CIJ Aerodyne production date oddity

[HeadlessBassist]

I picked up an old, slightly 'roadworn' early AJB-DX Aerodyne Jazz in a trade yesterday and have a query about the manufacture date.

 

Now, as far as I know, we didn't get the Aerodyne until 2006 here in the UK, but was it produced earlier in Japan? I've been through all the old PDFs online of Fender Japan "TWANG" brochures (great name, btw!), and I can't see the model appearing until 2006-7.

 

Two serial lookup databases seem to suggest my bass was produced at the Tokai Gakki factory between 1993-94?!

 

See my confusion?

[warwickhunt]

Databases are notoriously glitchy especially when you are dealing with at least 3 countries of manufacture.

 

[LeftyJ]

Can you share the serial number? First letter and the number of digits should do.

 

If you want to be sure you could always remove the neck and check for stamps or writing. The production date (or at least year/month) should be right there 

[HeadlessBassist]

Thanks LeftyJ. Serial is Q049342.

 

 

[LeftyJ]

6 hours ago, HeadlessBassist said:

Thanks LeftyJ. Serial is Q049342.

 

Ha! I can understand the confusion now. There have been TWO runs of serial numbers starting with a Q - the diffence being in the "Made in Japan" vs "Crafted in Japan" addition: these signify two different periods in the Fender Japan joint venture, with different manufacturers. In 1995 "Crafted in Japan" started appearing for the first time when Dyna Gakki started producing for Fender Japan besides Fujigen. 

 

An instrument with the Crafted in Japan tag and a serial beginning with Qxxxxxx will be made between 2002-2004 at the Dyna Gakki of Fujigen Gakki factory. Probably Dyna. 

 

That's still earlier than what you mention as the first year in which the Aerodyne officially came to the UK, however it's not unusual for Japanese domestic market only-products to end up outside of Japan through various traders, or straight from Japanese resellers (which Fender now prohibits). The Aerodyne certainly is different enough to attract the attention of enthousiasts, and it looked especially good in that Candy Apple Red finish of yours! The version without the pickguard was the export model, there's also a version with a pickguard that was strictly JDM only - but of course some of these too will have ended up outside of Japan through guys like Bass Japan Direct. 

Edited Friday at 06:00 by LeftyJ

[SurroundedByManatees]

Nice one!

 

The serial decoders can be pretty unreliable indeed. I had an '94 that was identified as a '85 through the database. 

[HeadlessBassist]

Ah, thanks for that

 

I guess that would create some confusion!

 

It’s had a hard life, and has a few bangs and scrapes, but the pickups are seriously hot in output terms.

 

Henceforth it will be called, “Scruffy Jazz”.

 

I took it to my tech on Wednesday and it’s had the neck put back into proper order and a little work on the nut. Might need a neck shim at some point, as the action doesn’t go down to quite where I’d like it, but all good.

 

Thanks for your help, LeftyJ.

 

 

[LeftyJ]

No problem! I've owned a few MIJ and CIJ Fenders and Squiers myself (still have 3) and love geeking over such things. 

I've never been a huge fan of the Aerodyne looks (I don't really like the bound edges of the top, and prefer the curves of the original model) but I think it looks great in red! 

[HeadlessBassist]

On 26/02/2025 at 11:32, LeftyJ said:

Thanks again. Yes, it’s actually the bare front and binding/slimline body that I like. My Butterscotch Blonde American Deluxe and sunburst American Original are my more traditional ones.