ZXRRDave Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Well, after a few months with my Epi T'bird I decided that the 'special' present I would get for myself for my 40th (tomorrow ) would be a really top quality bass. I did a fair bit of playing of various models and worked out a few requirements. Firstly it had to have a 38mm Nut, as I felt most comfortable and confident with that neck width, as well as trying out a selection of makes and models showing the Fender Jazz neck profile to be the most comfortable and suited to my hand. Secondly I found the sound selection available from a P/J pickup combination through the Orange amp I'm now set up with to be the tones I'm happiest with too. I narrowed my selection down to a few models, with various pro's and con's to each. It was between a Nate Mendel Sig which had no J pickup and was roadworn with a scratchplate (I'm not a fan of roadworn finishes or scratchplates) but was universally well reviewed and I'm a big Foo's fan. Then there was a Duff McKagan Sig which ticked pretty much all the boxes but was a little expensive (at £950-£960 ish) and I really wasnt sure on the black painted gloss neck and pearl white body. Fortunately the local branch of PMT got one in not long ago and I gave it a try. I loved the sound and it had some nice SD pickups, but I was right about the neck and body finish, as it just didn't 'Grab' me. This left the bass that was pretty much the favourite from the start, the Aerodyne special. The problem was that I'd be ordering blind, as although there isn't any problem with supply they aren't actually that common. Decision made I took the plunge and placed the order with local store Cookes in Norwich last week and got a message from Ben (BC member angercat) to say it was in yesterday. Pro's over the other basses are that it's a MIJ (the Nate and Duff being MIM's) which was over £100 cheaper than the Duff at £838 (albeit about £80 more than the Nate) it has the P/J pickups, no scratchplate, Jazz neck in a spectacularly well finished satin maple. On top of that the body contoured with a 39" radius arch top and rear chamfered and shaped with a belly cut is tremendously attractive. I was unsure on the cream binding to the top of the body before seeing it, however in combination with the contoured body it gives a stunning look to the body. Then I got to play it. Its awesome. The strings just seem to fall under your fingers perfectly and the finish on the neck allows your hand to move between positions without even the slightest drag or resistance. I took it to see a mate last night who is the bassist/singer in a local covers band and he was blown away by it. Some 40th birthday present. Boxed Unboxed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred72 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Thanks for the pics - looks great. Reminds me a bit of the basses Dusty Hill uses in ZZ Top - think its on my 1980 something vid at the Rockpalast? Same binding on the body... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyellowcar Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Wowwww. How does the size of the body compare to a standard Jazz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassHappy Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Congrats - may you have many long hours of enjoyment and smiles - spending time with your new baby. She looks awesome! Best, BassHappy www.innertainment.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Walker Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 nice, I've alwalys thought they were my favorite fender :-) and Im not wrong lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 (edited) Congrats - looks superb & pretty sure it'll play as good as it looks, have a very good 40th Much like my Frank Bello, but that has a P neck [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ywvazzeg71sd9m/fender-frank-bello-signature-jazz-bass-3.jpeg"]https://www.dropbox....azz-bass-3.jpeg[/url] Edited April 29, 2014 by KiOgon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza 2905 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Lovely bass, nice one! Everyone should treat themselves to a 'special' birthday present I think. I know I do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
such Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 beautiful, congratulations! Always liked the way they look, and one of those Aerodynes was also one of the best sounding basses I've heard in a live gig, and Paul Turner who stood there with me had the same sentiment, and he knows what a j-bass should sound like for sure. Good idea for the birthday present too. I treated myself to a lovely second-hand Marcus from classifieds here for my last year's 33rd. It was between that and a new Nate, which will hopefully happen sometime this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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