Fender Aerodyne Club!

[LPswim2009]

Hey everyone, this is not an Aerodyne related question I don't think but, does anyone use a wireless system with their Aerodynes? I'm looking into one: Line 6 Relay G90, basically I'm looking for one that is rack mountable, and is very simple to operate

 

[bonz - darrell]

NBD!
Well, actually, yesterday was NBD, but I was wayyyyyy to busy playing to post here.
I've thought I wanted an Aerodyne for a couple years, but my local stores don't stock them and I'm unwilling to order something online that I haven't tried.
Yesterday this one popped onto the local CL equivalent site. Up to that point I didn't know that Fender made a P model. Within four hours of the ad posting it was mine.

My main player for the last couple of years has been a Fender Urge I (early MIA custom shop version). It's a 32" scale, so I thoughhht I wanted a non-export Aerodyne with the 32" scale.

Now that I have the Aero-P, I love it! Its going to band practice tomorrow (although, admittedly, I will bring my Urge just in case... ).

I hereby request a number to join this esteemed club.

 

[Malak the Mad]

NBD!
Well, actually, yesterday was NBD, but I was wayyyyyy to busy playing to post here.
I've thought I wanted an Aerodyne for a couple years, but my local stores don't stock them and I'm unwilling to order something online that I haven't tried.
Yesterday this one popped onto the local CL equivalent site. Up to that point I didn't know that Fender made a P model. Within four hours of the ad posting it was mine.

My main player for the last couple of years has been a Fender Urge I (early MIA custom shop version). It's a 32" scale, so I thoughhht I wanted a non-export Aerodyne with the 32" scale.

Now that I have the Aero-P, I love it! Its going to band practice tomorrow

Sa-weeeeeeet!

 

[chienmort]

NBD!
Well, actually, yesterday was NBD, but I was wayyyyyy to busy playing to post here.
I've thought I wanted an Aerodyne for a couple years, but my local stores don't stock them and I'm unwilling to order something online that I haven't tried.
Yesterday this one popped onto the local CL equivalent site. Up to that point I didn't know that Fender made a P model. Within four hours of the ad posting it was mine.

My main player for the last couple of years has been a Fender Urge I (early MIA custom shop version). It's a 32" scale, so I thoughhht I wanted a non-export Aerodyne with the 32" scale.

Now that I have the Aero-P, I love it! Its going to band practice tomorrow (although, admittedly, I will bring my Urge just in case... ).

I hereby request a number to join this esteemed club.

I was happy with my Black Jazz until now. Severe GAS attack brewing.


It ain't how low you can go but what you do when you get there!

 

[bonz - darrell]

Post practice report...
I took my new Aero-P to practice. I also took my Urge I (I call it Stu).
I assumed that I would play a couple of songs on the Aero, struggle with getting a tone I liked, and wind up playing Stu for most of the evening.
Here's the cool part:
I switched my amp to 'Passive', plugged in my Aero, and played it all night! I broke down and played one tune on Stu just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating where I was sitting in the mix and how my tone was.

The Aerodyne is a keeper, I think.

I've spent quite a bit of time and money on my Stu: Seymour Duncan QP Jazz pickups, Hipshot bridge, Hipshot d-tuner, and many hours spent dialing it in (tone and setup/intonation).

The Aerodyne has a new set of Rotos, and I lowered the D string a hair. And it sounds killer! I haven't been this enthusiastic about an instrument since I don't remember when...

darrell

 

[ulynch]

The Aerodyne pups are MIJ and better than the Mexican stuff, but some people like to swap them out for something beefier. I think they sound pretty good, but the Aero is often used by rock/metal players and you hear the occasional complaint of a thin sound when both are dialed up - but that's normal for most PJ setups where the J will have a lower impedance or be quieter due to being at a less resonant point of the string.

lolwut?



Stock Aerodyne takes issue with your claim

/ Beefy grunt for days, all knobs wide open
// Yeah, I wish it were a little higher in the mix
/// Slashies!

 

[bonz - darrell]

Anyone know what the stock bridge on the Aerodyne P weighs? I'm going to order up a HipShot vintage bridge (they'll make one to fit the rout on the P!), but I want to make sure that it's heavier than the stock bridge.
The backstory is that I just ordered up the HipShot BT-10 detuner which will be heavier than the stock tuner. Since the bass is ever so slightly head stock heavy, I thought I could just balance the weight out somewhat with a heavier bridge...

Also, is anyone giving out numbers? I would like one if so...

darrell

 

[PBassTX]

Marcus, I'm fixing your reply. It got lost in Marko's original quote. For everyone else, if you haven't noticed, Marcus is new to the forum and I suspect he might be getting a little confused by the jargon we throw around all the time. So, just for the sake of clarity;

MIM: Mexican-made
MIJ: Made in Japan
CIJ: Crafted in Japan (there's a difference between a few factories in Japan, this is so we know which one it was made at and when)
MIA: American-made
pups = pickups
Etc, etc…



Just by the fact of it being "ACTIVE" will increase the sonic output. It doesn't necessarily mean it will sound better to your or other's ears. But if you were to plug both into the same amp, with the same settings, I'm willing to bet it would have more presence. However, with enough amplification, you could make even a ukelele fill an auditorium.



Like Marko said, they're MIJ, which presumably should be better. I, for one, try not to let "country of origin" color my perceptions. Unless something is wretchedly built, I try to see things as "different", not "better". Here's two examples;

• I built a bass from parts (a Franken-Fender, if you will) earlier this year, but I haven't had much luck getting a sound I like. Although I prefer a more aggressive tone, the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder Precision pickup may be a little too harsh. I recently bought an MIJ P-pup from the classifieds
  
  section, and when it arrives, I'll see if I can get a little "mellow" back into the sound.
• This will also address your Blacktop question. (Didn't I already talk about it in another of your threads, Marcus?) Yes, the Blacktop basses are MIM. Does that make them "no good"? Not by my measure. As far as I'm concerned, it' kicks serious @$$. I'm so impressed someone can get so much bass for so little money! But I think calling it a "jazz on steroids" is a rather confusing term. (There are many debates and opinions around the forum as to what constitutes a "Jazz Bass". Some base it on the pickup configuration. I, personally, go by the body shape since electronics can be altered…like having, say, a Lexus with a Porsche engine in it. As far as anyone can tell, it's a Lexus, no matter what's under the hood.) It's a Jazz bass that happens to have a pair of split-coil Precision pickups installed instead of a pair of single-coil Jazz pups. When you solo the neck pickup, you get something pretty-darn-close-if-not-spot-on to a classic, Precision sound. When you start adding in the bridge pup, it takes on a sound unique unto itself…aggressive, boomy, ballsy, kicks-like-a-mule, choose your own adjective. I suspect if you were to hand it off to most bassists for a blindfolded test, making sure they couldn't get any clue of it's model or country of origin, they couldn't call it "inferior".

The last I heard Duff was using a refinished Reggie Hamilton body mated to a Geddy Lee neck, or at least, that's what Reggie himself said. Sounds like an interesting hybrid, no?

When you say MIJ is better, are you saying that it's better than CIJ? I know it's better than MIM, but I haven't really heard any comparisons between MIJ and CIJ. I've owned both and they looked, felt, and sounded the same to me.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

When you say MIJ is better, are you saying that it's better than CIJ? I know it's better than MIM, but I haven't really heard any comparisons between MIJ and CIJ. I've owned both and they looked, felt, and sounded the same to me.

MIJ and CIJ are essentially the same, though the first models and generations of product were MIJ and to some, more desirable.

Both are >> MIM, though I hear they're putting out instruments at quality levels well above the Standard line of Ps and Js.

lolwut?

Stock Aerodyne takes issue with your claim

I have 3 Aeros (with a 4th on the way - an amber Precision!) and personally have no issue with the stock pups. I was sharing the thoughts of others that I've read on several occasions here on TB, and several times earlier in this thread if you take the time to go back and read through some of it. I have 2 with original pups and I've swapped out one of them to experiment with other sounds (SD QPs, EMGs) and the tonal range definitely changes. It's not a better/worse scenario - it's a matter of taste - and it seems that often enough, people's taste's steer them away from the stock pups. I think the only probable issue is that the output of the J is a bit lower and when both pups are opened full, the overall volume drops a tad. These basses would really benefit from a slightly hotter bridge pup, and more importantly, a 3-way selector switch allowing the P to be isolated.

Anyone know what the stock bridge on the Aerodyne P weighs? I'm going to order up a HipShot vintage bridge (they'll make one to fit the rout on the P!), but I want to make sure that it's heavier than the stock bridge.
The backstory is that I just ordered up the HipShot BT-10 detuner which will be heavier than the stock tuner. Since the bass is ever so slightly head stock heavy, I thought I could just balance the weight out somewhat with a heavier bridge...

I doubt there will be a noticeable difference in weight between the 2 bridges. If there is, it wouldn't be enough to offset the added weight of a drop-tuner.

One thing you can do to improve balance is put some strap locks on, which extends the balance point a little further out on the upper horn and adds a touch of weight to both points on the body. A wide strap is always good (I quite like the Planet Waves 3" comfort straps). You could also tape some weights into the control cavity.

 

[bonz - darrell]

I doubt there will be a noticeable difference in weight between the 2 bridges. If there is, it wouldn't be enough to offset the added weight of a drop-tuner.

One thing you can do to improve balance is put some strap locks on, which extends the balance point a little further out on the upper horn and adds a touch of weight to both points on the body. A wide strap is always good (I quite like the Planet Waves 3" comfort straps). You could also tape some weights into the control cavity.

Funny thing, I haven't put strap locks on yet -- didn't have a set of chrome schallers laying around. Usually it's the first thing I do to every bass I purchase. I have a set on order. Maybe I'll throw on a black set I have kicking around for the time being.

I use a nice wide strap which certainly helps, but if I'm not watching, it just pulls my shirt over my shoulder -- not many things geekier looking than that!

I may order the bridge just for sh***-and-giggles. If nothing else it'll make string changes easier. Never thought of weighting the body cavity... Reminds me of making Cub Cars and having to weight each one to fine tolerances for the competitions (grin).

Thanks!

darrell

 

[MarkoYYZ]

There are several bridges that will fit right over top of the cavity, from what I understand. I've seen people use a BadassII, Hipshot A/B, and a Schaller roller bridge. They won't make full contact with the wood and basically straddle the outer rim of the cavity, but it also helps raise the bridge up a little higher which on mine would be a good thing, as the recessed bridge requires the saddles to be threaded way high on the height adjustment screws.

 

[bonz - darrell]

Does anyone other than me think that the tone changes with volume due to the VVT setup on these instruments?
What I'm getting at is I run the P pup dimed, the J at about 7 and this gives me a tone I really like through my Mesa Boogie rig.

If I have to volume down (perish the thought!), I roll down the P pup, which by default blends in more of the J pickup -- hence a tone change.

I think I would like to go to a Volume, Blend, Tone arrangement.
SD has a great set of wiring diagrams. This is the one I'm thinking about.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I haven't opened up my pretty new bass yet, but I assume I need to replace the Jazz volume pot with a blend pot. What is the technical name for that pot? I'm pretty handy with mods, but the terminology sometimes escapes me.

darrell

 

[bonz - darrell]

There are several bridges that will fit right over top of the cavity, from what I understand. I've seen people use a BadassII, Hipshot A/B, and a Schaller roller bridge. They won't make full contact with the wood and basically straddle the outer rim of the cavity, but it also helps raise the bridge up a little higher which on mine would be a good thing, as the recessed bridge requires the saddles to be threaded way high on the height adjustment screws.

Ok. That's a thought, and I read something about this earlier in the thread. I'll give this some thought as well. The upside to having the bridge buried a bit is that the height adjustment screws are buried and not digging into stuff (ie: me)!

 

[Malak the Mad]

When you say MIJ is better, are you saying that it's better than CIJ? I know it's better than MIM, but I haven't really heard any comparisons between MIJ and CIJ. I've owned both and they looked, felt, and sounded the same to me.

I said "presumably better" and then followed up by saying how I try my best not to draw such distinctions. Here's exactly what I said;

Like Marko said, they're MIJ, which presumably should be better. I, for one, try not to let "country of origin" color my perceptions. Unless something is wretchedly built, I try to see things as "different", not "better".

What I was trying to impart to Marcus was "country of origin" shouldn't be used as a quick, blanket measure of pickups. I have two basses with Japanese-made pickups and two with Mexican-made pups. I'd never say one is inferior to the other, just "different".

As far as the MIJ/CIJ thing goes, I don't draw much of a distinction, if any. Although they may be made at different factories, they still need to pass Fender Japan's quality control standards. That's more than good enough for me.

 

[PBassTX]

Ok thanks... That wasn't intended to be criticism... I was just curious if missed something while comparing the two MIJ vs CIJ.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Ok thanks... That wasn't intended to be criticism... I was just curious if missed something while comparing the two MIJ vs CIJ.

Izz all kewl.

I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page and not talking in circles.

 

[Catbuster]

Alright... After much ado and a rough last six months, I finally have the updated number list.


Fender Aerodyne Club

1-Youngspanion
2-Coltranius
3-Lowfrq
4-Hdracer
5-Ilamor2112
6-Billy K
7-Rocinante-x1
8-Mr M
9-Hankazoid
10-Big chicken
11-Wake & Bass
12-Billy K
13-Ray34
14-Upandb
15-Philthygeezer
**16-GatorDogDoc**
17-Averagehack
18-WheresthPocket
19-StrangerDanger
20- Klonk
21- Bannybassman
22- Onosson
23- hollotim
24- bebop1
25- Jarod21
26- Stoutfellow
27- JacksonAerodyne
28 - Dom_Bass_2
29 - BassGen (Retired)
30 - H.Kristal
31 - Jweber76
32 -Burgardj
33 -Lordbeans
34-JohnnyChatter
35-swu678
36-TheOnlyJuan
37- Bass1965
38-Cellkirk74
39-Spin Doc
40-logans59
41-Lavave
42-THORRR
43-Brando28
44-Fit4pain
45-Bassmanmike1 (Honorary for his self built GORGEOUS Aero-clone)
46-Catbuster
47-Malak The Mad
48-Crash Alpha
49-Chrispunx
50-Melikecookies
51-LPswim2009
52-Dr. Goggles
53-Yesplz
54-Cadfael
55-hazmatt
56-Levis76
57-78Stingray
58-MeLikeBass
59-bluespenny
60-grey area
61-jefff100
62-ekidnu25
63-5Bass5
64-drewfunk
65-im_telling_Tim
66-KrügMeister
67-DaffyStarDuck
68-Sonic
69- ricoshea
70-Bassfacist
71- Snakeman1066
72-mack_avz
73-lakland55
74-MarkoYYZ
75-johnnychatter
76-Xandros
77-Ilmārs_Priede
78-Breakman
79-BogezOnBass
80-EricMordus
81-naaily
82-Gorn Captain
83-Spent
84-Spanish Dave
85-9mmMike
86-DJ_SlackHack
87-chienmort- Kinda odd French there
88-Dogghouse
89-Chickentown
90-Kiyote
91-darrellj

 

[bonz - darrell]

91-darrellj

Woohoo!

As a part of my acceptance speech, I would like to say that I feel so honoured (sniff) to be allowed entry to these hallowed grounds (sniffle).

Glad to be a part, rather than apart. Truly the Aerodyne is one of the unsung Fender heros.

I'm off to go modify my sig...

Now, back to the regularly scheduled program.

darrell

 

[9mmMike]

There are several bridges that will fit right over top of the cavity, from what I understand. I've seen people use a BadassII, Hipshot A/B, and a Schaller roller bridge. They won't make full contact with the wood and basically straddle the outer rim of the cavity, but it also helps raise the bridge up a little higher which on mine would be a good thing, as the recessed bridge requires the saddles to be threaded way high on the height adjustment screws.

Hipshot (love these guys!) has made a bridge to fit the recessed Aero's. So far, I think there is only one (search this thread) but I have an "order" in with them for another and I am sure they'd welcome others.

 

[bonz - darrell]

Hipshot (love these guys!) has made a bridge to fit the recessed Aero's. So far, I think there is only one (search this thread) but I have an "order" in with them for another and I am sure they'd welcome others.

I have hipshot d-tuners on every other bass I own, as well as a bridge on my Urge I -- never had any complaints about anything Hipshot... On that vein, I just ordered up the BT-10 for my Aerodyne.

I read your post earlier in the thread about custom ordering, so I called them up yesterday. Talked to Oscar for a few minutes -- it's absolutely no problem for them to create a custom fit 'Vintage' bridge. He gave me the weight as 122 grams. I'm curious about what the stock bridge weighs.

I can't remember, 9mmMike, did you order the 'Vintage'?

darrell