Chances of finding one are slim to none. The most popular colors were blue, crimson and walnut.
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An Aerodyne P Bass in blue is up for sale.
1994/5 Transparent Blue Fender Aerodyne Precision Bass Guitar - Made in Japan | eBay
Looks a bit dicey to me
- that SN seems to belong to a 6 string strat, but my understanding is that Fender MIJ/CIJ don't follow the standard SN conventions for Fender?
- pictures suggest the finish is not quilted but a flatter blue which seems odd
- solely listed on ebay not through Reverb or otherwise
I'd like to join the club, but something doesn't smell right.
1994/5 Transparent Blue Fender Aerodyne Precision Bass Guitar - Made in Japan | eBay
Looks a bit dicey to me
- that SN seems to belong to a 6 string strat, but my understanding is that Fender MIJ/CIJ don't follow the standard SN conventions for Fender?
- pictures suggest the finish is not quilted but a flatter blue which seems odd
- solely listed on ebay not through Reverb or otherwise
I'd like to join the club, but something doesn't smell right.
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To my eyes, the Aerodyne looks like it may be legit. While the combination of crappy, low-rez pictures, a misunderstanding of how Fender-Japan product dating, the bass-ackwards stringing and no listing on Reverb may make it look sketchy, the wide variety of stuff they're selling suggests it's either a pawn shop broker or someone who haunts estate/garage sales. If nothing else, the seller has 100% feedback from almost 2,500 ratings, so there's that.
As for the serial number, they obviously didn't take into account two things, "CIJ" designations started in 1997 and Aerodynes didn't hit the market until 2004. Based on the "S" serial number, it would've been built somewhere between 2006 and 2008.
And in regards to the pics, take a closer look at these two. Despite the glare, you can still make out a wee bit o' flame.
Damn, but I love a good mystery!
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After clicking on "See other items" (from this seller), I was able to imagine reasons why it wasn't on 'verb. Maybe you could too?
Nice looking bass and good price shipped, too. Maybe ask for more pictures showing the finish close up? Good luck!
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Looks legit to me. I like the color and admit I'm a sucker for matching head stocks. I note that someone added an ashtray to give it a more vintage look, which probably diminishes value, but I'm ok with that. It's on the way to NH. Going to be interesting to compare it to my Aerodyne II jazz. I'll post pics when it arrives.
Didn't mean to jump line. I get those eBay notifications directly as well. If you have your heart set on this one. PM me.
I've been considering the Aerodyne for a couple of years, and especially now after a Guitar Center sales manager and his luthier both spent about 10 minutes singing the praises of the Aerodyne, just out of the blue: they didn't even have one in stock and didn't send me to their website. They just love that bass.
So, as a good TalkBasser: I've just read through roughly 74 pages of this Club thread (every other page).
What jumps out is the number of posts about modifying the Aerodyne, especially the pickups.
Now I'm wondering ....
How's the tone of the Made-for-Export Aerodyne before modifications? Does it have full, round and deep bass notes? One video reviewer called it a "midrange monster" and another video reviewer commented that he felt it sounded best he rolled off the treble and mids on his amp. Your feelings?
What tone improvements are you making when you are swapping out for new pups?
Thanks!
So, as a good TalkBasser: I've just read through roughly 74 pages of this Club thread (every other page).
What jumps out is the number of posts about modifying the Aerodyne, especially the pickups.
Now I'm wondering ....
How's the tone of the Made-for-Export Aerodyne before modifications? Does it have full, round and deep bass notes? One video reviewer called it a "midrange monster" and another video reviewer commented that he felt it sounded best he rolled off the treble and mids on his amp. Your feelings?
What tone improvements are you making when you are swapping out for new pups?
Thanks!
Do not trust Fender's website to lookup SN as it doesn't include past japanese Fenders. Mine is also a CIJ that starts with S. Finish is also flamed and not quilted. Reverb is also not the "end all be all" place to sell guitars. A lot of japanese vendors will use Ebay instead of Reverb for example.
This list has all the japanese Fender serials on it:
SERIAL NUMBERS CIRCA
JV + 5 digits 1982-1984
SQ + 5 digits 1983-1984
E + 6 digits 1984-1987
A + 6 digits 1985-1986
B + 6 digits 1985-1986
C + 6 digits 1985-1986
F + 6 digits 1986-1987
G + 6 digits 1987-1988
H + 6 digits 1988-1989
I + 6 digits 1989-1990
J + 6 digits 1989-1990
K + 6 digits 1990-1991
L + 6 digits 1991-1992
M + 6 digits 1992-1993
N + 6 digits 1993-1994
O + 6 digits 1993-1994
P + 6 digits 1993-1994
Q + 6 digits 1993-1994
S + 6 digits 1994-1995
T + 6 digits 1994-1995
U + 6 digits 1995-1996
N + 5 digits 1995-1996
V + 6 digits 1996-1997
In 1997, Fender transitioned to a serial number decal that included the words “Crafted in Japan” above the serial number.
Crafted in Japan A + 6 digits 1997-1998
Crafted in Japan O + 6 digits 1997-2000
Crafted in Japan P + 6 digits 1999-2002
Crafted in Japan Q + 6 digits 2002-2004
Crafted in Japan R + 6 digits 2004-2005
Crafted in Japan S + 6 digits 2006-2008
Crafted in Japan T + 6 digits 2007-2008
2007 was another transitional year for Japanese-made Fender instruments, with the return to the “Made in Japan” country-of-origin identifier on the serial number decal. This was a running change, and both “Made in Japan” and “Crafted in Japan” decals appear on instruments from 2007 and 2008.
Made in Japan T + 6 digits 2007-2010
Made in Japan U + 6 digits 2010-2011
Note: A new Japanese vendor was enlisted in 2010 to help meet demand for the Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller Jazz Bass models. These two basses and the other instruments listed below that were supplied by this factory continued to use “Made in Japan T + 6 digits” designation through 2011:
Pawn Shop Fender ‘51
Pawn Shop Fender ‘72
Pawn Shop Mustang Special
‘70s Precision Bass
Jaguar Bass
In 2012, Fender has transitioned the numbering scheme again with the new serial number starting with “JD” followed by an eight-digit number with “Made in Japan” decals.
If your serial number starts with “JD” followed by an eight-digit number, the first two digits designates the year of manufacture.
However, there are some exceptions in this transition period in 2012. “JD + 8 digits” and some of instruments with “U + 6 digits” are also built in 2012.
JD + 8 digits 2012 and on going
JV + 5 digits 1982-1984
SQ + 5 digits 1983-1984
E + 6 digits 1984-1987
A + 6 digits 1985-1986
B + 6 digits 1985-1986
C + 6 digits 1985-1986
F + 6 digits 1986-1987
G + 6 digits 1987-1988
H + 6 digits 1988-1989
I + 6 digits 1989-1990
J + 6 digits 1989-1990
K + 6 digits 1990-1991
L + 6 digits 1991-1992
M + 6 digits 1992-1993
N + 6 digits 1993-1994
O + 6 digits 1993-1994
P + 6 digits 1993-1994
Q + 6 digits 1993-1994
S + 6 digits 1994-1995
T + 6 digits 1994-1995
U + 6 digits 1995-1996
N + 5 digits 1995-1996
V + 6 digits 1996-1997
In 1997, Fender transitioned to a serial number decal that included the words “Crafted in Japan” above the serial number.
Crafted in Japan A + 6 digits 1997-1998
Crafted in Japan O + 6 digits 1997-2000
Crafted in Japan P + 6 digits 1999-2002
Crafted in Japan Q + 6 digits 2002-2004
Crafted in Japan R + 6 digits 2004-2005
Crafted in Japan S + 6 digits 2006-2008
Crafted in Japan T + 6 digits 2007-2008
2007 was another transitional year for Japanese-made Fender instruments, with the return to the “Made in Japan” country-of-origin identifier on the serial number decal. This was a running change, and both “Made in Japan” and “Crafted in Japan” decals appear on instruments from 2007 and 2008.
Made in Japan T + 6 digits 2007-2010
Made in Japan U + 6 digits 2010-2011
Note: A new Japanese vendor was enlisted in 2010 to help meet demand for the Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller Jazz Bass models. These two basses and the other instruments listed below that were supplied by this factory continued to use “Made in Japan T + 6 digits” designation through 2011:
Pawn Shop Fender ‘51
Pawn Shop Fender ‘72
Pawn Shop Mustang Special
‘70s Precision Bass
Jaguar Bass
In 2012, Fender has transitioned the numbering scheme again with the new serial number starting with “JD” followed by an eight-digit number with “Made in Japan” decals.
If your serial number starts with “JD” followed by an eight-digit number, the first two digits designates the year of manufacture.
However, there are some exceptions in this transition period in 2012. “JD + 8 digits” and some of instruments with “U + 6 digits” are also built in 2012.
JD + 8 digits 2012 and on going
Btw sticking an ashtray on an aerodyne is a sin
I only have 2 other Fenders to compare it to: a 2010 AmStd P bass and an '85 Jazz Bass Special.
I play with scooped EQ on my amp (lower mids) and my Aerodyne has a distinct growl to it. It noticeably more aggressive than my P bass (which is rounder, smoother and more bassy) but less "twangier" than my JBS (because of the TBX pot).
I would never replace the pups on mine, though. With both pups on full, it actually sounds really nice while slapping, more so than my other Fenders.
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It makes me wonder if Fender-Japan kept records that could even be deciphered by FMIC after their takeover. If nothing else, it must have been a monumental task of nonstop data entry for them to create that serial number database. Maybe someday they'll be able to include Japanese-made Fenders, but for all we know, that could be a long way off.
Truth!
Given the experience I have moving a split-coil pickup around on one of my parts-bass Projekts, I suspect that's because the Aerodyne's P-pup is a bit closer to the neck. Short story; "pickup placement" matters.
After waffling about selling my Aero for a while, mainly to offset other bass purchases, I had leant it out to my guitarist band mate to use for some demos he’s been working on. He had it about six months and brought it to practice today to return despite my insistence he hold on to it for the foreseeable future as I have other basses I favor. Our bassist (I mainly play drums in this group) decided to use it for a new song we were feeling out, and damn, the tones from this thing were just so perfect. Both pickups about 70% with tone all the way down just oozed a creaminess to fill out all the right parts of the low end in the room. At some point while I was ordering pizza upstairs, they were jamming drums and piano on One Angry Dwarf (Ben Folds Five), so I jumped in on the Aero and I had forgotten how fast and easy that neck is to play. I’m glad to have it back, will 100% will be keeping it in my possession for future recordings and jams. What a fantastic instrument!
Another lost lamb has come back to the light! HALLELUJAH!!
It’s just another great tool to have in the stable. Horses, GOATs, dogs and lambs have a place in my home
Players in this thread appear to lean towards GHS Precision and TI Jazz for flat-wounds.
For rounds, recently I tried a variety on my stock model, but so far none seem better than the OEM (Fender 7250s?)
My Aerodyne's tone control sounds sedated compared to the tone on regular Fender J and P-basses, which reach brighter and darker.
Would you recommend different rounds to wake up the pot's range, or is subdued combed-out warmth the nature of the Aerodyne tone control?
For rounds, recently I tried a variety on my stock model, but so far none seem better than the OEM (Fender 7250s?)
My Aerodyne's tone control sounds sedated compared to the tone on regular Fender J and P-basses, which reach brighter and darker.
Would you recommend different rounds to wake up the pot's range, or is subdued combed-out warmth the nature of the Aerodyne tone control?
I find my Aerodyne to be punchy so I think you just need other strings. I default to Rotosound Swing Bass 66. But if I want extra clarity, Ernie Ball Slinkies in 105.
But you're gonna get a lot of different opinions when it comes to strings. It really depends on your style and what you're looking for in a set of strings.
Because I play with a pick almost directly over the P pup (EMG-GZR) the stock strings generate a LOT of amplified pick noise. Any recommendations for stings that don't sound completely dead, yet mute some of the pick scratching? I have some DR Black Beauties that I was going to try.
I have Black Beauties on my Fender PJ mutt with EMG GZRs and they definitely mute the high end. I only play finger style, but it is very noticeable vs my other basses that wear rounds.
They big thing with the Black Beauties and a pick is I've heard it will wear the coating through very quickly.
I have found that GHS Pressurewounds lose their brightness after about a week and settle in really nicely. I'd bet they'd do well with a pick over the P-pickup.
Try this video at about 2:10 for broken in with a pick
Thanks! The OE strings are almost too much with that pickup anyway so if I don't like the DRs I will try the GHS.
My unsolicited opinion... I like GHS Boomers on pretty much everything. I have Rotosound stainless rounds on my Ric and a Jazz bass or two, but for a great all purpose round, the GHS Boomers are great.
