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the fender arodyne bass feed back

T

toomas72

Nov 9, 2010
27
1
#1
i have recently been won back over to fender basses due to the (geddy lee) signiture bass I purchased 2 years it has a phenominal sound! side note: had a feder bass in the early 90's and it was a total peice of ****! but any ways I recently came across an Arodyne bass on craigs list for $400. i like the look of it and was wondering if anyone had any comments on the sound of it and playability of it? Can't seem to find one in the guitar stores to check it out.
thanks a bunch!
 
#2
gave the aerodyne a spin awhile back at the local GC, the first one I've ever seen anywhere around here. Anyway it was really light and thin. Pretty good fit and it definitely put out some good deep bass and sound via the gk mb210 and mesa m6 carbine via 4x10 mesa cab I tried it through. It would be a pretty good deal at the price you found, given all is in good shape, etc, I don't think I would pay the $750 ish new for one though, there's too many others in that price range especially in the used market.
 
#3
That's my main electric bass these days. Love it. I did swap out the pickups, but not because anything was particularly wrong with them - I just hate single coil hum. Very versatile sound, very easy to play.
 
#5
that would be the 'non-export' version of the Japan Aerodyne in the video .. the version that sells in the states does not have the fret markers, not sure what other differences, but I think something to do with the p/g ... I played one for a bit in the store one time, was very surprised how light they are ... some of the feedback I have heard reported the sound to be a bit 'thin' ?? I did not notice that at low volume alone in the store ...
 
#7
I had one for about a year and just sold it.... it was a great bass for the money!

I had a used one 2009 model year... the all black, no pickguard, jazz sold in USA that is MIJ (they also have a precision variety (p neck) and a japanese jazz variety with pickguard). I paid $450 for it in mint condition (very shiny, like obsidian!), but it took a while to find that one. Actually sold it for $549 and made a profit!!!:D

Light basswood body, sound was very good, decent sustain. Basswood doesn't hold tone very long due to its softeness, but it was more than capable. No back strain with this one!

I loved the fact I could dial up the split-coil P sound, or use the noiseless J (no hum on mine, as opposed as to what was mentioned in earlier post), or mix the two pickups and creat a great blend. Also has the usual tone pot to put into the mix, so a lot of variety in sounds possible.

Some mention swapping out pickups, but I had no need... stock did just fine for me.

The bridge is basic Fender stock, and the pickups decent (as mentioned, at least the J is "noiseless" variety along with the quiet split p).

The tuners, knobs, and bridge are a smoked chrome (charcoal gray color) which looks cool with the black body and dark neck without fret dots (they are on the side of the neck). I'm actually selling my extra hardware set (tuners, knobs, bridge) right now since I don't need them anymore and Fender has announced they have discontinued production of the smoked chrome.

Notorious for the cable jack nut to work loose (mine did), so I put on a simple toothed locking washer to fix that prob.

If you play with a pick, you'll scuff it pretty bad (no pg), but I only finger play.

I used D'Addario flat wound chromes and got a nice full rich sound through my Acoustic B200 combo amp. I also slightly modded my nut (widened the grooves) to accomodate wider gauge strings and set it up BEAD. Nut is "synthetic bone". Also put straploks on it instead of the stock strap buttons (black).

I would buy one again if I wanted another bass (pics of mine below)

Hope this helps!

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#8
I played a friends a couple of weeks ago and one at the local Guitar Center. I really like them but wouldn't pay the $750 that they were asking for it. But for $400 I would have taken it in a heartbeat. It had a nice full sound and weighed next to nothing. But I don't think my Warwick Corvette weighs anything either so don't take my word on it. But the Fender is lighter without a doubt.
 
#9
Nice pics DogDoc ... thats what I was trying to think of before ... yours in the model out of Japan FOR export, the model that is not supposed to be for export, but occassionaly surfaces around here HAS a pickguard along with the dots on FB .... I remember now, the jack actually was loose on the one I tried in the store ...
 
#10
I've own one for 4 years now. Nice neck. The stock pick ups sounded thin to me. So I added the SD Quarter Pounder Bassline and it made a big difference.

When both pick ups are at full, it sings a full rounded slap tone. With just the J, it has a nice growl to it. The P side full on is a bit boomy by itself. I keep the P at 85-90% most of the time. It adds a good dose of bottom end.
 
#12
chavezding said:
When both pick ups are at full, it sings a full rounded slap tone. With just the J, it has a nice growl to it. The P side full on is a bit boomy by itself. I keep the P at 85-90% most of the time. It adds a good dose of bottom end.
Click to expand...

+1 for me, too. (at least I used to).


Tommygunn said:
I think thats the frank bello bass if im not mistaken
Click to expand...


+1. Good eye.... better pickups on the Bello :
Samarium Cobalt Noiseless™ (SCN) Jazz Bass® Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan® Basslines SPB-3 Quarter Pound Split-Coil Precision Bass® Pickup
 
#18
Thanks.:). I also find that if I turn down the P pickup just a tad it sounds better to my ear too. Came with a few minor scratches so less stressed lol :cool: initially thought the stock pickups sounded a bit thin Too but after giving myself time to get to know it and learn it's tone possibilities I find the stock pickups are fine! :D
 

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