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    Fender

    Aerodyne Special Stratocaster2023

    The Aerodyne Special Stratocaster is Fender's Japanese-built take on a modern Strat, built for players who want the classic shape with a sharper, more contemporary edge.

    6 mods reviewed: 4 drop-in, 2 need verification.

    Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster guitar

    The Aerodyne Special Stratocaster is Fender's Japanese-built take on a modern Strat, built for players who want the classic shape with a sharper, more contemporary edge. Its basswood body is lighter and brighter sounding than the alder used on most American Strats, and the HSS pickup layout adds humbucker punch alongside the usual Strat chime. The bridge is a Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point tremolo, a different design from a standard Fender 2-point trem with its own height-adjustable saddle system, so it isn't a straightforward swap for standard Fender trem parts. Tuners are Fender's Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking short-post design.

    Quick facts

    Tailpiece

    None (bridge-integrated)

    Neck mounting

    4-bolt

    Scale length

    25.5" (648mm)

    Nut width

    43mm (1.693")

    Not published by Fender: string spacing, tuner hole size and bridge mounting spacing. Measure these before buying tuners or a bridge.

    Watch out

    Uses the Babicz Z-Series FCH 2-Point Trem, a patented full-contact-hardware design distinct from Fender's own 2-point tremolo. String spacing has not been independently confirmed, and generic Fender-spec tremolo parts should not be assumed to fit.

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    Bridge

    1 option
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Babicz FCH Z-Series 2-Point Strat Tremolo (Narrow)

    Needs verification

    Fender lists this exact Babicz bridge as the one fitted at the factory, so this is the like-for-like replacement or finish change. Fender does not publish the post spacing for this Japanese-made guitar, so check that the pivot posts match before ordering.

    Why we say this

    Fender's own spec for this guitar names the stock bridge as the Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point Trem, which is the same product name Babicz sells at retail as the narrow 2-point version (52.5mm string spacing). The name match is exact, but this guitar is made in Japan and Fender does not publish its tremolo post spacing or block dimensions, so it is not confirmed that the factory unit and the retail unit are dimensionally identical. The matching Aerodyne Special Telecaster's Babicz bridge was described as developed jointly with Fender for this line, which is a further reason not to assume the retail part is identical. Narrow version only, the wide 6-screw Z-Series is a different mount.

    Help confirm this fit

    Pickup

    4 options
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    DiMarzio Area Strat Pickup Set

    Likely drop-in
    Soldering

    A hum-cancelling alternative to a traditional single-coil, still fits the stock Strat route. Needs soldering.

    Why we say this

    Stacked-coil noiseless single-coil design, standard Strat route and mounting, no modification needed.

    Fender Custom Shop '69 Strat Pickups Set

    Fender Custom Shop '69 Strat Pickups Set

    Likely drop-in
    Soldering

    Fender's own vintage reissue single-coils. Fits the standard Strat route. Needs soldering.

    Why we say this

    Fender's own late 1960s reissue single-coil set, standard Strat route and mounting for the guitar's two single-coil positions.

    See current price at Amazon

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    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Seymour Duncan JB Jr. SJBJ-1b (Strat, Bridge)

    Likely drop-in
    Soldering

    A real humbucker that still fits the existing single-coil-sized route, no routing needed.

    Why we say this

    A humbucker built into a single-coil-sized housing so it drops into a standard Strat single-coil route with no routing.

    £119.99 at Andertons

    View at Andertons
    Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Vintage Staggered Pickups

    Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Vintage Staggered Pickups

    Likely drop-in
    Soldering

    Fits the standard Strat pickup route. You will need to solder it in, this is not a solderless swap.

    Why we say this

    Standard staggered-pole Strat single-coil, drops into the same route and mounting as the stock pickups.

    £104.99 at Andertons

    View at Andertons

    Tuner

    1 option
    Fender Deluxe Locking Tuners (6-in-line, Staggered)

    Fender Deluxe Locking Tuners (6-in-line, Staggered)

    Needs verification

    Should fit if your tuner holes match the modern 10mm size, but that has not been confirmed on this model. Worth measuring before you buy.

    Why we say this

    Tuner hole size on this specific model has not been independently confirmed.

    Help confirm this fit

    See current price at Amazon

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    This page has 2 open questions

    If you have fitted any of these to this Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster, tell us what you found and we'll update the data.