Yamaha AEX500 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar, (Used)

The Yamaha AEX500 is a distinctive semi-hollow electric guitar designed for players who want warm amplified tone, comfortable handling and a characterful alternative to more common solid body guitars. With its compact body shape, elegant styling and versatile voice, the AEX500 is a strong choice for blues, jazz, indie, alternative, classic rock, soul and expressive clean or lightly driven playing.

This pre-owned Yamaha AEX500 is listed in Fair condition, meaning it shows heavier cosmetic wear from previous use but remains fully functional and ready to play. It is ideal for players who want a practical, affordable and characterful Yamaha semi-hollow with visible signs of use.

The AEX500 offers a smooth, open response with enough warmth for chord work and enough clarity for melodic lead lines. It is a great option for players looking for a more individual electric guitar that can sit comfortably in home, studio, rehearsal and live settings.

Condition Overview

Fair Condition

This Yamaha AEX500 is in Fair condition. This means it shows heavier cosmetic wear from previous use, but remains fully functional and ready to play.

Fair condition is ideal for players who want a reliable pre-owned guitar at strong value and are happy with more visible signs of previous ownership.

What’s Included?

✔ Yamaha AEX500 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Gigbag Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar shows heavier cosmetic wear such as visible marks, scratches, dents, surface wear or general signs of regular use.

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

Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment

This pre-owned Yamaha AEX500 has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Electronics tested
• Pickups checked
• Pickup selector tested
• Volume and tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Frets inspected
• Tuners checked
• Bridge checked
• Tailpiece checked
• Neck relief assessed
• General playability assessed

Service / Setup Work

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

This Yamaha AEX500 has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Hardware checked
• Bridge setup 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 Yamaha AEX500?

Distinctive Yamaha Semi-Hollow Character

The Yamaha AEX500 offers a more individual take on the semi-hollow electric guitar. It has a warm, open sound that works well for expressive playing, while retaining the reliability and practical design approach Yamaha is known for.

Great For Clean And Lightly Driven Tones

Semi-hollow guitars are excellent for players who want warmth, resonance and dynamic response. The AEX500 works especially well for clean rhythm parts, blues leads, jazz-inspired chord work and edge-of-breakup sounds.

Comfortable Body Shape

The AEX500 has a compact and manageable feel, making it comfortable for seated playing, standing performance and longer practice sessions. It gives players semi-hollow character without feeling oversized or awkward.

Strong Alternative To Common Electric Guitars

For players who want something different from a Strat, Tele, Les Paul or ES-style guitar, the AEX500 offers a more unusual Yamaha identity. It is a good choice for musicians who want a guitar with personality rather than a standard design.

Excellent Value For Players

Because this example is listed in Fair condition, it offers strong value for players who care more about sound, feel and function than perfect cosmetic appearance. It is a practical option for regular playing, rehearsal and studio use.

Reliable Everyday Instrument

Yamaha guitars are widely respected for dependable construction and consistent usability. The AEX500 continues that reputation with a playable, musical design that suits a wide range of players and styles.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Yamaha AEX500 vs Ibanez Artcore Models

Ibanez Artcore guitars are popular semi-hollow and hollowbody options with strong value and broad availability. The Yamaha AEX500 offers a more unusual identity and will appeal to players who want something less common with Yamaha character.

Yamaha AEX500 vs Epiphone ES-335

The Epiphone ES-335 follows a more traditional semi-hollow format. The Yamaha AEX500 feels more individual and compact, making it a good choice for players who want semi-hollow warmth without the familiar full-size ES-style approach.

Yamaha AEX500 vs Yamaha SA Series

Yamaha SA models are larger semi-hollow guitars with a more traditional double-cut identity. The AEX500 has a more compact and distinctive design, making it better suited to players who want something slightly different from the classic semi-hollow formula.

Yamaha AEX500 vs Solid Body Electric Guitars

A solid body guitar usually sounds tighter and more focused. The AEX500 offers more warmth and resonance, making it better for players who want a more open and characterful electric sound.

Who Is It For?

Beginner Players

The Yamaha AEX500 can suit a beginner who wants a comfortable electric guitar with a warmer sound than many standard solid bodies. Its fair condition makes it a practical choice for players who want value over cosmetic perfection.

Intermediate Players

Intermediate players will appreciate the AEX500 as a distinctive semi-hollow for practice, rehearsals, recording and live use. It offers a more characterful voice than many entry-level solid body guitars.

Professional Players

Professional players can use the AEX500 as a studio texture guitar, backup instrument or characterful live option. Its Yamaha reliability and semi-hollow response make it useful for players who want something outside the usual choices.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This Yamaha AEX500 is well suited to:

• Blues
• Jazz
• Indie
• Alternative
• Soul
• Classic rock
• Pop
• Worship music
• Clean rhythm playing
• Warm lead tones
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Songwriting
• Players wanting a distinctive Yamaha semi-hollow

Why Choose A Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar?

A semi-hollow electric guitar gives players a useful balance of warmth, resonance and control. Compared with a solid body guitar, it has more air and openness in the sound. Compared with a fully hollow guitar, it is easier to manage at higher volume and with light drive.

This makes semi-hollow guitars a great choice for players who want expressive clean tones, rounded chords and smooth overdriven sounds. They can sit beautifully in a mix, work well with pedals and cover a wide range of styles from blues and jazz to indie, soul and alternative music.

The Yamaha AEX500 gives players that semi-hollow appeal in a distinctive Yamaha design, making it a strong choice for anyone who wants a guitar with warmth, character and individuality.

Looking for advice on choosing the right semi-hollow electric, Yamaha guitar or pre-owned instrument? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Yamaha AEX Series

The Yamaha AEX Series was created for players who wanted a more distinctive electric guitar design with semi-hollow character and Yamaha build quality. These instruments sit outside the more familiar Strat, Tele and ES-style categories, giving players something with its own personality.

The AEX500 is a great example of Yamaha’s ability to create practical, reliable instruments with a unique identity. It offers warm electric tones, comfortable handling and a design that feels different from the usual options.

For players who enjoy guitars with a slightly left-field character, the Yamaha AEX500 is a highly appealing pre-owned choice.

Technical Specifications

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.

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

Is the Yamaha AEX500 suitable for blues?

Yes. Its warm semi-hollow response and expressive amplified character make it well suited to blues, roots and lightly driven playing.

What styles does the Yamaha AEX500 suit?

It works well for blues, jazz, indie, alternative, soul, classic rock, pop and clean rhythm playing.

How does a semi-hollow guitar differ from a solid body?

A semi-hollow guitar has more acoustic resonance and warmth, while a solid body usually sounds tighter and more focused.

Is this guitar suitable for recording?

Yes. Its semi-hollow character makes it useful for recording warm rhythm parts, clean textures and expressive lead lines.

Can it handle overdrive?

Yes. The AEX500 works well with light to medium overdrive for blues, rock, indie and roots-style sounds.

Is Fair condition still playable?

Yes. Fair condition means heavier cosmetic wear is present, but the guitar remains fully functional and ready to play.

Is this a good choice for players wanting something unusual?

Yes. The AEX500 is a distinctive Yamaha design and offers a more individual alternative to common solid body and ES-style guitars.

Does it work well with pedals?

Yes. It works well with overdrive, boost, compression, delay, reverb, chorus and tremolo pedals.

Is this suitable for live performance?

Yes. The AEX500 can be used for live performance, especially in blues, jazz, indie, soul and alternative settings.

Can I try this guitar in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Yamaha guitars, semi-hollow electrics and pre-owned instruments.