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Fender Aerodyne Club!

#1,182
katysax said:
Looks like I'm going to look at a used one about an hour from where I live tomorrow. Depends on the weather. I've been looking for a short scale bass but my real issue is weight of the bass. I've had a full scale bass before and could play it (I'm 5'2"). As I've gotten older I can't play a bass that is too heavy. I love the look of the Aerodyne and based on the pictures I've found a really nice one with a hard case. If it works out I'll be back.

Edited the next day: Well it did not work out. The bass is light enough - that's for sure, but I still felt like it was enormous. It was gorgeous - excellent, almost pristine condition cosmetically. However, the set up and intonation were terrible (which I could have fixed had I bought it). Much as I like the look of it, when in my hands just not the right bass. Too bad. It was a great deal - he was asking $425 including the Fender hard case and it looked almost like new.
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Was it a Jazz or Precision? What was "enormous"? The body or the scale? They make medium scale Aerodynes (I think) and the Precision bodies are smaller than the Jazz (I think). There is still some hope!
 
#1,183
9mmMike said:
Was it a Jazz or Precision? What was "enormous"? The body or the scale? They make medium scale Aerodynes (I think) and the Precision bodies are smaller than the Jazz (I think). There is still some hope!
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Sorry for not providing any context. I usually play a short scale bass or a ubass. I had a full scale bass but it started to feel so heavy I could hardly pick it up so I sold it. I was thinking that I might get used to the 34" scale if the bass were lighter. The Aerodyne I played was a Jazz. Not that it is actually enormous, just how it felt to me. I am only 5'2" and I am a 65 year old female so I'm not interested in playing music as a substitute for pumping iron. My left hand has tendon issues from playing ukulele and guitar. Playing the bass actually helps to stretch it out and lessen the pain, but the full scale bass may be a fret or two too far. The Aerodyne is light enough.
 
#1,184
katysax said:
Sorry for not providing any context. I usually play a short scale bass or a ubass. I had a full scale bass but it started to feel so heavy I could hardly pick it up so I sold it. I was thinking that I might get used to the 34" scale if the bass were lighter. The Aerodyne I played was a Jazz. Not that it is actually enormous, just how it felt to me. I am only 5'2" and I am a 65 year old female so I'm not interested in playing music as a substitute for pumping iron. My left hand has tendon issues from playing ukulele and guitar. Playing the bass actually helps to stretch it out and lessen the pain, but the full scale bass may be a fret or two too far. The Aerodyne is light enough.
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Here are some short scale Aerodyne's so at least you can see them. Hope it is OK to cross link here - Invalid Link Removed
 
#1,185
Hey guys! Was really interesting in getting an Aerodyne- how do the 2016 models match up with the Japanese non-export models? Thinking of shipping one from Japan over to get one.... along with that I was also wondering if the P-Pickup could nail/get close to the classic tone of a normal P- kind of hard to find a good demo video. Thanks!
 
#1,186
Hello, I recently picked up a non export Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass and think it is a fantastic instrument. I have gone through most of the posts here but haven't been able to find very much information on which pickups will work in the non export models as a direct drop in. My concern of course is the unique shape of the aerodyne body. any recommendations by you, the knowledgeable Dyne owners would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and Rock On!
 
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#1,188
Sodbuster said:
Hello, I recently picked up a non export Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass and think it is a fantastic instrument. I have gone through most of the posts here but haven't been able to find very much information on which pickups will work in the non export models as a direct drop in. My concern of course is the unique shape of the aerodyne body. any recommendations by you, the knowledgeable Dyne owners would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and Rock On!
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First off, congrats on your recent acquisition. Please post any pics you may have of it, 'cuz I, for one, never get tired of looking at them. By the way, what color is it?

As far as direct drop-ins go, I'm pretty sure an Aerodyne's electronics are built along the same standardized Fender sizes. I've heard many people talk about using DiMarzio and Seymour Duncan pickups in them with little-or-no hassle.

If you're trying to avoid a lot of hum from the bridge pickup, I'd recommend some sort of "split-coil in a single-coil package" pup. I use a Fender Super 55 Jazz alongside a Fender-Japan MIJ Precision in a parts bass of mine. (pictured below) The Super 55's are very quiet and, if it's to your taste, are a bit on the "beefier" side of the Jazz's sonic palette. I've also heard good things about Duncan's and DiMarzio's split-coil Jazz pups, but have no personal experience with them.

DSCF0647_zpsgsqwnpol.jpg
 
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#1,190
Sodbuster said:
Hello, I recently picked up a non export Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass and think it is a fantastic instrument. I have gone through most of the posts here but haven't been able to find very much information on which pickups will work in the non export models as a direct drop in. My concern of course is the unique shape of the aerodyne body. any recommendations by you, the knowledgeable Dyne owners would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and Rock On!
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I will go ahead and pile on here...

My non export is currently sporting a PJ set of EMG Geezer pickups. A very easy drop in change that requires no soldering and sounds great and should be hum free.

But yes as Malak said any Fender style replacement should work just fine in regard to the Aerodyne body.

Gratuitous bass picture...

Up On #1

Up On #1

Close up of my #1.
 
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#1,192
Sodbuster said:
Thank you Malak the Mad! I will post pics soon. It is the beautiful OCR Red model! I love it!
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Ah, a man of discerning taste! :thumbsup:

AJB%2002%2034%20Front_zpsszyuu3no.jpg


Justice Graves said:
Gratuitous bass picture...

Up On #1

Up On #1

Close up of my #1.
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I see you went supah-stealthy with yours…very nice!

What's funny is, I'm doing a parts-bass build right now that's in a similar vein. What's funnier is I'm facing the choice between and all-black, hi-mass bridge or a black, vintage-style bridge with brass barrels. So far, the all-black bridge is in the lead, but in your case, the brass works very well alongside the cream binding. They "play" well off each other, I dare say. :thumbsup:

bonz - darrell said:
Wellllll, if it's Aerodyne bass porn we're looking for, here's my Aero Precision with stock pickups. :cool:

View attachment 1022874
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Waitaminute! "Aerodyne Porn" in an "Aerodyne Club"?! Say it isn't so, man! :nailbiting:





I kid! Here's more for the drool-factory! (none of which I own…dammit! :whistle:)

Aerodyne%20Koa%20Limited%20Edition_zpsealukcii.jpg

Aerodyne%20Precision%2001%20Quilted-Top%20Sunburst_zpsvnvowuk4.jpg

ajb-v_01.jpgoriginal_zpsgvi1orio.jpg
 
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#1,193
Malak the Mad said:
I see you went supah-stealthy with yours…very nice!
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Yep it's that murdered out look I'm all so fond of...even has a graphite neck (the original neck was long gone by the time I became the keeper of this bass). I would totally change the bridge if Babicz made a drop in replacement, I just can't bring myself to disfigure the body to make room for my bridge of choice.

My #1

My #1

Beauty.
 
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#1,194
Justice Graves said:
Yep it's that murdered out look I'm all so fond of...even has a graphite neck (the original neck was long gone by the time I became the keeper of this bass). I would totally change the bridge if Babicz made a drop in replacement, I just can't bring myself to disfigure the body to make room for my bridge of choice.

My #1

My #1

Beauty.
Click to expand...

Very cool! By the way, are those EB Cobalt flats I see?
 
#1,195
Malak the Mad said:
Very cool! By the way, are those EB Cobalt flats I see?
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Yes sir. I felt this bass got a little too bright at times, cobalts seemed to tame it just enough. Sadly had to change strings (having a problem with the cobalts rusting from the core out, not sure why). It's currently strung with a set of Optima rounds and I love the sound. I'll post a pic of it in all its glory when I get home in the morning. Sounded great with the cobalts on it, and I don't think its too bright with the Optimas.
 
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#1,199
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