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Fender Aerodyne Precision Bass?

K

kornypony

Jan 3, 2010
7
0
#1
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I just bought a Fender Aerodyne Precision Bass (CIJ) from a local store, it was price regular $945 Canadian and on clearance for $600 CAD (~$670 with tax).

My first impressions were: combination of J/P pickups, slick J-bass neck and it is noticeably lighter, probably 3/4 of the weight of a regular P-bass.

I have read reviews praising its more popular Jazz bass sibling, but there are few (if any at all) reviews of the Aerodyne P-bass. One other thing that troubles me is that the Aerodyne J-bass is listed on Fender.com but the P-bass is not. :hmm:

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I have no experiences in playing bass and this is my very first bass. I was wondering if anyone that has played and heard an Aerodyne P-bass could tell me how this bass compares to other P-basses (or any bass in general) around this price range ($600~$1000). I am not a bassist so it probably won't be used in gigs; I just want to record bass tracks with it, so I would like to know how well it sits in a mix compared to others.

Maybe I'm better off with a standard MIM P-bass with maple fretboard (I prefer it over rosewood)?

Thanks in advance!
cheers :cool:
 
#4
The fact that it is CIJ puts it way ahead of MIMs, I would say CIJs are at least on par with MIA instruments for quality and construction. I got one myself for 600 not too long ago and it was set up really well, only needing tweaks here and there. The fact that it is not on Fender's website is because it is no longer in production, the jazz still is (as far as I know).

It is passive, so if you turn the bridge pickup all the way down it has the normal p-bass sound. The bridge pickup gives it the ability to have the jazz bite, allows a versatile sound than a stock p-bass would give you.

The only thing that I don't like is the stock bent-plate bridge, mine was being finicky and is in the process of being replaced. Your mileage may vary.

Whether you would be better with a maple or rosewood fingerboard... I can't really help you with that decision.

In short: An absolutely fantastic bass... At least I think so.
 
#5
Go for the Aerodyne Precision all the way!!!
I have one as well as MIM Jazz and MIM P-Bass.
There is no comparison in quality or sound in my opinion.
You got a great price on a new bass.
The only quibble I would have with the Aerodyne is that being made of Basswood it can dent easily if you're not careful. The MIM Precision is much more rugged but not nearly as versatile.
The Aerodyne Jazz and Precision versions are VERY VERY much alike. The body shape is different but most people "seem" to prefer the sound of the Precision version better.
 
#12
EagleMoon said:
I don't know why they discontinued these other than maybe the colors they chose to make them in. The amber was the best color, IMO. Very nice basses. Congrats and enjoy it!
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I heard it had something to do with a threat of lawsuit against the aerodyne shape by another luthier. I read it here on TB not long ago. It could be dead wrong though... maybe they just didn't sell well while under production.:confused:
 
#17
JarOfAlmonds said:
The only thing that I don't like is the stock bent-plate bridge, mine was being finicky and is in the process of being replaced. Your mileage may vary.
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Did you get it new for 600 bucks? lol I thought I got the best deal ever...

Yeah, the bridge is definitely a weaker point. I've read about good results with the badass II bridge as a replacement. Is that what you're after? some also recommended replacing the stock pickups...
 
#18
Rat Blitz said:
Go for the Aerodyne Precision all the way!!!
I have one as well as MIM Jazz and MIM P-Bass.
There is no comparison in quality or sound in my opinion.
You got a great price on a new bass.
The only quibble I would have with the Aerodyne is that being made of Basswood it can dent easily if you're not careful. The MIM Precision is much more rugged but not nearly as versatile.
The Aerodyne Jazz and Precision versions are VERY VERY much alike. The body shape is different but most people "seem" to prefer the sound of the Precision version better.
Click to expand...

Are the pickups the same for the two Aerodynes? That would make the two pretty much the same bass...(they both got the j-bass neck) I really like the black finish (the only color available) for the Aerodyne Jazz-- I'd totally go for the Aerodyne Jazz if they had it at my local store. It would be awesome if the Aerodyne-P comes in black finish though....:)
 
#20
JarOfAlmonds said:
Weird, every Aerodyne I've seen (My father included) has the striped tiger-ish grain on their Aerodynes. My grain is much more blended and wavy. :hmm:

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NICE, your aerodyne looks great! yeah, mine is with that striped pattern like you said, which kinda bothers me :rollno:


Here's some pics I took of my new Aerodyne:

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Go Fender!!!
cheers
 

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