The First issue of the Aerodyne Strat range I have split between models made for the domestic market and those for export.
The export ones are on this page. There are similarities between some of the models but not all.
This is the Aerodyne Range by Date as at 2022.
2004 Launch of the range Export V1 Domestic AST 65 and Telecaster
2005 Export V2 launched V1 ended
2006 The similar models Export SE Classic and Domestic AST 100DMC Launch
2010 The Classic and DMC no longer produced
2016 All above models no longer made
2016 Japan Exclusive Range Launched lasted about a year
2018 So called FSR launched lots made
2019 FSR Launched very limited numbers not matching headstock
2020 Aerodyne II Launched
September 2022 Aerodyne Special Range Launched
We can get a fair amount of information on these from Fender catalogues, their website and similar. They are documented in
several reference books but not always accurately. We know from Antigua a member of the strat forum that there were some
special runs in colours not shown in any of the literature. If anyone has any of these I would like to see pictures.
The first Aerodyne version 1 was first available in 2004 in black only and would appear to be the same guitar as the
domestic one issued at the same time known as the AST65.
Specs
Body Basswood with Polyurethane finish
Neck Maple C shape Polyurethane finish
Fretboard Rosewood 22 Medium Jumbos 7.25" radius
Headstock Small black painted with silver spag logo and aerodyne series written on 1 butterfly string tree
Truss Rod adjustment at headstock
Tuners Fender vintage ping style
Pickups 3 standard single coils probably Ceramics*
Controls 1 volume 2 tone all black plastic with 5 way with black plastic tip
Nut 1.65"
Hardware Chrome
Bridge Vintage style 6 pivot sync trem
Pickguard 3 ply black 11 screw
Colours Black
Comment from PlayerOne from the Strat forum May 2023
He owns an Aerodyne Version 1 and says
I did have my luthier replace the pickup height adjustment screws and he confirmed the the pickups are Fender AlNiCo 5.
He also found the pots to be USA made. But the three-way switch is Japanese, and sealed. For which I am grateful.
The Version 1 was available for around a year or so the version 2 was launched in 2005 and had a RRP of $900 or so.
There is no domestic equivalent of this guitar that I can find so it appears to be export only. I am not really sure why
there was this change the guitar was essentially the same as version 1 but with no pickguard so direct mounted pickups and
a side mounted jack, perhaps it was thought to look cool.
Again only available in black. This model lasted for a little over a year also.
In 2006 the Special Edition Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster was launched at an RRP of $1,000, see first picture.
This has some features in common with the domestic
Aerodyne Special AST100DMC, mainly in the construction but with different electronics and different colour options, but refer to
the comment in the introduction about special runs.
Body Basswood with a Curly Maple Laminate Top
Neck Maple C shaped Gloss Finish
Fretboard Rosewood 22 medium jumbo frets 7.25" radius 324mm scale
Headstock Matching small headstock with Silver spag logo and Aerodyne Strat written in 1 butterfly spring tree
Truss Rod Adjustment at Headstock
Tuners Fender Ping style vintage
Pickups 3 Single coil vintage style alnico
Controls Aged White plastic 1 volume 2 tone and 5 switch
Nut 1.65"
Hardware Chrome
Bridge 6 pivot vintage sync rem
Pickguard 3 ply 11 screw mint green
Colours Crimson Red Transparent, Blue Transparent or Natural/Amber
This guitar was available from 2006 to 2010.
I have just seen an Aerodyne version 1 for sale on Ebay. This has a serial number which dates it to no later than 2002. The catalogue
shows they were launched in 2004, so is this using left over serial numbers or did they start earlier?
On the next page the Domestic models. Please click below.