick transition to Bass to join a working band in need of one. Going to give GHS Flat wounds a try on it. Playing a lot of old Blues, Country and some Rock.

Oh, and putting a Babicz bridge on it next week too.

Jim

 

[yamark]

I'm highly interested in the Aerodyne.

Are there any pickguards that can fit the import model? You know, the one without the control plate and inline knobs.

Also, how is the basswood body? Any issues with easy denting and such?

 

[hdracer]

You would have to design one yourself and have it custom made. If you do I suggest you use metal screw inserts in the body. The basswood is so soft the screws want to pull out from the curve of the body. I had to do it to mine when I replaced the stock pick guard with a custom pearloid one. I even warmed it up with a hair drier first and the screws would not hold.

I have had mine for about 3 year, play it all the time & gig it. It has less rash & dings then my alder body Jazz. But I am much more careful with it.

 

[darknes40]

I so badly want an aerodyne, it is the only fender bass I've cared for look wise, if only I didn't have to save for university

 

[llamalor2112]

Decided to finally pretty mine up a bit

Definitely one of the nicest visually of the fender crop I love my aero!

 

[lowendgenerator]

I've played a black CIJ Fender Aerodyne Jazz bass (P+J model) for five years. It's my main bass. I replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan Basslines for better tone, the saddle with a BadAss for better sustain, and Hipshot tuners to eliminate neck dive (they're half the weight of stock tuners and stay in tune longer). I also play with groundwound strings. Love this bass for its ergonomics (very light!) and performance.

Here's a link to recordings from three gigs last week. I'm using fEarful-like cabs built by Low Down Sound - the 15/6 and the 12/6, a Genz Benz ShuttleMAX12 preamp, and a QSC PLX3602 power amp. Style is surf rock and these were recorded in live outdoor performances. Details are on the site.

LDS 15/6 and 12/6 cab configurations at 3 gigs and 3 same songs by UkiahBass on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

For giggles, here's a video of us playing ""Rising Sun Blues" using the Aerodyne and one 15/6 cab; I embedded a WAV soundtrack prior to upload.

TheStormyWeathermen's Channel - YouTube

New Aerodyne owner here. Had to bump this post. Ukiah Bass, thank you for entertaining me this evening. I really enjoyed the tunes, and the tone was GREAT.

 

[BassGen]

New Aerodyne owner here. Had to bump this post. Ukiah Bass, thank you for entertaining me this evening. I really enjoyed the tunes, and the tone was GREAT.

Post a pic of your bass and I can give you a number if you want.

 

[RFord04]

Are you sure? On my Aero the bridge is resessed into the body. I have not found any bridge on the market that will fit in it. Mine is a non export.

I had to laugh at how many times this same point has come up in this same thread, brought up by the same people. To be clear, the body of the non-export models (the ones with pickguard, control plate), it seems you can't just drop a replacement in because of the curve of the body and the recessed cavity for the bridge. If you have the export model (no pickguard, P pickup in the neck position) you can replace the bridge with a Badass, or any other fender replacement, with no routing required.

 

[garrettowens]

Not wanting to hijack the thread - but could some of you pop over here - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/aerodyne-qs-835248/
I'd appreaciate it greatly

 

[jweber76]

Got my Aero in trade at GC a little over a year ago...she was a little rough around the edges but the setup was perfect and the price was right...I'll keep my MIA J pristine (as I have for 12+ years) and let this one show her battle scars! just proof that she has been (and continues to be) rocked hard! May I have a number please?

 

[jcburn]

Subbed!