The Complete Moon Guitars & Basses Price Guide 2026: JJ-4, Larry Graham, Reggae Master, PGM Heritage, and Used Values

Last updated: September 2026

Handcrafted in Japan since 1978, Moon Guitars represents the gold standard of artisan Japanese benchcraft.

Born out of an enduring partnership with master luthier Kazuo Nyuui and the famed PGM (Professional Guitar Manufacture) workshop, Moon achieved immortal music status when funk father Larry Graham made the all-white, gold-hardware Moon JJ-4 his primary weapon. Beyond pioneering the boutique active funk bass, Moon created the cult-classic Reggae Master (RM-DX)—a slab mahogany, dual P-90 electric guitar revered for its snappy rhythm cut and warm dynamic response.

Whether you are seeking a pristine Larry Graham Signature JJ-4, an extended-range Moon JJ-5, a vintage 1980s PGM-era Reggae Master, or a nitro-finished Moon JB Classic, this 2026 fair market valuation guide details secondary prices, build history, and critical pre-purchase evaluation steps.

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Moon Market Overview 2026

Moon instruments enjoy a passionate following across Japan, the United States, and Europe. Because PGM and Moon build in small, luthier-guided runs rather than high-volume automated lines, supply on the secondary market is naturally limited, keeping residual values exceptionally resilient.

Key Market Statistics (2026 Secondary Real Data):

• Average Used Moon Instrument Price: $1,650 (up 4.8% year-over-year)
• Active Secondary Listings: ~135 instruments globally across Digimart, Reverb, and TC Gakki
• Monthly Sales Velocity: ~32 instruments sold monthly
• Price Range: $850 (player-grade vintage Strat/Tele copies) to $3,800+ (Custom Order JJ-5 with exhibition woods or vintage 1980s Graham models)
• New vs. Used Price Spread: Clean pre-owned Moon JJ and Reggae Master instruments save buyers 30% to 42% compared to new Japanese boutique retail pricing ($2,600 – $3,400).
• Pawnshop Liquidation Floor: $600 – $800 for player-grade JB/PB copies; $900 – $1,150 for clean JJ-4 or Reggae Master guitars.
• Top Value Drivers: Larry Graham Snow White spec with gold hardware and brass nut, PGM workshop build verification, Oxalis vs. Bartolini pickups, 100% nitrocellulose thin-skin lacquer vs. poly finishes, and neck straightness.

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      Moon Price Tier Breakdown 2026                    │
├──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────┬──────────────────────┤
│ Tier                     │ Core Models          │ Used FMV (USD)       │
├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┤
│ Larry Graham Signature   │ JJ-4 White / Gold    │ $1,850 – $2,650+     │
│ Moon JJ-5 (5-String)     │ JJ-5 Ash / Bartolini │ $1,750 – $2,350      │
│ Moon JJ-4 Standard       │ JJ-4 Trans / Burst   │ $1,450 – $1,950      │
│ Reggae Master RM-DX      │ RM-DX / RM-DX II     │ $1,150 – $1,650      │
│ Traditional JB & PB      │ JB-4, PB-4 Classic   │ $1,100 – $1,600      │
│ Vintage PGM 1980s Player │ 80s S-Style / T-Style│ $850 – $1,250        │
└──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────┴──────────────────────┘

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What Makes Moon Guitars & Basses Unique?

1. Master Luthier Kazuo Nyuui & PGM Pedigree: Unlike mass-production factories, Moon instruments are produced by PGM (Professional Guitar Manufacture) in Japan under the meticulous direction of Kazuo Nyuui. The neck-pocket joints are hand-scraped and friction-fitted so tightly that the neck remains securely anchored even before the neck bolts are driven.
2. Solid Brass Nut & Larry Graham Funk Attack: Moon's flagship JJ basses feature a precision-milled solid brass nut. The increased density of the brass delivers instant transient attack and bright, ringy open strings that cut effortlessly through live band mixes.
3. Proprietary Oxalis & Bartolini Electronics: Moon pairs its tonewoods with proprietary hand-wound Oxalis pickups or Bartolini 9S single-coils coupled with Bartolini NTBT 2-band active preamps, offering enormous dynamic headroom and rich low-mid growl.
4. Thin-Skin Lacquer Finishing: Moon applies ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer that settles deep into the grain of the white ash, alder, or mahogany. This allows the wood fibers to breathe, vibrate freely, and develop gorgeous natural lacquer checking over decades of stage use.

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Benchmark Moon Models & Valuation Breakdown

1. Moon JJ-4 Larry Graham Signature: $1,850 – $2,650 Used

The iconic funk bass that defined an era of slap and thumb virtuosity.

• Specifications: Selected 2-piece White Ash body, hard maple neck with 21-fret maple fingerboard (210R radius), solid brass nut, Gotoh GB-8 gold tuners, Bartolini 9S single-coil pickups, Bartolini NTBT active 2-band preamp, Snow White finish with matching gold hardware.
• Tone Profile: The definitive Larry Graham voice: snappy, aggressive slap percussion, crystalline highs, and punchy, tight low frequencies that never get muddy.
• Fair Market Value:
  • Mint Pre-Owned: $2,250 – $2,650 (New Boutique Retail: ~$3,100 – $3,500)
  • Clean Stage Used: $1,850 – $2,200
  • Player Grade (wear on gold plating): $1,450 – $1,750
• Market Benchmark: Search live Moon JJ-4 listings on Reverb for real-time inventory.

2. Moon Reggae Master (RM-DX): $1,150 – $1,650 Used

A cult-legendary electric guitar designed specifically for punchy, dynamic rhythm playing.

• Specifications: Solid 2-piece Honduran or African mahogany slab body, single-cutaway design, maple neck with Madagascar rosewood board, twin soapbar P-90 pickups, vintage-style 3-saddle bridge plate, thin lacquer finish.
• Tone Profile: Woody, percussive, and punchy. The P-90s produce clear, glassy chime when played softly and gritty, growling midrange bark when driven through an overdriven tube amp.
• Fair Market Value:
  • Clean Pre-Owned RM-DX: $1,250 – $1,650 (New Street: ~$1,900 – $2,300)
  • RM-DX II (Bound Body / Tortoise Guard): $1,350 – $1,750
  • Vintage 1980s PGM Original: $1,500 – $2,100
• Market Benchmark: Compare live Moon Reggae Master listings on Reverb.

3. Moon Traditional JB-4 / PB-4 Classic: $1,100 – $1,600 Used

Boutique vintage reproductions crafted with pre-CBS vintage specs and Japanese master craftsmanship.

• Specifications: Selected alder or light ash body, Madagascar rosewood slab board, clay dot markers, hand-wound Oxalis vintage pickups, passive CTS/Switchcraft wiring.
• Tone Profile: Warm, deep, and organic; captures authentic 1960s vintage tone with modern tuning stability and intonation accuracy.
• Fair Market Value:
  • Clean Pre-Owned: $1,100 – $1,500
  • Custom Lacquer Relic: $1,400 – $1,850

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Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for Used Moon Instruments

When evaluating a used Moon guitar or bass, check these critical areas:

1. Verify Solid Brass Nut Integrity on JJ Models: Ensure the brass nut is original and has not been filed down too low or replaced with plastic. Proper brass nut slotting is essential for Larry Graham's signature slap tone without string rattle on the 1st fret.
2. Inspect Lacquer Thinness and Finish Checking: Moon's thin-skin nitrocellulose lacquer naturally develops fine spiderweb checking across the body. Differentiate between authentic vintage thermal checking (which adds character and does not harm value) and deep structural impact cracks down into the wood.
3. Test Bartolini NTBT Preamp Pots & Internal Trimpot: Open the rear cavity to confirm the genuine Bartolini NTBT preamp module. Check that the volume, balance, bass, and treble potentiometers operate cleanly without scratchiness, and verify that the internal gain trimpot has not been stripped.
4. Examine Gold Hardware Plating Wear: On Larry Graham and custom gold models, hand perspiration frequently causes pitting and silvering on the Gotoh bridge and tuner buttons. While normal for played instruments, pristine gold hardware commands a 10%–15% market premium.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Moon guitars made?

All Moon guitars and basses are built in Japan in collaboration with the PGM (Professional Guitar Manufacture) workshop, led by renowned master craftsman Kazuo Nyuui.

What is the Google Product Taxonomy for Moon instruments?

The exact Google Product Taxonomy is Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Musical Instruments > String Instruments > Guitars > Bass Guitars (for JJ and PB models) and ... > Guitars > Electric Guitars (for Reggae Master and custom guitars).

How do I check the serial number on a Moon bass?

Moon serial numbers are stamped onto the back of the headstock or engraved on the neck joint plate. Moon does not follow a strict calendar-prefix numbering system; buyers can verify the specific build era by consulting Moon's Tokyo office or authorized dealers with photos of the neck heel and cavity codes.