I ordered a Fender sig Duff Mckagan but...

[subtraction]

Then I cancelled it and ordered a Fender Aerodyne Jazz instead. Its supposed to arrive tomorrow, I am pretty excited.

This is my first Fender and I am hoping itll be an upgrade from my Stiletto Custom.

Ive seen a few threads on both of these already but what do you all think? Did I make a good decision?

The Duff is made in Mexico and $200 more than the Japanese made Aerodyne and thats the primary reasons I changed my order. 1k seems like a lot for a mim Fender. Figured ill just keep my eyes on craigslist for an 80's mij Fender Jazz Special while I enjoy what ive got for now... Or maybe ill lose my desire to even have one after I get the Aerodyne?

 

[Gorn]

I've never played the Duff, but I used to own an Aerodyne and it was excellent. I can't comment on the Duff, but most would agree that the MIJs are superior to the MIMs.

 

[Pilgrim]

Aerodynes make my mouth water.

 

[AdamR]

I would have just found and original fender Jazz Special for $500. Im sure you will happy with it though.

 

[mpayne86]

I do not like fenders...but i like the Aerodyne series... I also do not like the idea of artist line instruments. I am a weird bass player i guess.

 

[Crusher47]

Congrats!

 

[subtraction]

I would have just found and original fender Jazz Special for $500. Im sure you will happy with it though.

I tried to do this but ive never even seen one on my local craigslist. I am too scared to buy second hand online, I suppose I could look on the classifieds here though which I havent. Also that AMS/Zzounds 8 month no interest financing option sure did help persuade me into buying.

Thanks for the comments everyone I cant wait until tomorrow!

 

[johnson79]

Well, Duff has played Aerodynes if that makes you feel better. I'd love one myself.

 

[awilkie84]

I've never played the Duff, but I used to own an Aerodyne and it was excellent. I can't comment on the Duff, but most would agree that the MIJs are superior to the MIMs.

Older MIMs, or the current Standards, sure...Classic Series, Artist Series & Roadworns? No. They're on par.

 

[Malak the Mad]

You, sir, are a man of discerning taste!

I hope you love it as much as I do mine, which, by the way, happened to be my first bass ever. Oh, just a little FYI…it might feel a little weird to your fretting hand at first. The 'Dyne has a much, much curvier fretboard radius…Fender vintage 7.25" versus the Schecter's waaaaaay-flat 16" radius. I hope it doesn't throw you for too much of a loop.

Swing on by the Aerodyne Club. Post some pics and give us some feedback. Remember…no pics, no bass!

As far as used Jazz Bass Specials go, keep an eye on Guitar Center's used database. I see one or more pop up on there from time to time. And should you spot one that catches your eye, here's what I recommend; call the store directly to make sure it's still there AND to have an employee give it a quick once over for anything cosmetic or structural the web-photo doesn't show. You'd probably be charged their flat $25 shipping fee, but it can either go to a nearby GC store or straight to your home. And if you don't like it, you have thirty days to bring it back for a refund. The only thing you'd probably lose out on is the shipping fee, but given the price of a used MIJ Jazz Bass Special, it's a pittance compared to being stuck with a bass you then have to sell yourself.

 

[subtraction]

Wow thanks for the tips Malak the Mad!
I am definitely going to keep and eye out on guitar centers used inventory. The fact I can easily return it is very comforting.

I went and messed around on a few different Fender models that supposedly have the same neck as the aerodyne last weekend and seemed to like them a lot. So hopefully it won't be too hard to adjust.

 

[devinp17]

Good choice. That's what I would've gone for. I'd much rather a MIJ Jazz Bass Special than the the Duff sig for 4 reasons:
1. Cheaper
2. MIJ
3. Rather black color
4. Sounds better
It's just that they're hard to find people selling them... but they do pop up on eBay and GC every now and then. I'm also not really a fan of sig basses cuz it just seems like I'd be stealing someones sound and look if I did have one, I'd rather find my own sound. I used to look on eBay everyday for the Jazz Bass Special but I decided that I'd go for something else cuz Duff pretty much made those famous and they have a very distinct sound and I don't want to sound exactly like him even though I'm a big fan of his. But anyway, great choice with the Aerodyne.

 

[f64]

Grady, great choice! The best thing about the radius is you'll adapt quickly and then flatter boards will seem odd and difficult to play well. You'll be asking yourself why others aren't like it.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Grady, great choice! The best thing about the radius is you'll adapt quickly and then flatter boards will seem odd and difficult to play well. You'll be asking yourself why others aren't like it.

This is exactly what happened when I did my first parts-bass project. I used a Squier Deluxe Active Jazz IV neck (the one with the damn-near bulletproof ebonol fretboard), but, for some reason, it just didn't feel "right". Later, I dusted off and packed my Aerodyne to take on vacation to noodle around on. The way the neck felt "just right" spurred me on to do some research. That's when I discovered the Squier's board radius was 12"…way flatter than my 'Dyne. Trying out my other basses, all of which were Fender-standard 9.5", I saw they weren't difficult for my left hand either.

That's how I discovered a new and very important criteria for future projects and purchases. Sadly, this eliminates anything sold by Rondo/SX, no matter how much they may pique my curiosity.