Heads up, if anyone is looking to buy.
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I bought mine (2012 Aerodyne) on eBay, direct from Japan. Much prettier finish (IMHBAO) and less expensive than the new models. I love it. BTW, it now sports TI Jazz Rounds (JR-344).
Wasn’t sure if everyone’s seen this, so I’m posting here. $649 for new Aerodynes.
Aerodyne Basses 0 off
Aerodyne Basses 0 off
Well I'll be...
Math was good, only lacking in the specifics.
BFIA's link leads to the necessary details.
We were wondering if that might be an error in pricing. I prefer that burst finish.
Aerodynes are exclusively made in Japan, so you betcha.
Looks like the Fender website adjusted the price of the chocolate burst Aerodynes. Quite a few people got in on that deal before it closed out.
I tune down to D standard on my non-export and have had the same DR Fat Beams 45-100 set on there since 2020. Absolutely love the tone of old SS strings on that bass!
We play everything down a half step, so I'll share my own observations. I set up my gigging basses downtuned. I prefer the lightest gauge strings, and all of the below were in the lightest available gauges. (I used to think you really need the thickest strings for the thickest low end, but I personally have found that not to be the case.)
I just put on EB Cobalt flats in the light gauge (Extra Slinky) a few weeks ago. I'm really digging the tone for the music we do ('70s' and later metal-tinged party rock covers). We'll see how they sound when they're broken in, but they are starting out with the most rounds-sounding tone I've come across in a flatwound string. And I like the feel better than the TI Jazz Flats they replaced. I switched because I wanted a brighter, rounds-like tone, but I just like playing flats better than rounds. I had a harder time with the TI's floppy A-string when playing downtuned than with standard tuning, where it is just barely tolerable to me. I really changed for both reasons, tone and playability, and both are better. I can't recommend down-tuning the TIs on the Aerodyne.
I have down-tuned Chromes on the Dyne with no playability issues and it sounds great strung with Chromes. I could live with Chromes (and did for a long time). Can't say I wouldn't go back to them if the Cobalts don't live up to expectations. Done with the TIs on this bass.
Labella Low Tension Flats were a bit too floppy for me even in standard tuning. I like the regular DTFs, which sound nice and old school on the Dyne, especially with the P solo'd, but I just don't remember playing much downtuned back when I had them on it. Ultimately, I preferred the TIs' mids over the Labella DTFs. But that overcooked noodle of an A-string on the TIs is vexing on every bass I've tried them on, and always has required higher action than the other strings in the set.
I do have a drop-tuner and the E string has sounded monstrous (through that Mesa rig
) and played just fine, even down-tuned 3 half-steps from standard with the TI, Cobalt, Labella, and Chrome flats.
EB 2815 Slinky Cobalt Flats (40-95), standard tuning.
Currently, my Export Edition Aerodyne is wearing a set of .100-gauge (my gauge of choice
), black-coated, Rotosound Nexus strings. Unfortunately, I haven't had any time to get to know them very well, so I can't comment there. What I can do is agree with the good doctor on how great it sounds with a set of D'Addario Chromes. They give me plenty of low-end, but can also growl nicely when you really dig in, which I tend to do. I've also been known to use a Hipshot Drop-D tuner and can report that there are no issues on that front.I've experimented with EB Cobalt rounds in the past and if you want more brightness and clarity, they'll certainly deliver.
Then you sure picked the right strings. I've commented on several threads about how Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats live in that hazy twilight zone between rounds and flats. Most recently, they did wonders for my Fender Blacktop Jazz (dual split-coil pickups...very powerful!) in that they preserved the deep lows and growl, but helped ease some of the brutal "clang-clang-clang!".
I am a round wound guy so my Aerodyne sports D'Addario EXL 160 Brights @ 50, 70, 85, 105 in size and it sounds great. But I have other things going on with this bass. Fretless neck, EMG PAX active pick up set and Gotoh 201b High mass bridge. Tuned standard.
