• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

BLADE bass guitar (Levinson made)

Dragan

Dragan

Oct 5, 2009
1,556
1,085
#1
Hello all!

anyone has troubles with Blade B4 electronic? ( I know not of players are familiar with Blade bass guitars )
however,they were suiss made by guy name Levinson ,he used to work for Fender, later on he started productions of his own bass guitars... they were helluva great instruments, but company fail to succeed unfortunatelly...
now they are made in China.... sad story...

however, I got one of those older model Levinson made,it's simply great bass BUT with LOUD electronic. anyone dealt with it and have some experience to share?
thanks.

and here's that exact model in hands of a funk master:

 
  • Like
Reactions: AK66
#3
thanx basmartin!

and thank you folks for tons of helpfull tips haha!!!

(this forum doesn't offers much unless it's "show your white basses with tort pickguards" or "what's best pick up for the...." neverthless...)

anyway, I came to solution - inside electronics cavity there IS really some hum trimmers pots (beside EQ fine pot adjusting) so the hum is gone and bass is singing great now! (this info is for someone who might have the same problem like I did)
here's pics of the beaty:

Picture20012.jpg


Picture20005.jpg


Picture20007.jpg


Picture20008.jpg



cheers all!!!!:bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oly Spart and androniksonik
#7
Awesometastic bass! I want. These are very difficult to find on the American continent.

You own the original handmade Gary Levinson Blade B4 with the lawsuit headstock. I was lucky to had played one in a store in 1990. The color scheme was hot in the late 80s which is the period when Gary began building the B4. Blade basses are very popular in the UK.

Prob best to post questions in the Blade Club http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580997&highlight=blade
 
#8
RMay said:
Awesometastic bass! I want. These are very difficult to find on the American continent.

You own the original handmade Gary Levinson Blade B4 with the lawsuit headstock. I was lucky to had played one in a store in 1990. The color scheme was hot in the late 80s which is the period when Gary began building the B4. Blade basses are very popular in the UK.

Prob best to post questions in the Blade Club http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580997&highlight=blade
Click to expand...

thank you man. I found solution to my problem already.
yes, I guess it's rare on American continent...
If you are really want some,try europe forums and for sale departements - if you have enough thrust....Best,Dragan
 
#9
Dragan said:
his own bass guitars... they were helluva great instruments, but company fail to succeed unfortunatelly...
now they are made in China.... sad story...
Click to expand...

The B1 Tetra compnents are made in China. All others are made in Japan. All basses are assembled in Japan, with final set up in Basel Switzerland.

The new active basses have a far superior preamp to trim pot preamp. Levinson offers the new preamp to owners wishing to put the better preamp in.

Three years ago I did house cleaning, reducing the herd when the Sadowsky came. Two MIJ Fender Jazz's were sold. The China made Blade is a keeper. It does need preamp support, but I have that covered with a Sadowsky outboard. It's a well made bass. Gigged with it for six years.
 
#12
Hey.. I just found this web ring because I came across a fretless limited edition bass .. I sent the serial number to blade and got this reply ....

Thanks for your E-mail and for playing a Blade Bass.

Yes, you own a limited series bass that was called the Blade Rockbass at the time and there were 150 pcs. made.

It has the following specs:
- Soft maple body
- Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
- "Deep Growl" humbuckers
- Variable Midrange boost
- Jumbo Nickel frets.

I hope that this will help.

Best regards
Levinson AG
Christian Hatstatt
Hi Christian .. Wow thanks for the info. Can you tell me what year it was made..its actually fretless.. what kind of price should I place on this if I were to sell it on eBay?? It has some buckle rash and a nick on the bottom.. I am a guitar player and I don't really like fretless basses.. thank you for your valuable input!! Rex
- Show quoted text -
On Nov 15, 2011 4:29 AM, "BLADE GUITARS" <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear Rex,



Reply

Forward



Reply

More|
BLADE GUITARS to me

show details Nov 16 (13 days ago)
anyway, I realize there is a shortage of these basses in the US, I was going to post it on ebay but i am a little concerned about international shipping charges.. so I am hoping to sell to a US citizen.. My name is Rex Johnston I am in boston,MA.. If you aren't interested maybe someone you know will be .. Thanks Rex Johnston (312)735 0083

Hi Rex,

These wre built around 1991-1992 and the retail price in Switzerland was CHF 1'995.-


Best regards
Levinson AG
Christian Hatstatt

Blade: Home <http://www.bladeguitars.com>
 
#14
Hi,

I own a BLADE B4, bought in 1991. I can tell you, there is no better sounding or playable bassguitar in the world. I've heard many things abouth the BLADE B4, good and bad. But I have played in Steel bands, Soul bands, Funk bands, Salsa bands and METAL.
The BLADE B4 has always, ALWAYS produced the right sound i wanted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: androniksonik and AK66
#15
The blade B4 was manufactured in Japan by Tune guitars up until the early 2000's. I have the exact same model, an early 90's one but with black hardware. It is awesome! I think the circuitry is wonderful and I never had any trouble with noise thus far. If anyone is looking for Blade B4s B3s or B2s I am in Japan and collect and trade MIJ bass guitars such as Bacchus, Atelier Z, Tune, Moon, etc etc. so just gimme a holler!

Body; 1 pc - ash
Neck; 1 pc maple
Fretboard; 21 fret ebony, 34"
Nut; Ebony (beautiful nut!)
Tuning heads; Gotoh
Bridge; Gotoh
Main vol, balancer, master tone, booster toggle.
Condition 3/5 aesthetic damage, minor scratches and dints.

$(KGrHqVHJE4FGkM-PkVyBRupEFzfQw~~60_12.jpg

$(KGrHqJHJFUFGhGtSrTWBRupENT2Y!~~60_12.jpg

$T2eC16NHJG!FFmp1hv(oBRupEVPlCg~~60_12.jpg
 
#16
Dragan said:
Hello all!

anyone has troubles with Blade B4 electronic? ( I know not of players are familiar with Blade bass guitars )
however,they were suiss made by guy name Levinson ,he used to work for Fender, later on he started productions of his own bass guitars... they were helluva great instruments, but company fail to succeed unfortunatelly...
now they are made in China.... sad story...

however, I got one of those older model Levinson made,it's simply great bass BUT with LOUD electronic. anyone dealt with it and have some experience to share?
thanks.

and here's that exact model in hands of a funk master:

Click to expand...



I own one.. defreted in italy by a master luthier.. just bought it 3 months ago, and tweaked my sound indeed on the electronics... found a schematic for that on the net.. and i am sooo in love...
she is a bit angry though.., for i am building a 6-string thru-neck monster now.. :p..
"women..... , what can i say... "

Yours is beautiful!!!
IMG_20150808_144128.jpg IMG_20150808_144025.jpg IMG_20150808_144220.jpg IMG_20150819_131140.jpgIMG_20150808_151859.jpg >> IMG_20150911_180404.jpg IMG_20150912_123155.jpg IMG_20150912_123210.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: crobasster and androniksonik
#17
wrecksinc said:
Hey.. I just found this web ring because I came across a fretless limited edition bass .. I sent the serial number to blade and got this reply ....

Thanks for your E-mail and for playing a Blade Bass.

Yes, you own a limited series bass that was called the Blade Rockbass at the time and there were 150 pcs. made.

It has the following specs:
- Soft maple body
- Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
- "Deep Growl" humbuckers
- Variable Midrange boost
- Jumbo Nickel frets.

I hope that this will help.

Best regards
Levinson AG
Christian Hatstatt
Hi Christian .. Wow thanks for the info. Can you tell me what year it was made..its actually fretless.. what kind of price should I place on this if I were to sell it on eBay?? It has some buckle rash and a nick on the bottom.. I am a guitar player and I don't really like fretless basses.. thank you for your valuable input!! Rex
- Show quoted text -
On Nov 15, 2011 4:29 AM, "BLADE GUITARS" <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear Rex,



Reply

Forward



Reply

More|
BLADE GUITARS to me

show details Nov 16 (13 days ago)
anyway, I realize there is a shortage of these basses in the US, I was going to post it on ebay but i am a little concerned about international shipping charges.. so I am hoping to sell to a US citizen.. My name is Rex Johnston I am in boston,MA.. If you aren't interested maybe someone you know will be .. Thanks Rex Johnston (312)735 0083

Hi Rex,

These wre built around 1991-1992 and the retail price in Switzerland was CHF 1'995.-


Best regards
Levinson AG
Christian Hatstatt

Blade: Home <http://www.bladeguitars.com>
Click to expand...


WOW!!!!
 
#19
RMay said:
Awesometastic bass! I want. These are very difficult to find on the American continent.

You own the original handmade Gary Levinson Blade B4 with the lawsuit headstock. I was lucky to had played one in a store in 1990. The color scheme was hot in the late 80s which is the period when Gary began building the B4. Blade basses are very popular in the UK.

Prob best to post questions in the Blade Club http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580997&highlight=blade
Click to expand...


Like this one??
IMG_20150808_144115.jpg IMG_20150808_144025.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: andronik
#20
freemunga said:
Hi,

I own a BLADE B4, bought in 1991. I can tell you, there is no better sounding or playable bassguitar in the world. I've heard many things abouth the BLADE B4, good and bad. But I have played in Steel bands, Soul bands, Funk bands, Salsa bands and METAL.
The BLADE B4 has always, ALWAYS produced the right sound i wanted.
Click to expand...
Hi, I own an 89' b4. Does anybody send a pdf owner manual?. Thank you.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back