Aerodyne "carved" body
Starting in 2004, Japan brought out a series of Stratocasters with carved body, the Aerodynes. The first was intended for both Japanese domestic and export markets. The AST-75 had a basswood body and Black finish with binding and matching headstock with a silver Fender logo and the written "Aerodyne Strat" on the ball of the headstock. It remained on the Japanese market until 2014, but it was replaced by a new Aerodyne Strat in 2005 in the USA and Europe. Both had the side jack entry, but while the AST-75 was equipped with a black pickguard, the new 2005 export Aerodyne was not. Despite the aggressive appearance, these instruments had a 7.25" vintage radius fretboard and vintage style tuning machines and bridge, which is why they were described by Fender as a combination of classic and modern: “Aerodyne guitars are beautiful combinations of classic and innovative designs that results in very cool and unique guitars.”
2004 Aerodyne Stratocaster AST-75, Courtesy of Reverb
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The 2006 export Aerodyne Stratocaster didn't have the pickguard, Courtesy of Reverb
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In 2006 new Aerodyne Stratocasters were added to the Series: the Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster, available on the Western market, and two Medium Scale models, the AST-75MDS and the AST-75MDH, both intended for the Japanese market.
The Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster had a basswood body with flame maple top and binding. It featured a contoured neck plate, mint green pickguard and jack socket on the top of the guitar. It was available in Natural, Crimson Red Transparent and Blue Transparent finishes, all of them with matching headstocks.
The domestic AST-75MDS and the AST-75MDH were medium scale Stratocasters. The first featured three ceramic Di Marzio Full Range Impact DCS-3 pickups, the latter was equipped with two DCS-3s and a Di Marzio Full Range Impact DCH-3 humbucking pickup. They both differed from the first AST-75 for the flatter fretboard.
The Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster had a basswood body with flame maple top and binding. It featured a contoured neck plate, mint green pickguard and jack socket on the top of the guitar. It was available in Natural, Crimson Red Transparent and Blue Transparent finishes, all of them with matching headstocks.
The domestic AST-75MDS and the AST-75MDH were medium scale Stratocasters. The first featured three ceramic Di Marzio Full Range Impact DCS-3 pickups, the latter was equipped with two DCS-3s and a Di Marzio Full Range Impact DCH-3 humbucking pickup. They both differed from the first AST-75 for the flatter fretboard.
Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster, Courtesy of Dave's Guitar
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The medium scale AST-75MDH, Courtesy of Souldrifter Guitars
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The high-end Aerodyne Special Stratocaster, available on the Japanese market between 2006 and 2007, featured a two-piece alder body with carved curly maple laminated top, round edges and cream colored binding and was available in the stunning Flame Shadow, Flame Red, Flame Blue and Flame Amber finishes. It was equipped with three Di Marzio Heavy Drive DCS-2 pickups with adjustable pole pieces.
In 2015 Fender took direct control of the distribution of the instruments manufactured in Japan and, at the same time, many other Aerodynes were made, usually intended for the Japanese domestic market but available, as Fender Special Run guitars, in the Western market, too. Among the various models of the series, the most successful were the beautiful limited edition Aerodyne Stratocaster Koa, which featured gold hardware, and Aerodyne Stratocaster Flame Maple Top, produced in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
In 2015 Fender took direct control of the distribution of the instruments manufactured in Japan and, at the same time, many other Aerodynes were made, usually intended for the Japanese domestic market but available, as Fender Special Run guitars, in the Western market, too. Among the various models of the series, the most successful were the beautiful limited edition Aerodyne Stratocaster Koa, which featured gold hardware, and Aerodyne Stratocaster Flame Maple Top, produced in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Antonio Calvosa
The domestic Aerodyne Special Stratocaster (eBay)
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FSR Aerodyne Koa
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Limited Edition Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster Flame Maple Top
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