I replaced the bridge on my Export Aerodyne with a Gotoh 201B-4, as it was available in the same «smoked chrome» finish as the rest of the hardware (Gotoh call it Cosmo Black). It was a drop-in replacement, and works and looks great.
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That's rather nice.I replaced the bridge on my Export Aerodyne with a Gotoh 201B-4, as it was available in the same «smoked chrome» finish as the rest of the hardware (Gotoh call it Cosmo Black). It was a drop-in replacement, and works and looks great.
Thank you. It’s a really solid bridge, great workmanship and adjustability. It blends perfectly in with the rest of the hardware, and the best part is that it’s relatively inexpensive, just a little more than the Fender HiMass bridge. I recommend it highly.
Well the 2 year search as come ti an end!!!The arrival of my 32" Medium Scale Gun Metal BLUE Aerodyne Fender Jazz Bass. Looks black in some lighting, and in other lighting, that Navy really POPS!! Not sure about staining the fretboard Navy blue now, because it looks that good already, and I dont want to mess up that look changing the Silver to Gold (changed strap screws to Gold just to see what it looks like). View attachment 7269247View attachment 7269248
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Found this:
Aerodyne Stratocaster Knob (3-pack) - Chrome - Reclaimed
Aerodyne Stratocaster Knob (3-pack) - Chrome
mightymite.com
I can't vouch for the site...and they're not smoked chrome...
Actually I just learned "KISS". So for the record, my first 4 basses ....3 Aerodynes, and one 5 string Fender Japan. My Birthday, Xmas and retirement gifts to me. Now fir Lady Cab Driver.Fantastic! What’s the first bassline you’d play on it, “When Doves Cry”?
Actually KISS and now, Lady Cab Driver.Fantastic! What’s the first bassline you’d play on it, “When Doves Cry”?
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Rig pic Saturday. Jules (my Aerodyne) is a bad mf. Metal with a little fuzz most of the night, but we go a lot of places, Elton to VH to Commodores. Bridge pickup for a couple of songs, but most of the night, P with a touch of bridge. Audere preamp and Geezers, our set lists have me all over the neck and it just sounds monstrous. The only bass I have that is even in the neighborhood is my Fodera, which was seven times the price when it was new. But Jules gets the call, for comfort/playability and I don't have to worry about a boutique bass in some of the places we play. It's the sound in my head!
I'm joining the Aerodyne fans with an example that needs a bit of TLC.
I saw an early black Aerodyne Jazz in a shop a few months ago which was very expensive but I found it intriguing. Then last weekend I spotted a red Aerodyne Jazz on a pawnbroker website for a low price and took a chance on it.
This is how it turned up. The bridge has been swapped for a Gotoh, but it's a bit of a mess, the pickups and wiring have been swapped for what looks like an EMG GZR set and the control plate is hanging off with no knobs fitted. Some of the original parts came with it, but only two of the knobs.
There's also a few dings including quite a big one on the lower edge. But while it's cosmetically not great, it works, feels good and sounds great. I'm looking forward to getting it tidied up into a decent player.
I saw an early black Aerodyne Jazz in a shop a few months ago which was very expensive but I found it intriguing. Then last weekend I spotted a red Aerodyne Jazz on a pawnbroker website for a low price and took a chance on it.
This is how it turned up. The bridge has been swapped for a Gotoh, but it's a bit of a mess, the pickups and wiring have been swapped for what looks like an EMG GZR set and the control plate is hanging off with no knobs fitted. Some of the original parts came with it, but only two of the knobs.
There's also a few dings including quite a big one on the lower edge. But while it's cosmetically not great, it works, feels good and sounds great. I'm looking forward to getting it tidied up into a decent player.
Beautiful find !!!! A few dollars and your good!!!
Exactly! Except for the cosmetic “mojo”, everything mentioned can be fixed, swapped, restored and/or upgraded to your tastes!
Well done and enjoy!
Update on the Aerodyne. The holes for the control plate screws were a right mess but I managed to sort that and get it properly attached. I remembered I had these knobs spare from a previous project which fitted the EMG pots fine. They look OK on it for now.
With that sorted I got the bridge dialled in properly and it plays like an absolute dream now. The pickups sound really good too.
Despite the cosmetic issues or mojo, it's made me realise just how elegant these basses are. The curved top and binding with the matching headstock really works with the Jazz shape. It's a lovely colour too.
It's definitely a keeper!
With that sorted I got the bridge dialled in properly and it plays like an absolute dream now. The pickups sound really good too.
Despite the cosmetic issues or mojo, it's made me realise just how elegant these basses are. The curved top and binding with the matching headstock really works with the Jazz shape. It's a lovely colour too.
It's definitely a keeper!
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I’m looking at the 32” Aerodyne Jazz basses, and I see there are some models from like 2001-2008 with DiMarzio pickups and some from after that do not have those pickups in different colors. They are both 32” models.
I see they go by:
AJB-M (without DiMarzio)
AJB-80M/DJ (with DiMarzio)
Are there any other differences? The DiMarzio pickups models seem a bit rarer or at least I see them less.
Are there any other differences in the models? Is around $1,000-1,200 what you’ll expect to pay for one in great condition?
I have a newer gen Aerodyne from that blowout sale a couple years ago and it plays great. Are these older Aerodynes just as good?
If you’re pretty acquainted with these please PM me so I don’t clog up this thread.
I see they go by:
AJB-M (without DiMarzio)
AJB-80M/DJ (with DiMarzio)
Are there any other differences? The DiMarzio pickups models seem a bit rarer or at least I see them less.
Are there any other differences in the models? Is around $1,000-1,200 what you’ll expect to pay for one in great condition?
I have a newer gen Aerodyne from that blowout sale a couple years ago and it plays great. Are these older Aerodynes just as good?
If you’re pretty acquainted with these please PM me so I don’t clog up this thread.
For starters, there were no official Aerodynes before 2003. The model was unveiled at the January 2004 Winter NAMM event. If anyone claims to be selling an Aerodyne dated before 2003 or 2004, they're either misinformed, didn't do their research or are straight-up talking out of their a$$.
Speaking of "doing the research", you got me going back to some of the old Fender-Japan catalogs from the mid-2000's. Aside from the obvious scale-length, one of the big differences you'll find is the fretboard radius. Classically, the standard, full-scale Aerodynes, and their Deluxe counterparts, have a vintage 7.25" radius. Medium-scale 'Dynes are much closer to a 9.5", or 250mm according to their stated specs, while the more recent Aerodyne Specials have a much flatter 12" radius. (One of the hallmarks of FMIC of America having taken over the decision making process back in 2015.
)As far as quality goes, all Aerodynes are made in Japan…full stop. That, alone, should be some indicator of their build quality and is why many players say their quality is close to, if not equal to, American Fender quality. Generally, they do not like to have their name associated with sub-par work. And if someone ever says their Aerodyne was made anywhere else, see my first point about the product dating.
Is the DiMarzio version better? I, for one, cannot say, but you will have a little more flexibility with the adjustable pole pieces. Also, while this is very subjective, the one thing that many people replace are the pickups. For some, they seem to be their one weak point. (Personally, I like my Aerodyne's P/J pickups, but even I will admit that it takes the right strings to bring out the best sound possible.)
Big picture…the quality should be quite good, but you will likely notice some small differences, beyond the obvious age-differential.
My 2006 AJB-M came in today. It is being setup by my local guitar shop, so I’ll post pics once it is done. The 32” scale feels great in my hands.
One thing I have a question on. I was a little surprised at the tone knobs being cheap plastic. Any recommendations for replacement knobs?
One thing I have a question on. I was a little surprised at the tone knobs being cheap plastic. Any recommendations for replacement knobs?
I posted this back in August. I don't know if they fit or not, but a measurement or two might tell you if it helps.
4Pcs Metal Hat Top Flat Top Bass Guitar Knobs Push-in Control Knobs Black Nickel | eBay
4 Pcs Guitar Knobs. If they are 10 on each side, your pots will need 24 fine spines knobs. If they are 8 one each side, your pots will need 18 Coarse splines knobs. Color: Black Nickel. It is suitable for most electric guitars and provides convenience for music lovers.
www.ebay.com
Personally, I'm fine with the plastic knobs. Mine look fine and it keeps the weight down.
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Speaking of "looking fine", I worked up the nerve to experiment with the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear nail polish on my first-ever Aerodyne bass. So far…so good!
www.target.com
It's definitely not perfect. The dents are still there, but it fills in the chips and any cracks nicely…and it's that latter part that worries me way more than the "mojo". I'm afraid they might spread with time and use, so I'm hoping this will be a decent patch-job to halt that progress…especially for a 2" x .5" section of exposed wood on the lower bout. I even added a few layers to that large section, since teensy bits of wood were also missing.
If anyone else wants to attempt something similar, here's my DIY tips;
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color - 629/370 Black Out - 0.4 fl oz
Read reviews and buy Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color - 629/370 Black Out - 0.4 fl oz at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.
It's definitely not perfect. The dents are still there, but it fills in the chips and any cracks nicely…and it's that latter part that worries me way more than the "mojo". I'm afraid they might spread with time and use, so I'm hoping this will be a decent patch-job to halt that progress…especially for a 2" x .5" section of exposed wood on the lower bout. I even added a few layers to that large section, since teensy bits of wood were also missing.
If anyone else wants to attempt something similar, here's my DIY tips;
- Shake thoroughly.
- Before the brush comes out of the bottle, gently roll the bristles around the opening to remove excess polish.
- If it's a small crack or chip, wipe even more excess polish onto a disposable piece of paper. Definitely do not use a paper towel since fibers might inundate the polish. In my case, I used a Post-It note folded in-half, in case it might bleed through only one layer.
- Gently blot, not wipe, the tip of the brush into the center of the exposed wood. See how much polish beads there by gently pushing said bead towards the edges of the existing finish.
- Add more polish as needed, making sure it fills and barely overlaps the existing finish. Otherwise, there might be tiny light spots along the cracked finish.
- Let dry for a day. Be patient so there is no chance of any smudges.
- And, for Bob's sake, make sure the open bottle is secure and not going to spill over!
@aarono2690; If you were considering Chromes for your new-to-you Aerodyne, someone's selling a medium-scale set on the TB Classifieds. (I just restrung mine with a set of Fender flats which are fairly, if not exactly, similar and they sound great.)
For sale Brand new (ish) Chromes (Medium Scale)
profit off of my mistake!
I bought these by accident when I meant to grab the long scale..
I cut the extra metal, but not the actual winding, on the G and realized after one wind that it was too short. The other three strings are untouched, and I haven't redeemed the precious points yet...
- Stephenw56 (+15 /0 /-0)
- Updated
- Views: 144
- Comments: 1
- Category: For Sale: Parts, Strings, and Accessories
$25.00
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