Fender Aerodyne Club!

[Malak the Mad]

So I pulled the trigger on a Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass and it arrived yesterday! Very happy so far. I knew the gig bag would be suboptimal, but I did not realize just how suboptimal -- at least based on outside appearance -- so I am already in the market for an upgrade (unless someone is going to advocate for the stock bag?).

I don't need something flight or road worthy, just good enough to put in the back floorboard of my CRV as I drive to rehearsal, lessons, and a very occasional gig. But it is getting out of the house 3x a week or so on a regular basis. And when the weather changes, my town is walkable.

If a Mono bag of some type is what the consensus is, so be it. I was trying to keep things under $150 or $200. Is there any "bang for the buck" gig bag besides the Gator Go Pro I should be considering? I was wondering specifically about stuff made by Roadrunner.

Also, with the body of this Bass ... any thing I need to take into consideration as I purchase a protective shield for it?

I guess I was really asking the folks who also have my bass, what case you upgraded to and do you like it?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the rookie questions.

Rookie-schmookie! It's a very valid question!

Personally, I'm a big fan of this over-the-shoulder SKB bass case. It's fairly lightweight, pretty sturdy, there are internal and external compartments and it can be slung over one or both shoulders while keeping my hand(s) free. Also, they usually go for about $165, but if you shop smart, you can find an applicable discount.

As a "just in case" (pun only slightly intended ), I put my Aerodyne Deluxe Jazz inside mine to make sure it fits. Sure enough, it fits fine.

Universal Shaped Electric Bass Soft Case[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[trseal]

So I pulled the trigger on a Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass and it arrived yesterday! Very happy so far. I knew the gig bag would be suboptimal, but I did not realize just how suboptimal -- at least based on outside appearance -- so I am already in the market for an upgrade (unless someone is going to advocate for the stock bag?).

I don't need something flight or road worthy, just good enough to put in the back floorboard of my CRV as I drive to rehearsal, lessons, and a very occasional gig. But it is getting out of the house 3x a week or so on a regular basis. And when the weather changes, my town is walkable.

If a Mono bag of some type is what the consensus is, so be it. I was trying to keep things under $150 or $200. Is there any "bang for the buck" gig bag besides the Gator Go Pro I should be considering? I was wondering specifically about stuff made by Roadrunner.

Also, with the body of this Bass ... any thing I need to take into consideration as I purchase a protective shield for it?

I guess I was really asking the folks who also have my bass, what case you upgraded to and do you like it?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the rookie questions.

Personally, I use the suitable-for-travel TSA molded case. Not becuz it travels but becuz I think it deserves it. Mine goes to rehearsals and gigs also. I tho't the molded case was more in keeping with the modern vibe of the Aerodyne plus it is lighter than the traditional vintage-style Fender cases. If you shop around for sale opportunities, you can probably find one occasionally for under 2 semolians.

Tim

 

[Michael Eisenman]

So I pulled the trigger on a Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass and it arrived yesterday! Very happy so far. I knew the gig bag would be suboptimal, but I did not realize just how suboptimal -- at least based on outside appearance -- so I am already in the market for an upgrade (unless someone is going to advocate for the stock bag?).

I don't need something flight or road worthy, just good enough to put in the back floorboard of my CRV as I drive to rehearsal, lessons, and a very occasional gig. But it is getting out of the house 3x a week or so on a regular basis. And when the weather changes, my town is walkable.

If a Mono bag of some type is what the consensus is, so be it. I was trying to keep things under $150 or $200. Is there any "bang for the buck" gig bag besides the Gator Go Pro I should be considering? I was wondering specifically about stuff made by Roadrunner.

Also, with the body of this Bass ... any thing I need to take into consideration as I purchase a protective shield for it?

I guess I was really asking the folks who also have my bass, what case you upgraded to and do you like it?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the rookie questions.

I bought a couple of Gator Transit bags, and I’m happy with them. They’re stiff enough stand up on their own; the only downside for me is the small upper pocket, but the lower large pocket works well enough.

 

[Enrique M]

Personally, I use the suitable-for-travel TSA molded case. Not becuz it travels but becuz I think it deserves it. Mine goes to rehearsals and gigs also. I tho't the molded case was more in keeping with the modern vibe of the Aerodyne plus it is lighter than the traditional vintage-style Fender cases. If you shop around for sale opportunities, you can probably find one occasionally for under 2 semolians.

Tim

This is a good point and maybe I should think about this. Although walking by Axe around town has some appeal come better weather.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Personally, I use the suitable-for-travel TSA molded case. Not becuz it travels but becuz I think it deserves it. Mine goes to rehearsals and gigs also. I tho't the molded case was more in keeping with the modern vibe of the Aerodyne plus it is lighter than the traditional vintage-style Fender cases. If you shop around for sale opportunities, you can probably find one occasionally for under 2 semolians.

Tim

This advice has plenty of merit. Funny thing, though, is there's a solution that takes a bit of both.

• Shaped Standard Bass Case

On the downside, there's less cargo capacity, but on the upside, the case is tough as nails. Also, it's usually a bit over $200, but if the right sale is to be found, it should bring it that much closer to the target price.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[rumbl3r]

Hi Aerodynies, maybe you can help me identifying an aerodyne i've come across in one of our local classifieds. Ik can't seem to find any info on this particular model. Want to see if it's worth the money. Any help is appreciated!

 

[AncientNoob]

Hi Aerodynies, maybe you can help me identifying an aerodyne i've come across in one of our local classifieds. Ik can't seem to find any info on this particular model. Want to see if it's worth the money. Any help is appreciated!View attachment 5329164 View attachment 5329165 View attachment 5329166

Parts bass?

 

[rumbl3r]

Parts bass?

Yeah, I think that too... Couldn't match the neck and body.

 

[AncientNoob]

Yeah, I think that too... Couldn't match the neck and body.

There are others who may chime in that are much more knowledgeable than I, but to me it looks like an MiJ P bass neck mated to an Aerodyne body with some "custom" electronics. As to its worth, I suppose that would be determined after some hands on evaluation. Has a nice look to it but can't really tell more than that from the pictures.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Definitely a parts-bass.

1. Fender Deluxe Non-Export Jazz body
2. Pickup selector switch and, presumably, some kind of side-mounted jack...none of which are Aerodyne standard
3. Fender-Japan Precision bass neck (Q + serial number = 2002 to 2004)...also not Aerodyne standard
   
4. Ivory pickup covers and black hardware instead of black pickup covers and smoked chrome hardware

So much has been changed that there's no telling if the pickups are original or not. At most, I'd say it's worth the sum of it's parts, definitely not what a stock Aerodyne would fetch.

 

[Enrique M]

A picture of my new Aerodyne Special Jazz next to my Sire U5, and another including the Squire J Bass I am upgrading from. (I just could not exclude the Squire from the family photo due to sentimental reasons.)

Not easy to work from home today.

May I have a number please?

 

[sambassista]

Hi everyone. I have a question on my 2004 Crafted in Japan Aerodyne (according to the S/N), pic below, I was hoping this group could help me with. I acquired this one used a couple of years ago and had it mostly stored, now finally started playing it for some new band projects.

There are two strange things I noticed since: For one, while I like the sound overall, the pickups seem to give me some light noise/hissing sound when playing through headphones (and only when actually playing any note), particularly with all knobs fully open.

Secondly, I noticed that this bass does NOT seem to have a "standard" volume-volume-tone dial set-up. Even closing all three pots, there is still output. At first I thought the middle knob may blend the bridge (jazz) pickup to the neck (p) one, yet I can't tell what the other two would do in that set-up.

It is well possible pickups/pots have been modified before I got it, but I was wondering whether anyone here came across a similar setup in a Crafted in Japan Aerodyne and could help me understand the setup. All ideas welcome.

View attachment 5312715

Reporting back on this issue after receiving my 2004 CIJ Aerodyne back from my tech late last week. This indeed seems to have been some sort of grounding issue: he told me that no grounding wire had been installed (which, to my understanding, is not very surprising as the metal plate/pots connection is supposed to do the trick in these models). He nonetheless soldered a separate ground cable to all three pots, and that seems to have resolved the issue. VVT control now work as they should, and the bass sounds and plays great.

@Malak the Mad , @jefff100 , thanks again for your initial assessment and help here.

 

[Shirobon]

Yikes. I sure missed a lot while I was away.

A picture of my new Aerodyne Special Jazz next to my Sire U5, and another including the Squire J Bass I am upgrading from. (I just could not exclude the Squire from the family photo due to sentimental reasons.)

Not easy to work from home today.

May I have a number please?

Welcome #195, treat that puppy well and it'll serve you a lifetime.

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[Cahamp]

You guys are either a bad influence or a great influence. I just ordered a Speed Green P from Franklin. I’ve been playing a ‘98 MIM Active Jazz Deluxe as my only bass since I bought it in high school in 98. I haven’t really played in a decade but recently got back into it. I felt I really needed a P bass and this seems to be the best bang for the buck out there. I got to play one local to me and they feel amazing.

 

[Charlinho14]

Congratulations and you are going to love it. I have the same one and it has become my favorite bass. I absolutely love how it sounds and feels. I put some flats on and it just sounds so warm. My bandmates all comment how great it sounds.

 

[Guitarchitect]

What flats did you put on it? I’m looking for some now…but not too muddy.
Thx.

 

[Cahamp]

I just put on some Fender 9050L. I’ll admit that one of my main reasons for choosing them was the green silks matching the green headstock. So far I like them. Still pretty bright and clanky after only a week but I’ve played the hell out of them. I would be curious to hear what other flats people have tried on a pretty hot pickup.

 

[L0stfact]

I love how mine looks and sounds but the hard edge on the front and the neck feeling slightly too thin, have made this my least played bass.

 

[Gregory H]

After the shortest, hottest, brightest ball of GAS went critical over the weekend, I find myself in need of a number please!

I recently got my first paycheck from my new job after losing my old one in December. I've been wanting a P, and my local GC had the white one in stock during the presidents day sale. Thankfully it was locked up, up high and still in perfect condition. I was able to offload a 6 string that I no longer played and get out the door for just over $500. Not every GC experience is a good one, but this time it was great.

All I can say is DAMN, this thing is NICE! The fit and finish are impeccable and this definitely has the best feeling fretwork of any of my instruments. The neck feels amazing, the bridge is a super slick design and a huge improvement over the one on my MIM Jazz. At 7.7 lbs it's also my lightest bass by a pound. I'm totally smitten.

Jazz bass for scale:

 

[Doug P]

I added a Badass II, Schaller tuners in nickel. Added the blocks ( stickers ) on the neck.
If I was to commission a Custom Shop build my starting point would be an Aerodyne, but…..
Body - Alder
Colour - white w/ black binding
Neck - back natural / fretboard in a light colour rosewood. Colour in white. Blocks and binding in black or maybe aged white pearl .
Hardware - nickel colour
Seymour Duncan Hot Stack in the bridge. Classic “P” neck position
I’ll shut up now and stop dreaming