Fender Aerodyne Club!

[Fresh Eddie]

Aerodyne Ad featuring Original Candy Apple Red (OCR), Vintage White (VWH) and Dolphin Grey (DFG) finishes [AJB]

It's funny, I ordered an OCR Aerodyne from Japan a bunch of years ago and sold it, but I just found the bag of stuff that came with it. I have the owners manual in Japanese, warranty card, (not so great) cable, and hang tag for it.

 

[Malak the Mad]

It's funny, I ordered an OCR Aerodyne from Japan a bunch of years ago and sold it, but I just found the bag of stuff that came with it. I have the owners manual in Japanese, warranty card, (not so great) cable, and hang tag for it.

If it's not to much of a hassle, could you possibly scan & post the manual someday?

 

[Fresh Eddie]

If it's not to much of a hassle, could you possibly scan & post the manual someday?

I will snap some pics when I get home & when things slow down at work I can probably do some scanning....

 

[Malak the Mad]

I will snap some pics when I get home & when things slow down at work I can probably do some scanning....

Many thanks, in advance. No rush at all.

 

[bonz - darrell]

<SNIP>

II. Non-Export Edition Aerodyne, aka "Everything Else". Here's ways to spot a Non-Export…

• Different color finish
• Pickguard & control plate
• Two Jazz pickups (medium-scale/DiMarzio edition/five-stringer)
• Aerodyne Precision (very rare birds…usually a limited edition)
• Any Aerodyne that looks like an Export Edition but with a flush-mounted output jack

<SNIP>


Aerodyne Precision

Malak -- I didn't realize that the Pre's were non-export. I bought mine used from a young guy, and he made no indication that he imported it, and I have the impression (this was a couple of years ago) that he bought it from the local big box retailer here in Victoria (BC).
Does the serial number identify it as non-export? I'm at work right now, but when I get home I think I'll do a little serial number snooping...

darrell

 

[Malak the Mad]

Does the serial number identify it as non-export? I'm at work right now, but when I get home I think I'll do a little serial number snooping...

Nope, nothing in/on says "Export" or "Non-Export". It's pretty much just the Strat-jacked Deluxe Aerodyne that makes up the Exports. I mean, how would it look to make something that advertises itself as, "I'm an instrument that's NOT supposed to be seen outside our country of origin!"? Besides, if a retailer carries it, I don't think they'd care too much where it's going, as long as the check clears.

 

[gwangi]

I keep getting asked, "What's the difference between 'Export' and 'Non-Export' Aerodynes?", so I'm gonna make one picture-heavy post that I and others can link back to. It'll be much more efficient than doing it over and over again. Plus, there's a side benefit too…it keep up the appearance that I/we are not massively derailing a thread where questions about the Almighty 'Dyne isn't the main topic.

To the club; Please correct me if I'm in error or miss something. If it's a picture, preferably one of Fender Japan's stock photos, send a link or attach it and I'll add it to this posting. So, without any further ado…

I. Export Edition, aka Fender Deluxe Aerodyne

• Carved-top Jazz body
• Black finish
• Cream binding
• No pickguard or control plate (rear-routed controls)
• Precision/Jazz configuration
• Stratocaster-style output jack
• No face-dots on the fretboard

II. Non-Export Edition Aerodyne, aka "Everything Else". Here's ways to spot a Non-Export…

• Different color finish
• Pickguard & control plate
• Two Jazz pickups (medium-scale/DiMarzio edition/five-stringer)
• Aerodyne Precision (very rare birds…usually a limited edition)
• Any Aerodyne that looks like an Export Edition but with a flush-mounted output jack

Aerodyne Ad featuring Original Candy Apple Red (OCR), Vintage White (VWH) and Dolphin Grey (DFG) finishes [AJB]

32" Medium-Scale in U.S. Gunmetal Blue (UGB) [AJB-M]

Limited Edition Koa Aerodyne

Five-String Edition [AJB-V]

Non-Export Aerodyne Deluxe [AJB-D]

Aerodyne Precision

Are these still available to buy and if so where?

 

[bonz - darrell]

Are these still available to buy and if so where?

Ebay is a place to shop for prices. They show up locally on the used market occasionally as well.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Are these still available to buy and if so where?

If the various Fender websites are a proper guide, the Aerodynes, both Export and Non-Export, are still in production.

Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed

 

[Fresh Eddie]

Many thanks, in advance. No rush at all.

Here are some cell phone pics:

Whole package

Warranty Card

Manual

I love this page!

 

[DJJazzV]

Count me in.
I finally took a shot at ordering an Aerodyne Jazz 5 from Japan. I’m very happy with it. I changed all the pots to CTS 250k with a Switchcraft jack + Orange Drop cap. I may try swap the bridge out at some point and install a bone nut as well.
The neck specs are what really made me go for it. The nut is only 1 5/8”. Feels like a thin Stingray 5 neck. Very easy to play, and a nice curved radius like my ’64 AVRI. I’m pretty sure the body is Alder.

 

[mojomike001]

I though all the Aero bodies were basswood, but maybe the 5-er is different. Congrats on a cool bass.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Count me in.
I finally took a shot at ordering an Aerodyne Jazz 5 from Japan. I’m very happy with it. I changed all the pots to CTS 250k with a Switchcraft jack + Orange Drop cap. I may try swap the bridge out at some point and install a bone nut as well.
The neck specs are what really made me go for it. The nut is only 1 5/8”. Feels like a thin Stingray 5 neck. Very easy to play, and a nice curved radius like my ’64 AVRI. I’m pretty sure the body is Alder.

Dare I ask how much that set you back? Also, was it new or used? (It certainly looks pristine enough to be new! drool)

I must say, this is one of the very few five-stringers I'd take a stab at…the other being a Sire V7. My first attempt didn't work out very well, but I'm wondering if this one's curvier fretboard might help me adjust.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I though all the Aero bodies were basswood, but maybe the 5-er is different. Congrats on a cool bass.

Apparently it is indeed Alder, which surprised me too.

Here's the link to the specs via Archive.org's final "snapshot" of the previous Fender Japan website.

 

[DJJazzV]

I though all the Aero bodies were basswood, but maybe the 5-er is different. Congrats on a cool bass.

Thank you. I took a picture of the neck pocket when I changed the neck plate.
I am not a wood expert, but I'm sure someone here can identify it:

 

[DJJazzV]

Dare I ask how much that set you back? Also, was it new or used? (It certainly looks pristine enough to be new! drool)

I must say, this is one of the very few five-stringers I'd take a stab at…the other being a Sire V7. My first attempt didn't work out very well, but I'm wondering if this one's curvier fretboard might help me adjust.

I don't mind. It was "new, with a body ding" if that counts. eBay. Still had the plastic on the pickguard. I filled in and painted the ding. No big deal.
Less than $800 + $90 shipping from Japan, + $81 Customs fees.
It's a tighter string spacing than any Fender 5 you'll find in a store, especially by the nut, but that's what I wanted. Stingray 5 type spacing.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

Just to clarify, there was a couple of years where the Aero Precisions were imported to North America by Fender. They were PJs with flamed maple tops over alder backs... in trans Blue, trans Red and trans Amber, and they were CIJ. The burst model in the picture above would have been a non-export model, from what my browsing of catalogs would lead me to believe.

 

[bonz - darrell]

Just to clarify, there was a couple of years where the Aero Precisions were imported to North America by Fender. They were PJs with flamed maple tops over alder backs... in trans Blue, trans Red and trans Amber, and they were CIJ. The burst model in the picture above would have been a non-export model, from what my browsing of catalogs would lead me to believe.

Ok. That makes sense, based on what I remember the guy telling me when I bought it (used).

Mine is the trans red flame maple. Either way, it's still a pretty rare bird, and I'm lovingly playing it often...

 

[MarkoYYZ]

Ok. That makes sense, based on what I remember the guy telling me when I bought it (used).

Mine is the trans red flame maple. Either way, it's still a pretty rare bird, and I'm lovingly playing it often...

Yeah, I have the trans Amber and really like it, especially since putting on a set of TI flats. Would love to have one of each color and maybe experiment with some other pups... maybe Geezers or Nordstrands, but it's more than good as is.

 

[bonz - darrell]

Yeah, I have the trans Amber and really like it, especially since putting on a set of TI flats. Would love to have one of each color and maybe experiment with some other pups... maybe Geezers or Nordstrands, but it's more than good as is.

I put on Rotosound 66's. My go-to string. I did the flats thing. I did the half rounds thing. I'm back to stainless steel round wounds on almost all my basses.

They're great. Hard on the fingers. Hard on the fretboard. Hard on the frets. But they sound exactly like what I have in my head. Plus they get me through the mix better than anything else I've used.

I've got some Chromes waiting to go onto a project bass I'm working on -- kinda looking forward to the 'thump' of the flatwounds.