1999 Yamaha AEX 520 Semihollow Electric Guitar

September 20, 2024

1999 Yamaha AEX 520 Semihollow Electric Guitar

Overview: I've worked on a number of these AEX guitars from the late '90s and early '00s and have found them to be comfortable, simple, practical guitars that are built to a good price point for what they deliver. I mean -- that's sort-of the Yamaha thing, though, isn't it? These have Fendery-feeling bolt-on necks mated to semihollow bodies and so they're a bit like a better-made version of what Japanese factories were trying to put-out in the early '70s for the American market.

Tone: This one has mini-humbuckers and so its sound is clean, forward, and balanced with a sweetened top end. The buckers will certainly drive an amp if desired but will also do a nice, jazzy-sort-of thing. One could use this anywhere you might stick an ES-335 sound but want the low-end to be more defined.

Feel: The neck feels a lot like your average Fender Mexico "standard series" neck save that the board radius is a little shallower.

Interesting features: The tobacco sunburst look over the flamed maple veneer of the top is classy and its looks follow Gibson-like aesthetics with gold/amber knobs and a 3-way on the upper bout. The simplified master volume/tone control layout is "music to my ears" as I find the 4-knob, Gibson configuration on guitars like this much more frustrating to use.

Repairs included: It's had a good setup by Jose and it's playing spot-on and ready to go.