Good bye Aerodyne Jazz... Hello Korina Explorer.

Dr. Aquafresh · July 15, 2009, 05:33:28 AM

Hey Y'all,

In an ongoing effort to have fewer Fender basses I traded my Aerodyne Jazz for an Epiphone Explorer last night. Now I'm down to one "keeper" Jazz and some parts bodies and necks.

I think I did pretty well on the trade and I'm digging the new bass. I'm going to fire it up at band practice tonight.

It's lighter than I thought but it is one long son of a gun. I may tune it down a step and capo at the 2nd fret.

It is not Korina all the way through but rather a laminate on the top and back, anyone know, or have a guess, what is in the middle?

I'll post some pics tonight.

Later

uwe · July 15, 2009, 05:41:14 AM

Amen, Defenderization is always saintly!!!

The middle stuff is some incredibly light, almost porous soft wood, which will make the bass all denty pretty soon. Softer than even alder. But there is an upside: Whatever it is, it resonates like hell and gives the bass a beautiful growl. Much nicer than the either alder or maho bodied reg Gibson Explorers.

The standard Epi pups are ok to good, but the bass really comes alive with TB Plus soaps.

Uwe

Dr. Aquafresh · July 15, 2009, 06:08:54 AM

Thanks Uwe,

I did a quick search... after I posted, I think I got the order wrong

Fender genocide is fine with me, really I want stuff that is more unusual, head-less, fur covered, etc. than your standard Guitar Center fodder. My only remaining Fender is far from stock, among other things, I replaced the neck with a V style to make it cool, I still rarely play it.

TBird1958 · July 15, 2009, 08:52:20 AM

Less 7ender = Better!

No 7ender = Doubleplusgood!

I think i read that Epi is reissuing these next year................maybe it's time for Ze Fraulein to have one

eb2 · July 15, 2009, 09:35:17 AM

I figure I will get one of those Epis eventually, although I am not a fan of the hardware used. Having fooled around with both, I think the Epi Explorer is a more comfortable thing to hang around your neck vs the Aerodyne. I do think the original Aerodyne Jazz basses that did not use the Strat jacks were pretty stunning looking basses.

Not to be a contrarian - except on metric - but I refuse to endorse wholesale Fender dumping. I think everyone should have a decent Jazz or P, or better yet, a Tele Bass.

Nocturnal · July 15, 2009, 10:32:02 AM

I really liked the looks of the original Aerodyne as well. The strat jack doesn't looks as good IMO, but I remember people saying that the original jack always seemed to come loose.

I've always had a soft spot for the Jazz Specials as well. Probably shows when I sort of came of age, but those have been on my "buy" list for a long time.

Dave W · July 15, 2009, 12:07:15 PM

IMO the Fender dumping here is in fun. The people who do it also own Fenderbirds and/or other bolt-on basses, so it's hard to take them seriously.

uwe · July 15, 2009, 01:19:16 PM

Of course it is. Without Leo's invention, Gibson wouldn't have even bothered to enter the electric bass market with the EB-1.

eb2 · July 15, 2009, 03:54:29 PM

QuoteI've always had a soft spot for the Jazz Specials as well.

I got one of those. For whatever reason, that is my most comfortable playing Fender bass. If people know the Duff connection, they can be pricey. But when they don't, they can sneak under the radar. And I think the all black neck is cool.

uwe · July 15, 2009, 04:07:51 PM

Closet Duff!

Hornisse · July 15, 2009, 04:53:10 PM

I have one of those basses with a one piece maple neck and skunk stripe. But it is a Gibson!

Freuds_Cat · July 15, 2009, 06:53:12 PM

Hi Doc A I'm pretty happy with the original pups but would love to hear the difference with the TB plus pups as Uwe mentions.
Here is a utube vid I did with mine.

Great fun to play, Its like getting in a bulldozer after driving a pickup truck.

uwe · July 15, 2009, 07:08:24 PM

Really nice bass playing that is! And those Epi pups do sound good on that recording. With the TB Plus pups the sound is a bit brasher, more of everything. Some people might not even like that, but I consider the Explorer to be relegated to rock just by its looks. It wouldn't look right with The Eagles or Return to Forever!

Dr. Aquafresh · July 15, 2009, 10:29:34 PM

Well, after playing nothing but short scale SG bass for the last year I had a rude awakening with this new bass.

I really had to wrangle the damn thing.

Sounded pretty good though, since this will be a once and a while piece of live kit I'm not too worried. I still have to try it with the SVT (out rehearsal space has all solid state GK gear).

Anyway, so far so good...it is going to look smashing with the stage flight suit.

Barklessdog · July 16, 2009, 08:06:03 AM

Quote from: Freuds_Cat on July 15, 2009, 06:53:12 PM
Hi Doc A I'm pretty happy with the original pups but would love to hear the difference with the TB plus pups as Uwe mentions.
Here is a utube vid I did with mine.

Great fun to play, Its like getting in a bulldozer after driving a pickup truck.

Sounds great, really a balls out sound- Nice!

Good bye Aerodyne Jazz... Hello Korina Explorer.

Hornisse