• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD Fender Aerodyne Precision Bass

#22
micguy said:
Well, this is bad news. The fact that there are violet aerodynes in existence could add a huge time suck in my life.
Click to expand...
I don't like crushing dreams, but there's a good chance you'll never see one. It does exist, and one has sold on Reverb. But it's the only one I've ever seen. There's so few information about the APJ-DMC, even less than our export version.
lssxilxwpdystwbcfzzl.jpg


juancaminos said:
Congrats! A Jazz style Aerodyne in blue is on my bucket list as well. Also on my bucket list it a white Jaguar.
Click to expand...
The last item on my bucket list is a Gibson ES Les Paul bass in faded darkburst. It's also a pain in the butt to find one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dave Neal, Rafar, wraub and 4 others
#23
It's beautiful in blue. Nice score. I had an amber (natural?) one for several years that was my main gigging bass. I loved how comfortable it was, and the light weight. I have since passed it onto another owner. I made a tidy profit on it, but I am regretting selling it now. I've been considering selling my Steinberger L2, but if I'm regretting the sale of the Aerodyne, I'm not sure I can part with that one...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirobon
#24
Shirobon said:
Well, that's another one I can cross off my bucket list. This to me, is the most beautiful Precision Bass out there, and I've been searching for one as early as 2010. But they're so freaking rare it's not even funny. Yesterday, I finally found one in blue close to me in Europe. It took me 10 friggin years to find one.
View attachment 4006323
View attachment 4006324
The Aerodyne Precision Bass is a bound, arch top basswood body with a flamed maple veneer offered in 3 colors for the export version: blue, crimson and natural. These were made in Japan from 2006 to 2008. The domestic japanese ones were referred to as the APJ-DMC, featured DiMarzio pickups (which we didn't get) and other finish options like violet and sunburst.

View attachment 4006331
It has a Jazz bass neck (39mm nud width), one piece maple with walnut skunk stripe (semi-gloss finish) and matching headstock, rosewood fretboard with white acrylic inlays.
View attachment 4006332
But mine has a neat bonus to it. It came with a flamed maple neck. Super lucky with this, not every one can boast about having this on one of the rarest Precisions out there. There's even some figuring on the headstock.

View attachment 4006337
View attachment 4006338
View attachment 4006339
It's very thin on the sides thanks to its arch top. Note the bridge has its own recess so that it can sit straight. It still has the belly cut, and sort of still has the forearm cut. Along with the really light weight, it makes this a really comfortable bass for gigging.
View attachment 4006344
Thickness of the body compared to a normal P bass body.


This bass was played heavily so it isn't really in great shape. I had to replace the pickguard as the previous owners drilled so many holes for a thumb rest. Its finish has also gone dull, so if anyone has tips for reviving the color, I'd appreciate it.
Previous owner strung it with flatwounds, and I gotta say, the vintage tones you can get with it are godly. It doesn't quite fit my style, bass is kinda boomy, but for fingerstyle playing it sounds really good.
Click to expand...

is the finish nitro or poly?

edit: just saw someone say poly. Poly can clean up real nice with an orbital and the right polish
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirobon
#25
2playbass said:
It's beautiful in blue. Nice score. I had an amber (natural?) one for several years that was my main gigging bass. I loved how comfortable it was, and the light weight. I have since passed it onto another owner. I made a tidy profit on it, but I am regretting selling it now. I've been considering selling my Steinberger L2, but if I'm regretting the sale of the Aerodyne, I'm not sure I can part with that one...
Click to expand...

I'm biased, but I'd say sell your L2 and get another Aerodyne, even though the L2 is in itself an ingenious bass (I hate the looks though).
There is an APB-105 DMC, which is the P bass only version (not PJ) from the domestic market, with the godly DiMarzio pickups on ebay right now. Amber color. Seller from Japan is asking a hefty premium for it though.


PFBASSO said:
is the finish nitro or poly?

edit: just saw someone say poly. Poly can clean up real nice with an orbital and the right polish
Click to expand...
I hope so. This Dunlop Formula 65 bottle I have is not good.
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
  • Like
Reactions: 2playbass
#28
Shirobon said:
Well, that's another one I can cross off my bucket list. This to me, is the most beautiful Precision Bass out there, and I've been searching for one as early as 2010. But they're so freaking rare it's not even funny. Yesterday, I finally found one in blue close to me in Europe. It took me 10 friggin years to find one.
View attachment 4006323
View attachment 4006324
The Aerodyne Precision Bass is a bound, arch top basswood body with a flamed maple veneer offered in 3 colors for the export version: blue, crimson and natural. These were made in Japan from 2006 to 2008. The domestic japanese ones were referred to as the APJ-DMC, featured DiMarzio pickups (which we didn't get) and other finish options like violet and sunburst.

View attachment 4006331
It has a Jazz bass neck (39mm nud width), one piece maple with walnut skunk stripe (semi-gloss finish) and matching headstock, rosewood fretboard with white acrylic inlays.
View attachment 4006332
But mine has a neat bonus to it. It came with a flamed maple neck. Super lucky with this, not every one can boast about having this on one of the rarest Precisions out there. There's even some figuring on the headstock.

View attachment 4006337
View attachment 4006338
View attachment 4006339
It's very thin on the sides thanks to its arch top. Note the bridge has its own recess so that it can sit straight. It still has the belly cut, and sort of still has the forearm cut. Along with the really light weight, it makes this a really comfortable bass for gigging.
View attachment 4006344
Thickness of the body compared to a normal P bass body.


This bass was played heavily so it isn't really in great shape. I had to replace the pickguard as the previous owners drilled so many holes for a thumb rest. Its finish has also gone dull, so if anyone has tips for reviving the color, I'd appreciate it.
Previous owner strung it with flatwounds, and I gotta say, the vintage tones you can get with it are godly. It doesn't quite fit my style, bass is kinda boomy, but for fingerstyle playing it sounds really good.
Click to expand...
Awesome find! Love it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirobon
#29
ToP fan said:
Hey!!! Welcome to a very exclusive club !! Super rare bass- got mine here on TB a few years ago and play/ gig it frequently !!Enjoy!!

View attachment 4006519
Click to expand...

Beauty. Do you know where that tort guard came from? My guard is black, which looks nice, but that tort looks terrific against the amber.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bleecker
#30
Shirobon said:
Well, that's another one I can cross off my bucket list. This to me, is the most beautiful Precision Bass out there, and I've been searching for one as early as 2010. But they're so freaking rare it's not even funny. Yesterday, I finally found one in blue close to me in Europe. It took me 10 friggin years to find one.
View attachment 4006323
View attachment 4006324
The Aerodyne Precision Bass is a bound, arch top basswood body with a flamed maple veneer offered in 3 colors for the export version: blue, crimson and natural. These were made in Japan from 2006 to 2008. The domestic japanese ones were referred to as the APJ-DMC, featured DiMarzio pickups (which we didn't get) and other finish options like violet and sunburst.

View attachment 4006331
It has a Jazz bass neck (39mm nud width), one piece maple with walnut skunk stripe (semi-gloss finish) and matching headstock, rosewood fretboard with white acrylic inlays.
View attachment 4006332
But mine has a neat bonus to it. It came with a flamed maple neck. Super lucky with this, not every one can boast about having this on one of the rarest Precisions out there. There's even some figuring on the headstock.

View attachment 4006337
View attachment 4006338
View attachment 4006339
It's very thin on the sides thanks to its arch top. Note the bridge has its own recess so that it can sit straight. It still has the belly cut, and sort of still has the forearm cut. Along with the really light weight, it makes this a really comfortable bass for gigging.
View attachment 4006344
Thickness of the body compared to a normal P bass body.


This bass was played heavily so it isn't really in great shape. I had to replace the pickguard as the previous owners drilled so many holes for a thumb rest. Its finish has also gone dull, so if anyone has tips for reviving the color, I'd appreciate it.
Previous owner strung it with flatwounds, and I gotta say, the vintage tones you can get with it are godly. It doesn't quite fit my style, bass is kinda boomy, but for fingerstyle playing it sounds really good.
Click to expand...
Congrats! It is gorgeous!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirobon
#35
Yep. Nicest P design ever made, I'd say the same for the J Aerodyne. I actually like the pickguard version of the J better, looks almost too plain with no guard. The only downside to these basses is that the soft basswood tends to dent easily, so its hard to find them in pristine condition, but its worth it for that feather weight. Great score, hope it serves you well for many years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirobon
#37
Gilmourisgod said:
Yep. Nicest P design ever made, I'd say the same for the J Aerodyne. I actually like the pickguard version of the J better, looks almost too plain with no guard. The only downside to these basses is that the soft basswood tends to dent easily, so its hard to find them in pristine condition, but its worth it for that feather weight. Great score, hope it serves you well for many years.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I can confirm, the back is all chewed up from belt buckles. Not just a rash, multiple dents. But at least its been played and not sitting collecting dust.
Shame Fender Japan didn't use something like swamp ash. Light and sturdy.
 
#38
Shirobon said:
Well, that's another one I can cross off my bucket list. This to me, is the most beautiful Precision Bass out there, and I've been searching for one as early as 2010. But they're so freaking rare it's not even funny. Yesterday, I finally found one in blue close to me in Europe. It took me 10 friggin years to find one.
View attachment 4006323
View attachment 4006324
The Aerodyne Precision Bass is a bound, arch top basswood body with a flamed maple veneer offered in 3 colors for the export version: blue, crimson and natural. These were made in Japan from 2006 to 2008. The domestic japanese ones were referred to as the APJ-DMC, featured DiMarzio pickups (which we didn't get) and other finish options like violet and sunburst.

View attachment 4006331
It has a Jazz bass neck (39mm nud width), one piece maple with walnut skunk stripe (semi-gloss finish) and matching headstock, rosewood fretboard with white acrylic inlays.
View attachment 4006332
But mine has a neat bonus to it. It came with a flamed maple neck. Super lucky with this, not every one can boast about having this on one of the rarest Precisions out there. There's even some figuring on the headstock.

View attachment 4006337
View attachment 4006338
View attachment 4006339
It's very thin on the sides thanks to its arch top. Note the bridge has its own recess so that it can sit straight. It still has the belly cut, and sort of still has the forearm cut. Along with the really light weight, it makes this a really comfortable bass for gigging.
View attachment 4006344
Thickness of the body compared to a normal P bass body.


This bass was played heavily so it isn't really in great shape. I had to replace the pickguard as the previous owners drilled so many holes for a thumb rest. Its finish has also gone dull, so if anyone has tips for reviving the color, I'd appreciate it.
Previous owner strung it with flatwounds, and I gotta say, the vintage tones you can get with it are godly. It doesn't quite fit my style, bass is kinda boomy, but for fingerstyle playing it sounds really good.
Click to expand...
Awesome
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirobon
#39
CONGRATS!!! I coveted that bass ever since I saw Duff playing one with Stephen Perkins playing his bass line to the Velevet Revolver song, Slither. Super cool looking. I played one in Guitar Center and it was gorgeous in person, black with binding... the neck just wasn't my cup of tea, slimmer and narrower definitely more like a Jazz bass, but not exactly. Seemed to taper (widen) as you went higher up the fretboard. Love the bass, play it well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirobon

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back