The day I saw these new Aerodyne Specials introduced I was all kinds of hot and bothered! I'm a sucker for anything blue, and the white and chrome hardware absolutely knocked my socks off! I have a few Jazz basses already, but they are all hot-rodded in one way or another and not really "traditional" Js, so I have been wanting something to fill that classic role.
These JJ Aerodynes (versus the normal PJ Aerodynes) are billed as having a classic Jazz sound with modern looks, etc. Well... they nailed it, lol! I will say that these pickups don't really have a ton of "individual character." They are solid and clear, and pretty quiet in regard to hum. They are not low output, but low noise. I like a lot of snarl and bite, and these pickups don't quite go there - but that's a good thing for me. I have plenty of basses with stupid hot or "grindy" pickups, and though it's my nature to want to yank these things for something else... I need to leave them alone so I have a traditional Jazz!
The finish is excellent in every way. Great paint, smooth buffing, clean tape lines on the binding and headstock, and on and on. The chrome on the bridge, knobs, tuners, etc, shines like a diamond and I love it! I am especially impressed with how clean things are around the truss rod access at the nut. This is usually a place where there is a bunch of buffing compound or simply just unfinished. This area is like.. SURGICALLY clean and perfect!
The bass arrived pretty well setup (good job Fender and maybe the SW tech guy!) and intonated, and the neck was almost PERFECTLY flat with a low action. I like a bit of relief to keep things from getting buzzy and to leave me some room to dig in and rock out. This thing has the SMOOTHEST truss rod adjustment I've ever experienced. It was like a well-oiled gear. 1/4 turn gave me JUST enough of that little relief at the end of the neck I want. Perfection.
The bag is a basic gig bag. It's way better than the one that came with my American Performer Precision last year, but nothing special.
I only got to play it for a few minutes before I had to get back to work, but I'll report back when I've had some more time with it. I'm on the schedule to play at church Sunday, and I think I'll probably take this one to play. I'm so excited to have one of these!
Pics or it didn't happen:
These JJ Aerodynes (versus the normal PJ Aerodynes) are billed as having a classic Jazz sound with modern looks, etc. Well... they nailed it, lol! I will say that these pickups don't really have a ton of "individual character." They are solid and clear, and pretty quiet in regard to hum. They are not low output, but low noise. I like a lot of snarl and bite, and these pickups don't quite go there - but that's a good thing for me. I have plenty of basses with stupid hot or "grindy" pickups, and though it's my nature to want to yank these things for something else... I need to leave them alone so I have a traditional Jazz!
The finish is excellent in every way. Great paint, smooth buffing, clean tape lines on the binding and headstock, and on and on. The chrome on the bridge, knobs, tuners, etc, shines like a diamond and I love it! I am especially impressed with how clean things are around the truss rod access at the nut. This is usually a place where there is a bunch of buffing compound or simply just unfinished. This area is like.. SURGICALLY clean and perfect!
The bass arrived pretty well setup (good job Fender and maybe the SW tech guy!) and intonated, and the neck was almost PERFECTLY flat with a low action. I like a bit of relief to keep things from getting buzzy and to leave me some room to dig in and rock out. This thing has the SMOOTHEST truss rod adjustment I've ever experienced. It was like a well-oiled gear. 1/4 turn gave me JUST enough of that little relief at the end of the neck I want. Perfection.
The bag is a basic gig bag. It's way better than the one that came with my American Performer Precision last year, but nothing special.
I only got to play it for a few minutes before I had to get back to work, but I'll report back when I've had some more time with it. I'm on the schedule to play at church Sunday, and I think I'll probably take this one to play. I'm so excited to have one of these!
Pics or it didn't happen:
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no kidding! 
it's gorgeous! i think aerodynes are the best of the fenders and your blue JJ is one of the sweetest i've seen --- wow! it has to be a superb player. congratulations on your new instrument! 
