Noah Babcock of Loomis & The Lust plays a Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass. The band have a new ep, Space Camp, out and are gearing up for shows in September. For those of us who know not of basses, what exactly is the difference between an Aerodyne and a regular Jazz bass, Babcock shed some light.

“For one, the Aerodyne Jazz bass has an added P-bass pick-up, sort of like a P-bass Special, but with a Jazz bass body. It is also considerably lighter than your average Jazz bass,” he says. “As icing on the cake, it's entirely black: black body, black headstock, no dots on the neck, and even the hardware has a smoked color to it-- face it, everything is cooler looking in black!”

One of the things that was a big selling point on the Aerodyne was its light weight, and the sound.

“Fender has always delivered the sound I need, and now I won't be destroying my back every time I rock the hell out!!!!” says Babcock.

Babcock has played other basses.

“I've had both a Jazz bass and a Precision bass, and I could never make up my mind as to which I should bring to gigs! With the Aerodyne, I get 'em both in one handsome package.” says Babcock.

As to problems with the bass Babcock only had one.

“Yes, some rat stole my first one while we were in Portland. I've replaced it since, but if I ever find that SOB…” he says, ominously trailing off.

What sort of bassist is going to appreciate the Aerodyne?

“Geez--Everyone, Jack. I use the P-bass pickup for a country song that we do, and then turn up the jazz pickup when we're getting funky,” he says. “The tone can handle it all, but if looks are what you're going for, it might fit better playing some good old fashioned thrash. Then again, here I am playing rock n roll, and I think it looks just fine!”

He plays the bass through an Aquilar DB 750 head and Ampeg 410 cabinets.

“The Aguilar head is a tank, when you're a touring band this aspect really helps out (baby took a nose dive off an 8x10 once and got a dinky little dent in it, the thing didn't miss a beat!!!). The sound is just to die for and it's loud enough to make any guitarist's full stack sound like a practice amp,” says Babcock. “The Ampeg 410 is awesome, you can take it to any gig and it'll hold up its end. I wanted an 8x10, but those things are heavy as shit and we don't have roadies!”

Check out the band’s ep and keep an eye out for them on tour.