In the Guild serial number charts, I never see "AE" designated except for 1980s SB201-SB202 guitars, but I know '60s AE guitars exist. What did AE mean in the '60s?
Also, I have seen the word "amber" on these '60s labels....was that a ref to a special finish?
Yes, on the label that refers to the finish color, sort of a honey color, resembles a "natural" finish after it's aged and darkened, even reddened up a little bit, like my D25. I like it a lot.
"F212-XL, 1966-70ish"
Also '66 F-412 Special, so it's not tied to a model.
If you mean the finish color, correct, it was used on various models at various times.
EDIT: Just realized you may have meant the "AE" prefix, and yes obviously re-used on different models at different times, but in general the "alpha" prefixes only applied to a given model in a given period.
What's the source of the 212XL reference? I'm just looking at an old list, I guess.
The F212"XL" was based on the
17" lower bout jumbo body, the F50 outline. The F212 was based on the
16" lower bout "jumbo" F47 of 1964.