Yamaha AE-11 (1970s, Japan)

Yamaha AE-11 (1970s, Japan) – Flagship Hollowbody Jazz Model
 
The Yamaha AE-11 was the company’s flagship archtop in the 1970s, and this Japanese-made example shows exactly why. These models were built in smaller numbers compared to later Yamaha archtops, which makes surviving examples in good condition increasingly hard to find. 
 
With its fully hollow maple/spruce construction and cutaway design, it captures the feel and elegance of a Gibson ES-175 — warm, open, and perfectly suited to jazz, blues, and classic clean tones.
 
Key Features & Specs
Construction: Fully hollowbody
Top: Laminated spruce
Body: Laminated maple, double-bound
Neck: One-piece maple, set-in
Fingerboard: Rosewood with block inlays
Pickups: Yamaha PAF-style humbuckers (Black covers on silver surrounds)
Controls: 2 × Volume, 2 × Tone, 3-way switch (white tip)
Hardware: Chrome
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic on rosewood base with trapeze tailpiece
Pickguard: Black/white, 2-screw
Nut Width: 43 mm
Weight: 2.8kg
Finish: Natural 
 
Missing the wood plate in the tailpiece. Plenty of love marks over the years. The neck is straight & the truss works well.
 
This AE-11 is a great example of Yamaha’s early high-end archtop work — resonant, light, and beautifully balanced. The neck feels comfortable and stable, and the flatwounds bring out exactly the warm, mellow character this guitar was built for.
The AE-11 remains one of the best-value vintage MIJ hollowbodies on the market today.
Includes a setup before sale — ready to play.
 
At Guitar Garage, our focus is to refurbish and restore all guitars to the highest standard. Low action and playability are important to us. Our philosophy is "A guitar that plays well, sells well.”