Just found out about the Fender Aerodyne. Now I have questions

[Homeslice]

Hey fellow TB'ers

I currently own my first and only bass which is an Ibanez SR-300 that needs to be upgraded.

I have been seeking a MIA P-Bass for the tone, and it being a legendary bass guitar, and I have tried it out in store and like it. There are a few drawbacks in the way the P-Bass looks that I don't care for compared to my Ibanez , although it doesn't make it a deal breaker to not purchase one (since it's just aesthetics)

Today for the first time I stumbled on the Fender Aerodyne Jazz P/J bass which is basically everything I was looking for aesthetically in a bass that is similar to my Ibanez, such as the black finish, rosewood fretboard, black headstock, black tuners/hardware, no cheesy pickguard...really a beautiful bass, and not to mention a thinner neck that I might be more used to than the fatter P, as well as a good price at $800 instead of $1350 new, as well as having both options for P/J tone.

I started reading reviews and a few mentioned it not being quite a quality item compared to the MIA P-Bass or even a MIM P, which I obviously understood considering the price difference, and the MIA being the "flagship model". Other reviews said it was a great intermediate bass, and some that said they found what they have been looking for after many years of bass tests and trials.

I am technically an intermediate bassist, but I feel I want to own a top tiered instrument with quality craftsmanship and sound.

I don't mind paying more for the quality of a MIA and really had my mind set on one, until now that I see the Aerodyne which checks a lot of boxes of the "look" I want out of a bass, and then some.

My question is...although I won't get a perfect P or Jazz tone like a true MIA, is this still a great workhorse, a professional instrument that a studio would take serious if I brought it, and something that sounds just as good or better than a lot of other basses on the market? Is the P-Bass that much better to shell out the extra money for the flagship model. I want to own the best bass I can, and don't necessarily want an "intermediate" bass. Sadly I have never seen an Aerodyne in store so I can't play it to try to see how I like it.

Obviously I have a decision to make if aesthetics are more important than a quality instrument, but if most of you agree that I would get everything I want and more in the Aerodyne than the P, I might reconsider.

I guess this is why bassists own so many different bass guitars!
(I'm also looking to own a Gibson thunderbird, and an Ibanez SR Fanned Fret 5 string one day)

Sorry for the TLR post

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The Aerodyne is a really well made, versatile bass. The P/J config covers a lot of ground sonically. I love how they look, very sleek with no position markers or pickguard. If you are used to having the visual reference, the Japanese Non Import model has standard position dots and pickguard, which I like personally. Coming from an Ibby, the Jazz neck should feel good, standard Jazz nut width but feels thinner front to back, really fast neck with a satin back. The light weight is achieved by using a basswood body, so they dent easily. Some people complain they neck dive, but the ones I've played were well balanced. Other than a slightly fragile finish, my only knock is that the smoke finish knobs are plastic instead of metal, easily replaced with the knob of your choice. The pups are standard form factor, so easy to swap out or upgrade if you feel the need. If I had the spare coin, I'd get one.

 

[Homeslice]

^thanks for your input, it greatly helps.

A few questions. Are the pups the same as the MIA P and J, or do those come with some better quality pups? Are there any position markers (dots) on the side of the neck? I guess I didn't even realize they weren't there and probably why I like the looks of this bass so much (clean) I'm hoping that wouldn't limit me, but I guess worse case I can add some sort of position marker of my own, or do like you said and look for a MIJ. Are metal knobs hard to come by that fit specifically for that model if I do decide I want metal (the ibanez is which i like the weight of them)

 

[mojomike001]

It's interesting what was said about the plastic smoke finish knobs. I have one of the Japanese non-export bodies, and the knobs it came with were very heavy chrome metal knobs. I actually replaced the heavy metal knobs with light weight plastic ones and shaved 2 ounces off of the weight, bringing the overall weight of my build down to 8 pounds.

The balance is perfect, but I'm also using Ultralite tuners to keep the headstock light.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

It's interesting what was said about the plastic smoke finish knobs. I have one of the Japanese non-export bodies, and the knobs it came with were very heavy chrome metal knobs. I actually replaced the heavy metal knobs with light weight plastic ones and shaved 2 ounces off of the weight, bringing the overall weight of my build down to 8 pounds.

The balance is perfect, but I'm also using Ultralite tuners to keep the headstock light.

My nephew had the American model, he managed to break one of the knobs almost immediately. I was surprised to see they were just black-chromed plastic with no set screw, just a press fit on a splined shaft. They had no star washers on the pots, so he ended up turning them so far he broke the internal wires. Quick soldering repair, but I thought that was sloppy of Fender. I wouldn't be surprised to see better QC on the Non Import Japanese. I thought they were more money than the American version, but here's one on Ebay for $750:
Fender Aerodyne: Guitar | eBay
Mojomike:
Did you mod anything else besides the knobs and tuners? How do you like the pups? Given the fragile finish, I'd go for the pickguard version.

Edit:
Never mind, the Non Import one on Ebay is located in Japan! The shipping would kill it. I've seen them used, but usually more then the American version.
Pretty good sound demo of a Non Import Japanese Aerodyne:

 

[wvbass]

I am not at all sure what an "intermediate" bass is, but if you say you don't want an intermediate bass to this crowd, you are likely to need to take out a second mortgage to try and keep up. You can play any level of gig with any instrument, although some studio work and gigs are subject to looks first and sound second. A $200 P bass will sound largely like a $1200 P bass, which will sound pretty much like a $2200 P bass. It really comes down to what you will enjoy the most.

If you want an Aerodyne, get an Aerodyne. I have played a couple - they are not for me, but they are good basses.

 

[mojomike001]

My nephew had the American model, he managed to break one of the knobs almost immediately. I was surprised to see they were just black-chromed plastic with no set screw, just a press fit on a splined shaft. They had no star washers on the pots, so he ended up turning them so far he broke the internal wires. Quick soldering repair, but I thought that was sloppy of Fender. I wouldn't be surprised to see better QC on the Non Import Japanese. I thought they were more money than the American version, but here's one on Ebay for $750:
Fender Aerodyne: Guitar | eBay
Mojomike:
Did you mod anything else besides the knobs and tuners? How do you like the pups? Given the fragile finish, I'd go for the pickguard version.

Edit:
Never mind, the Non Import one on Ebay is located in Japan! The shipping would kill it. I've seen them used, but usually more then the American version.
Pretty good sound demo of a Non Import Japanese Aerodyne:

I bought the loaded body seen in the first picture. I added a maple/maple Mighty Mite precision-sized neck with the Ultralites. I swapped the black pickguard for the gold one and then eventually changed the stock bridge saddles for brass ones (for color) and the knobs (for weight savings and for color). I decided to give the stock pickups a chance before replacing them (I was thinking of Geezers), but it turns out that I like stock sound a lot. I'm not sure what those stock pickups are, but the P sounds great soloed and P and J sound pretty good together.

 

[Tbone76]

Don't get hung up on thinking that you need an American P or J bass to be happy or get a quality instrument. The American models are beautiful, but plenty of gigging musicians play MIM of MIJ Fenders, and a lot also play Squiers. You may end up swapping the pups or hardware down the line, but it isn't usually necessary and comes down to personal preference. As long as you take care of your bass, there's no reason an Aerodyne shouldn't hold up to regular gigging. It is true that the basswood body is more succeptible to dings, but I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor. I think the Aerodyne line is beautiful, personally, and the couple I've tried sounded great. I'd happily play one live if I owned one.

 

[Tonetodiefor]

I recently purchased a non export Japanese model. Cost plus shipping to California, was $650. Slapped in some Geezers, copper shielding, Fender hi-mass bridge (routed in) and did a truss rod, intonation, set up and a minor fret file to the top three frets. Plays and sounds beautiful. I'll get around to new knobs at some point as the originals did not fit on the pots that came with the EMG's. In the interim, I have some brass knobs on it left over from an old project.
I like the bass. For the $ amount invested it's a hell of a bargain and gets plenty of playing time.
It's not my #1 but it's a very reliable and tasty sounding bass. It's very light and I do love the neck. I think the Aerodyne's are an under valued bass and are just different enough to stand out from the rest. It's a gorgeous bass. The additional $150 for pickups, $50 for the bridge and $15 for shielding plus a couple hours of setup time boosted the performance of the bass to a level that many $1k to $2K Fenders would be hard pressed to match.
Good luck!

 

[Malak the Mad]

@Homeslice; What general area/region do you live in? Depending on your location, perhaps someone on the forum would let you try out their Aerodyne? There's an Aerodyne Club you could inquire at.

Fender Aerodyne Club! | TalkBass.com

There are a few things I can give you a heads-up on. You might wanna grab a drink, 'cuz this might take a while.

Weight-wise, a 'Dyne will probably feel closer to your Ibanez, or at least like a Fender Jazz on the lighter-end of the scale. I have two…an all-black, Export edition (8lbs-6oz) and a Candy Apple Red, Non-Export edition (9lbs-8oz, probably due to less routed-out wood and the pickguard). The basswood bodies and carved top lend themselves to a lighter-weight, overall construction. However, like others have mentioned, it's a softer wood and is prone to chips and dings. Of all the Aerodynes I've seen pictured and up-close, most of the chipping seems to land on the headstock and near the binding, which are the usual places a bass gets "rubbed-on" anyway.

On the subject of ergonomics, Aerodynes stand out from most other Fenders on three points. Weight, which we've already covered, the carved-top body and the neck. Some people don't like how the bound edge of the body cuts into their right forearm. For me, I found it a great, physical reminder not to let so much of my forearm's weight bear down on the body. Instead, it encourages me to give my forearm a little lift, which in turn keeps my plucking hand more mobile. Certainly, it rests a bit upon the body, but it's not just laying there like dead weight, dragging back and forth across the upper edge.

The neck…oh how I could sing the praises of that neck for hours! However, that's very much a personal, ergonomic preference of mine. The Aerodyne, along with many other MIJ models, has a much-curvier, vintage-style fretboard radius. Most Fenders have a standard radius of 9.5". Many more modern basses, like you Ibanez, have an even flatter board. 'Dynes have a 7.25" radius, just like the original crop of Fenders. Some people, like myself, prefer it. Many others don't care one way or the other. It all depends on what your fretting hand prefers.

On to pickups; Unless a Japanese-made bass specifies different pickups (JB62-US models, DiMarzio editions, etc…), they all carry MIJ standard pickups. Opinions on these vary just as much as people differ on different brands of pickups. Personally, I find them to be quite nicely-voiced. If needs be, they can be replaced just as easily as any other Fender's can.

In summation, I think you'd do very well by getting yourself an Aerodyne, but I'd ask around first to see if you can try one out. However, if you have a Guitar Center anywhere near you, you can always order one and, if you don't like it, return it within thirty days. It's also possible you could negotiate a free setup if it's shipped directly to their store. Simply put, you have a number of options in front of you. You just need to ask the right questions.

Happy Hunting!

P.S.: To avoid any "Export/Non-Export" confusion…if it's an all-black, no pickguard model with a Stratocaster-style jack, it's an Export Edition. Anything else, even if it's black/no-pickguard, but has a flush-mounted output jack, is a Non-Export model that has to be specially shipped outside of Japan.