Fender Aerodyne Club!

[Lars Overmars]

OK. So Lets start a Fender Aerodyne Club. I'll go first. Here is my Aerodyne. I picked this up in Dec. 05 from Guitar Center. Cost $600 w/tax and I never considered selling it. Still won't. I have it strung with D'Addario Chromes. So lets see the Aerodynes guys.[/QUOTE]
Hi. Anyone knows what this one would be worth? Think it`s a 91 (or so) Japan mod. Is this one of the "Non Ex?
I have all the covers but not that thumb support. It is in mint condition..Looks like it`s never played Not planning to sell this baby

 

[secondbestcody]

I`ve seen some of the posts, but haven't seen this model yet (haven't looked that hard, thats why I took the shortcut with this post).. Tnx anyway..Btw, this is a p/J mod. But I guess that`s quite common.

Yeah all the Aerodynes are p/j models, jazz and precision are referring to the body shape.

 

[Lars Overmars]

Yeah all the Aerodynes are p/j models, jazz and precision are referring to the body shape.

Ahh..Tnx.So mine is a Jazz, right? The neck feels like a Jazzbass though..

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hi. Anyone knows what this one would be worth? Think it`s a 91 (or so) Japan mod. Is this one of the "Non Ex?
I have all the covers but not that thumb support. It is in mint condition..Looks like it`s never played

Yes, it's a "Non-Export" model.

Yes, they are rather rare.

No, it's not from the 1990's. If I remember my research correctly, the first Aerodynes were unveiled at Winter NAMM in 2003 and became available for purchase in early 2004.

And lastly, we can't give you a price assessment. Only supporting members can do that.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Yeah all the Aerodynes are p/j models, jazz and precision are referring to the body shape.

Actually, no. There were a few, rare models that had a J/J configuration...some medium-scale models, a DiMarzio Edition and the super-rare five-stringers.

Ahh..Tnx.So mine is a Jazz, right? The neck feels like a Jazzbass though..

It's a Precision body, but probably a Jazz neck. Some models had both a P-body and neck, while others had a mix-and-match design.

 

[secondbestcody]

Yours is a precision. You can tell from the body shape and the precision pick guard. The jazz (like mine) have the offset body like a regular jazz bass.

 

[Lars Overmars]

Yes, it's a "Non-Export" model.

Yes, they are rather rare.

No, it's not from the 1990's. If I remember my research correctly, the first Aerodynes were unveiled at Winter NAMM in 2003 and became available for purchase in early 2004.

And lastly, we can't give you a price assessment. Only supporting members can do that.

Tnx for the help

 

[Lars Overmars]

I have to say Aero's are excellent basses. I had both Jazz and Precision. Unfortunately I sold them but I'm sure some day I will have them back.

Here is the family portrait.

View attachment 1578247

I have that blue one..only it`s Orange finnish

 

[secondbestcody]

Since I got my Aerodyne I've wanted a precision one. The cream binding on that blue looks so good.

 

[Gregy]

Hi bassers and Aerodyne owners!
I live in Asia and i have a choice of buying MIM Standard Jazz Bass or NON-export (Japan Exclusive) model Aerodyne - at roughly the same price level.
I've never owned a good quality instrument, but on my 30th bday i decided that it's time. I understand that there are many similar questions, but i'd appreciated if you could give me some inputs on exactly these 2 models in terms of playability, sound, wood and hardware used on the guitars. Thanks!

 

[Lars Overmars]

Hi.
I Have an Aerodyne non-ex Japan mod, and I`m really happy with it. It has both jazz and Precision pick ups, so that give a lot more possibility when it comes to how you want it to sound. It also have jazz bass neck which I really like. This instrument feels really good when you grab it, everything is solid..I had it on service once, and the guy said "wow, this is really a pice of great handcrafting"!
I have never owned a Jazz-bass, so I`ll let someone else defend that part of it. Good luck with your chice dude, don`t think this will have a sad ending whatever you choose

 

[Gregy]

Hi.
I Have an Aerodyne non-ex Japan mod, and I`m really happy with it. It has both jazz and Precision pick ups, so that give a lot more possibility when it comes to how you want it to sound. It also have jazz bass neck which I really like. This instrument feels really good when you grab it, everything is solid..I had it on service once, and the guy said "wow, this is really a pice of great handcrafting"!
I have never owned a Jazz-bass, so I`ll let someone else defend that part of it. Good luck with your chice dude, don`t think this will have a sad ending whatever you choose

Thanks for your reply! Can't way to touch that beauty, but I need to arrange a trip to Japan first

 

[bonz - darrell]

Hi bassers and Aerodyne owners!
I live in Asia and i have a choice of buying MIM Standard Jazz Bass or NON-export (Japan Exclusive) model Aerodyne - at roughly the same price level.
I've never owned a good quality instrument, but on my 30th bday i decided that it's time. I understand that there are many similar questions, but i'd appreciated if you could give me some inputs on exactly these 2 models in terms of playability, sound, wood and hardware used on the guitars. Thanks!

I have an MIM P and a MIJ Aerodyne P model (not the jazz body model, the precision body model). Here's my hands down the vote for the Aerodyne. I've done nothing to the Aerodyne other than adding a drop tuner. It plays great and sounds exactly like a MIJ PJ bass should sound (in a word, killer).
My MIM was a complete disappointment tonally - I bought it without being able to plug it in. It was flat, lifeless and thin. It now has a 32" conversion neck, ultra light tuners, hand wound pickup, CTS/OrangeDrop/Switchcraft electronics, a body-thru bridge with ferrules. Annnnnd. It sounds *almost* as good as my stock Aerodyne.

Buy the Aerodyne. But that was the advice you were expecting in an Aerodyne forum right???? lol.

 

[Catbuster]

Hi bassers and Aerodyne owners!
I live in Asia and i have a choice of buying MIM Standard Jazz Bass or NON-export (Japan Exclusive) model Aerodyne - at roughly the same price level.
I've never owned a good quality instrument, but on my 30th bday i decided that it's time. I understand that there are many similar questions, but i'd appreciated if you could give me some inputs on exactly these 2 models in terms of playability, sound, wood and hardware used on the guitars. Thanks!

I have an export Aerodyne and a standard MIM Jazz at the moment, and the choice isn't even close. The Aerodyne is a much better bass, and if the prices are the same, it's a non-question for me. Aerodyne every time.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hi bassers and Aerodyne owners!
I live in Asia and i have a choice of buying MIM Standard Jazz Bass or NON-export (Japan Exclusive) model Aerodyne - at roughly the same price level.
I've never owned a good quality instrument, but on my 30th bday i decided that it's time. I understand that there are many similar questions, but i'd appreciated if you could give me some inputs on exactly these 2 models in terms of playability, sound, wood and hardware used on the guitars. Thanks!

Against an MIM Standard Jazz? No contest. Go for the Aerodyne!

If you're very familiar with the Standard Jazz, here's some structural differences you might notice.

1. Radiused and bound basswood body: The shape and body-wood lend themselves towards a lighter bass. However, you may have to adjust to the binding by leaning so much onto your right forearm.
2. Vintage-style neck: It's a Jazz width at the nut, but the fretboard is a bit curvier.
3. Finish: Sad to say, they tend to chip more easily than the Standard's alder body and polyester finish. But, if you don't mind a bit of wear & tear, you'll do fine. If nothing else, it will have no effect on the sound or playability.

 

[Gregy]

Guys, thank you very much for your comments!
I'm already planning my trip to Japan, and seems like Aerodyne is a good choice.
I will also compare it with other Japanese models, like MIJ Classic 60's Jazz Bass (here: Invalid Link Removed hope you can open it smoothly), and Standard MIM Jazz Bass.
It seems like the choice in Japanese music stores is much much better than here in Taiwan.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Guys, thank you very much for your comments!
I'm already planning my trip to Japan, and seems like Aerodyne is a good choice.
I will also compare it with other Japanese models, like MIJ Classic 60's Jazz Bass (here: Invalid Link Removed hope you can open it smoothly), and Standard MIM Jazz Bass.
It seems like the choice in Japanese music stores is much much better than here in Taiwan.

Two things worth mentioning, just in case you were unaware…

First, any Aerodyne you get from a Japanese store will be a "Non-Export" edition. Either they'll have a pickguard and control plate or, if it's a Deluxe Edition, it will have an output jack mounted flush against the top of the body.

Second, if you buy online and from outside Japan, you pay for shipping, but not the domestic taxes. For example, let's say you wanted to buy this used Aerodyne from Ishibashi…

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…instead of ¥43,200, you would be paying the lower amount of ¥40,000. Just a little friendly tip, so you know all options available to you.

 

[Gregy]

Two things worth mentioning, just in case you were unaware…

First, any Aerodyne you get from a Japanese store will be a "Non-Export" edition. Either they'll have a pickguard and control plate or, if it's a Deluxe Edition, it will have an output jack mounted flush against the top of the body.

Second, if you buy online and from outside Japan, you pay for shipping, but not the domestic taxes. For example, let's say you wanted to buy this used Aerodyne from Ishibashi…

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

…instead of ¥43,200, you would be paying the lower amount of ¥40,000. Just a little friendly tip, so you know all options available to you.

Thanks for your opinion! They replied me, now they charge additional 10000 Yen for shipping of instruments with rosewood, so decided to go there and check everything personally

 

[Malak the Mad]

Thanks for your opinion! They replied me, now they charge additional 10000 Yen for shipping of instruments with rosewood, so decided to go there and check everything personally

That makes sense. From what I've heard around the forum, CITES regulations doesn't prohibit someone from transporting an item with a very small amount of rosewood in it. With that in mind, paying the extra ¥3,000+ in local taxes sounds like the better deal. Plus, you get to sample the merchandise first-hand before buying, a bonus very few of us enjoy when buying from The Land of the Rising Sun.

So, which model are you hoping to get? Also, new or used?

 

[Gregy]

That makes sense. From what I've heard around the forum, CITES regulations doesn't prohibit someone from transporting an item with a very small amount of rosewood in it. With that in mind, paying the extra ¥3,000+ in local taxes sounds like the better deal. Plus, you get to sample the merchandise first-hand before buying, a bonus very few of us enjoy when buying from The Land of the Rising Sun.

So, which model are you hoping to get? Also, new or used?

I'm aiming for a new one! But there are some other models in my price range such as classic 60th and new walnut color JB

Really need to try before buy !