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Fender Aerodyne Club!

#3,921
So I just ended up switching out the pups on mine with EMG GZR p/j set, because it's solderless and i don't want to solder or pay for someone to do it, which would add a significant expense. It was rather a pain tbh, the control cavity is so tiny it barely fits all the components and wires of the solderless system. It's especially tight under the jack, because the cables stick out a fair bit, and I had to leave a tiny bit of a gap between the body and the control plate so as not to completely smush the wires. And I'm still worried that it's a little bit too tight and that it might cause problems eventually... but there's not much to do about it short of leaving the control plate sticking out like an inch from the body at the end.

But what an improvement, it actually sounds as good as it looks now! But for anyone else, just be aware that this set of pups is really a tight squeeze that I wouldn't necessarily recommend unless you're like me and you absolutely don't want to solder. Also I found it really strange that the pickups themselves didn't come with any foam. I feel like that should be standard?

Also I replaced the knobs with Schallers, because the originals don't fit on these pots. But these are basically nicer versions of the ones it came with so that's a nice-looking upgrade imo!
 

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#3,923
Malak the Mad said:
I guess the Universe does work in weird ways and all ya gotta do is be ready to listen up when it taps you on the shoulder! 😲

It would appear I've randomly stumbled upon one of my great, Sasquatch/Nessie-level basses...one that I thought I'd never get a decent price on. I only just purchased it online, but if all goes well, I'll soon be the proud owner of a 2007-2010, Non-Export, AJB Aerodyne in an oh-so-lovely U.S. Gunmetal Blue! (For the record, the official finish code is "UGB". 🤓)

In other words, it's flippin' metallic teal! Huzzah!! :woot: :thumbsup:

Of course, like a dunce, I didn't grab the full-resolution pics before the ad was taken down, so these will have to do, for now...until I take some proper photos or it needs to be returned. We'll have to wait and see how this plays out. Either way, wish me luck, people!

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The neck pup and bridge are definitely aftermarket. I don't know about the bridge pup, though. Apparently, some of the finish on the side, near the control plate, came off and was filled in by a previous owner. Given how much these finishes crack and chip, it's not really a big deal to me, especially since it isn't that visible from the front.

There is a chance, however, that I might remove some/all of the aftermarket doo-dads, do a little routing and convert it to a J/J system. I can't say for sure. I have a set of Seymour Duncan Apollo pickups waiting patiently to be given a good shakedown trial. But then, I also remember how sweet a couple of Fender Custom Shop '60s sets I've previously used sounded. Decisions...decisions... 🤔

Regardless of what I do to and/or with it in the future, the most important goal is for it to feel good in my own, two hands.
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Congrats can't wait to see what you do to it !!!!
 
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#3,929
I made the mistake of trying some D'Addario half rounds (semi-flatwound, as they call them) and just was NOT feeling the love. I'm thinking, worst of both worlds. Not as smooth as flats AND darker sounding than Slinkys or Chromes. I just took them off, got them at the end of April so they had plenty of time to grow on me, they just didn't. Disappointing right out of the gate, never having the high end I want. Shouldn't have been so patient, not like they were gonna get brighter as they aged😵‍💫

Back to Slinkys for ol' Jules. That bass roared back to life tonight when I plugged in after the string change! Our band plays tuned down a half step so I got the hybrid set (45-65-85-105) instead of my usual light gauge, and it plays and sounds better than ever. Just snarling through the TT800. I can't believe I let it sit on the sidelines for that long! I go back and forth between my Fodera and Jules for #1. This weekend Jules is DEFINITELY going out!
 
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#3,930
DrThumpenstein said:
I made the mistake of trying some D'Addario half rounds (semi-flatwound, as they call them) and just was NOT feeling the love. I'm thinking, worst of both worlds. Not as smooth as flats AND darker sounding than Slinkys or Chromes. I just took them off, got them at the end of April so they had plenty of time to grow on me, they just didn't. Disappointing right out of the gate, never having the high end I want. Shouldn't have been so patient, not like they were gonna get brighter as they aged😵‍💫

Back to Slinkys for ol' Jules. That bass roared back to life tonight when I plugged in after the string change! Our band plays tuned down a half step so I got the hybrid set (45-65-85-105) instead of my usual light gauge, and it plays and sounds better than ever. Just snarling through the TT800. I can't believe I let it sit on the sidelines for that long! I go back and forth between my Fodera and Jules for #1. This weekend Jules is DEFINITELY going out!
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Yeah, I pretty much had that same experience with Half-Rounds, too. It might’ve been on my first-gen Aerodyne, too, but it’s been so long, I can’t be sure. Either way, they didn’t last very long, as well. Perhaps, it’s the fact that they’re “ground wound”, instead of “pressure wound”, that makes the difference?

On one hand, I’m glad to know it wasn’t just me. On the other hand, I’m sad someone else had such a crappy experience with them.

One thing for sure, the Chromes I started out with on said Aerodyne gave me a much better experience. And while I’ve experimented with many, other strings, I may switch back to flats on it. I’ve heard Fender flats are pretty similar, but I should have some D’Addario’s lurking about. There are also some Rotosound Solo 55 pressurewounds that I’ll probably move around. That, too, might be a worthwhile experiment. 🤔
 
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#3,935
Malak the Mad said:
Definitely and no problem! I picked it up this past Friday, then polished it up for it’s first photo-shoot. I’ll post pics and info once I do a little Photoshop work. :thumbsup:
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I'm hoping to join the aero club soon. I've had a couple of good condition model slip through my fingers in the last couple of weeks.

Any chance of posting those images of the UGB model soon @Malak the Mad?
 
#3,936
Aerodyne vs Aerodyne II JB?

I've found a 2020 Aerodyne II JB that's pretty much in mint condition for a fair price (not a screaming bargain, but not bad). I think the current owner bought it for a "learn bass during lockdown" project but never got around to it. It's basically unplayed.

It looks like an original non-export model, but since it's a II, the body will be alder and it will have a flatter 9.5" radius. Differences to the original are listed in this thread. The modified neck shape and radius is probably the biggest difference between the two models. But the original necks seem to be one of the defining characteristics of this model that most people love. It will probably be heavier too but the finish will probably hold up better over time.

If anyone has played both I'd be interested in any comments. Tossing up about whether to pull the trigger on this one or hold out till I find a v1.

Thanks
 
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