The Aerodyne Special offers:
I am Yosh, an ex-musical instrument store clerk (@Yosh_Guitar). This is a pros & cons review of the Fender Aerodyne Special series Stratocaster and Telecaster. I will also compare it with the modern spec Player Plus series made in Mexico.
The Aerodyne Special Series, the latest from the Aerodyne series that has continued since the Fender Japan era, was introduced at the end of September 2022. It has a distinctive look different from traditional Fenders. The archtop body with binding and the matching head that unifies the head and body are major features in terms of looks. The Aerodyne Special has a modern look with new colors and no pickguard. It also has a feel similar to the discontinued Made in Japan Modern series. The Telecaster has also been revived in the Aerodyne series.
The guitar adopts specifications that can handle modern performances requiring high technical skills. Thanks to the moderately large medium jumbo frets and a slightly flat 12-inch radius fretboard, it’s easy to lower the string action and press the strings with minimal effort.
The neck shape is a slightly thin modern C shape, which pairs well with the classical form that’s conducive to technical play. Additionally, the body is thinner than traditional Fenders, making it slightly lighter and easier to handle, ensuring comfort during performances.
The machine head uses a locking system that ensures stable tuning. The structure allows for easy string replacement without tools.
A rare third-party bridge is used in Fender. The BABICZ-made saddle has a feature, and compared to the conventional saddle installed at a point, it achieves about 50 times the installation area. This ensures that the vibration of the strings is firmly transmitted to the body through the bridge, achieving a modern sound with both contour and thickness.
The pickups installed are newly developed specifically for the Aerodyne Special. The manufacturer’s website describes them as having a “newly designed vintage voicing.” While I can somewhat understand what they mean by a sound with a core, the harmonic spread feels limited and tight. When listening to the overall sound, it doesn’t quite feel “vintage.” Perhaps that’s what they mean by “newly designed vintage voicing.”
Rather than shredding with heavy distortion, it seems more suited for technical sounds with clean to low gain settings, similar to artists like Ichika Nito. With the unique “twang” characteristic of Fender, it also pairs well with urban neo-soul styles.
Fender categorizes their product concepts into three styles: “Vintage,” “Hybrid,” and “Modern.” The Aerodyne Special falls under the “Modern” style. As such, it naturally doesn’t have the classic Fender feel. It might sound rude to say this right after its release, but it probably won’t sell as well as the Traditional or Hybrid models. After all, Fender fans typically prefer the classic look.
It might be a good choice for those who love the Fender brand but don’t want to have the same guitar as everyone else. Who knows, maybe in 10 years, no one will be using it, haha. In reality, you don’t often see people on social media using the previous modern style Made in Japan Modern series.
With the recent rise in raw material prices and the depreciation of the yen, it’s no exaggeration to say that almost all guitar products have seen a price increase. Naturally, new products released during this time can feel overpriced. Furthermore, basswood has a history of being used in lower-priced Fenders, and there’s a significant user base that has an aversion to it, which might amplify the negative impression.
However, basswood, when combined with a maple top, has been adopted by high-end brands like Suhr and Musicman. It’s also accepted as a body material for guitars from brands like Ibanez, which are often used with heavy distortion.
Listening to the sound of the Aerodyne Special, it doesn’t come off as having poor sound quality just because it’s made of basswood. Of course, from a collection or ownership perspective, I can understand the mindset of those who prioritize the type of wood used. For such individuals, this could indeed be seen as a drawback.
| Specification | Aerodyne Special (New Model) | Aerodyne II (Old Model) |
|---|---|---|
| Market Price | $1,299.99 (181,500 JPY) | 108,900 JPY |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan | Japan |
| Body | Basswood | Basswood |
| Pickguard | None | Present |
| Neck | Maple | Maple |
| Neck Shape | Modern C Shape | Slim C Shape |
| Fretboard | Rosewood or Maple | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 12 inches (305mm) | 9.5 inches (241mm) |
| Nut Width | 1.69″ (43 mm) | 1.578″ (40 mm) |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone | Cow Bone |
| Frets | 22 Medium Jumbo | 22 Medium Jumbo |
| Bridge | Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point Trem | 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Vintage-Style Stamped Steel Saddles |
| Tuning Pegs | Locking | Standard Die-Cast |
| Pickups | Aerodyne Special Single Coil | Standard Single Coil |
Let’s compare the specs to see what has changed from the Made in Japan Aerodyne II of the old Aerodyne series. With the rise in prices, there’s a price difference of about $70.
There’s no difference in the wood used. The visible upgrades are in the hardware aspect, with the locking pegs and the Babicz bridge, as well as the pickups. In terms of looks, the colors have been completely revamped, and the pickguard has been eliminated. This might divide opinions on aesthetics.
There are also differences in playability. The fretboard radius has become flatter, and the nut width has slightly increased. If you like to strum aggressively, the old Aerodyne II might be more suitable. However, for those who want to play both chords and melodies carefully, the Aerodyne Special is the better choice.
| Specification | Aerodyne Special Stratocaster | Player Plus Stratocaster |
|---|---|---|
| Market Price | $1,299.99 | SSS: $1,099.99 / HSS: $1,129 |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan | Mexico |
| Body | Basswood | Alder |
| Neck | Maple | Maple |
| Neck Shape | Modern C Shape | Modern C Shape |
| Fretboard | Rosewood or Maple | Pau Ferro or Maple |
| Fretboard Radius | 12 inches (305mm) | 12 inches (305mm) |
| Nut Width | 1.69″ (43 mm) | 1.685″ (42.8mm) |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone | Synthetic Bone |
| Frets | 22 Medium Jumbo | 22 Medium Jumbo |
| Bridge | Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point Trem | Block Saddle 2-Point Support Tremolo |
| Tuning Pegs | Locking | Locking |
| Pickups | Aerodyne Special Single Coil | Player Plus Noiseless |
| Pickup Configuration | 3S or HSS | 3S or HSS |
| Push-Pull | None | Present |
While both models deviate slightly from the traditional Fender specs. The Aerodyne Special features a Maple neck with either a Rosewood or Maple fretboard and a Basswood body. The Player Plus has an Alder body with a Maple neck and either a Pau Ferro or Maple fretboard. For Fender purists who only accept Alder or Ash bodies and Rosewood fretboards, neither model may be appealing. Personally, the sound produced is more important than the type of wood used. The sound will be discussed later.
Both models adopt locking tuners that ensure stable tuning and easy string changes. The most significant difference lies in the bridge. The Player Plus features a block saddle with a 2-point tremolo, making it easy to palm-mute with the bridge and providing a smooth arm operation. The Aerodyne Special uses a Babicz bridge, which offers a more fitting sensation when palm muting with the bridge.
The choice of wood and pickups results in different sound characteristics for both models. When comparing the two, the Aerodyne Special produces a sound with a solid core, making it suitable for lead guitar. It’s best suited for clean to overdrive tones. The Player Plus produces a relatively flat sound across low to high frequencies, making it ideal for the rhythm part in a band ensemble. It pairs well with effects and digital equipment and can handle everything from clean to distortion.
In terms of specs affecting playability, such as fretboard radius, fret size, and neck shape, there’s little difference between the two. The Aerodyne Special, being made in Japan, gives a meticulous impression in terms of neck and fret finishes. However, the neck of the Player Plus is also well-rounded, so there’s not a dramatic difference in feel. Both models offer a modern Fender playing experience.
Three main points to consider when choosing between the two are:
For those who mainly play lead guitar, the Aerodyne Special might be the better choice, while rhythm guitarists might prefer the Player Plus. The sound differences have been compared for both models, but when comparing with other guitars, the directionality is somewhat similar. Therefore, it might be best to choose based on aesthetics, which is a crucial aspect that can’t be modified later.
Recommendations for those considering the Aerodyne Special Series:
Recommendations for those considering the Player Plus:
