This Yamaha PB400R in Black is a vintage Japanese-made four-string bass built around the classic split-coil, long-scale bass formula.

Its traditional specification combines a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 34" scale length, 20 frets and a split-coil pickup, with straightforward passive volume and tone controls.

The black finish, black pickguard, chrome hardware and rosewood fingerboard give it an understated vintage appearance, while its 40mm nut width provides a comfortable feel that sits between a traditional Jazz Bass and wider Precision-style neck.

Serial number 124174 identifies this individual Made in Japan example.

Presented in Very Good Condition, it weighs 8.68 lbs and is sold without a case or gigbag.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Yamaha
Model	PB400R
Finish	Black
Country of Manufacture	Japan
Serial Number	124174
Neck	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	34"
Frets	20
Nut Width	Approx. 40mm
Pickup	Split-Coil Bass Pickup
Controls	Volume, Tone
Electronics	Passive
Bridge	Vintage-Style 4-Saddle
Tuners	Open-Gear Reverse-Wind
Weight	8.68 lbs
Condition	Very Good
Included	Bass Only – No Case

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Yamaha PB400R is presented in Very Good Condition.

It shows cosmetic signs consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

For a vintage Japanese bass of this age, normal signs of ownership can include:

• Light surface marks
• Small knocks or dents
• Fine scratches
• Hardware ageing
• General playing wear

These characteristics are reflected in the condition grade.

What's Included?

✔ Yamaha PB400R Black

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Gigbag Included

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

Serial Number

124174

The bass is marked Made in Japan.

The PB400R was part of Yamaha's Japanese bass range during the early-to-mid 1980s and appears in Yamaha's 1984 catalogue alongside the PB500R and related vintage-style models.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Yamaha bass has been checked for general operation and playability.

Assessment includes:

• Split-coil pickup operation
• Volume control
• Tone control
• Output jack
• Neck condition
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Frets
• Nut
• Tuning machines
• Bridge
• Saddles
• General hardware
• Structural condition
• Overall setup
• General playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned bass guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge adjustment
• General playing feel

What Makes The Yamaha PB400R Special?

The PB400R comes from an era when Yamaha was producing a wide range of high-quality Japanese electric guitars and basses based around familiar vintage formats.

Rather than adding unnecessary electronics or modern features, the PB400R keeps things simple with a split-coil pickup, passive controls, long-scale neck and traditional four-saddle bridge.

The result is a straightforward, dependable bass with the punch and authority expected from this style of instrument.

Black Finish

The high-gloss Black finish gives the PB400R a particularly clean, understated appearance.

Combined with:

• Black pickguard
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Chrome hardware

it creates a classic black-on-black aesthetic.

Maple Neck

The bass uses a maple neck.

Maple contributes:

• Strong note attack
• Good stability
• Clear fundamental response
• Traditional bolt-on bass feel

Rosewood Fingerboard

The neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard featuring dot position markers.

The rosewood board provides a smooth playing surface and complements the black finish particularly well.

34" Scale Length

The PB400R uses a full:

34" scale length

This provides the familiar long-scale feel associated with the majority of professional four-string electric basses.

Benefits include:

• Strong low-string definition
• Familiar fret spacing
• Balanced string tension
• Clear fundamental notes

20-Fret Layout

The neck features:

20 frets

This traditional layout follows the classic vintage bass format.

40mm Nut Width

The nut measures approximately:

40mm / 1.57"

This places the lower-neck width between a typical narrow Jazz Bass and a broader vintage Precision-style neck.

It should particularly appeal to players looking for a traditional split-coil sound without an excessively wide neck.

Split-Coil Pickup

The PB400R uses a split-coil bass pickup in the traditional central position.

This pickup design provides:

• Strong low-frequency punch
• Focused midrange
• Clear fundamental notes
• Excellent rock and pop tones
• Natural resistance to conventional single-coil hum

Passive Electronics

The electronics are deliberately straightforward:

• Master Volume
• Master Tone

There are no active circuits, batteries or complex switching systems.

Vintage-Style Four-Saddle Bridge

The bass uses a traditional four-saddle bridge.

Each string can be adjusted individually for:

• Intonation
• String height

Period examples use ridged or spiral-style saddles consistent with the vintage-inspired design.

Reverse-Wind Open-Gear Tuners

The PB400R uses large open-gear reverse-wind tuning machines.

This style closely reflects traditional vintage bass hardware and gives the headstock an appropriately period-correct appearance.

Weight

8.68 lbs

This is the actual measured weight of this individual bass.

At under nine pounds, it is a comfortable weight for a full-scale vintage-style four-string.

PB400R & Yamaha's 1980s Japanese Range

The PB400R formed part of Yamaha's Japanese vintage-style bass range alongside models including:

• PB500R
• PB500M
• JB500R
• JB600R

The R designation relates to the rosewood-fingerboard specification, while corresponding M variants used maple fingerboards.

Who Is It For?

Vintage Japanese bass enthusiasts – A characterful example from Yamaha's highly regarded Japanese production era.

Rock bassists – Split-coil pickup provides strong fundamental punch.

Pop players – Straightforward tone sits easily within a full arrangement.

Soul and R&B players – Rolling back the tone control delivers warm, rounded sounds.

Studio musicians – Simple passive electronics make it easy to achieve dependable recorded bass tones.

Players who prefer a moderate nut width – The approximately 40mm nut sits between typical Jazz and Precision dimensions.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Rock
• Classic rock
• Pop
• Punk
• Indie
• Alternative
• Blues
• Soul
• R&B
• Motown-inspired styles
• Studio recording
• Live performance

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	4-String Electric Bass
Brand	Yamaha
Model	PB400R
Finish	Black
Country of Manufacture	Japan
Serial Number	124174
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlays	Dot
Scale Length	34" / Approx. 860mm
Frets	20
Nut Width	Approx. 40mm / 1.57"
Pickup Configuration	Split Coil
Pickup	Yamaha Split-Coil Bass Pickup
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Bridge	Vintage-Style 4-Saddle
Tuners	Open-Gear Reverse-Wind
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Pickguard	Black
Weight	8.68 lbs
Included	No Case or Gigbag
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Production-Era Note

The PB400R appears in Yamaha's 1984 Japanese electric-guitar and bass catalogue.

Serial number 124174 is presented exactly as it appears on this instrument, but no more specific production month is assigned from the serial alone.

Body Specification Note

Published PB400R references differ on the precise body timber used across surviving examples.

For that reason, no unsupported body-wood designation is assigned to this individual bass.

Case Note

No case or gigbag is included.

Suitable protection is recommended for regular transport and storage.

Power Requirements

None.

The split-coil pickup and controls are completely passive.

No battery or external power supply is required.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The Yamaha PB400R in Black is a strong example of Yamaha's Japanese-made vintage-style basses from the 1980s.

Its maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 34" scale, split-coil pickup and straightforward passive controls provide exactly the sort of uncomplicated, punchy bass performance that works across a huge range of music.

The approximately 40mm nut also gives it a particularly approachable neck width, while the reverse-wind tuners and vintage-style bridge reinforce its period-inspired character.

At 8.68 lbs, this example is comfortably weighted for a full-size long-scale bass.

Presented in Very Good Condition and sold without a case or gigbag, it is an appealing option for players looking for a vintage Japanese instrument outside the more obvious Fender alternatives.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned bass at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition, weight and included accessories are represented clearly.

This Yamaha is offered with:

• Made in Japan construction
• Serial number 124174
• Very Good condition
• Rosewood fingerboard
• 8.68 lbs actual measured weight
• No case or gigbag included

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with vintage and Japanese instruments
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing bass or other equipment could help towards the cost of this Yamaha.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your existing equipment could be worth towards this Yamaha PB400R.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Yamaha PB400R in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing cosmetic signs consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

Where was it made?

It was Made in Japan.

What is the serial number?

The serial number is 124174.

What era is the PB400R from?

The model appears in Yamaha's 1984 Japanese catalogue, placing it firmly within Yamaha's 1980s Japanese electric bass range.

What finish does it have?

It is finished in Black.

What is the neck made from?

It has a maple neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

It has a rosewood fingerboard.

What does the R in PB400R mean?

It identifies the rosewood-fingerboard version of the model; corresponding M-designated models used maple fingerboards.

What is the scale length?

It uses a full 34" scale length.

How many frets does it have?

It has 20 frets.

What is the nut width?

Approximately 40mm / 1.57".

What pickup does it use?

It uses a traditional split-coil bass pickup.

What controls does it have?

It has one master volume and one master tone control.

Are the electronics active?

No. They are completely passive.

Does it require a battery?

No.

What bridge does it have?

It uses a traditional four-saddle vintage-style bridge.

What tuners does it have?

It uses large open-gear reverse-wind tuning machines.

How much does it weigh?

This individual bass weighs 8.68 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

No. No case or gigbag is included.

Is it suitable for rock?

Yes. The split-coil pickup provides the strong, focused fundamental and midrange punch that works particularly well for rock bass.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see the individual condition or hear the split-coil pickup before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another bass against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of instruments and musical equipment.