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Fender Japan Aerodyne Jazz Bass

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:07 pm
by ProcessedMeatMan
You guys have any thoughts on them? I played one today and I was pretty dang impressed. I'm seriously considering getting one of the non-export models while I'm in Japan. I played a used dolphin gray one... and they're only asking $520! New ones are about $820. They're easily $1100 on Ebay.

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I really like the Red or the Blue though.

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These basses are sexy as hell.

I know I'm not as well known here, but in case you didn't know I'm a bass player 99% of the time.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:14 pm
by gaybear
I love the red. The grey is pretty great too, and at that price for a guitar you enjoy, seems like a good way to go

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:17 pm
by ProcessedMeatMan
That was my thought as well, but I'm torn on the color. The "used" one I played was basically brand new though. Still had the protector plastic (or whatever you call it) on the pickguard and pickups! It had a very small, hardly noticeable indent just over volume knobs, but other than that it was pristine. I guess I'm struggling with the idea of paying $300 more for a different color... arrrgghh! Wish I could catchemall!

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:10 pm
by ultratwin
Do it, Ham!

And while we're on the topic of rationalizing cash for the sake of another shade, they are indeed reasonably sexy in pretty much every color. They have "Ol' Trusty Rock Bass" written all over them.

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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:35 pm
by James
Any idea what blue that is? The red is 'Old Candy Apple Red', the blue looks like it might be 'Old Lake Placid Blue', 'Gun Metal Blue' or 'US Gun Metal Blue'.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:50 pm
by Ankhanu
I play one of the all black no guard versions, with the Strat jack (which I don't mind in this design), and I love it. I've been playing it since about 2005, so the honeymoon is well over :P
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It's a solid bass, and, really, my only complaint is the body is basswood. I'm not a "Oh NOES, Basswood!!" kind of guy, normally it doesn't matter at all... but, with the gloss black finish on the Aerodyne, small dings look really shit, and basswood is good at taking on dings :P Aside from the small dents in the upper bout caused by the adjustment hardware on my strap bumping the body when I put the bass on the stand, I'd have no complaints about the basswood; it's light and it sounds good.

The pickups are fairly standard fare; they're good, but not amazing. I've been planning for years to change them out with SD Vintage P and Hot Jazz, but haven't. The Jazz Bass Deluxe P/J set up is really versatile.

The neck is, aside from the sexy, sexy look of the whole bass, the main reason that I wanted one. It plays fast and easy; feels great. It does require some regular truss adjustments, at least in my climate, though.

All in all, I definitely recommend the Aerodyne basses... the whole series, really.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:58 pm
by ProcessedMeatMan
James wrote:Any idea what blue that is? The red is 'Old Candy Apple Red', the blue looks like it might be 'Old Lake Placid Blue', 'Gun Metal Blue' or 'US Gun Metal Blue'.
It's US Gun Metal Blue

edit: Or just GMB lol
I have no idea. Some Japanese sites list it as either UGB or GMB, so I dunno... whatever blue it is, I dig.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:14 pm
by Billy3000
I love that blue and red one, and the white one ultra posted is nice as hell too! I wish they imported these versions to the US! I would love a nice lightweight bass, but I hate the look of the all black, no pickguard versions they have now.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:02 pm
by damienblair17
I would play any of those basses, any day of the week. Maybe not the strat jack one, but especially the white with matching headstock.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:27 pm
by James
ProcessedMeatMan wrote:
James wrote:Any idea what blue that is? The red is 'Old Candy Apple Red', the blue looks like it might be 'Old Lake Placid Blue', 'Gun Metal Blue' or 'US Gun Metal Blue'.
It's US Gun Metal Blue

edit: Or just GMB lol
I have no idea. Some Japanese sites list it as either UGB or GMB, so I dunno... whatever blue it is, I dig.
Nah that's UGB (US Gun Metal Blue) regular GMB (Gun Metal Blue) is different for MIJ models to the normal Fender color. I think it's a bit lighter and more grey but I haven't seen many pics of it.

Re: Fender Japan Aerodyne Jazz Bass

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:20 pm
by honeyiscool
At $520 absolutely fuck yes. These instruments are light and sexy and awesome.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:19 pm
by Sloan
i have always loved the aerodyne series

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:04 pm
by ProcessedMeatMan
Fuck my ass. I went to go buy the used grey one today... and it's gone!! *sob*
That's what I get for not buying it last weekend when I had the chance.

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 3:16 pm
by hotrodperlmutter
RIP HAM.

awwww, better luck next time, mate.