Main

Fender Aerodyne Jazz Electric Bass

And now for something completely different! Cutting-edge bass players looking for a high performance and lightweight bass with a strikingly different appearance will flip over the Aerodyne Jazz Bass! This is a special edition Jazz Bass featuring a bound basswood body with a NEW unique carved top, a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and matching painted headstock. It's loaded with a Precision/Jazz Bass pickup combination and rear routed/top mounted controls with no pickguard. Learn More...

    • New $649.95
    • Blowouts save up to $130!
  • Installment Plan:4 payments of $162.48
    • free ground shipping
Write a Review:

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Only 2 negatives, (1) doesn't come with a case and (2) the bridge is only so-so. Even so, I still love it.

Quality:
Fit and finish are excellent, Fender Japan has really upped the ante on quality - it's a beautiful guitar

Value:
better than basses 2x and 3x the price, best value I've found on a new bass - that's why I bought it.

Desirability:
This is one sexy bass - kudos to Fender and the design team that came up with it

Sound:
Very versatile with the P/J pups, can dial in just about any sound - I gave it a 9 because it's not quite a 10 on the p-bass sound and not quite a 10 on the j-bass sound but it's awefully damn close - the blended thunder+punch is very nice.

Ease of Use:
It's a J-bass, I like the narrow neck (1.5" at the nut) - easier to play than my original '62 precision

Support:
no opinion, haven't had to use it

Overall:
My '62 p-bass will sit on the stand most of the time now

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
Again, active pups/preamp would've been a nice touch, but no biggie. The whole thing is black, which is awesome: black body, black neck, black pups, black knobs, black hardware. The question is, how much more black could it be? None, none more black (sorry, spinal tap reference)

Quality:
The problem I have with basswood guitars is that they're made of basswood. It's not exactly the most ...robust wood out there; if you drop it on a hard surface, it's gonna leave a mark. That said, if you're prone to dropping guitars, maybe you shouldn't spend $650 on one. As far as "fit and finish", all the examples I've seen are good, all the parts were attached firmly (a remarkable feat in and of itself, especially at some of the guitar stores I go to) and the binding was even, with few masking issues. The paint is typically exceptional (I suppose it'd be hard to mess up gloss black, but I've been surprised before). It is prone to fingerprints (another doy), but it shouldn't wear through or anything weird.

Value:
It's better than the Squiers, not as good as the American Fenders. Definitely better than Soundgears (or is it just "SGR" now?) in its price range. I'd say it's on-par with, if not a little better than, the Mexi-Fenders. Whether the Aerodyne body and paint job are worth the upcharge, I guess that's an individual thing.

Desirability:
The carved body is really quite sexy. Personally, though, I must say I like something a bit chunkier in a bass. That's just me though, it still thumps with the best of 'em.

Sound:
This thing sounds fat. It's like having 2 fender basses in one tiny body (let's face it, how much do we use the neck p/u on our jazzes?). The light basswood body combined with the ...maple? top makes it nice and bright, but still fat (read: good for slapping). The single coils can be noisy (doy), no better or worse than any other single coils. Active electronics would have been nice, but that's really just wishfull thinking.

Ease of Use:
Um, plug it in and play it. If you can't figure that out, I can't help you. As far as playability, it feels like butter, even a little better than a standard Jazz I think. Like many things and people from Japan, this bass is small and light. That's a good thing here, because you can play for hours on end without any funky shoulder cramps.

Support:
It's a Fender. You probably won't run into any problems with it; if you do, they're easy to get a hold of. Upgrades should be fairly easy, save for finding hardware in smoked chrome. Fenders have the most aftermarket parts available, making this bass the most upgradable Japanese product that isn't a Honda Civic.

Overall:
If you like how it looks, you'll love it. That's just it. If you end up not liking the pickups, you can have them changed out. If you get it, you won't be sad. Unless in buying it you miss a mortgage payment, but I guess that would be with any bass.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
quality product all around

Quality:
Fender Bass ...what else?

Value:
no sign of the blemish whatsoever. Paid only $519 for what will be the next classic.

Desirability:
If you can find a better looking bass guitar let me know. Black one is SSWWEEEETT

Sound:
Very Flexible with both J and P pickups.

Ease of Use:
Plays like a dream. Light as a feather!

Support:
Based on phone call... bought a blemished one.

Overall:
This die with me>

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Feature:
Best of both worlds. You can play any type of music with this bass.

Quality:
Typical Fender quality. The only thing is that because of the mirror black finish, it fingerprints like CRAZY, but nothing a good cloth can't take care of.

Value:
Very inexpensive for what it comes with. you basically get the fusion of a jazz and precision bass, and the price isn't through the roof. I don't see myself buying another bass for an extremely long time.

Desirability:
This bass is SEXY. Its all black with no pick guard. The cream colored parts accent the bass nicely. THere's no dots on the actual fretboard (there's dots on the side though) so that adds to the black. The headstock is even painted black. ALl in all it has a very, very smooth look.

Sound:
So much better than anything I've ever played. I love the sound. There's so many possible combinations too, because you have the benefit of both types of Fender pickups.

Support:
Never needed any, but I expect it to be good Mine didn't come with a manual or anything...I had to look stuff up online and that took away from the time i could play it.

Overall:
I LOVE THIS. Better than anything I've played, and it was cheap too. As I've said I dont' see myself replacing this, unless I get an American P-Bass (with active J/P pickups), but that won't be until I run this bass into the ground.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Has everything it needs in simplicity. Front(p) rear(j) and tone. Tuners stays in tune.

Quality:
Everything with the exception of the bridge is top quality although not boutique quality.

Value:
I paid $450 new for mine. How can you beat that. Even at $629 it is a great buy. Made in Japan, but who says they don't make quality instruments.

Desirability:
Mucho sex appeal just by the appearance. The light basswood body is great for 40+ rockers like me who have neck problems. Young uns wait your turn.

Sound:
The bass gives you a classic best of both worlds sound. You can push the P pickup and get a thick tone or turn up the J full and get a honky tone. The J pickup as said in other reviews is a bit on the noisy side. Perhaps a noiseless Fender jazz pickup will correct that. If you are looking for an active tone this bass is not for you. It will not give you the snap of let's say a Music Man. Think John Paul Jones-Lemon song tone. For slap think Larry Graham. The C-shape neck is comfortable and fast. Possibly the only other neck I have liked more was on a 67 Fender Jazz or the Geddy Lee (very ugly)bass. The Geddy Lee bass has a poly? finish that might wear on you after a while. The Aerodyne also looks very striking with a black gloss finish and the cream binding. The smoky chrome hardware looks great too. Just make sure you dry the polish off the bridge as mine has corroded. Also the bridge coud be a higher quality but is no unforgiving. Overall a winner by all means.

Support:
Never needed support

Overall:
Would never sell it. A lifetime keeper. Would actually like to buy 2 more to play with as far as different pickups to see how the tone would change or maye adding active electronics.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
The stock pickups and everything have been great. Everything has stayed in place and hasnt loosened up. The tuning is rock solid.

Quality:
Nothing has broken on it yet and i has held up amazing. I am extra careful with mine because the smooth black finish makes even the smallest scratches show up. It's a fingerprint magnent too so keep a cloth handy.

Value:
This things a beauty! Definitely worth it if you are in the market for a great bass with a p/j pup configuration. The price does seem a tad steep though.

Desirability:
This baby is sweet! It has a carved top unlike other fender basses. When it comes in the mail you will want to make sweet love to it.

Sound:
This bass takes the best of the p and jazz basses and puts them together to create one AWESOME bass! It is about half the thickness of a normal jazz bass and it weighs about half too. People will tell you it is the most beautiful bass they have ever seen and I agree! It looks like a standard jazz except in a tuxedo. Great for ANY style. I highly recommend it.

Support:
I have never dealt with Fender customer service so I wouldnt know.

Overall:
I've played Mexican jazz and p basses and the Aerodyne is so much better! I don't have a lot of experience with the American fender so I can't say much about that. If someone stole it I would buy it back only if I couldn't hunt the person down who stole it and punch them in the face.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I was very fortunate in that the deal from which I purchased my Aerodune J-Bass threw in a nice Fender case with it. I absolutely love the combination and configuration of the pickups on this beauty! What a sound, and what a choice of sounds even with the simplest of amplification and no additional effects.

Quality:
The product is top of the line in quality of construction. Yes, the finish is a pain because of fingerprints, but it causes me to be more meticulous about keeping it clean. It is dependable and sturdy. I have another bass (a nice Peavy Millenium which I learned on)but I don't consider that one for "just in case". I believe the Aerodyne to be mine for a lifetime, barring any unforseen catastrophe.

Value:
The price was very fair.

Desirability:
I HAVE IT - and it's initial appearance is what hooked me! This bass is drop-dead gorgeous! But even more awesome was the sound from it, just as beautiful as this fabulous, hefty, gutsy bass.

Sound:
The sound is unbelievable - even in a home/practice setting. The instrument seems to respond to me individually, almost as if it were made exclusively for me. On CD recordings it is unmatched. I am currently using my Aerodyne J-Bass with an SWR 2x10 Workingman combo amp, often used along with a small but effective DigiTech BP50 modeling bass processor. What I am getting is something hauntingly similar to the sound of a Mesa/Boogie 400+ or thereabouts. Don't have any tips as of yet to make the product sound better - I am quite satisfied with it.

Support:
I have not needed any support from the company. We have a Fender dealer nearby who is reputable and dependable should I need service.

Overall:
I don't expect to be looking for another bass. I may be in the market for a better amp someday, but am satisfied at present. If something horrific happened to this bass, I would not hesitate to rush right out and replace it with THE EXACT SAME ONE. I appreciate the ease of handling more than anything.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
Bound body, rear routed controls and no pickguard make this thing look totally differnt from any other bass fender makes. Chrome hardware on it is awesome.

Quality:
It's a fender.

Value:
Excellent value fro the price and a great instrument.

Desirability:
Awesome.

Sound:
With the jazz and p-pups this bass has a verl large tonal palette. You can create anything from bright to large in dark very easily. The sound is excellent.

Support:
haven't had to deal with them but I've heard rumors.

Overall:
This is a great instrument and I'll adore it for a long time. When looking for a new guitar check this one out.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no