Fender Aerodyne Club!

[abarson]

I checked out one for sale at Tap Tempo Music in Campbell, CA last night. Supposedly MIJ. I was hoping it would be a 32" but turned out to be full scale. Very nice condition, super comfy, needed a setup. It was all black with chrome hardware, but the saddles were black as well. Interesting detail. It wasn't for me, but I have a great appreciation of what it is, and keeping an eye out for a 32" in some color other than black.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I checked out one for sale at Tap Tempo Music in Campbell, CA last night. Supposedly MIJ. I was hoping it would be a 32" but turned out to be full scale. Very nice condition, super comfy, needed a setup. It was all black with chrome hardware, but the saddles were black as well. Interesting detail. It wasn't for me, but I have a great appreciation of what it is, and keeping an eye out for a 32" in some color other than black.

What kind of configuration was it? J/J, P/J, pickguard & control plate or rear-routed?

Ultimately, you may have to order one from overseas. Outside the limited editions, the AJB-M and the Aerodyne-V's are extremely "thin on the ground" here in the U.S.

 

[abarson]

What kind of configuration was it? J/J, P/J, pickguard & control plate or rear-routed?

Ultimately, you may have to order one from overseas. Outside the limited editions, the AJB-M and the Aerodyne-V's are extremely "thin on the ground" here in the U.S.

P/J, no pickguard, rear routed. Still a bit confused on all the variations, even though this model has its own Wikipedia page.
Oh, and the neck plate was black as well, no inscription.
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[Malak the Mad]

P/J, no pickguard, rear routed. Still a bit confused on all the variations, even though this model has its own Wikipedia page.
Oh, and the neck plate was black as well, no inscription.
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Ah, I see it now. It's an "Export Edition", the easiest ones to find outside Japan.

No problem on the confusion-front. After a bit of research, I posted a fairly-thorough list of the different Aerodyne variations here. I hope it helps.

 

[Menorahman]

Here's a sweet medium scale Aerodyne with Aguilar PJ pickups:

Fender Aerodyne Jazz Special AJB-M Japan Bass Many Extras & Upgrades

A little on the pricey side though.

 

[Bassplayer315]

I was going to order a set of medium scale pressure wounds for my Aerodyne and they are no longer available (BSO)any thoughts of what to strings to buy. Really like the feel of pressure wounds but don't want full flats. What do other medium scale owners use and where did you get them. Thanks.

 

[Gorn]

I was going to order a set of medium scale pressure wounds for my Aerodyne and they are no longer available (BSO)any thoughts of what to strings to buy. Really like the feel of pressure wounds but don't want full flats. What do other medium scale owners use and where did you get them. Thanks.

I think long scale pressurewounds would probably be fine. The fat part of the E string will wrap around the post, but it shouldn't be a problem like with a stiff flatwound.

 

[Bassplayer315]

Here's a sweet medium scale Aerodyne with Aguilar PJ pickups:

Fender Aerodyne Jazz Special AJB-M Japan Bass Many Extras & Upgrades

A little on the pricey side though.

I got the same bass, stock pups for a lot less, I see it was a AJB-M, it started with 2 "J" pups. Nice upgrade but $1250 buy it now is way high, IMO. If I sold mine I would think I would ask $850 and its new. I'm sure the mod was expensive

 

[Menorahman]

I got the same bass, stock pups for a lot less, I see it was a AJB-M, it started with 2 "J" pups. Nice upgrade but $1250 buy it now is way high, IMO. If I sold mine I would think I would ask $850 and its new. I'm sure the mod was expensive

No doubt. I got the Aerodyne DMC Special for $1000 and that is legit ultra rare...so much so that I've never seen another. So yeah, that bass is too much.

 

[AlexNoise]

Hi ! Do you guys know if it's possible to "turn" an import model to a non-import model by adding a pickguard ? If yes, can we add a regular jazzbass pickguard or it must be a specific one ? Thanks !

 

[mojomike001]

Hi ! Do you guys know if it's possible to "turn" an import model to a non-import model by adding a pickguard ? If yes, can we add a regular jazzbass pickguard or it must be a specific one ? Thanks !

There are other differences beside the pickguard. The imported model has no control plate and has a strat style jack. It would be very difficult to turn one into the other. The pickguard would be the least of the problems.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

There are other differences beside the pickguard. The imported model has no control plate and has a strat style jack. It would be very difficult to turn one into the other. The pickguard would be the least of the problems.

The Strat style input jack is the main thing.

I happen to have both body types available for sale, and just tried the non-export PG on the export body, and it aligns perfectly with the pickup route and the neck pocket. A Jazz plate would clear the strat jack also, there is no overlap. If you swapped out the pots for ones with a slightly longer threaded stem, you could mount a dummy a control plate on the front and it would do an extremely good job of looking like a non-export model - aside from the jack as noted above - but if it's left black it wouldn't be that bad at all, really. The jack hole in the plate would be a great spot for a series-parallel switch.

The problem is getting a pickguard, since it's not the same as other PJ Jazz guards like the Blacktop bass. @AlexNoise : I can take a high res picture and send you dimensions, if you wanted to order a special guard from WD or some of the other custom makers. If you wanted to route the pocket to allow the front pup to be a J instead of P, then yes, you can use any Jazz pickguard.

In fact, you may have just given me a project idea for my all black export body!
.

 

[mojomike001]

I bought a ready made custom Aerodyne pickguard from this eBay seller: fxguitarman1 on eBay

I don't see any in stock there now, but they should have the necessary template.

 

[AlexNoise]

@MarkoYYZ and @mojomike001 : thank you for the quick answers.

If I understood well : it's impossible to put a classic jazz bass pickguard mainly because of the PB pickup (so logical that I did'nt think about it while writing my first message), but I could put a non-export PG, with or without a controle plate, depending of my tastes. Right ?

Actually I don't possess the bass yet, it's a secondhand that I will buy sunday :

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As you can see there's a 4th knob because of the preamp. So maybe this type of controle plate could fit, or ?

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As you said, maybe with longer threaded stem pots. But I'm not a specialist or a technician.

For the pickguard, found these : Jazz Bass Pickguard to fit Aerodyne: various colours - 1, 3 or 4 ply

@MarkoYYZ, if you could send me the dimensions of the non export PG, it would be very nice, in case of !
@mojomike001 : thanks, I'll check the seller from time to time

 

[Malak the Mad]

Welcome to TalkBass, Alex!

Personally, I think it looks just fine without the guard. If it were mine, the only thing I'd change would be the knobs. Then there's also the fact that once you drill holes into the top, they'll be there forever. The only way you could make the holes disappear (mostly) would be to use black pickguard screws to fill the empty spaces. That, or filling them and doing a full refinish.

On that note, if you do commit to installing a guard, I would recommend using black pickguard screws. I did exactly that with my non-export 'Dyne. It's just my personal sense of aesthetics, but I think it makes the overall "visual package" have a better "flow" about it.

In fact, I do this to all my basses with black pickguards. It's just a small, personal touch of mine.

But setting cosmetics aside, as long as everything is functional, this bass should serve you very, very well! Enjoy the Hell out of it, Alex!

Oh, and please remember, there's a tradition around here…no pics, no bass!

 

[mojomike001]

Here's an Aerodyne I put together starting with a non-export body, a Might Mite neck, and several other mods.

 

[AlexNoise]

Thanks for your welcome and your advices @Malak the Mad

I'm pretty sure that this thread will become my second home once i'll hold the beast in my hands. Then, be sure I'll post a picture of it, even if it's a simple model, not as beautiful as your amazing basses (... and guitars : the grey trio, wow !) . I think that you're right about the knots, I'll think about it when i'll get it.

Same about the pickguard, don't know yet what I'll do, maybe that I'll just fall in love with her fully naked !! But i must admit that the non export versions are amazing so ... just the begining of the headaches

@mojomike001 : love that neck ! Is that maple ?

 

[MarkoYYZ]

@MarkoYYZ and @mojomike001 : thank you for the quick answers.

If I understood well : it's impossible to put a classic jazz bass pickguard mainly because of the PB pickup (so logical that I did'nt think about it while writing my first message), but I could put a non-export PG, with or without a controle plate, depending of my tastes. Right ?

Correct.

OR if you want it to have a Jazz pickup up front, you route the body and use any Jazz guard. Once done, you could switch back and forth between PJ and JJ pickup configurations... if you wanted to.

Actually I don't possess the bass yet, it's a secondhand that I will buy sunday :

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As you can see there's a 4th knob because of the preamp. So maybe this type of controle plate could fit, or ?

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As you said, maybe with longer threaded stem pots. But I'm not a specialist or a technician.

Actually, the presence of the 4th knob is perfect, as it would fill what is usually the jack hole. The holes are typically spaced evenly on center, so they should line right up, aside from maybe some gentlre reaming of one of the holes (either body or control cover, and I'd strongly recommend it to be the cover so that you don't permanently alter the body).

For the pickguard, found these : Jazz Bass Pickguard to fit Aerodyne: various colours - 1, 3 or 4 ply

@MarkoYYZ, if you could send me the dimensions of the non export PG, it would be very nice, in case of !

Wow - not only are those perfectly cut for the Aerodyne, they're extremely well priced. I can take some quick dimensions for verification, but those guard look exactly like they should.
.

 

[mojomike001]

Thanks for your welcome and your advices @Malak the Mad

I'm pretty sure that this thread will become my second home once i'll hold the beast in my hands. Then, be sure I'll post a picture of it, even if it's a simple model, not as beautiful as your amazing basses (... and guitars : the grey trio, wow !) . I think that you're right about the knots, I'll think about it when i'll get it.

Same about the pickguard, don't know yet what I'll do, maybe that I'll just fall in love with her fully naked !! But i must admit that the non export versions are amazing so ... just the begining of the headaches

@mojomike001 : love that neck ! Is that maple ?

It is all maple.

I kind of like the bare look on the one you're buying. You could always plan on eventually having an export model and a non-export model.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Thanks for your welcome and your advices @Malak the Mad

I'm pretty sure that this thread will become my second home once i'll hold the beast in my hands. Then, be sure I'll post a picture of it, even if it's a simple model, not as beautiful as your amazing basses (... and guitars : the grey trio, wow !) . I think that you're right about the knots, I'll think about it when i'll get it.

Same about the pickguard, don't know yet what I'll do, maybe that I'll just fall in love with her fully naked !! But i must admit that the non export versions are amazing so ... just the begining of the headaches

Thanks and you're welcome, right back at you!

Would you believe the pewter trio, or as I call them "The Three Amigos", are the least costly of my collection? I mean, they are all used or refurbished Squiers. (I won't say "merely Squiers", since they're very decent players)

Sadly, I had to sell the red Aerodyne, my "Cherry Bomb", earlier this year. But there's always hope for the future. I've been saying for a while that if I ever decided to sell every instrument and stick with one, I'd get a Dolphin Grey non-export 'Dyne as a "halfway point" between my lovely, pewter Squiers and my all-black export-edition Aerodyne.

Oh, and about that headache…that's just Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S) starting to set in. You'll get used to it in a few weeks. That, or you'll have a psychotic break involving lots of credit cards.