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Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass

AkaGoal

AkaGoal

May 27, 2015
57
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29
#1
Hi guys!

I have a question. I'd like to buy an Aerodyne Jazz Bass

image.jpeg

Just like this.

My question is, how does it look like without a pickguard? Is there a big hole for the p pickup or is there a nicely routed hole like on the j pickup?
Pictures would be great also if anybody has this kind of bass :D
 
#7
jd56hawk said:
Why not just buy one of the aesthetically unpleasing ones readily available in the states from Sweetwater and sacrifice the choice of over half a dozen colors you can get with the non-export model for the plain gloss black with the funny-looking jack?
Click to expand...

This.

One way to get around the ugly holes is to replace the pickguard with one of those neat clear ones. Now you can see all the paint, and still replace the screws so it doesn't look quite so bad like so:

mSOp4WzqrfTLHDx3cBZ_XBg.jpg


Or take jd's advice and just get the US version instead of the MIJ.
 
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#10
AkaGoal said:
Isn't it possible to just scree the screws back in? To be honest I've thought about putting gold screws in :bassist:
Click to expand...

Sounds like some nice bling! You could. But I'd be careful how tightly you screw them down since you don't want to craze the finish around the holes. I don't know how safe it would be to sock them down flush if there isn't a slight counter-bore at the top of the hole. But maybe I'm worried about nothing. If the finish is urethane on the MIJs like it is on the 'USA' models then it's probably not much of an issue. Just watch out for the screwdriver slipping!
 
#11
40Hz said:
Sounds like some nice bling! You could. But I'd be careful how tightly you screw them down since you don't want to craze the finish around the holes. I don't know how safe it would be to sock them down flush if there isn't a slight counter-bore at the top of the hole. But maybe I'm worried about nothing. If the finish is urethane on the MIJs like it is on the 'USA' models then it's probably not much of an issue. Just watch out for the screwdriver slipping!
Click to expand...
Maybe even some gold hardware like tuners and the bridge :D
 
#14
jd56hawk said:
Why not just buy one of the aesthetically unpleasing ones readily available in the states from Sweetwater and sacrifice the choice of over half a dozen colors you can get with the non-export model for the plain gloss black with the funny-looking jack?
Click to expand...

Hey now, dems fightin' woids! :spit: :D

I'll have you know, I love my, as you put it, "aesthetically unpleasing/funny-looking jack" Aerodyne! That was my first-ever bass!! Ain't nuttin' wrong goin' on here! <insert churlish "hmmph!" here> :laugh:
FenderAerodyneBlackBeauties_zps974f8653.jpg


Seriously though, just to make sure we're all on the same page, the 'Dyne the OP pictured has a U.S. Gunmetal Blue finish (color code: UGB), not Dolphin Grey (DFG).

@AkaGoal; Just to throw out some other possibilities, you could…
  1. Ditch the guard and gently fill the holes with black-finished screws. Obviously, it won't be an exact color match, but they'll be more visually-discreet than the bright, shiny nickel-plated screws.
  2. Keep the guard, but replace the nickel-plated screws with said black-finished ones. I did exactly that when I got my first non-export Aerodyne.
AJB%2004_zpsvo5yodmk.jpg
 
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#15
These are such outstanding basses, but the basswood body that makes them light also makes them prone to denting and chipping the finish. My nephew has the American version with no pickguard, and the finish under the strings is pretty scratched up. In this case I think the pickguard is serving a useful purpose. The clear pickguard idea might be the best compromise.
 
#16
Malak the Mad said:
Hey now, dems fightin' woids! :spit: :D

I'll have you know, I love my, as you put it, "aesthetically unpleasing/funny-looking jack" Aerodyne! That was my first-ever bass!! Ain't nuttin' wrong goin' on here! <insert churlish "hmmph!" here> :laugh:
FenderAerodyneBlackBeauties_zps974f8653.jpg


Seriously though, just to make sure we're all on the same page, the 'Dyne the OP pictured has a U.S. Gunmetal Blue finish (color code: UGB), not Dolphin Grey (DFG).

@AkaGoal; Just to throw out some other possibilities, you could…
  1. Ditch the guard and gently fill the holes with black-finished screws. Obviously, it won't be an exact color match, but they'll be more visually-discreet than the bright, shiny nickel-plated screws.
  2. Keep the guard, but replace the nickel-plated screws with said black-finished ones. I did exactly that when I got my first non-export Aerodyne.
AJB%2004_zpsvo5yodmk.jpg
Click to expand...
Well, I must admit I put that in just to see how many people would take umbrage with it (and to use "aesthetically" in a sentence) and I'm surprised it took so long for someone to mention it.
I'm a matching headstock lover, but I'm also a pickguard lover...always a nice option to be able to change a pickguard and make your bass look different...the jack isn't really an issue, of course.
 
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