Fender Aerodyne Club!

[trseal]

How are the stock strings on these basses? Immediately replace or suffice for a few months?

Fender stock strings. They're decent just rather bright and zingy when new. Not my favorite but certainly not the worst.

Agree. Being a "flats" kinda guy, I think they're pretty harsh sounding myself but not bad strings. Left them on my Aero for awhile but they never did mellow enough for my liking so I replaced them with Fender pure nickel round wounds. I think it sounds much better. Still crisp and zingy but not harsh.

Tim

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Anybody have suggestions for flatwounds that would still give you some sparkle?

D’Addario Chromes gave my OG Aerodyne a bit o’ growl, especially when you really dig into the strings, but I’m told they mellow out as they break in over time. However, if I wanted to achieve “maximum brightness” with flats, I’d go with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats.

On the flip-side, if I wanted a thick, muddy Mowtown vibe, I’d get another set of DR Legends. They’re totally not to my taste, but I can see what niche they’d fill nicely.

I'm with Malak on the Cobalt recommendation. I've tried a lot of flats on my Aerodyne (Chromes, TI Jazz, LaBella DTB and LTF, Fender), and the EB Cobalt flats are brighter by degrees compared to the others I've tried. Chromes would be next, and it's not that close in my experience. I've tried the Rotos on another bass many years ago and I honestly can't remember much about them, but a lot of people recommend them for brighter flats.

 

[trseal]

I'm with Malak on the Cobalt recommendation. I've tried a lot of flats on my Aerodyne (Chromes, TI Jazz, LaBella DTB and LTF, Fender), and the EB Cobalt flats are brighter by degrees compared to the others I've tried. Chromes would be next, and it's not that close in my experience. I've tried the Rotos on another bass many years ago and I honestly can't remember much about them, but a lot of people recommend them for brighter flats.

I don't remember if I mentioned this here so sorry if I'm repeating myself. I put Roto flats on a '66 RI J and they are brighter than all the other flats I'm using. Don't know yet if they mellow much- they're only a couple months old.

Tim

 

[Malak the Mad]

I'm with Malak on the Cobalt recommendation. I've tried a lot of flats on my Aerodyne (Chromes, TI Jazz, LaBella DTB and LTF, Fender), and the EB Cobalt flats are brighter by degrees compared to the others I've tried. Chromes would be next, and it's not that close in my experience. I've tried the Rotos on another bass many years ago and I honestly can't remember much about them, but a lot of people recommend them for brighter flats.

I forgot to mention the standard Ernie Ball Group <insert number here> Flats. They sound and feel quite a lot like Chromes, but I don't know how long they retain their "zing", since the bass I put them on was quickly donated to a high school music department.

I think I read somewhere on TalkBass that they were manufactured by another brand, like D'Addario or someone like that. It does get interesting when the veil gets lifted a little and you see who makes what for whom. If that is the case, I could see Ernie Ball, among others, outsourcing their more standardized strings, but keeping the processes for making their fancier strings a strictly in-house operation..."trade secrets" and all that jazz.

 

[musicman556]

I have a Jazz bass with TI Jazz Flats, mutliple P and J basses with the Billy Sheehan stainless Rotosounds, some Labella nickel wounds, and have left the stock strings on both my Aerodynes. I actually like them, and may replace them with the same when it's time. I have super aggressive basses with the Sheehan sets, and then super mellow with the TIJFs.

I think the stock strings are just a nice middle of the road. They respond well to changes in attack, and give me a good range of tones without being either too strong or too weak in any specific area. I think they match the temperament of the stock electronics pretty well.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I have a Jazz bass with TI Jazz Flats, mutliple P and J basses with the Billy Sheehan stainless Rotosounds, some Labella nickel wounds, and have left the stock strings on both my Aerodynes. I actually like them, and may replace them with the same when it's time. I have super aggressive basses with the Sheehan sets, and then super mellow with the TIJFs.

I think the stock strings are just a nice middle of the road. They respond well to changes in attack, and give me a good range of tones without being either too strong or too weak in any specific area. I think they match the temperament of the stock electronics pretty well.

I agree. I'm a flats guy, not quite exclusively, and I thought the stock strings played and sounded pretty good.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

When my 2012 Aerodyne arrived, I didn’t know which strings were on it. I immediately installed a set of TI Jazz Flats. Later I wanted a bit more zing on the Aerodyne, so I moved the flats to my Fender JP-90 and installed a set of TI Jazz Rounds onto the Aerodyne. I’ve been pleased with the result, so much so that I also installed a set of the rounds onto my Rick 4003SW, which had been wearing flats. Really nice strings, IMHBAO.

 

[outoftune]

How are the stock strings on these basses? Immediately replace or suffice for a few months?

Not terrible. I’m leaving them on for a while

 

[Kevlanco]

Fender Aerodyne SP Jazz Bass - California Blue | Reverb

Looks like they posted the blue aerodyne J bass the day after I ordered my dolphin grey.

Just some unfortunate timing. I likely would’ve chosen the blue one if I had the choice. Ah well, I get to unbox the dolphin tomorrow as it was delivered today.

EDIT: Same with this one here
Fender Aerodyne Special P Bass - Speed Green | Reverb

 

[MIJ Enjoyer]

Fender Aerodyne SP Jazz Bass - California Blue | Reverb

Looks like they posted the blue aerodyne J bass the day after I ordered my dolphin grey.

Just some unfortunate timing. I likely would’ve chosen the blue one if I had the choice. Ah well, I get to unbox the dolphin tomorrow as it was delivered today.

EDIT: Same with this one here
Fender Aerodyne Special P Bass - Speed Green | Reverb

I have the dolphin grey and I dig the looks, it's minimalistic and at time, with the right lighting it looks stella. Either way for $599 it's a complete robbery, that bass is one of the best I've ever owned.

 

[MIJ Enjoyer]

I can’t seem to find the specs anywhere online. Are these aerodyne special jazz basses 60’s or 70’s spacing?

These are 60s spacing. On all the aerodyne.

 

[MIJ Enjoyer]

I have the blue Jazz, and bought it for $400 more than today's price, and I'm not even mad about it. It is an incredible bass, and really has become my #1.

I'm about 99% sure I'm going to buy the white Precision by the end of the night. Not only will it be a great pairing with the Aerodyne Jazz, but it will also look awesome with the Fender Japan Elemental I got earlier this year!
View attachment 5229683

Brother, I dropped full MSRP+Tax for my special Jazz in Dolphin, I was salty about it but honestly, I still love the bass regardless, it was worth the money back then, but DAMN, I wish I got it for $599 lol!

 

[JumboJett35]

It looks like they must've started with the Dolphin Jazz and the White Precision. The rest were all listed a couple days ago.

I really like that chocolate burst and had it been available when I ordered my Dolphin, it would've been a tough choice. Those reverb pictures are the best I've seen of that finish by far. I'm an hour from Hershey, PA and this thing just oozes warm liquid chocolate. A very interesting and unique color.

Granted I've already got plenty of burst finishes and the Dolphin is way better looking in person so truthfully I'm not upset. I personally feel I choose the two best options of them and got a great deal at $599.

When I received my Dolphin Jazz it confirmed a couple things. I prefer rosewood boards and Precision necks. Nothing against the Jazz as its one of the best necks I've played but my meaty hands feel more at home on a Precision.

That being said I'm glad the speed green P doesn't have a rosewood board as I'm a weak man!

 

[JumboJett35]

I have the dolphin grey and I dig the looks, it's minimalistic and at time, with the right lighting it looks stella. Either way for $599 it's a complete robbery, that bass is one of the best I've ever owned.

Minimalist yet futuristic. I imagine these are the basses they would've envisioned in the 50s when they were on about flying cars.

 

[musicman556]

Brother, I dropped full MSRP+Tax for my special Jazz in Dolphin, I was salty about it but honestly, I still love the bass regardless, it was worth the money back then, but DAMN, I wish I got it for $599 lol!

I feel you. I paid $1,200 for my Cali blue J. And $800 for the white Precision. While I do wish I could have my $800 surplus spend back (would buy the Dolphin!) I'm not mad. These things are stupid good. I'm thankful I got to add the P for $400 less than the J.

 

[outoftune]

It looks like they must've started with the Dolphin Jazz and the White Precision. The rest were all listed a couple days ago.

I really like that chocolate burst and had it been available when I ordered my Dolphin, it would've been a tough choice. Those reverb pictures are the best I've seen of that finish by far. I'm an hour from Hershey, PA and this thing just oozes warm liquid chocolate. A very interesting and unique color.

Granted I've already got plenty of burst finishes and the Dolphin is way better looking in person so truthfully I'm not upset. I personally feel I choose the two best options of them and got a great deal at $599.

When I received my Dolphin Jazz it confirmed a couple things. I prefer rosewood boards and Precision necks. Nothing against the Jazz as its one of the best necks I've played but my meaty hands feel more at home on a Precision.

That being said I'm glad the speed green P doesn't have a rosewood board as I'm a weak man!
View attachment 5248877

NOW they add the other colors. I grabbed the white P but would have preferred the speed green with maple neck. Either way I snagged a couple super basses for unbeatable prices.

 

[JumboJett35]

operation..."trade secrets" and all that jazz.

I completely missed this the first time....
You have earned yourself a seat next to me at the captains table tonight.

 

[Shirobon]

Shirobon…I don’t see my name on the list either…can you pls add “Guitarchitect”. Thx!

Woops. Tried to slip past the net did ya?
#193

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90-Kiyote
91-[blank]
92-A-Step-Towards
93-scottz369
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95-marcosedh
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97-christle
98-Hopi76
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190-Kevlanco
191-JumboJett35
192-outoftune
193-Guitarchitect

 

[Malak the Mad]

I completely missed this the first time....
You have earned yourself a seat next to me at the captains table tonight.

Only if it’s aboard The Love Boat! I could really use a safe-for-television cocktail with a big straw umbrella right about now!

 

[aarono2690]

Hey everyone. Right now I have a 2015 MiM Standard Jazz bass and I have the white Aerodyne P Bass coming next week.

As I stated earlier I currently focus on guitar/drums and plan to get back into bass guitar as a fun side quest. Been listening to a lot of Grateful Dead lately and Phil’s playing has inspired me to get back into it. I’m kind of meh on the jazz bass I own as it’s kind of bland (black with white pickguard and a maple neck) and it never really inspired me to pick it up. Am I nuts for wanting to sell my current Jazz bass and buy the California Blue J Bass to replace it? Seems like a solid step-up in quality and I’d enjoy the finish.

This is probably terminal levels of GAS talking lol. Maybe I should just chill and be happy with the P Bass that’s coming.