• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender Aerodyne Club!

#2,581
Perhaps it’s just that set of strings? I had good string to string balance after minor adjustment of pick up heights with the stock pickups. I eventually swapped out to the EMG Geezer set, which in my opinion improved the bridge pick up a lot. The P tone was a little more break-even, maybe a little bit darker/old-school sounding, but not much. But I haven’t had string to string volume issues. I’m still playing mine a lot, and I was lucky enough to score a used Fodera a few months ago! The Aerodyne neck doesn’t give anything up to the Fodera neck, either!

Congratulations on your new bass! I’m sure you’ll get the string balance sorted out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lujon and Malak the Mad
#2,582
Lujon said:
I’ve thought about raising the saddle but one of the things I love so much about this bass is the super low action I can get. But that’s with all the strings, I don’t just have the E low, haha! I guess it’s just a quirk of this particular bass to have a lot of low output.
Click to expand...
The pickups seem to be a bone of contention around these parts. Some people, myself included, really like the sounds I get out of my Aerodyne, while others see it as the first thing to upgrade. It's possible their stock pickups have a "hit or miss" element to them. That, or perhaps it's just a matter of taste. Who really knows?

For me, the strengths of the Almighty 'Dyne are the ergonomics and the sheer amount of "Cool Factor:cool:" they possess. Even if I didn't like the sound, I'd still want to own one, 'cuz they be replaceable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chienmort, DrThumpenstein and Lujon
#2,583
I can see why some people might not like the stock pickups. At least on mine, when I solo the bridge or neck I get some really classic sounds, especially if I roll off the tone a bit. But the bass itself has a more modern look to it. Maybe it just doesn’t match people’s expectations of what it should sound like based on how it looks?
 
#2,584
Lujon said:
Some great looking Aerodynes here!

A couple months ago I went it GC to get some strings and saw a used Aerodyne on the wall. Wasn’t looking for a bass but decided to try it out. I could not put the thing down, not only the best neck I’ve ever played but it sounded phenomenal. Anyway, instead of strings I bought the Aerodyne and I love it!

Here’s my question for fellow owners: the stock pickups sound good to me, but the E string is very, very loud on the split pickup. I have the pickup angled pretty far toward the body to get it away from the E but even then I have to turn down the bass on my amp to even things out. Is this common issue?

My other observation/question is that acoustically the body is very thumpy and resonant. Unplugged it almost sounds like a double bass. This is not something I’ve experienced with other basses, is it an Aerodyne thing?
Click to expand...
Yes the stock P pup on my Jazz was a bit heavy on the e String. I replaced it with a DiMarzio and its now fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jefff100
#2,585
Malak the Mad said:
The pickups seem to be a bone of contention around these parts. Some people, myself included, really like the sounds I get out of my Aerodyne, while others see it as the first thing to upgrade. It's possible their stock pickups have a "hit or miss" element to them. That, or perhaps it's just a matter of taste. Who really knows?

For me, the strengths of the Almighty 'Dyne are the ergonomics and the sheer amount of "Cool Factor:cool:" they possess. Even if I didn't like the sound, I'd still want to own one, 'cuz they be replaceable.
Click to expand...
I fellin love with mine hanging on the wall n a music shop but conviced myself it was probably all flash no substance. Second visit, picked it up and played it, the belly carve, the shape and size of the neck, even the radius seemed to just fit me. Oh and does it look cool. How many times has a stranger asked me "Is that an Aerodyne"?
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein and Malak the Mad
#2,586
chienmort said:
I fellin love with mine hanging on the wall n a music shop but conviced myself it was probably all flash no substance. Second visit, picked it up and played it, the belly carve, the shape and size of the neck, even the radius seemed to just fit me. Oh and does it look cool. How many times has a stranger asked me "Is that an Aerodyne"?
Click to expand...
I see history has a way of repeating itself. My Aerodyne was the first bass I ever purchase and like any first step into a whole, new world, I was a bit nervous and self-conscious about my decision. Fortunately, the first time I took it to a local store for a setup and restring, as well as my first trip to a nearby Guitar Center for a case, strap and headphone amp, an employee of each store stopped in their tracks and exclaimed, "Is that an Aerodyne?! :jawdrop: :drool:".

Those identical experiences went a long way to ease my nerves and told me I had made a wise choice. :smug:
 
#2,587
To be honest concerning the pickups, I love the way they sound stock. Even though we got the short-end of the stick in EU/AM, since the JDM ones had DiMarzio heavy drives in them from factory.

On my Aerodyne P, the stock pickups are pretty aggressive. In comparison to my Jazz Bass Special and AmStd P bass, it has much more growl to it than the other two. It also has much funkier sounds with both pups selected and slap.
 
#2,588
Count me as another who’s Aerodyne was their first bass. The style grabbed my attention at first, but as I was shopping for my first I noodled around on a bunch - the Aerodyne just felt the best.

I’ve had probably 8 or 10 basses come & go in the past 16 years, but this one’s still around.

I found the stock pickups to be a bit thin & replaced them with DiMarzios. Mine are not the typical DiMarzio P/J set however- I have a Split P and the bridge is an Ultra Jazz. The Jazz bridge is lower output than the Split-P.

Have never had a problem with the E being overpowering- but I do note that my G string is isnt as strong, which I compensate with on the amp EQ.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad
#2,589
My Aerodyne has now been one of my longest kept basses (a mere 4 years) during over a decade of buying and selling. It was not my last bass as I intended, and regrettably I had even considered trading it in for a Stealth Black SBMM Ray34HH recently. That GAS has subsided after putting on some new Slinkys and playing on it more regularly, remembering that it's really one of the most comfortable and awesome sounding basses I've owned. Ashamed to think I would consider giving up this bass!

So even with GAS subsiding, I'm still drawn to the aesthetics of the Stealth Black Ray34HH. Thinking about replacing the chrome hardware on my Aero to get that blackout look. Here's a quick Photoshop mock while I consider the update, and if it comes to pass I'll post pics of the final product.

Aerodyne_Blackout.jpg


Thoughts on going full out with black screws and jack nut? One of the things I like about the non-export is the pickguard and extra hardware, maybe this is too far.

Aerodyne_Blackout_2.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: emal
#2,591
John Eaton said:
Hi all,

Do any of you own this bass?
Looking for a J-J CIJ flame blue to match my P-J.
If you have one or know of one that someone might want to part with, please let me know.

Thanks!
View attachment 4365924
Click to expand...
A DiMarzio Edition? A rare bird indeed!

Have you scoped out Ishibashi’s U-BOX database? They get the odd rarity every once in a while.

Happy hunting! Let us know if you manage to score one, ‘kay? :thumbsup:
 
#2,592
Malak the Mad said:
A DiMarzio Edition? A rare bird indeed!

Have you scoped out Ishibashi’s U-BOX database? They get the odd rarity every once in a while.

Happy hunting! Let us know if you manage to score one, ‘kay? :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Not too concerned about DiMarzio,

Just want a matching J-J to my flame blue P-J.
Man I love that bass.
Thanks for the lead, will check it out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad
#2,593
John Eaton said:
Not too concerned about DiMarzio,

Just want a matching J-J to my flame blue P-J.
Man I love that bass.
Thanks for the lead, will check it out.
Click to expand...
The DiMarzio Edition was one of the very few Aerodyne models that came stock with a J/J configuration. Other J/J models included the medium-scalers (AJB-M) and the five stringers (AJB-V). However, I'm pretty sure the DiMarzio Edition was the only one among them that came with a transparent blue finish and a flame maple top.

Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass Dimarzio Collection AJB-110DMC Flame Blue 2006-08
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back