Yamaha jazz hollow body

[Tom D]

What is a 1960's era(?) S101/ EHL24 Yamaha worth? This instrument has a tight-grained spruce top, maple back and sides, twin Humbuckers. Physical condition of neck/ body is good; tuners are worn; bridge seems original (adjustable compensation from white plastic inserts). I don't know where to look for the serial number, which might confirm its year of manufacture--any clues or estimates are welcome.

[VintAxe]

Hi Tom,

I think we have got to start by figuring out what you have. As far as I know, Yamaha hollowbody guitars of the 1960's were either SA (335 style) or AE (jazzbox) series.

Since I wasn't familiar with the model number you suggest, I did a quick google search and turned up this fella:


This is a jazzbox but certainly not your guitar.

If you have a Yamaha Jazzbox from the 1960's it is most certainly an AE series instrument. Can you help us with a picture or a link to a guitar that looks like yours so we can get a positive ID?

[Tom D]

Yes,
The instrument is styled like the pictured AE style (full hollow body, not a semi-hollow body like the ES-335 "B.B. King" kind). Any clues about the location of a serial number on these Yamahas?

[sneakypete]

if you haven`t found a serial in the obvious places there probably isn`t one...it`s very difficult finding accurate data on 1960s Yamahas...I own a bunch of their Dynamic acoustics and evidently they didn`t keep very good records of what they were building.

Have you looked here?

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/product/guitar/eg/database/

[Tom D]

thank you, Sneaky--
I can't translate the Japanese but it looks like the instrument in question is definitely an AE-18. the dates 1972-76 appear in the description, and it would be a good guess that this is the range of manufacture.
Do you have any idea what these guitars are worth in dollars? (My yen conversion is non functional!)
Tom D.

[VintAxe]

Hey Tom,

If you have an AE-18, the 2007 VG Price Guide estimates value between $800-$1,100.

The AE-18 has gold hardware and upgraded inlays. If your guitar doesn't have these upgrades it is likely an AE-12. The value on these AE models is roughly the same regardless. sb

[sneakypete]

OK...heres what they say about the 18...
translating software sometimes comes up jibberish...but this may help some.
AE-18
発売当時の価格

\120,000
マイク ＝ 高性能ハムバッキングマイク×2
胴 ＝ スプルース
棹 ＝ カエデ
指板 ＝ 黒檀(20フレット)
糸巻 ＝ ヤマハ特製ダイカスト
重量 ＝ 3.4kg
色 ＝ ナチュラル、サンバースト
ハードウェア ＝ ゴールド仕上げ

AE-18
Price at sale this time

\120,000
Mike = efficient ham backing mike × two
trunks = Splus
pole = maple
fingerplate = ebony (20 Fred)
spool = Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
specially-made die cast
weight =
Color = natural and sunburst
hardware = Gold finish of 3.4kg

It sells it until about 1976 the sale December, 1972.


1972年12月発売　1976年頃まで販売