This entire section of my web site is written by Peter AKA Buzzard of the Yamaha forum. I have with his permission copied his work and posted it on my website with only minor additions from me. All credit goes to Peter many thanks.
The Yamaha AEX500 was a hybrid acoustic/jazz guitar that could deliver both acoustic and electric tones via a
mini-humbucker/piezo-electric pickup combination.
AEX500 Pickups and Controls:
The AEX500 incorporates the same pickup and control system found in Yamaha's APX line.
The balance between the high quality piezoelectric pickup, mounted in the bridge,
and the magnetic pickup offers sound that is nothing less than superb.
A 3-band graphic EQ provides extended tonal control right at the playing position.
Production of the Yamaha AEX 500 began in 1998 and ended in 2000, made in Taiwan.
Construction: Bolt-on neck
Scale length: 24-3/4" (628.8mm)
Fretboard: Rosewood
Radius: 13-3/4" (350mm)
Frets: 20
Body: Alder Spruce Top/Alder Back
Bridge: Fixed rosewood bridge
Pickups: Alnico mini Humbucker + Piezo Bridge Pickup (Active Pickups)
Controls: Master Volume, 3-band EQ for Piezo, Humbucker/Piezo Balancer
Colours: Black, Brown Sunburst
Yamaha manufactured the AEX 500N between 1998 and 2003, made in Taiwan.The N indicates Nylon strings.
It is semi-hollow body with a neck width slightly wider than a steel stringed guitar to offer greater
comfort and playability for electric players.
Consruction: Bolt-on
Scale: 24-3/4" (628.8mm)
Fretboard: Rosewood, 350mm (13.75”) radius
Frets: 20
Body: Spruce Top Alder Back
Bridge: Fixed rosewood bridge
Pickup: Active Piezo mounted in bridge
Controls: Master Volume 3 band graphic equaliser
Colours: Black, Natural
Yamaha manufactured the AEX -500N2 as a replacement for the N until about 2007 made in Taiwan. It is hard to see any significant
difference between the N and the N2
Body: Alder with Spruce top
Neck: Bolt-on maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood, 350mm (13.75”) radius
Frets: 20
Scale length: 648mm (25.5”)
Pickup: Piezo in bridge (Active Pickup
Controls: Master volume 3 band graphic equalizer
Bridge: Single-saddle fixed type
Colours: Natural or Black
This is the same as the 500N and N2 in all aspects except it has no F holes and incorporates a tone control.
It was made in Taiwan from 2001 to 2005.
Multi-Cavity Chambered Alder Body
Rosewood Fingerboard 24.75" scale 13.75" radius 20 frets
Gold Tuners
I volume 1 tone
Wood Bridge and Knobs
Yamaha 1-Way Preamp Active Piezo Pickup made by B Band
Amber, Black and Natural Finishes
Made in Taiwan from 1998 to 2000
Specifications:
Construction: Bolt-on
Scale: 24-3/4" (628.6mm)
Fretboard: Rosewood
Radius: 13-3/4" (350mm)
Frets: 22
Hardware: Gold
Body: Figured Maple veneer top Alder Back
Bridge: T-O-M Bridge
Pickups: 2 Alnico Single Coil P90 style
Pickup switch: 3-Position
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Colours: Black, Orange Stain, Brown Sunburst
Made in Taiwan from 1998 to 2000.
Specifications:
Neck: Maple Bolt-on
Scale: 24-3/4" (628.6mm)
Fretboard: Rosewood Radius: 13-3/4" (350mm) 22 frets
Nut: 43mms
Body: Semi hollow Alder body with Maple Veneer top
Bridge: T-O-M Bridge
Pickups: 2 Alnico mini Humbuckers
Pickup switch: 3-Position
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Weight 3.5kgs
Colours: Black, Orange Stain, Brown Sunburst
The top of the range model and the only one Made in Japan. Produced from around 1995 to 2011.
Neck: Maple set
Scale: 25-1/4" (640mm)
Fretboard: Ebony 20 jumbo frets 13.75" radius
Body: Hollow Figured Maple or Laminated Satin Sycamore body with arched Sycamore top
Bridge: Bone + Ebony with gold ornate trapeze tailpiece
Pickups: Mini Humbucker + Piezo Pickup on Bridge (active pickups)
Pickup switch: 3-Position
Controls: Master Volume, Humbucker Tone, Piezo EQ
Colours: Antique Stain, Faded Burst, Natural
Update May 2019
I wrote to Martyn Booth with a query about the MSG in his reply he gave me some information about the AEX1500
here it is. The "there" he refers to is Mount Avenue, Bletchley
The AEX1500 also started life there after I had a meeting with Martin Taylor
to discuss the specification he wanted. I had the idea of mixing a piezo
system in the bridge with a Johnny Smith style magnetic pickup which he
liked and subsequently used on the "Nicole/Papa" Renault Clio adverts of the
time. Basic design work was then sent to Jackie Minacucchi in Japan and was
finally completed after I had left the company.
