Blade R4

Notice filed on 11/03/2007, revised date

Blade is a Swiss brand founded by Gary Levinson. The R4 was then the high-end brand, Nono (Trust) has himself long been a red R4. It is a perfect clone of the Stratocaster in its forms, including the head, unlike the new versions now available (heads changed, probably under pressure from F ***** r).

The one I have apparently date from 1989 (subject). The body is ash (Ash Sen), the neck is maple with an ebony fingerboard (unlike the photo). Mine has the Honey finish (like the photo), which betrayed the wood grain. She has lived, the varnish has taken some blows, but it's inevitable for a guitar played (at least to put it under glass in a museum). The hardware is gold: it's nice when the guitar is new, but the gilding inevitably tends to disappear with time (and unfortunately no matter what brand of guitar).

The neck has 22 jumbo frets. The R4 is equipped with three single coil pickups Levinson house, a 5-way switch type Stratocaster, a volume knob and a tone knob effective.

But that's not all! For the R4 is provided for the active VSC (Variable Spectrum Control) developed by Gary Levinson: a small 3-position switch is located above the microphone switch. Center position, the VSC is disabled and the pickups are passive. The other two positions give a boost for a high-pitched +} {low, and the other a boost of mediums, ideal to bring out a live solo mix. This system is powered by a 9V battery located in accessible housing on the back of the guitar.

The mechanical locking of Levinson, effective. The bridge has a tremolo Stratocaster type, effective for use "roots", but that should not be likely to use extreme intensive (not a Floyd).

UTILIZATION

The body is at the base of the Stratocaster, ergonomics is one of the characteristic silhouette. The violin is impeccable, worthy of a Custom Shop. The piece measures 42 mm at nut, 56 mm box in the 22nd to the 22nd-length nut box 47 cm. The neck is thin, the key is very flat: the handle is one of the most comfortable I've ever had in hand. Access to the highs is easy, better than on my '62 Stratocaster, the heel is thinner.

Mainly ash, the guitar keeps the weight down to allow the game longer standing: a bit heavier than my '62 Stratocaster maple, it is much lighter than my Les Paul Standard Mahogany.

SOUNDS

When empty, the guitar sounds very balanced, which is already a sign of quality. Connected Live a Mesa / Boogie Mark IV, Levinson simple microphones deliver clear sound stratoïdal beautiful, with its famous notament characteristic of positions out of phase 2 and 4. With a bit of reverb, this guitar excels in the blues, blues-rock.

OVERALL OPINION

This is my best strat, that to which I return again and again that we take instinctively to scratch for hours in search of the harmonic progressions that kills. Looking for a modern stratocaster? Think Blade!

PS I also have a RH-4 Classic ( https://fr.audiofanzine.com/produits/avis/index%2Cidproduit%2C13585%2Cmao%2Cblade_rh4_classic.html ) in 2005 that I use to live in its versatility.