Fender Aerodyne Club!

[Malak the Mad]

Hey y'all, I've got an Aerodyne Special P bass that I'm thinking of changing the tuners on. The ones on it are really great, but pretty heavy and it makes it very unbalanced to play sitting or in classical position.

Has anyone changed these out and can recommend something that will drop in? I'm fine drilling a few holes but I'd like to avoid having to use spacers and extra bushings or anything like that.

I don't know if they use the same Gotoh tuners, but I replaced the ones in my Non-Export 'Dyne with Hipshot 3/8" Licensed Ultralites. And while there was a tiny amount of space between the screw-down ferrule and the headstock holes, I made them fit snugly with a few wraps of artist's tape. (Basically, low-adhesive masking tape meant for easy removal without staining or tearing paper.)

Once I had enough wraps around the ferrule to hold it in-place, it would keep the tuner and post properly centered for the single, tiny screw. Then, when all of the tuners were lined up properly, I'd mark the hole for the single screw with a pencil, drill a pilot hole, tighten down that tiny screw, then make sure the ferrule is firmly screwed down.

When I get back home, I'll take one out and take some pictures, so people can see what I'm talking about.

And while I've never used Gotoh Res-o-lites, I've looked at their schematics. They appear to have the same screw-down ferrules and one or two screws, so the procedure should be relatively the same.

 

[induction]

Hey y'all, I've got an Aerodyne Special P bass that I'm thinking of changing the tuners on. The ones on it are really great, but pretty heavy and it makes it very unbalanced to play sitting or in classical position.

Has anyone changed these out and can recommend something that will drop in? I'm fine drilling a few holes but I'd like to avoid having to use spacers and extra bushings or anything like that.

Gotoh res o lite 350 fits as a drop in if you leave the stock bushings in. More details in this thread:

Post in thread '6-week ownership update: Fender Aerodyne Jazz Special'

Sep 27, 2023

The Aerodyne Special DOES come with an aluminum Babicz bridge that is designed for lower weight as well. Adding a few ounces with a high mass/badass style bridge might help a BIT, but I doubt it would be a drastic improvement.

I'm sorry that neck dive is a concern for you. Truly. I hate that it may preclude you from jiving with some really great basses, and I hope that you can find remedy when necessary!

I have an Aerodyne Special P and experienced neck dive using a 3" Gruv Gear Fabrk strap. I replaced the tuners with Gotoh Res-O-Lite GB350 tuners. I left the original bushings in...

• induction

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[Malak the Mad]

Hey y'all, I've got an Aerodyne Special P bass that I'm thinking of changing the tuners on. The ones on it are really great, but pretty heavy and it makes it very unbalanced to play sitting or in classical position.

Has anyone changed these out and can recommend something that will drop in? I'm fine drilling a few holes but I'd like to avoid having to use spacers and extra bushings or anything like that.

When I get back home, I'll take one out and take some pictures, so people can see what I'm talking about.

I misspoke a little on my earlier post. Technically speaking, the tape wraps around the housing for the threads that the ferrule screws into. This picture illustrates what I really meant.

I forget how many wraps of artist's tape are on there. It's at least three, but could be more. I just tightly lay down a couple of wraps, check to see if there's still some wiggle room and add/subtract a little if needed. Once it fits snugly, but not ferociously tight, I trim the excess off, screw down the front-side ferrule and washer, then keep on going with the follow-up steps.

 

[Ekibnur]

Perfect, this is exactly what I'm looking for.

Thanks all.

 

[Vitaly Chepenko]

Hello everyone I

I have a aerodyne from the 90s.
I modified it a bit. Changed the frets. Replaced the pickups. I want to change and try different breeches

Can you tell me if it makes sense to change the bridge to a Fender Hi mass? I also want to clarify that there is a small hole under the bridge on this bass guitar and maybe it won't fit? Maybe someone has already made such modifications? If the Fender hi mass doesn't work, I want to try the GOTOH 201B-4.
Please share your experience

 

[Armani 077]

I went with the Barbicz on all 3 of mine. Can you tell me the fret size? Thats next fir me

 

[Armani 077]

Yeah these fret bars are shot!! Can anyone tell me, the size of the Non-Export PJ frets?

 

[Vitaly Chepenko]

I don't know the names of the frets. I did it in a guitar workshop in Nizhny Novgorod. I'm from Russia

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hello everyone I

I have a aerodyne from the 90s.

Nice Aerodyne, but the first models were available to the public in 2004.

Can you tell me if it makes sense to change the bridge to a Fender Hi mass? I also want to clarify that there is a small hole under the bridge on this bass guitar and maybe it won't fit? Maybe someone has already made such modifications? If the Fender hi mass doesn't work, I want to try the GOTOH 201B-4.
Please share your experience

Do you mean this bridge model? If so, you may have a gap between the body and the bridge's base plate.

As for the Gotoh 201B-4 bridge, you could measure the recessed space to see if it's smaller than 80mm x 53mm.

 

[Vitaly Chepenko]

Do you mean this bridge model? If so, you may have a gap between the body and the bridge's base plate.

Yes, it’s this model. But it won’t fit into the area. We’ll need to add some material. I’ve abandoned this idea already. I’ve ordered GOTOH 201B-4.

 

[Armani 077]

I don't know the names of the frets. I did it in a guitar workshop in Nizhny Novgorod. I'm from Russia

Would you know if they are Medium-Jumbo frets and size.

 

[aarono2690]

Thanks again. I was nervous about getting a bass unseen from "down under" but it went like clockwork. The only slight flaw is a barely visible crack in the lacquer but if the vendor hadn't pointed it out I may never have even noticed it. Awesome sound, especially now it is strung with thomastik flatwounds. The only slight issue is some slight crackle when moving the tone knob but once it's set as I want there's no issue. My tech can sort it out with shielding if required but it's so slight I'm not inclined to bother. The bass is light, easy to play, sounds great and the Japanese build quality is superb. Shame these are now so rare but if you want one and see one advertised, go for it. I'll now sell my Sire U5 short scale as I'm settled on medium scale now.
Hope that helps.

Let’s see some pics of it!

 

[jefff100]

Hey All - I've been out of touch for a while, not on TB and generally not playing

Couple weeks back got a call from a drummer buddy to fill in on bass in his traditional Irish Band for their St Pats day show. 45 new songs. 2 days notice. No rehearsal. What can go wrong ?

Brought the Aerodyne as it the most 'traditional' bass I have (other than the Upton) - and it was a 4 hr show. The Aerodyne is just so light & comfortable !

Well I've heard the band before and Irish folk tunes arent very hard. They texted me a hand written setlist. All keys are C, F or G with one Bb. One tune has several key changes & time sig changes...just roll with it & follow the drummer

Had a blast and the Guiness was on the house for the band

some pix of the night. Small bar in Gloucester with lots of history. Yes those are stained glass windows. In a bar.

 

[Lucky Chuck]

Guiness. Say no more...

 

[Flippy]

The P pickup on my non-export Aerodyne started bothering me lately. It barely pokes above the pickguard so I can't rest my thumb comfortably, even though the pickup height and string action is great otherwise. What can I do to work around that, do I need a neck shim?

 

[shirojiro]

The P pickup on my non-export Aerodyne started bothering me lately. It barely pokes above the pickguard so I can't rest my thumb comfortably, even though the pickup height and string action is great otherwise. What can I do to work around that, do I need a neck shim?

View attachment 7477375

If the tone and playability otherwise is good, I’d leave well enough alone.
For me that looks like plenty to rest a thumb on, and if not, maybe try some floating thumb technique?

If I had to place a thumb rest, I’d use double sided tape and place a small block of dark wood as a thumb rest. I’d prefer not to drill extra holes if I can help it.

 

[billythec]

You could raise the pick up or put new foam underneath it if that doesn’t affect the playability.. Otherwise, I would suggest these guys they can make you anything, and even so that it uses the existing screws on the Pick guard. Zero Mod maker of no mods custom thumb rests for bass

It would be way more comfortable too

 

[shirojiro]

That’s a cool product.
Might be nice for a Musicman Stingray.

 

[JakobT]

I’m toying with the idea of getting a non-export Aerodyne to supplement my collection. To this end I’ve been looking around on eBay, and while I’ve found several basses that look promising, I’ve noticed that the same bass with the same serial number is offered by several different vendors at different prices, even using the same pictures.

Does anyone know what’s going on?

 

[Michael Eisenman]

I’ve wondered the same. I suppose they’re working from the same pool of instruments—more exposure for the sellers. I bought one a few years ago; the transaction was great, the seller sent it to me neck off and very well packed. I received it in Oregon in two days.