Fender Aerodyne Club!

[Lucky Chuck]

NBD!

Presenting my new (to me) non-export Aerodyne. According to Malak's dating of CIJ serial numbers (Thanx, Malak!), it's a 2002 - 2004. Except for a small neck ding the thumb never touches, it's pristine.

Now for the buyer's remorse: In the heat of the auction, I paid the same as I could spend for a brand new (no pickguard) export model. Now that GAS has subsided, wondering if I just done somethin' stoopid... Anybody know?

Sure is pretty, tho...

;->

 

[Interspace Station]

Nice bass @Lucky Chuck, I have the same and from 2003! The non-export varieties are harder to find stateside, and in the condition you got it I wouldn't be bothered if you're comfortable with what you paid. Mine has a bunch of dings in the body and I paid about $150 less than a new export, but prefer this model regardless of the wear. Enjoy it!

 

[Malak the Mad]

NBD!

Presenting my new (to me) non-export Aerodyne. According to Malak's dating of CIJ serial numbers (Thanx, Malak!), it's a 2002 - 2004. Except for a small neck ding the thumb never touches, it's pristine.

Now for the buyer's remorse: In the heat of the auction, I paid the same as I could spend for a brand new (no pickguard) export model. Now that GAS has subsided, wondering if I just done somethin' stoopid... Anybody know?

Sure is pretty, tho...

;->

View attachment 3832035 View attachment 3832038

A first-run, non-export with little-to-no damage to the finish…all for less than a grand?! To say, "don't sweat it" is beyond an understatement! Well done, sir! Very well done, indeed!

 

[Skillet]

So I placed an order with a store in Illinois via Reverb for a "mint" "open box" "floor model" somesuch Aerodyne. I had recently not only sold a bass but also a boat (ironically a bass boat!) so I thought I deserved a treat. I've been GASsing for one of these for a while.

I placed my order on a Friday, and noticed a FedEx tracking number was attached to the order Saturday, but as it had shown no movement by the following Tuesday I messaged the shop. The owner / manager messaged me back and was all apologetic, informing me that there was an order placed previous to mine for the same bass and would I be happy to settle for a brand new one from Fender.

My response was in the affirmative so then I got to watch the tracking of a package from California to Illinois. Then the first Fedex Tracking number magically activated itself and started it's move southward. To cut to the chase it finally showed up, all pristine and new and wow it was setup almost perfectly out of the box. I don't know if these get their final setup in California or Japan but it was dialed in. That would be for naught though as I had plans that involved both a fresh set of TI Jazz Flats and a less fresh set of EMG Geezer P n J pickups.

This thing is great. At 8lbs 1.4 oz it's comfy and it seems to hang on my more like one of my medium scales than a full long scale bass. I'm very happy with both it's ergonomics and sound. As I'm a 4003 player a little bit of binding doesn't bother me. I can't leave well enough alone, so it's about to get Hipshot Ultralite tuners (black) on it and probably this Schaller roller bridge (chrome). Note: the stock knobs are too small for the US 1/4" shafts of the Geezers.

Been playing a Lot for a couple of days to get the new out of these strings, and the more I play it, the more I like my heavily discounted brand new bass. I have one parts bass with a gen 1 Sire V7 neck on it so I'm used to and Love the 7.25" radius of this neck.

Good times. Hopefully it'll get out of the house and to a gig sometime in the not too distant future.

 

[Skillet]

Interesting to see these slots in the back of the headstock.... the tuners don't have any protrusions so I guess those are used when drilling or assembling the tuners.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Interesting to see these slots in the back of the headstock.... the tuners don't have any protrusions so I guess those are used when drilling or assembling the tuners.
View attachment 3841953

If that's a brand-new 'Dyne then it must be a newer process, 'cuz I've replaced several Aerodyne E-string tuners with Hipshot Drop-D tuners and I've never seen slots like that. If it a used 'Dyne or an "open-box return", then they might've been carved out by it's original owner.

If nothing else, you could call up Fender directly and ask them to run the serial number. Hopefully, they'll be able to tell you which retail outlet received that particular unit.

 

[Skillet]

If that's a brand-new 'Dyne then it must be a newer process, 'cuz I've replaced several Aerodyne E-string tuners with Hipshot Drop-D tuners and I've never seen slots like that. If it a used 'Dyne or an "open-box return", then they might've been carved out by it's original owner.

If nothing else, you could call up Fender directly and ask them to run the serial number. Hopefully, they'll be able to tell you which retail outlet received that particular unit.

Malak,

I'm certain this bass was shipped straight from Fender to the retailer in Indiana as a new unit as that was what was communicated to me and I followed the tracking from California to the store. It was in all appearances brand new. This must be new tooling they're using if you've not seen it before. Perhaps they are in the process of changing the tuning machines that are to be on these, as some fender tuners do require a recess. Never seen ones that large though. Serial starts with JD20 as expected.

There was no rout under the bridge.

The bass went from 8lbs 1.4oz to 7lbs 15oz (the bridge I added is heavier) and has much improved balance now. It hangs even better with the weight redistributed. I had purchased some shiny Hipshot ultralites from the classifieds and they look rather sharp I think.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Malak,

I'm certain this bass was shipped straight from Fender to the retailer in Indiana as a new unit as that was what was communicated to me and I followed the tracking from California to the store. It was in all appearances brand new. This must be new tooling they're using if you've not seen it before. Perhaps they are in the process of changing the tuning machines that are to be on these, as some fender tuners do require a recess. Never seen ones that large though. Serial starts with JD20 as expected.

I dunno. Something about those wee little routes seems kinda fishy to me. I'm not saying it's not a genuine Fender, but there's a certain haphazardness about those divots, especially how some intersect with the tuner's screw-mount points, but not others. That, plus they seem to serve no purpose whatsoever.

In short, until those routes are explained, I'll continue to think you ended up with a B-Stock item. You say it's a keeper and I believe you. Don't let it go because of some silly little pits on the back of the headstock…nuh uh!

That being said, if it were my bass, I'd definitely write to Fender with a picture attached and ask them what gives. I'd be sure to make it clear that it's a great instrument and I plan on keeping it, but I'm curious to hear an explanation for the holes and if I'd been sold a B-stock bass. They just might offer up a teensy rebate or some other type of swag as compensation. On the other hand, they might try to convince you, "Those are speed holes! They make the bass play faster!"

 

[Malak the Mad]

@Skillet; I take it all back. It's not something unique to your Aerodyne. A freshly-harvested neck just showed up on the Stratosphere's site and it has the same weirdo routes. So, it must be some part of their current manufacturing process. Still, that wouldn't stop me from calling up Fender to say, "Hey, what gives?! ".

If you do call them, see if you can work the term "disfigured" into the conversation. That might get some traction with Customer Service. After all, no other production instrument I know of has that kind of factory-spec divots, so why should anyone have to pay top-dollar for "speed holes" that have never before been there in the seventeen year history of the Aerodyne?

However they might try to spin it, something weird is going down at that factory.

 

[Skillet]

Ah Malak the Metagrobolized!

Hey, did you ever unload that beautiful black Sire? Remember? I posted some clearance priced deals in the "Hot Deals" forum, you scored it, it was great, it was heavy, I saw you had it for sale. That thing was gorgeous..

I digress.

Yeah, nothing about those goofy holes looked "home-crafted". They looked too clean for joe blow in his garage to have done them. A pertinent question would seem to be; What did the neck you posted come off of? I'd be curious if it was from another MiJ bass or something different.

EDIT: I found it, Aerodyne

Some of the necks come from Warmoth with these holes, which are to accommodate a specific tuner. I believe some Fenders do as well. There's the rub, the Aero tuners Don't have any boobies on em.....

 

[Skillet]

Here's an American Ultra Precision (2019) neck.

 

[beatdatthang]

Speaking of Aerodyne necks... I'm considering buying that one from the Stratosphere for a project build. I love the black painted headstock and no inlay look. My question is, can one of you owners tell me the neck thickness at the 1st fret or at least the approximate neck profile?

The thinner the better for me. If it's any bigger than a "modern C" I probably don't want it.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Here's an American Ultra Precision (2019) neck.
View attachment 3843916

I know for sure Fender was doing the same thing with the American Standards. I briefly had a 2013 model and sure enough, when I replaced the E-string tuner with a Hipshot Drop-D extender, it had the little studs on the underside. It makes sense, to have little anchors to better secure the tuners to the headstock.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hey, did you ever unload that beautiful black Sire? Remember? I posted some clearance priced deals in the "Hot Deals" forum, you scored it, it was great, it was heavy, I saw you had it for sale. That thing was gorgeous..

Indeed, it was. Sadly, the neck wasn't doing it for me, which is a shame because I was hoping it's dimensions would be similar to that of an Aerodyne's, which is by far my favorite neck profile. No one here was interested at that time, so I traded it for a different bass at my local Guitar Center…a trade I surely do not regret. Check out the neck on that beastie!

 

[Skillet]

Speaking of Aerodyne necks... I'm considering buying that one from the Stratosphere for a project build. I love the black painted headstock and no inlay look. My question is, can one of you owners tell me the neck thickness at the 1st fret or at least the approximate neck profile?

The thinner the better for me. If it's any bigger than a "modern C" I probably don't want it.

It's as small as any of the smallest jazz bass necks I have. Maybe my Mustang PJ is smaller, but it's about as thin as you can get.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Speaking of Aerodyne necks... I'm considering buying that one from the Stratosphere for a project build. I love the black painted headstock and no inlay look. My question is, can one of you owners tell me the neck thickness at the 1st fret or at least the approximate neck profile?
The thinner the better for me. If it's any bigger than a "modern C" I probably don't want it.

It's as small as any of the smallest jazz bass necks I have. Maybe my Mustang PJ is smaller, but it's about as thin as you can get.

Unfortunately, I don't have any calipers to make an exact measurement, but I don't think it's much thicker than a Modern-C shape. One thing for sure, an Aerodyne neck is not as slim as the CIJ Geddy Lee's neck. I finally got to sample one last year and it was razor-thin…as in "too slim for my tastes", that's for sure.

I haven't had a chance to compare it to an MIM Geddy neck, but the 'Dyne is definitely slimmer than the MIM Classic '70s reissue neck.

 

[Berberdeng]

I don't know if this is considered hijacking the post...I didn't think I should start a brand new thread. I have the chance to buy an Aerodyne at a decent price but my only hesitation is that the seller had put Seymour Duncan pups on it. Can anyone give an opinion on if that would add to or take away from the sound? I haven't heard anything that impressive from Duncan's but also what I've heard was on some Squiers...Thanks for any input!

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

I don't know if this is considered hijacking the post...I didn't think I should start a brand new thread. I have the chance to buy an Aerodyne at a decent price but my only hesitation is that the seller had put Seymour Duncan pups on it. Can anyone give an opinion on if that would add to or take away from the sound? I haven't heard anything that impressive from Duncan's but also what I've heard was on some Squiers...Thanks for any input!

It depends on what Seymour Duncan pickups are installed. You probably heard the Duncan Designed pickups, which are usually in Squiers. If you are talking about something like the Seymour Duncan SPB-1 — they are some top-of-the-line pickups.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

I don't know if this is considered hijacking the post...I didn't think I should start a brand new thread. I have the chance to buy an Aerodyne at a decent price but my only hesitation is that the seller had put Seymour Duncan pups on it. Can anyone give an opinion on if that would add to or take away from the sound? I haven't heard anything that impressive from Duncan's but also what I've heard was on some Squiers...Thanks for any input!

What model of Seymour Duncan's? I got quarter pounders in one of mine and they sound pretty dang good. Very rock n' roll sounding. I like the original pickups also but they aren't anything fancy to begin with.

 

[Berberdeng]

Yeah they're quarter pounders. I guess what I didn't like about what I heard in the Squiers is I felt like it took away from the P pup's voice and left it sounding more like a straight jazz, which is not what I am looking for. I love the sound of PJs because of the mix. Perhaps I just didn't get a good example of the quarter pounders?