Show me your modified Aerodynes

[cheechi]

Finally found a lefty MIJ Aero PJ. Not the most rarest ever, but uncommon enough I waited a while for it. It's nearly stock now, I put Straploks on it and since the stock neck plate had some tarnish I put on my Nate Mendel FF plate instead. No photos yet but other than the plate it looks stock, and being a lefty it's legally required to be black anyway so not really missing anything without my photos.

On most of my basses with Fender style headstocks, I put Ultralite tuners and a Hipshot 3 string tree just above the E tuner, since they don't really seem to have that good of a break angle. It could be since I like very low action, and also I noticed when I started doing it I have fewer dead spots on the G so it gives me a fat finger effect. I mention that because it will be very noticeably modified even if i don't mod anything else.

I also have a spare BAII, but don't necessarily feel I need to upgrade from the stock bridge. But I have been saving this bridge for no particular reason, and this is one of the basses I have chased for a while, so it might happen.

Also if you don't mind could someone explain to me how i can tell what 'non export' refers to and how i can tell if that's what mine is, and why i would/wouldn't want that?

Haven't decided yet, hence this thread. Inspire me, show me your boldest and subtlest mods and tell me how they added (or didn't) value, joy, and functionality for you. Thanks in advance.

 

[JakobT]

Non-export Aerodynes have pickguards and chrome hardware, were available in a range of colours, and were meant for the domestic market in Japan. The export models have no pickguard and smoked chrome hardware, were available in black only, and were intended for the international market.

There was also the Aerodyne Special series, which looked like the export models, but with different hardware (including a Babicz bridge) and more colour options. This series also included a P-bass model.

This is my export Aerodyne. since this pic was taken, I’ve swapped the stock bridge for a Gotoh, but have made no other changes, since I love it as it is.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Non-export Aerodynes have pickguards and chrome hardware, were available in a range of colours, and were meant for the domestic market in Japan. The export models have no pickguard and smoked chrome hardware, were available in black only, and were intended for the international market.

There was also the Aerodyne Special series, which looked like the export models, but with different hardware (including a Babicz bridge) and more colour options. This series also included a P-bass model.

This is my export Aerodyne. since this pic was taken, I’ve swapped the stock bridge for a Gotoh, but have made no other changes, since I love it as it is.

View attachment 7133699

To add to Jakob's description, here's what the Non-Exports (i.e.: made for the Japanese market only) look like...

...and this was a Deluxe Aerodyne that was also meant to be a Non-Export.

Note the flush-mounted output jack. A Stratocaster-style jack is a dead giveaway that the 'Dyne is an Export model, like on mine.

A picture of your lefty Aerodyne will tell us a lot. In the meantime, if you could tell us what the decals say, that would also be a huge help. Is it "Made In Japan", "Crafted In Japan", what's the first letter of the serial number, how many digits after the letter, etc.? We don't need to know the exact serial number, if you like to keep that to yourself.

 

[woodiebass]

Question about Aerodynes, and possible mods. There are some Aerodyne "Special" Precision Basses on Reverb that say they have a 1.5" nut width. Is this actually the case with these or is it just a error/misprint etc.?

I thought there were some P/J Aerodynes that were 1.5 but weren't aware of the P Aerodynes having a 1.5 width.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Something I forgot to add above...

My first-gen, Export Edition Aerodyne is the only bass that's almost completely stock. The one and only mod I did to it, minor as it is, was to add a Hipshot BT10 Drop-D tuner.

At first, I was torn about going with a black or chrome finish. Ultimately, I decided to go with the chrome model. Their black finish has a matte finish, so going with something as shiny as the native smoked chrome made the most sense. I'd say it was a good call, especially since the difference is barely noticeable, if at all, depending on how the light hits it.

But, in a nearly 180° turnaround, I recently got my hands on the 'Dyne I was lusting for the most...a UGB (U.S. Gunmetal Blue), Non-Export Aerodyne Jazz¹...and I am currently in the middle of modding the crap out of it! (Sorry, no post-mod pics, yet. All in due time, though. )

So far, I have...

1. ...replaced the bridge to a Fender-compatible one with threaded saddles, although I might swap it for a recently acquired Schaller roller bridge.
2. ...had it re-routed into a J/J.
3. ...used a black/cream/black pickguard as the routing template. It is no mistake on my part that the lighter mid-layer matches with the body's cream binding far better than a black/white/black guard.
4. ...copper shielded the cavities, including a few layers under the bridge to eat up some of that extra space.
5. ...acquired a "Heresy" control plate with all-chrome switches and knobs. The channel was just a bit too narrow for an Audere preamp without more routing.
6. ...recently bought an inexpensive Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazz pickup set. I had them in a '70s-style Jazz and I miss them!

Lastly, and what will hopefully be the last mods, I plan on replacing the tuners with Hipshot licensed Ultralites with ⅜ tuning pegs. I'm pretty sure I'll have to "widen" the screw-down ferrules with wrappings of white artist's tape, but I have to do that to get a snug fit with the ½ pegs anyway, so no big deal.

¹: In a bit of an ironic twist, both Aerodynes were made somewhere around 2007, but the black Export has a "Crafted In Japan" decal, while the UGB Non-Export has a "Made In Japan" designation...go fig!

 

[DrThumpenstein]

This is Jules, which over time has been my most consistent, #1 gigging bass. It was my best bass when I got it. I’ve acquired other basses, but it still gets played the most. I had been looking to try one out forever, and just couldn't find one anywhere. I finally gave up, went back to my local music store expecting to settle for another bass I'd seen there, and there hung my Aerodyne. It felt so great in my hands and the P pickup sounded ballsy and old school. NO WAY I was walking out without that bass!

The J pickup was a little anemic to me no matter how high I raised it, so the first thing I modified was the pickups, which I swapped out for EMG Geezer Butlers. The Geezers kept the nice, classic P range of tones and gave the J pickup new life.

I liked the look of the Hipshot Kickass bridge. It had great sustain and tuning stability before I switched over to the Hipshot, and I couldn't detect ANY change in tone, sustain, or tuning stability afterward. The Hipshot does give the ability to adjust string spacing and I used that feature to satisfy my OCD. I wouldn't expect changes in tone or functionality from that change compared to the stock, bent-plate bridge.

My band does some songs for which a drop tuner is handy, so I put a Hipshot drop tuner on the E string. The chrome finish works fine with the smoked chrome hardware and you have to look really intentionally to see the difference.

I put in Dunlop Straplocks for security, and countersunk the one at the tail to get back a half-inch of length, which helps it fit into a case or gig bag a little easier.

But the biggest upgrade came from the Audere 4-band preamp I put in a couple of years ago. My other gigging basses were active and had hotter output, and I wanted to be able to swap out basses on the fly, so I did a little surgery on the rear cavity to accommodate their 4-band EQ. That was the best upgrade I've made on any bass. It turned a very good bass into an exceptional-sounding player. I go back and forth between Jules and my Fodera Yin Yang PJ and have a hard time believing that one of them costs about $4k more than the other off the rack. The Dyne has an impressive range of tones, from deep, dark, dub to growly snarl and brighter J-dominant tones. I can always get what the situation calls for.

Nothing is wrong with the Aerodyne out of the box, it's giggable as it comes. But one of the things I like most about it is that it's not hard to modify if you're looking for something a little different.

 

[kirkdickinson]

I always wanted a Japanese 5 string P/J Aerodyne. They are rare as hens teeth. I have seen a photo on a Japanese site for one for sale, but it was already sold. I picked up one in a music store today and really like the feel of the body. I have a P-Bass project in the pipeline, and think I will radius the top to be more like the Aerodyne. Can anybody that owns one please tell me what the radius is on it? Or put a ruler across the top and tell me how much the edges drop off and I can calculate the radius? Thanks.

 

[Malak the Mad]

View attachment 7138029
This is Jules, which over time has been my most consistent, #1 gigging bass. It was my best bass when I got it. I’ve acquired other basses, but it still gets played the most. I had been looking to try one out forever, and just couldn't find one anywhere. I finally gave up, went back to my local music store expecting to settle for another bass I'd seen there, and there hung my Aerodyne.

Cool story! I knew you had an Aerodyne, Doctor, but I don't think I ever heard how you came by it!

That's close to how I ended up putting in a special order with Guitar Center for a Fender Blacktop Jazz. I was intrigued by what I was reading about the doubled split-coils, but just put a pin in the idea. Then, one day, a local, 2-store music chain (sadly, now only one store) had one just hanging there.

So, to do a proper compare & contrast, I tried out an Affinity Jazz that I was familiar with first, then plugged in the Blacktop. Let me simply say this...the double-take I pulled when I hit that first note was mirrored by some rando when I plugged-in my very own Blacktop a handful of weeks later!

The moral of this story is as such; Keep your eyes and ears open and pay attention, 'cuz you never know when "The Universe" will drop something you want and/or need in your lap!

 

[cheechi]

Sorry it took so long to reply, some life stuff got in the way. Pictures incoming if i dont fat finger the phone again.

It looks like i have a non export which is what i was hoping. Thanks for helping me understand the differences. I didnt get any photos of the back yet, hopefully ill be back over there tomorrow amd i can get some then.

 

[Jopelo]

Added some colour to my aerodyne as all black basses are just a bit boring.

 

[cheechi]

View attachment 7150422

Added some colour to my aerodyne as all black basses are just a bit boring.

so you added a second Fender style tree on A-D how much better does it play now? I have a 3 string Hipshot sitting on the bass now, not screwed in yet, as I wanted to be deliberate before i do anything to change the look of the headstock. Not concerned about resale value as much, but I was hunting for one of these for such a long time and I like their stock sound so i just want to be deliberate before i make any visual or tonal changes to it. But I do generally do these to all my basses with Fender style headstocks so i'm used to it and probably just need to pull the trigger already.

 

[MonetBass]

so you added a second Fender style tree on A-D how much better does it play now? I have a 3 string Hipshot sitting on the bass now, not screwed in yet, as I wanted to be deliberate before i do anything to change the look of the headstock. Not concerned about resale value as much, but I was hunting for one of these for such a long time and I like their stock sound so i just want to be deliberate before i make any visual or tonal changes to it. But I do generally do these to all my basses with Fender style headstocks so i'm used to it and probably just need to pull the trigger already.

I highly recommend the Hipshot 3-string retainer. All basses should have them IMO.

 

[Jopelo]

so you added a second Fender style tree on A-D how much better does it play now? I have a 3 string Hipshot sitting on the bass now, not screwed in yet, as I wanted to be deliberate before i do anything to change the look of the headstock. Not concerned about resale value as much, but I was hunting for one of these for such a long time and I like their stock sound so i just want to be deliberate before i make any visual or tonal changes to it. But I do generally do these to all my basses with Fender style headstocks so i'm used to it and probably just need to pull the trigger already.

The string retainer on A-string was a must upgrade as the string kept easily popping out of the nut groove. Well known flaw in Aerodynes. I can't hear this fix having any impact on sound.

 

[cheechi]

I highly recommend the Hipshot 3-string retainer. All basses should have them IMO.

Many of mine already do, or will as I have bought a few and not installed them.

The string retainer on A-string was a must upgrade as the string kept easily popping out of the nut groove. Well known flaw in Aerodynes. I can't hear this fix having any impact on sound.

Thanks for the info. Maybe calling it a tonal difference is a bit much, but adding mass to the treble side of the headstock gives an effect like a fat finger, where you have less severe dead spots on the D & G strings, if any are present. Tonal is still technically incorrect to describe that but it's what my brain told my fingers to do there.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

View attachment 7138029
This is Jules, which over time has been my most consistent, #1 gigging bass. It was my best bass when I got it. I’ve acquired other basses, but it still gets played the most. I had been looking to try one out forever, and just couldn't find one anywhere. I finally gave up, went back to my local music store expecting to settle for another bass I'd seen there, and there hung my Aerodyne. It felt so great in my hands and the P pickup sounded ballsy and old school. NO WAY I was walking out without that bass!

The J pickup was a little anemic to me no matter how high I raised it, so the first thing I modified was the pickups, which I swapped out for EMG Geezer Butlers. The Geezers kept the nice, classic P range of tones and gave the J pickup new life.

I liked the look of the Hipshot Kickass bridge. It had great sustain and tuning stability before I switched over to the Hipshot, and I couldn't detect ANY change in tone, sustain, or tuning stability afterward. The Hipshot does give the ability to adjust string spacing and I used that feature to satisfy my OCD. I wouldn't expect changes in tone or functionality from that change compared to the stock, bent-plate bridge.

My band does some songs for which a drop tuner is handy, so I put a Hipshot drop tuner on the E string. The chrome finish works fine with the smoked chrome hardware and you have to look really intentionally to see the difference.

I put in Dunlop Straplocks for security, and countersunk the one at the tail to get back a half-inch of length, which helps it fit into a case or gig bag a little easier.

But the biggest upgrade came from the Audere 4-band preamp I put in a couple of years ago. My other gigging basses were active and had hotter output, and I wanted to be able to swap out basses on the fly, so I did a little surgery on the rear cavity to accommodate their 4-band EQ. That was the best upgrade I've made on any bass. It turned a very good bass into an exceptional-sounding player. I go back and forth between Jules and my Fodera Yin Yang PJ and have a hard time believing that one of them costs about $4k more than the other off the rack. The Dyne has an impressive range of tones, from deep, dark, dub to growly snarl and brighter J-dominant tones. I can always get what the situation calls for.

Nothing is wrong with the Aerodyne out of the box, it's giggable as it comes. But one of the things I like most about it is that it's not hard to modify if you're looking for something a little different.

Time to check batteries, so I thought I'd show proof that with a Dremel, a steady hand, and a dash of courage, a 4-band Audere preamp will fit into an Aerodyne.