The only thing that would improve mine is someone who actually knew how to play it.
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Yes if you have one of those Ace Hardware stores with an isle of screws. I believe that they are 6-32 but bring one with you.
6/32 thanks I’ll head up to ACE this week and see if they have a shorter screw.
I was completely unaware these existed. I thought the only Aerodynes sold in the US were the black ones. Played one of these today in GC. It looked great and felt great. Very similar in feel to my PJ Aerodyne.
One thing that impressed me was how silent the jazz pickups were. Even turning one off didn't produce any hum. I'm sure GC has better grounding than my house, but I still expected something. The J pickup on my PJ is loud as hell even after shielding the pickup cavity.
Fender Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass - Dolphin Gray Metallic
One thing that impressed me was how silent the jazz pickups were. Even turning one off didn't produce any hum. I'm sure GC has better grounding than my house, but I still expected something. The J pickup on my PJ is loud as hell even after shielding the pickup cavity.
Fender Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass - Dolphin Gray Metallic
They also had a white Aerodyne with only the precision pickup. I didn't like the look of that one though. I'm curious to see this California Blue jazz one in person. Looks a little too pastel in the pictures. Plus, I prefer a dark wood fretboard as opposed to maple.
Fender Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass - California Blue
Fender Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass - California Blue
Apparently, FMIC has ordered their subsidiary, Fender Music Corporation (Japan), to turn out a whole run of Aerodyne-based instruments, much like how they revived the Boxer Series a year or two ago. And, just like they did with the new Boxers, they've dropped some of the vintage specs for more modern appointments.
To be fair, a 9.5" radius may seem "vintage" to younger managers at FMIC, while the 7.25" radius neck probably falls into the category of "ancient history" in their minds. Whatever the sitch is, it looks like the days of relying upon the previous Fender-Japan incarnation to keep producing those wonderful, curvier necks is fast becoming a thing of the past.
For a bit of context in regards to my previous post, here's a bit of recent history that's relevant to who's calling Fender's shots out in The Land of the Rising Humidity;
Hmm, tbh, I didn't notice that it wasn't 7.25. It felt very similar to me. But I wasn't comparing it side by side. And I've been playing way more of my Squier P Bass lately, believe it or not. So the feel of my Aerodyne wasn't fresh in my mind.
I think I chalked up any slight difference in feel to just variations from bass to bass. The action was slightly higher than mine, so that made it not a one-to-one comparison to begin with.
Damn, the Sweetwater site says it's a 12" radius. That's completely different.
The biggest change that bothers me is the $1350 price tag though. Last I checked, the black PJ was under $900.
The biggest change that bothers me is the $1350 price tag though. Last I checked, the black PJ was under $900.
I doubt the veracity of that article. Right off the bat, they talk about Japan's history of quality. Nonsense. There was a time not all that long ago when "made in Japan" was just like "made in China" today.
Read about how the US transformed Japanese industry after WW2 by reading about a guy named W Edwards Deming.
Right up front, I'm not about to engage in an argument over which country manufactures better products than the other. It's a debate that's flogged way too much on the forum already. (re: MIA vs MIM vs MIJ vs MII...ad nauseum)
The main thrust of the article is how FMIC decided to partner up with their Japanese competitors, rather than get bogged down in years of costly lawsuits, then made the decision to take over greater control when they dissolved the Kanda-Shokai joint venture.
It only mentioned weapons, armor and the rail system. There is garbage that comes out of the US and amazing work that comes out of China, if you want to pay for it. Not quite sure what triggered you, though...
I have a 2012 Candy Apple Red Aerodyne bass on its way across the ocean to me (my first Aerodyne). There is a significant chip in the finish, though it’s in an obscure location (corner of the neck plate). I’ll want to stabilize it so that it doesn’t grow in size. I’m thinking about touching it up with some matching nail polish and topping it off with some clear polish to even out the surface.
Does anyone have any experience with finish repairs? I’m not sure how the nail polish will react with the existing finish.
Does anyone have any experience with finish repairs? I’m not sure how the nail polish will react with the existing finish.
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Honestly, for the coin you likely laid out to get this, it would be worth finding a luthier to properly address. Let a pro make it awesome as it should be vs just OK. You will very likely appreciate the instrument more over time if it’s back to “perfect”, or darn close.
I spent $300 on a complete luthier refinish of a badly refinished Carvin Koa bass I acquired (yours will likely be way less). It was worth every penny to me. It is now my #1 fretted bass and I get compliments on in almost every time I play
Thanks; I’ll consider it, and I’ll show it to my guy. There are some other minor finish blems, but no instrument stays perfect forever. And it’s likely that nobody will ever notice this one (I added a photo to the original post).
Or just leave it as is. Dings and dents add character.
I mainly want to keep it from growing. It was not noticed by the seller when he took photos for the ad, until he took off the neck for shipping. He immediately offered to let me cancel the order; I countered with a $50 discount off the price, which he accepted. We are both satisfied.
At first, I, too, thought about getting the chips on my Aerodyne professionally refinished. I was talked down from that ledge when a music store employee explained to me how a lot more would have to come off to do the job right (re: expensive!) and there's no guarantee their paint would be an even match with the Japanese finish.
The following week, a guy from another store said to me something much like this sentiment;
He said, "Don't do it, dude. That's 'mojo'. Some people pay lots of money for that."
Still, every once in a while, I consider getting some black nail polish to do a DIY drop-fill number on my first-ever bass. That, or just a microscopic amount of Krazy Glue to shore up those spots and to keep them from cracking further. So, less "looks", more "preservation".
If memory serves correct, there is some kind of drop-fill technique where a little bit of finish is mixed in with Krazy Glue, then gently dripped into small dings and cracks. However, look into all the details and pitfalls before doing any DIY work.
Triggered? I'm not triggered, just conversing. Don't take it personally. I'm a student of history, and what was written in the article is no reflection on you, but rather the author of the article.
