The SE 300 was one of the guitars launched in the 1985 catalogue and is featured on the first models English pages.
This page will detail the rest of the 300s, which are the SE 312, 312M, 350 and 350H. As far as I can ascertain all
models are made in Taiwan. There are no Session equivalents in fact nothing below a 500 appears in Japanese catalogues.
The 312 and the 312M are the same model the M just indicates a Maple fretboard other differences see specs.
Specifications
Body Basswood
Neck Mahogany but Maple on the M
Fretboard Bubingha, Maple on the M 648mm scale 350mm radius
Headstock Matching Plain on the M 1 bar Yamaha SE312 or 312M written on
Tuners Standard Diecast
Pickups "Ferrite" Ceramics 2 single coils 1 humbucker
Controls 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch plus coil tap
Nut 41mms locking
Hardware Chrome
Bridge RMX ii
Pickguard 3 ply black
Colours Black, Red, White M also available in Gun Metal Blue
Years available 1987 then the M in 1988
Specifications
Body Camnosperma
Neck Nato
Fretboard Bubingha
Headstock Matching 1 bar Yamaha SE350 written on
Tuners Standard Diecast
Pickups Black uncovered "Ferrite" Ceramics 2 single coils 1 humbucker, just 2 Humbuckers on the H
Controls 1 volume 1 tone plus coil tap 5 way switch 3 way on the H
Nut 41mms locking
Hardware Chrome
Bridge RMX ii
Pickguard None
Colours Black, Red, Pearl White or Sea Green
Years available 1989
I only discovered that this model existed in March 2021 and have as yet found out very little about it.
It probably belongs in the First models English section with the SE300 and it would seem to have similar specs.
The main difference is the Electronics the H being a double Humbucker configuration with push pull* coil split. So:
Body Nato
Neck Nato with a Rosewood board 21 Frets
Matching Headstock with Yamaha and Model Number single string tree
Tuners Yamaha Diecast
Pickups HH with coil split no details but probably Alnico
Bridge 6 point Trem unit
Controls 1 Volume 1 Tone 3 way switch
Colours at least Red, Blue Burst, Flip Flop Pink and White.
I have also seen one that looks Orange but could be a red in different light
Update April 2022
A note from Steve Lopez of Columbus Ohio
Hi Bill, just came across your website with info on Yamaha guitars. Also saw you had posted on a forum somewhere
asking for more info about the SE300H. I own one of these. I bought it new in 1986, with the white finish. It is a very
good playing guitar. Holds tune well and the neck is excellent. Two small details: first, the coil split is push-push,
not push-pull. Nice actually, you just smack it to switch it. And second, mine has two string trees, not one. Other than
that, I think you got all the details right.
Not sure why Steve's should have an extra string tree but there it is.
