Well, if nothing else, I can say for certain it's not a nineties-era bass. The first Aerodynes were unveiled in 2004.
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Well, if nothing else, I can say for certain it's not a nineties-era bass. The first Aerodynes were unveiled in 2004.
NBD!
Received my 'new to me' Aerodyne today! Pleased as punch I am, I am.
The YEAR of this bass is still a question to me. It was listed as a 1995. When I ran
the Serial Number, it said 2007/8... This is kinda moot to me, considering the excellent
condition the bass is in. So I'll say this.... The Serial Number has "MADE IN JAPAN",
and the Serial number starts with a "T"... These criteria make it either/or. Maybe someone
with more resources can tell me. Whatever year it is I'm pretty happy. I think it's a personally think it's a 94/95, as was stated by the seller.
Onto the bass itself! It needs a set-up, action is way too low. I'll dial that in tomorrow.
Neck is straight, Truss rod moves, which is a good thing, because that needs adjusting too.
Here's some pics I took real quick:
View attachment 2918089 View attachment 2918090 View attachment 2918091 View attachment 2918092 View attachment 2918093 View attachment 2918094 View attachment 2918095
View attachment 2918096 View attachment 2918097
Very nice guitar. Normal wear scratches on the pick guard, and controls, a tiny blemish
on the back, smack dab in the middle, but otherwise a sweet left-handed PJ. I've been
wanting one for a while now... Jackpot!
Looking forward to giving it a good cleaning, a proper set-up, and many hours of play!
Sometimes the Japanese serial numbers come up with 94 95 from Aerodynes but they were not a thing until the mid 2000’s.
Then it's an 07/08.... or a really, really, really expensive '95
j/kMy bass just got 12 years younger... not a bad thing.
Thanks for the clarification folks!!
I don't think I ever posted here.... This is my Aerodyne, I really love it. So far it's the only PJ bass I have in my collection. Sounds fantastic, light weight and looks killer!
Then it's an 07/08.... or a really, really, really expensive '95
My bass just got 12 years younger... not a bad thing.
Thanks for the clarification folks!!
Then it's an 07/08.... or a really, really, really expensive '95
My bass just got 12 years younger... not a bad thing.
Thanks for the clarification folks!!
Oh yeah! I forgot to congratulate your new bass child! Sweet bass! You will love it for years to come. I gots one of them laying around here! I keep changing the hardware from silver to black to silver on it because I don’t ever know what I want. I have black tuning pegs and smokes chrome I can’t decide on every time I black it out also...
Attachments
Very nice... love the color... Black it out, eh? Hmmmm... Don't DO THAT!!
It took about 3 hours to get this bad boy set up this morning. Fortunately, the P.O. took good
care of it, so I didn't run into any issues. Neck was flat as a board, string heights all wrong,
pick ups all wonky... she sat for a while. Once I got it 'dialed in' I realized what I was missing.
A bass that plays as good as it looks. Still not too sure about the DR Black Beauty Round wounds
that I got with the guitar. I only played it for about three hours today
... I'll give 'em a littlemore time. Meanwhile I'll look around and see what other PJ players are using.
Maybe it's just me, but Black Beauties seem to be rather "hit or miss" in my experience. I've had a couple sets that were
and others that were 
. I wonder if there's some sort of "x-factor" at the factory level that causes it…something like humidity or the quality of this/that batch of their coating material. 
Congrats on the bass. They are really fine basses to own and play, one of Fenders often overlooked and ignored stepchildren it would seem. When I first got my Aerodyne I strung it up with Black Beauties, lived with those for about 5 or 6 years before deciding that was a bit passe. I switched to flats and now have DR Legends Flats on the bass. I think they are on there for keepers.
I've been playing the Aerodyne for a better part of the weekend,
and it's growing on me more and more every song. The DR strings
sound Ok, but I don't care for the 'feel' too much. I've got Super Slinkys
on my Schecter, and I'm pretty happy with those, the Hofner has La Bella
Flats, and I like playing those as well... The DR's feel like a rat tail file under
my digits... I think that's what's 'putting me off'. I think I might try some
mid-ground, and go with a set of GHS M7200 Pressurewound Mediums.
Never used GHS... what the hoot, right?
and it's growing on me more and more every song. The DR strings
sound Ok, but I don't care for the 'feel' too much. I've got Super Slinkys
on my Schecter, and I'm pretty happy with those, the Hofner has La Bella
Flats, and I like playing those as well... The DR's feel like a rat tail file under
my digits... I think that's what's 'putting me off'. I think I might try some
mid-ground, and go with a set of GHS M7200 Pressurewound Mediums.
Never used GHS... what the hoot, right?
strings are so very subjective. all in what you like. I liked the black beauties for a long time, but it waned.
Now I'm a flats guy...as I'm used to that on my upright. for Electric basses the DR Legends are my go to, but my SR5 is now wearing Chromes.
Now I'm a flats guy...as I'm used to that on my upright. for Electric basses the DR Legends are my go to, but my SR5 is now wearing Chromes.
I received my Aerodyne yesterday after waiting for parcel force to finally deliver!
My first impressions are that the bass is lovely to play, and the neck is super comfortable. I can see myself playing this bass for hours on end with no problems.
My only gripe at the moment is there seems to be a lot of string buzz, with very low action, but I may take it somewhere for a proper set up soon.
I suppose a string change may also help.
I also get the issue that a couple of others have mentioned where I put both pickups on full and the volume drops a bit. Rolling off slightly on either pickup solves the issue though so not too concerned about that.
Anyway here are some pics
My first impressions are that the bass is lovely to play, and the neck is super comfortable. I can see myself playing this bass for hours on end with no problems.
My only gripe at the moment is there seems to be a lot of string buzz, with very low action, but I may take it somewhere for a proper set up soon.
I suppose a string change may also help.
I also get the issue that a couple of others have mentioned where I put both pickups on full and the volume drops a bit. Rolling off slightly on either pickup solves the issue though so not too concerned about that.
Anyway here are some pics
Attachments
Very cool!
If I may suggest, see if the neck bolts need tightening. If it does, it should "submerge" the heel a bit further into the pocket, lowering the fretboard microscopically without having to adjust the action.Aerodynes are the best! Fender should add more variants to their current offer
Back when Fender-Japan was still running the Aerodyne show, they came up with all kinds of variant…Aerodyne Precisions, five-stringers, special editions with J/J configurations and so on. Here's one of my favorites, a Koa-topped Aerodyne. C'est magnifique! drool
But then, Fender-Japan (aka Kanda-Shokai) came up with all sorts of interesting versions of the classic, Fender design.
Very cool!
Thank you for the suggestion. I will give this a try when I get home later.
I have also noticed that there isn't a lot of tension on the strings - almost like the previous owner cut them too short, and didn't leave enough 'extra wind' so to speak. I'm guessing this may also have something to do with the buzz?
Do you know what strings are on the bass? String tension is a mostly construction and size. A stiffer string might help but you probably just need the slightest truss-rod adjustment to add a skosh (or maybe a tad) of relief. Careful on the neck-tightening idea. It is easy to over-torque those screws. If the relief is already where you want it, then a slight raise in the bridge saddles could be in order. Small, incremental adjustments are generally better than large ones.
Yeah, it's probably best to go with Mike here. A little tightening can be helpful, but don't overdo it. If it's already at max capacity, something might give…badly!
My Aerodyne has become my sort of jalopy bass. swapped out the bridge for a Baddass II, swapped out the pickups for Quarter Pounder SPB-3 P/J matched set and most recently had a complete re fret done. It's always been my favorite bass, but now it's truly the most amazing instrument I've ever played. I do love my ESP & Musicman, but the Aerodyne has a certain mojo nothing else has
Both actually, I have what can only be compared to GI Joe's Kung Fu Grip, so after several years there developed many "valleys of death" all over the fretboard. My luthier said that after several dressings, grind * polish and so on that it was time, so we went the stainless steel way, and a slightly larger, more medium fret. I LOVE the way it plays now & hopefully these frets wont mash
I decided on TI's EB344 Power Bass strings... Talk about a difference.
Really liking 'em. The new strings has really brought out its playability.
Like said above, strings are personal, and I now know that 'black beauties'
aren't 'for me'.... just wish the Power Bass strings were a little easier on the wallet.
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