Yes Aero users club - although I have not made the leap just yet..
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AERO PICKUPS - Religious Tone Experience
- Thread starter IngloriousOz
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- aero experience pickups tone
Just added a 2014 USA P (stock “62 custom shop pups”) as a backup to the 2013 USA P with Aeros. Nice to A/B them. The tone of the new bass is great but the Aeros make that 12cab sound like a 15!
Aloha from Aero. Mahalo to everyone who participated in this thread. I really appreciate that you’ve kept it all about Aero. I hope we can talk to each of you some time soon. Wishing you all a Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian Happy New Year). Larry Pollack
Aero pickups are the real deal. I dropped a set of Type 1 jazz pickups into my MPG Level 5JJ and it is thunderous. I also switched to a Bart preamp and thought maybe it's the preamp too. Nope, passive bypass shows that it's the pickups. The preamp plays nicely, but I could easily go passive only on this bass. I can't say that they're "the best" jazz pickups because I haven't tried every pickup out there, but I have tried a lot and Aero pickups are my fave by far. I need to try the P pickups.
I have the Aero Pe pickup in my 5 string P bass. They are incredible.
Second that, I had my first experience with the Type 1 P that Larry offers in my Aluminum neck Precision and it absolutely blows away any other precision pup I've tried in that bass (DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan, EMG's) to the point of no comparison, crystal clear and powerful.
Currently searching for a PJ bass to load up with Aeros as well.
They are treating me very well! I was looking for a vintage tone and do these pups deliver! Plugged in straight into my amp, I can dial in the warm, tube like sound I play most or a growly jbass sound. Small adjustments with the potmeters give great changes in tone. When I play through a preamp (a Darkglass vintage ultra in my case), the possibilities become even greater.
So after doing a bunch of research, hearing sound clips and reading this thread I decided to go all in with the Aeros. I ordered a JB 5 Type 1 std set, a JB4 Type 1 std set and a Pe Bass 4 Type 1 std. I also installed the recommended pots and tone caps!
In short - the pickups are everything I hoped for them to be! The Pe Bass and JB pups still make my basses sound like the Fenders they are BUT with an incredible clarity, bottom end, snarl and bite that I have't heard out of them before. I pretty much still hear everything that is characteristic about a good Fender but now it's on steroids WITHOUT having to use a preamp or anything else!! I know this is old news if you've read the whole thread but hearing in person is really believing and I can't recommend these pups enough!!
I've gone through my fair share of trying pickups including EMG, Bartolinis, Fenders, Nordstrands, DiMarzios, etc.. and none have made the heads of my other bandmates turn like the Aeros have. I'm a professional freelance musician in Toronto and I do a lot of playing every week. Recently I've had a surplus of positive comments regarding my tone from sound guys, other musicians, DJs and studio engineers. I even had a guy offer me cash on the spot for my bass - that's never happened before!!! I don't use anything super fancy for gear either - I have a GKMB800 head and a Traynor 410 cab. I put the 5 string JB pups in a Fender Elite, the 4 strings JB pups in a Squier Vintage Modified and the P bass pickup in a Fender 73 P Bass.
When I first called AERO to get a bit of info I was pleasantly surprised that Larry himself answered the phone! We had a great chat about pickups, the music industry/music in general, basses, amplifiers, the weather in Hawaii and even went on a tangent and arrived at sumo wrestling lmao! All my technical questions were answered and I learnt tons throughout the conversation. I could tell on the phone that he really knew what he was talking about and was also equal amounts passionate about the subject. Unfortunately this is why he has very little time/capability to market on social media, ramp up his online presence, got to NAMM and network, give away freebies, etc.. Also a heads up - DON'T let the early 90s look of his website dissuade you!! Larry will actually have you measure your specific bass out to ensure that the pole pieces line up perfectly with the strings. Even with standard instrument manufacturers there are fluctuations in spacing within the same model so he'll build to YOUR bass. With other pickup manufacturers it always worked out that one or more strings weren't perfectly centered between the pole pieces and I just chalked this up to being the norm. The crazy thing is that this is actually THE NORM and the lack of attention to detail impacts your tone in a huge way! It's not very cost effective for companies to custom build a pup every time they receive an order but AERO DOES while keeping their prices at competitive rates!!
If you're still in doubt call the shop like I did and you'll see what I'm talking about! For the most part we've all probably spent a ton of $$$ on gear already (cuz we're on TB right?! haha) so I'm telling you this was one of the best investments I've ever made. The benefits far outweigh the cost!!
Here are the basses - I plan on taking out the pre in the V and going full passive cuz the Squier and P sound so dam good on their own!!
In short - the pickups are everything I hoped for them to be! The Pe Bass and JB pups still make my basses sound like the Fenders they are BUT with an incredible clarity, bottom end, snarl and bite that I have't heard out of them before. I pretty much still hear everything that is characteristic about a good Fender but now it's on steroids WITHOUT having to use a preamp or anything else!! I know this is old news if you've read the whole thread but hearing in person is really believing and I can't recommend these pups enough!!
I've gone through my fair share of trying pickups including EMG, Bartolinis, Fenders, Nordstrands, DiMarzios, etc.. and none have made the heads of my other bandmates turn like the Aeros have. I'm a professional freelance musician in Toronto and I do a lot of playing every week. Recently I've had a surplus of positive comments regarding my tone from sound guys, other musicians, DJs and studio engineers. I even had a guy offer me cash on the spot for my bass - that's never happened before!!! I don't use anything super fancy for gear either - I have a GKMB800 head and a Traynor 410 cab. I put the 5 string JB pups in a Fender Elite, the 4 strings JB pups in a Squier Vintage Modified and the P bass pickup in a Fender 73 P Bass.
When I first called AERO to get a bit of info I was pleasantly surprised that Larry himself answered the phone! We had a great chat about pickups, the music industry/music in general, basses, amplifiers, the weather in Hawaii and even went on a tangent and arrived at sumo wrestling lmao! All my technical questions were answered and I learnt tons throughout the conversation. I could tell on the phone that he really knew what he was talking about and was also equal amounts passionate about the subject. Unfortunately this is why he has very little time/capability to market on social media, ramp up his online presence, got to NAMM and network, give away freebies, etc.. Also a heads up - DON'T let the early 90s look of his website dissuade you!! Larry will actually have you measure your specific bass out to ensure that the pole pieces line up perfectly with the strings. Even with standard instrument manufacturers there are fluctuations in spacing within the same model so he'll build to YOUR bass. With other pickup manufacturers it always worked out that one or more strings weren't perfectly centered between the pole pieces and I just chalked this up to being the norm. The crazy thing is that this is actually THE NORM and the lack of attention to detail impacts your tone in a huge way! It's not very cost effective for companies to custom build a pup every time they receive an order but AERO DOES while keeping their prices at competitive rates!!
If you're still in doubt call the shop like I did and you'll see what I'm talking about! For the most part we've all probably spent a ton of $$$ on gear already (cuz we're on TB right?! haha) so I'm telling you this was one of the best investments I've ever made. The benefits far outweigh the cost!!
Here are the basses - I plan on taking out the pre in the V and going full passive cuz the Squier and P sound so dam good on their own!!
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So after doing a bunch of research, hearing sound clips and reading this thread I decided to go all in with the Aeros. I ordered a JB 5 Type 1 std set, a JB4 Type 1 std set and a Pe Bass 4 Type 1 std. I also installed the recommended pots and tone caps!
In short - the pickups are everything I hoped for them to be! The Pe Bass and JB pups still make my basses sound like the Fenders they are BUT with an incredible clarity, bottom end, snarl and bite that I have't heard out of them before. I pretty much still hear everything that is characteristic about a good Fender but now it's on steroids WITHOUT having to use a preamp or anything else!! I know this is old news if you've read the whole thread but hearing in person is really believing and I can't recommend these pups enough!!
I've gone through my fair share of trying pickups including EMG, Bartolinis, Fenders, Nordstrands, DiMarzios, etc.. and none have made the heads of my other bandmates turn like the Aeros have. I'm a professional freelance musician in Toronto and I do a lot of playing every week. Recently I've had a surplus of positive comments regarding my tone from sound guys, other musicians, DJs and studio engineers. These pups are the real deal. I even had a guy offer me cash on the spot for my bass - that's never happened before!!! I don't use anything super fancy for gear either - I have a GKMB800 head and a Traynor 410 cab. I put the 5 string JB pups in a Fender Elite, the 4 strings JB pups in a Squier Vintage Modified and the P bass pickup in a Fender 73 P Bass.
When I first called AERO to get a bit of info I was pleasantly surprised that Larry himself answered the phone! We had a great chat about pickups, the music industry/music in general, basses, amplifiers, the weather in Hawaii and even went on a tangent and arrived at sumo wrestling lmao! All my technical questions were answered and I learnt tons throughout the conversation. I could tell on the phone that he really knew what he was talking about and was also equal amounts passionate about the subject. Unfortunately this is why he has very little time/capability to market on social media, ramp up his online presence, got to NAMM and network, give away freebies, etc.. Also a heads up - DON'T let the early 90s look of his website dissuade you!! Larry will actually have you measure your specific bass out to ensure that the pole pieces line up perfectly with the strings. Even with standard instrument manufacturers there are fluctuations in spacing within the same model so he'll build to YOUR bass. With other pickup manufacturers it always worked out that one or more strings weren't perfectly centered between the pole pieces and I just chalked this up to being the norm. The crazy thing is that this is actually THE NORM and the lack of attention to detail impacts your tone in a huge way! It's not very cost effective for companies to custom build a pup every time they receive an order but AERO does and maintains very competitive pricing!!
If you're still in doubt call him like I did and you'll see what I'm talking about! For the most part we've all probably spent a lot of $$$ on gear already (cuz we're on TB right?! haha) so I'm telling you this was one of the best investments I've ever made. The benefits far outweigh the cost!!
Here are the basses - I plan on taking out the pre in the V and going full passive cuz the Squier sounds so dam good on its own!!
View attachment 3312255
Great writeup of your experience, thanks for sharing so eloquently - it's definitely how my experience(s) have been speaking with Larry as well as how all of my Aero installs have gone. Super happy with them!
If anyone else has ordered some, please share your experiences!
I am budgeting for a set. I am in somewhat of a predicament as I only have two basses and I play in two bands with two different tunings. I'm pretty sure this is going to require a new bass
I am budgeting for a set. I am in somewhat of a predicament as I only have two basses and I play in two bands with two different tunings. I'm pretty sure this is going to require a new bass
Haha or just two sets of Aeros.
Ultimately yes but, with two active bands and only two basses, finding a window of opportunity to install them and make sure there are no issues (with the install NOT with the pickups) would be a serious challenge. I think the pragmatic approach is to buy another bass first, then replace pickups on one of the basses, then buy two more sets of pickups and convert the entire stable . . . . then there remains the requisite new case, bass stands, straps, ect . .. . . This is a heavy decision - albeit all but foregone. Yes, yes. Aero pickups will require a new bass and then two more sets of pickups.
I just spent a few hours playing my Lakland DJ4 with the Aero pups + John East preamp through a new set up (Quilter BB800>Epifani UL 212). I've had this bass for about 13 years (bought it from The Dude). I started playing through the East for a long time and heard subtleties out of the pre I've never heard before (probably due to the new rig).
Then I went passive and, whoa, I have never heard them sound so present, articulate and *loud*! I am just so impressed. Now I see why some folks have taken out the East pre and gone passive. In fact, I'm so impressed that I am considering taking the Alembic Series I out of my Pbass and installing the passive Aero Pbass replacement. I've always been a little put off but how 'sterile' the Alembics sound. I mean, the Series I package is amazing, but would like a bit more grunt and warmth.
Can someone say something about the Aero Pbass pups?
Then I went passive and, whoa, I have never heard them sound so present, articulate and *loud*! I am just so impressed. Now I see why some folks have taken out the East pre and gone passive. In fact, I'm so impressed that I am considering taking the Alembic Series I out of my Pbass and installing the passive Aero Pbass replacement. I've always been a little put off but how 'sterile' the Alembics sound. I mean, the Series I package is amazing, but would like a bit more grunt and warmth.
Can someone say something about the Aero Pbass pups?
Thanks for sharing! The catalyst for my interest in Aeros was a Lakland DJ4 with the Aero type 1's, they are amazing as you know but recently dropped a fresh Type 1 P pup (with a custom harness from Larry @ Aero) into a Precision body with an aluminum neck and was absolutely blown away. I've never heard a pickup (active or passive) sound so present and powerful and clear. Very, very, very pleasantly surprised. If you go that route you will not be disappointed I assure you.
- May 20, 2000
- 3,199
- 1,903
- 4,581
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Spector, Dingwall, Tech 21 NYC, Darkglass
I think I posted this before but these are the two rigs I've now loaded with Aero type 1's
- May 20, 2000
- 3,199
- 1,903
- 4,581
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Spector, Dingwall, Tech 21 NYC, Darkglass
Interesting. I'm beginning to notice more & more people saying they have stopped using their on board preamps,
because they prefer the sound in passive mode. I have used numerous on board pre amps for many years but always end up switching them off & going passive. To my ears, I have yet to hear any benefit whatsoever over & above what my main amp EQ can achieve. IMO, they are an interesting gimmick & toy, which colors the sound & finer subtleties of good pickups & strings. They are a waste of money, which could be better spent on other parts of the signal chain. If you are not happy with the sound you are getting it's probably your amp, speakers,pickups
or strings. I'm sorry to say this, as I sincerely do not wish to offend anyone who is of a sensitive nature but that
is what I hear & I also understand , that others can disagree.