Fender Aerodyne Club!

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Count me in. The serial on mine is Q000589, which means it's one of the first ones made (2002/2003). Got it from a guitarplayer 10 years ago. He never used it, had it in his home studio, just in case. Recently put in a set of Aguilar AG 4P/J-HC, shielded all cavities with copper tape. Now it's dead silent. Made a ramp between the pickups. Haven't played it much, but I'm starting to love it more and more now. A couple of frets are a little bit high, probably due to changing weather conditions.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Count me in.

Welcome, Frederik!

You are #160 in the Fender Aerodyne Club!

 

[Whiplash71]

I’m an American Fender guy, but I’ve always been drawn to this bass and I just couldn’t take it anymore. It is officially on its way from Sweetwater with a set of Geezer EMG pick ups that I can install upon arrival. I’ll update when it comes in and I’m pretty excited about adding this to the harem.

Just a beautiful bass and I got tired of just thinking about it. There is no think! Just do!

 

[bonz - darrell]

Please remove me from this "club".

 

[jefff100]

Made a ramp between the pickups.

I like the work on your ramp. What did you use & how did you finish it ?

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Please remove me from this "club".

Consider yourself “removed.”

Edit: But continue to feel free to post your experiences with Aerodynes (especially P’s)!

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

I like the work on your ramp. What did you use & how did you finish it ?

Thank you! I used a piece of very light wood (balsa), bought from a shop that sells parts for model aircrafts etc. It's about 5-6 mm thick. Cut it to shape (very easy with just a sharp, thin knife), laquered it with glossy black spray paint (several layers), and fastened it with thick double sided tape.

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

I might have my hands on a second Aerodyne Jazz (long scale). If I were to try to put on a fretless neck, where should I look? Fender doesn't offer anything at their website (if the neck fits I can remove the frets myself). Will a standard Jazz neck fit?

 

[jefff100]

I might have my hands on a second Aerodyne Jazz (long scale). If I were to try to put on a fretless neck, where should I look? Fender doesn't offer anything at their website (if the neck fits I can remove the frets myself). Will a standard Jazz neck fit?

My first thought would be to check the dimensional specs from Warmoth. They can build it to order and should be able to duplicate the black lacquer finish. Since they are officially licensed Fender mfg. they can legitimately recreate the Fender product.

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

My first thought would be to check the dimensional specs from Warmoth. They can build it to order and should be able to duplicate the black lacquer finish. Since they are officially licensed Fender mfg. they can legitimately recreate the Fender product.

Thank you. Checked with Warmoth, but it seems like the standard Jazz neck won't fit. They can build it to order, but it would probably be cheaper to by yet another used Aerodyne and use the neck from that. So, if anybody has a spare neck I may be in the market.

 

[2tonic]

Thank you. Checked with Warmoth, but it seems like the standard Jazz neck won't fit. They can build it to order, but it would probably be cheaper to by yet another used Aerodyne and use the neck from that. So, if anybody has a spare neck I may be in the market.

Stratosphere.com sometimes has Aerodyne necks for sale

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Stratosphere.com sometimes has Aerodyne necks for sale

Thank you! Checked their site, but could only find Aerodyne strat necks. Sendt them an email.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Stratosphere.com sometimes has Aerodyne necks for sale

Or check with 6tz on how they did this (see post inside ad):

SOLD - 2004 Fender Aerodyne Jazz P/J Bass Body Loaded

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Or check with 6tz on how they did this (see post inside ad):

SOLD - 2004 Fender Aerodyne Jazz P/J Bass Body Loaded

Thanks! I'll check right away.

 

[2tonic]

Please educate me.
Whats different between a Jazz and an Aerodyne?
Is it neck pocket dimensions, or scale length?

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Please educate me.
Whats different between a Jazz and an Aerodyne?
Is it neck pocket dimensions, or scale length?

Primarily, it’s the body contours. Aerodynes are slimmer at the edges, giving it an “aerodynamic” look.

They’re lighter than jazzes I’ve owned, as well, though mine aren’t significantly lighter.

Also, Aeros come in a number of configurations of P and J. The Wikipedia page is pretty exhaustive!

Scale length = both 34” and 32” scales are available in the traditional jazz configuration.

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Please educate me.
Whats different between a Jazz and an Aerodyne?
Is it neck pocket dimensions, or scale length?

There are two different scale lengths for Aerodyne, 32" and 34". The radius is like 70's Jazz/Precision (a bit more rounded than current models). If I measured correctly, the neck on Aerodyne (Jazz) is a bit narrower and a bit thicker at the heel end. Overall, it's a bit slimmer than a standard jazz neck.

 

[2tonic]

Yeah, I've always thought the top contour on the AD's was sexy, but I was angling more towards why a standard Jazz neck wouldn't fit.
Also, are the Aerodynes chambered, or just lighter due to their slimmer body limes?
Thanks.


Edited to add: Oops, beat my post with the answer to the question I hadn't asked yet. That's tops in efficiency!

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Not chambered. Slimmer neck and body only.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Yeah, I've always thought the top contour on the AD's was sexy, but I was angling more towards why a standard Jazz neck wouldn't fit.
Also, are the Aerodynes chambered, or just lighter due to their slimmer body limes?

Not chambered. Slimmer neck and body only.

That, and the basswood body which is a little bit lighter than alder.

Will a standard Jazz neck fit?

From my experience, there might be a tiny variance, but I can't say if it would pose a serious problem.

I installed an Aerodyne neck onto a Mighty Mite body, which is a licensed copy of the standard Jazz bodies. At first, the screw holes didn't line up 100%. It was close…really, really close. But instead of doing a lot of filling & drilling, I tried something my local guitar tech suggested. I put on a set of strings and started increasing the tension while holding the neck and body together. The tension pulled the neck into the pocket enough that the holes finally matched up. I managed to get the screws in place and screwed down, all the while holding the two halves together…and violá!