1986 Yamaha AE-1200 Hollow Body Electric Guitar, (Used, Comm)

The 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 is a high-quality Japanese hollow body electric guitar from one of Yamaha’s respected vintage archtop ranges. Built for players who want smooth hollow body resonance, premium old-school styling and versatile humbucker tones, the AE-1200 is a distinctive alternative to more common ES-style and jazz-box instruments.

This pre-owned example has been modified with Seymour Duncan pickups, giving it an upgraded voice with stronger modern usability while retaining the character of the original Yamaha hollow body platform.

Listed in Good condition, this guitar shows noticeable signs of previous use but remains fully functional and ready to play. Supplied with a hardcase, it is a strong choice for jazz, blues, soul, classic rock, studio work and players looking for a characterful vintage Japanese guitar.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Yamaha
Model	AE-1200
Year	1986
Type	Hollow Body Electric Guitar
Country of Manufacture	Japan
Pickup Modification	Seymour Duncan Pickups Installed
Pickup Configuration	Dual-Pickup Layout
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Selector
Condition	Pre-Owned, Good Condition
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Vintage Japanese Yamaha hollow body with upgraded Seymour Duncan pickups
Best For	Jazz, blues, soul, classic rock, roots, studio recording and live performance

Condition Overview

Good Condition

This 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 is in Good condition. This means it shows noticeable signs of previous use, which may include visible marks, scratches, small dings, finish wear, hardware ageing or general cosmetic wear.

Good condition is ideal for players who want a usable vintage instrument with real playing character rather than a cleaner collector-grade example.

What’s Included?

✔ 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 Hollow Body Electric Guitar
✔ Seymour Duncan Pickups Installed
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar shows noticeable signs of previous use, which may include visible marks, scratches, small dings, light finish wear, hardware ageing or general cosmetic wear consistent with Good condition.

This example has been modified with Seymour Duncan pickups. This is a desirable tonal upgrade for many players, but it means the guitar should not be described as fully original factory specification.

No faults or repairs have been supplied for this listing. The guitar has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Electronics tested
• Seymour Duncan pickups checked
• 3-way pickup selector tested
• Volume controls checked
• Tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Frets inspected
• Fingerboard checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Tuners checked
• Bridge checked
• Tailpiece checked
• Hardware inspected
• Hollow body checked for visible structural concerns
• General playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

This 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Seymour Duncan pickup output checked
• Hardware checked
• Bridge setup checked
• Intonation checked
• General playability checked

Please note that guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.

Why Choose The 1986 Yamaha AE-1200?

Vintage Japanese Yamaha Craftsmanship

Yamaha’s Japanese-made electric guitars from this period are highly respected for their build quality, stability and attention to detail. The AE-1200 offers a more refined hollow body experience than many entry-level vintage alternatives.

Classic Hollow Body Character

The AE-1200 is built for warmth, resonance and expressive response. It is ideal for players who want a guitar with more acoustic depth and air than a solid body electric.

Seymour Duncan Pickup Upgrade

The installed Seymour Duncan pickups give this guitar an upgraded amplified voice. Seymour Duncan pickups are widely used by players seeking improved clarity, output, warmth or definition, depending on the specific pickup model installed.

Excellent For Clean And Overdriven Sounds

This guitar is well suited to clean jazz tones, warm blues leads, smooth rhythm parts and tasteful overdrive. The hollow body design gives the notes a natural bloom, while the pickup upgrade adds stronger plugged-in performance.

Traditional Control Layout

The 2-volume, 2-tone and 3-way selector layout gives familiar control over neck, bridge and blended pickup sounds. It is easy to dial in warm neck tones, brighter bridge tones and balanced middle-position sounds.

A Distinctive Alternative To Common Semi-Hollows

Players looking beyond the usual Gibson ES-335, Epiphone Casino or Gretsch hollow body options may find the AE-1200 especially appealing. It has its own Yamaha identity and vintage Japanese character.

Hardcase Included

The included hardcase provides proper protection for storage, transport, rehearsals and gigs.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Yamaha AE-1200 vs Gibson ES-335

A Gibson ES-335 is a semi-hollow guitar with a centre block and a more solidbody-like response. The Yamaha AE-1200 is better suited to players looking for a hollow body voice with more acoustic air and vintage archtop character.

Yamaha AE-1200 vs Yamaha SA Series

Yamaha SA models are often associated with semi-hollow centre-block construction. The AE-1200 offers a more hollow body-inspired feel, making it a strong choice for players who want a warmer and more open response.

Yamaha AE-1200 vs Gretsch Hollow Body

A Gretsch hollow body usually has a brighter, snappier voice with a distinct Filter’Tron-style character. The AE-1200 with Seymour Duncan pickups offers a different tonal direction, with more traditional humbucker-style warmth and smoothness.

Yamaha AE-1200 vs Ibanez Artcore

An Ibanez Artcore is a modern affordable hollow or semi-hollow option. The 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 offers vintage Japanese build appeal, higher used-market character and a more distinctive older Yamaha identity.

Who Is It For?

Jazz Players

The hollow body construction and warm pickup response make this a strong choice for clean jazz chords, melodic lines and smooth neck-pickup tones.

Blues Guitarists

The Seymour Duncan pickup upgrade gives this guitar useful clarity and expression for blues phrasing, edge-of-breakup tones and dynamic lead work.

Vintage Yamaha Enthusiasts

Players who appreciate older Japanese Yamaha instruments will find plenty to like here, especially because the AE range is less commonly seen than Yamaha’s SG and SA models.

Studio Musicians

The AE-1200 can provide a different texture from a solidbody or semi-hollow guitar, adding warmth, depth and character to recordings.

Players Wanting A Modified Vintage Guitar

This is ideal for players who want a vintage Japanese hollow body with an upgraded pickup set rather than a completely original collector-only example.

Why Choose A Vintage Hollow Body With Seymour Duncan Pickups?

A vintage hollow body electric guitar gives you warmth, resonance and a more open response than many solid body instruments. It reacts strongly to touch, pick attack and amplifier choice, making it a very expressive guitar for clean and low-to-medium gain playing.

The Seymour Duncan pickup modification adds practical modern value. Instead of being limited to the original factory pickup voice, this AE-1200 has been updated with pickups from one of the best-known aftermarket pickup makers. The exact pickup model should be confirmed directly from the guitar, but the upgrade gives this instrument clear player-focused appeal.

For guitarists who want vintage character without sacrificing usable plugged-in tone, this modified Yamaha AE-1200 is a compelling choice.

Looking for advice on choosing the right hollow body electric guitar, vintage Yamaha or pickup-upgraded used instrument? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Yamaha AE-1200

Yamaha’s AE hollow body range has a long history, with AE models appearing from the late 1960s and continuing through several forms into the 1990s. The AE-1200 sat within Yamaha’s more serious hollow body line, offering ornate styling, set-neck construction, dual humbuckers and a traditional archtop-inspired feel.

The AE-1200 family evolved during the 1980s, with later versions moving into AE-1200S territory and adding different colours and specification changes. A 1986 example sits in this interesting transition period, making direct inspection important when confirming exact factory specification.

This example has been further modified with Seymour Duncan pickups, giving it a stronger player-focused identity while retaining the charm of a vintage Japanese Yamaha hollow body.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Hollow Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Yamaha
Model	AE-1200
Year	1986
Country of Manufacture	Japan
Body Style	Hollow Body / Archtop Electric
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Pickup Configuration	Dual-Pickup Layout
Pickups	Seymour Duncan Pickups Installed
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Selector
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic-Style Bridge
Tailpiece	Trapeze-Style Tailpiece
String Configuration	6-String
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Good Condition

Specification Note

This listing is based on the supplied product details and available Yamaha AE-1200 reference information.

Published AE-1200 references describe the model family with hollow body construction, spruce top, beech/birch body construction, set neck, ebony fingerboard, 20 frets, dual humbuckers with coil-tap controls, Tune-O-Matic-style bridge and decorative trapeze tailpiece. Later AE-1200S references mention specification changes around the mid-1980s, including different pickup specification and additional colour options.

This example has been modified with Seymour Duncan pickups, so the pickup specification is not original factory spec. Exact Seymour Duncan pickup models, finish, serial number, weight, fingerboard material, coil-tap function, pickup readings, fret condition and detailed cosmetic marks should be confirmed directly from the guitar before making collector-level claims.

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★☆ 4/5

The 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 modified with Seymour Duncan pickups is a characterful vintage Japanese hollow body for players who want warmth, resonance and upgraded plugged-in tone. It is especially appealing for jazz, blues, soul, studio work and players who want something more individual than a standard semi-hollow guitar.

This Good condition example is best suited to a player who values vintage Yamaha build quality, honest used character and the practical benefit of a Seymour Duncan pickup upgrade.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

What condition is this 1986 Yamaha AE-1200 in?

This guitar is listed in Good condition, meaning it shows noticeable signs of previous use while remaining fully functional.

Does this guitar come with a case?

Yes. This Yamaha AE-1200 comes with a hardcase.

Has this guitar been modified?

Yes. This example has been modified with Seymour Duncan pickups.

Are the pickups original?

No. The supplied details state that Seymour Duncan pickups have been installed, so the pickup set should be treated as a modification from factory specification.

What styles does this Yamaha AE-1200 suit?

It suits jazz, blues, soul, classic rock, roots music, studio recording and live performance.

Is this a hollow body or semi-hollow guitar?

The AE-1200 is best treated as a hollow body / archtop-style electric guitar, rather than a standard centre-block semi-hollow.

Does it require a battery?

No. This is a passive electric guitar and does not require a battery.

Why choose this over a modern semi-hollow?

This guitar offers vintage Japanese Yamaha character, hollow body resonance and an upgraded Seymour Duncan pickup set, making it more distinctive than many modern semi-hollow alternatives.

Is this suitable for gigging?

Yes. It has been checked for playability and functionality, and the included hardcase helps protect it during transport.

Can Fair Deal Music advise on hollow body guitars?

Yes. Our team can help with vintage Yamaha guitars, hollow body electrics, pickup-upgraded instruments and suitable amps or accessories.