Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Chromes were the first strings I started learning on, and since my 'Dyne was my first-ever bass, I tend to hold them up as an excellent pairing. They bring the "thump", but still have a subtle touch of brightness that keeps thing interesting.
To be more specific, I'm talking about the .100 gauge sets. I haven't used .105's and the .95's weren't my cup o' tea.
If you want some seriously bright flats, check out the new Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. Talk about "interesting"! They sound closer to rounds than flats.
I went through the Chromes phase a few years ago. I have stainless steel Rotosound 66's on almost all my basses right now. The Roto's sound great on the Aerodyne, since my Aero P isn't super bright. I'm not sure what they would sound like on the Aero J, since I don't have one yet.
Recently, I put 105 guage Chromes on a '65 P-bass for a friend (yeah really, pre-cbs, and the guy has *me* working on it). I did a little setup, cleaned up the frets, re-wired the control cavity with all new stuff, had the pickup re-wound, cut a new nut, etc, etc).
Anyhow, on topic: I had forgotten how much I like the Chromes, but the $46 Cdn price tag (including tax) was a bit ugly. Rotos are still less than $30...
fwiw - I don't think you can go wrong with stainless steel, flats, tapes, ground wound, nickels or whatever on an Aerodyne. Mine just sounds so dang good I could probably make strings out of old boot laces and it would play fine.
darrell
For a long time I've GASed for a black Fender Aerodyne with no pickguard. I love the clean look and the weight and balance feels so great. I couldn't find the money for a new one, but then this used one showed up.
It isn't quite original. The J pickup was changed with a Seymour Duncan, and the bridge is a Badass Bass II bridge. Had to fix some shaky ground wire there, which I wasn't quite happy about. Still it feels very good to play and despite some SC noise it sounds great. Now it just need new strings, and then I'll decide if it's a keeper. ;-)
I've lurked here for a long time. Now I apply for membership.
It isn't quite original. The J pickup was changed with a Seymour Duncan, and the bridge is a Badass Bass II bridge. Had to fix some shaky ground wire there, which I wasn't quite happy about. Still it feels very good to play and despite some SC noise it sounds great. Now it just need new strings, and then I'll decide if it's a keeper. ;-)
I've lurked here for a long time. Now I apply for membership.
For a long time I've GASed for a black Fender Aerodyne with no pickguard. I love the clean look and the weight and balance feels so great. I couldn't find the money for a new one, but then this used one showed up.
It isn't quite original. The J pickup was changed with a Seymour Duncan, and the bridge is a Badass Bass II bridge. Had to fix some shaky ground wire there, which I wasn't quite happy about. Still it feels very good to play and despite some SC noise it sounds great. Now it just need new strings, and then I'll decide if it's a keeper. ;-)
I've lurked here for a long time. Now I apply for membership.
Swwet bass!
That's the one I lust for -- black with no pick guard.
I wish the medium scale version came like that (with no pickguard).
Just got mine in yesterday and I'd be honored to join your prestigious organization. Got a question though. I'll probably repost in a more appropriate area, but figured I'd give it a go here. I've got my heart set on putting in an SD SPB3, but what should I pair it with? I know SD offer a complete quarterpounder PJ set; I don't know electronics at all, but I've heard that the noise from the J is a real nuisance in that setup. What would be better options to compliment the SPB3?
Attachments
Greetings, Frog! Welcome to TalkBass and our esteemed conclave!
In regards to pickups, just how aggressive a sound are you looking for?
Y'see, once upon a time, I had a Quarter Pounder installed in a P/J configured bass, matched up with a Fender Super 55 Jazz pickup. The 55 is a split-coil pickup built into the form-factor of a single-coil, Jazz pup, which helps keep the hum away. It also helps that it's a rather "beefy" pickup. However, I ultimately dumped the SD-QP in favor of a Fender-Japan standard Precision pickup because it was too "clangy" and harsh. Also, it was overpowering the bridge pickup into near-irrelevance. It was only after a few string changes and replacing the wiring harness that I became convinced the Duncan pickup was the cause.
I'm not saying you shouldn't use one. What I am saying is you should make sure you find a sufficiently "hot" pickup to blend well-enough with it. One possibility may be an SD STK-J2b "Hot Stack". Like the Super 55's, it's a split-coil, humbucking design. I believe DiMarzio also makes a similar pickup, but I have zero-experience with them. Perhaps others here and elsewhere could give you some input on them.
Thanks for the input! As far as aggression goes, I want it. I may take some heat for this, but I grew up loving the Hoppus tone, which draws me to the QP. And these days I throw my hat into the various hardcore derivatives. I'm one of those. So I want to be able to kill it in that respect and shake some bowels. Then again, I'll also be playing at my church. Most of it is pretty modern stuff so I'm sure I could toy around and make it work, but should I want to scale back and mellow out a bit for the softer songs, I'd like to be able to. If that means I have to throw blending out the window and just solo my pickups for different situations, so be it. I've actually been recommend the Hot Stack by others because I could allegedly solo it without noise and get a somewhat less aggressive tone (or so I've been told), but I could still blend it in and restore some of the mids lost in the QP. Or that could be bull. I wouldn't know; I'm a total layman with this stuff.
The urge to Tinker is strong in this one!
One further suggestion, this time on the string-front. Changing strings has become my biggest, go-to-first technique for changing the sonic "character" of a bass. (That's why I did so many changes with that QP installed. It's an easier, much less expensive way that doesn't require rewiring electronics.) To this effect, I've found a few that have certain predictable/interesting effects. Here's a few examples, in no particular order;
- Ernie Ball Cobalt Rounds/D'Addario FlexSteels: Very aggressive/lots of growl. The FlexSteels have much lower tension, though. I recently discovered a truss rod adjustment may become necessary because of this.
- Elixir Coated Strings (non-stainless steel): I tried a set at the recommendation of my local guitar tech. Turns out they were worth the slightly-higher-than-normal price. They feel very responsive to changing my attack, being capable of being mellow, and yet, they can "growl" when played more aggressively. Also, I have nothing against their stainless steel strings…I simply haven't tried them yet.
- Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats: A remarkably interesting string. They are the least "flats-sounding" flats I've ever tried. They almost sound like rounds…stress on the "almost". They kinda have a sound unique unto themselves. They also have an interesting feel. There's a microscopic gap between the outer ribbons which I suspect is engineered into their construction to maintain the classic, Ernie Ball "Slinky-ness". It's not a huge deal, just a little, extra tactile sensation that one eventually learns to ignore.
- D'Addario Chromes (Flats): These were the first-ever strings I used on my Aerodyne. When I took it in to get a pro-setup, they were suggested to me as a great set to get started on and I still use them from time to time. Classic "thump", but not dull-sounding. I can get a modicum of brightness out of them with a strong attack.
Good luck, Frog!
I tend to go for D'Addario Chromes. I also but them on my newly acquired Aerodyne, and love it. But I am a bit picky when it comes to strings, since I am a huge fan og balanced sets. This means I pick my own gauges at bassstringsonline. I have found "my" set there, and order a new spare set the instant I put the set I have on a bass. I tend to tune my basses DGCF, so I need a somewhat heavier gauge than most. My go to set of Chromes have the gauges .045 .060 .080 .105.
I took a chance and ordered a medium scale black Aerodyne and is being shipped from Japan. The tracking shows it has arrived in NYC so I should have it soon. I have seen a lot of positive posts on this bass and think the 32" scale will help me and my aging hands. I will post a pic as soon as she arrives.
I have never played a medium scale but also picked up a "smart size" Jazz bass a few weeks ago, it's about 15% smaller in size but full size pup's and tone. Really easy to play but just a little small to gig with. Now the Aerodyne medium I think will be the perfect scale for me. I've always played a 34" scale but started to experience a bit of pain reaching for notes and after a 4 hour gig I could really feel it. Looks like it cleared customs and will be delivered tomorrow. I will post a pic as soon as I can.
I did not realize there was a Squier Aerodyne, or is that just a black Squier with matching headstock?
I see an entirely different staff EVERY time I go to my local GC. Not much of a collective product knowledge base going down there when the employee turnover appears to be 100% every 6 months or so.
Sure, here is the Aerodyne Medium Scale. Great bass and love the scale. Has all the tone of my 34" Jazz
