Fender Japan Part #12
Fender Aerodyne Series
FENDER JAPAN’S SLEEK CARVED-BODY STRATS
Back in 2004, Fender Japan launched the Aerodyne Series, a new line of instruments characterized by sleek, “aerodynamic” contours and carved bodies.
The first Stratocaster in the series was released for both the Japanese domestic market and international export. The domestic AST-75 (marketed in the U.S. and Europe as the Aerodyne Standard Stratocaster) featured a basswood body with a black finish, cream binding, a matching headstock with a silver Fender logo, and the inscription “Aerodyne Strat” on the ball of the headstock.
It was available in Japan until 2014, but in the U.S. and Europe, it was replaced in 2005 by a new Aerodyne Strat.
Both versions featured a side-mounted jack, but only the domestic AST-75 came with a black pickguard, a feature that was dropped from the export model.
Despite their aggressive look, these guitars were built with a 7.25” vintage-radius fretboard, vintage-style tuners, and a six-screw bridge with bent steel saddles. Fender described the Aerodyne line as a meeting point between past and present, calling them “beautiful combinations of classic and innovative designs that result in very cool and unique guitars.”
In 2006, the Aerodyne Series expanded with the introduction of new Stratocaster models: the Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster, designed for the Western market, and two medium-scale versions—the AST-75MDS and AST-75MDH—both intended for the Japanese market.
The Aerodyne Classic Stratocaster featured a basswood body with a flame maple top and binding. It had a contoured neck plate, a mint green pickguard, and an angled jack socket on top of the guitar, similar to a standard Stratocaster. It was available in Natural, Crimson Red Transparent, and Blue Transparent finishes, all with matching headstocks.
The domestic AST-75MDS and AST-75MDH were medium-scale Stratocasters. The AST-75MDS featured three DiMarzio Full Range Impact DCS-3 ceramic single-coil pickups, while the AST-75MDH was equipped with two DCS-3 single-coils and one DiMarzio Full Range Impact DCH-3 humbucking pickup. Both models differed from the original AST-75 by having a flatter fretboard.
The Aerodyne Special Stratocaster represented the top tier of the Aerodyne series, available exclusively in Japan from 2006 to 2007. Crafted with a two-piece alder body topped with a carved curly maple top, it featured gracefully rounded edges and elegant cream-colored binding. Its premium finishes—Flame Shadow, Flame Red, Flame Blue, and Flame Amber—enhanced its eye-catching appearance. Under the hood, three DiMarzio Heavy Drive DCS-2 pickups with adjustable pole pieces delivered the power and precision expected from such a distinguished instrument.
Following Fender’s direct control of Japanese-made instrument distribution in 2015, numerous new Aerodyne models were introduced. While most were aimed at the domestic market, some also made their way to the USA and Europe as Fender Special Run guitars.
Notable among these were the limited-edition Aerodyne Stratocaster Koa, distinguished by its gold hardware, and the Aerodyne Stratocaster Flame Maple Top, produced in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Other versions followed, including the Aerodyne II Stratocasters and the Aerodyne Special Stratocasters, launched in the second half of 2022.
For a complete and detailed list of all Aerodyne Stratocasters, please visit our Stratocaster Database.
