Designer Gary Levinson began building guitars in Illinois in 1964. In 1971, he moved to Basel, Switzerland on a scholarship to study geology. The idea and prototypes for the first Blade guitars came about in 1982 and the first guitars were introduced in 1987.
Levinson approaches his guitar building from an analytical standpoint based on his multiple university degrees in applied and natural sciences. As a result, Blade guitars combine traditional designs with quality craftsmanship and modern updated hardware, on-board electronics, and pickup combinations. The resulting instruments have more tonal options than older vintage models, but still maintain the feel that players are familiar with.
Levinson's design headquarters and Custom Shop are located in Allschwil (near Basel), Switzerland. The Custom Shop is the driving force in product development, derived in part from the input received from working musicians.
The on-board Variable Spectrum Control electronics devised by Levinson give the Blade guitar player additional control over the guitar's tone. Trim pots on the VSC (accessed through the back of the guitar) preset tone controls, and were activated through the VSC mini-switch (or push/pull pot) mounted near the volume and tone controls. For more information, visit Blade's website or contact them directly.
Instruments currently produced in England, Switzerland, and/or Japan. Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by MV Pro Audio, LLC in Grants Pass, OR since 2012. Previously distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Wes-Can Music Supplies Ltd. in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada between 2007 and 2012, Close Marketing in Englewood, CO between 2003 and 2007, Lasar Music Corporation, in Brentwood, TN between 1998 and 2003, and by Musician's Friend of Medford, OR until 1998. Distributed worldwide by Levinson Music Products, Ltd. in Allschwil, Switzerland.

BLADE Electric Guitars Models

BLADE ABILENE Image

BLADE ABILENE

- offset double cutaway sen ash body, white pearloid pickguard, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, FT-3 Vint-Edge tremolo, graphite nut, six-on-one-side Sperzel Trimlock tuners, chrome hardware, white knobs...

BLADE TEXAS (MODEL TE)  Image

BLADE TEXAS (MODEL TE)

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Levinson Vint-Edge FT-2 tremolo, graphite nut, six-on-one-side Levinson Staggered tuners, chrome hardware, white pearloid pickguard,...

BLADE DELTA STANDARD T 1 (MODEL T1) Image

BLADE DELTA STANDARD T 1 (MODEL T1)

- single cutaway Telecaster-style alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, Classic Tele-style bridge, white pickguard, two single coil pickups two knobs (v, tone) and a three-way...

BLADE CALIFORNIA STANDARD (MODEL CS)  Image

BLADE CALIFORNIA STANDARD (MODEL CS)

- offset double cutaway swamp ash body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Wilkinson VS-50K tremolo, graphite nut, six-on-one-side die cast tuners, chrome hardware, white pearloid pickguard, two...

BLADE B-1 TETRA STANDARD Image

BLADE B-1 TETRA STANDARD

- offset double cutaway contoured alder body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, four-on-one-side tuners, two JS-1 Alnico single coil pickups, chrome hardware, three knobs, BMB-1 e...

BLADE R 3 (MODEL R3-MB) Image

BLADE R 3 (MODEL R3-MB)

- offset double cutaway soft maple body, white pickguard, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, Falcon tremolo system, graphite nut, six-on-one-side Sperzel Trimlock tuners, black hardware, three SS-1 single co...

BLADE DURANGO (MODEL DU) Image

BLADE DURANGO (MODEL DU)

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Wilkinson HT100T tremolo, graphite nut, 6-on-a-side Sperzel non-locking tuners, chrome hardware, white pearloid pickguard, 1 single c...

BLADE AUSTIN Image

BLADE AUSTIN

- similar to the Abilene, except has rosewood fingerboard, black pearloid pickguard, black hardware, 2 V-1 single coil/1 LM humbucker pickups, black knobs and pickup covers, available in Harvest Gold, Nightwood, and Ocean Blue translucent f...

BLADE TEXAS CLASSIC (MODEL TC-1) Image

BLADE TEXAS CLASSIC (MODEL TC-1)

- offset double cutaway Stratocaster-style alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, six-on-one-side tuners, M-54 vintage-style vibrato bridge, white pickguard, three Levinson VS-1 single coil pickups, three knobs (two v...

BLADE DELTA CLASSIC T 2 (MODEL T2/DET2) Image

BLADE DELTA CLASSIC T 2 (MODEL T2/DET2)

- single cutaway Telecaster-style sen ash body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, black pickguard, fixed bridge, graphite nut, six-on-one-side Levinson SG-36 tuners, gold hardware, two single c...

BLADE B-2 (TETRA 4) Image

BLADE B-2 (TETRA 4)

- offset double cutaway contoured sen ash body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, four-on-one-side Gotoh tuners, two JHB-2 J-style pickups, gold hardware, master volume/pickup balance/Trebl...

BLADE DURANGO STANDARD (MODEL DS)  Image

BLADE DURANGO STANDARD (MODEL DS)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Wilkinson VS-50K tremolo, graphite nut, six-on-a-side die cast tuners, chrome hardware, white pearloid pickguard, two VS...

BLADE California Deluxe Image

BLADE California Deluxe

- similar to the California Standard, except featured a mahogany body, figured maple top, Levinson FT-4 tremolo, Sperzel Trimlock tuners, VSC-2 electronics, available in Natural Silk satin finish, mfg. 1994-95.

BLADE B 3 Image

BLADE B 3

- offset double cutaway contoured soft maple body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, 4-on-a-side Gotoh tuners, 2 J-style pickups, black hardware, volume/pickup balance/tone controls, VSC switc...

BLADE T 2 (MODEL T2-MG) Image

BLADE T 2 (MODEL T2-MG)

- single cutaway light ash body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, 6-on-a-side tuners, gold hardware, 2 single coil pickups, volume/tone control, 3-position switch, VSC switch, V...

BLADE TEXAS DELUXE (MODEL TD-RC) Image

BLADE TEXAS DELUXE (MODEL TD-RC)

- similar to the Texas Standard, except had alder body with maple top, two single coil and one humbucker pickups, gold tuners, available in 2-Tone Sunburst, 3-Tone Sunburst, Cherry Sunburst, Fire Red, Honey, Misty Violet, Ocean Blue, or Pur...

BLADE R 4 (MODEL R4-MB)  Image

BLADE R 4 (MODEL R4-MB)

- offset double cutaway light ash body, black pickguard, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, Falcon tremolo system, graphite nut, six-per-side Sperzel Trimlock tuners, black hardware, three SS-1 single coil p...

BLADE California Hybrid Image

BLADE California Hybrid

- similar to the California Standard, except features a hexaphonic piezo bridge pickup system, EA (electric/acoustic) mix control, EA system switch, available in Aegean Blue Burst, Cherry Sunburst, or Honey Burst finish, mfg. 1998-2003.

BLADE DURANGO DELUXE (MODEL DD) Image

BLADE DURANGO DELUXE (MODEL DD)

- similar to the Durango Standard, except features North American alder body, Levinson FT-4 tremolo, chrome Sperzel Trimlock tuners, and Seymour Duncan L´il 59 mini-humbucker/HD-4 humbucker pickups, volume/push/pull tone (humbucker coil tap...

BLADE R4-MG Image

BLADE R4-MG

- similar to R4-MB, except has gold hardware, available in Honey, Misty Violet, Nightwood, or 2-Tone Sunburst Translucent finish, mfg. 1988-1992.

BLADE DURANGO DELUXE (MODEL DD1) Image

BLADE DURANGO DELUXE (MODEL DD1)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, arched mahogany top, top body binding, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, three-per-side tuners, combo TOB-16 bridge and tailpiece, two LHN-4 humbucker pickups, two knobs (v, tone), three-way...

BLADE CALIFORNIA CLASSIC (MODEL CA) Image

BLADE CALIFORNIA CLASSIC (MODEL CA)

- offset double cutaway Strat-style alder body, bolt-on Canadian maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, six-on-one-side die cast tuners, Wilkinson VS-50K tremolo, multi-layer black pickguard, two VS-1 single coil (m...

BLADE B 4 Image

BLADE B 4

- similar to B 3, except has light ash body, and gold hardware, available in Honey, Misty Violet, Ocean Blue, and See-through Red translucent finish, mfg. 1991-92.

BLADE TEXAS JR Image

BLADE TEXAS JR

- similar to the Texas TE, except had sen ash body, 2 single coil/1 humbucker pickups, Levinson FT- 3 tremolo, Sperzel Trimlock tuners, variable mid-boost electronics (push/pull tone knob), available in Blue Oil, Purple Oil, or Red Oil fini...

BLADE THINLINE THS (MODEL THS/DTHS)  Image

BLADE THINLINE THS (MODEL THS/DTHS)

- similar to the Delta T 2, except features a semi-solid sen ash body, unbound f-hole, rounded white pearl pickguard, no chrome controls plate, available in Honey, Ocean Blue, or Sunset Purple translucent finish, mfg. 1994-2004.

BLADE TEXAS STANDARD PRO (MODEL TE-2) Image

BLADE TEXAS STANDARD PRO (MODEL TE-2)

- offset double cutaway North American alder body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, Levinson FT-3 tremolo, graphite nut, six-on-one-side Staggered SG-36 tuners, chrome hardware, white pickguard,...

BLADE Durango Deluxe (Model DD2) Image

BLADE Durango Deluxe (Model DD2)

- similar to the Durango Deluxe (Model DD1), except has a flame maple top and two LHN-5 humbucker pickups, available in Antique Honey Burst, Antique Tobacco Burst, or Clear Blue Burst finish, mfg. 2006-present.

BLADE CALIFORNIA CUSTOM (MODEL CC) Image

BLADE CALIFORNIA CUSTOM (MODEL CC)

- similar to the California Standard, except features a swamp ash body/figured maple top, ebony fingerboard, Levinson Falcon FT-4 tremolo, chrome Sperzel Trimlock tuners, translucent pickguard, two V-1 Humcanceller single coil and one LH-55...

BLADE RH-2 CLASSIC Image

BLADE RH-2 CLASSIC

- offset double cutaway Stratocaster-style swamp ash body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, FT-3 vibrato bridge, black pickguard, two VS-1 single coil and one LH-55 humbucke...

BLADE Thinline THH (Model THH/DTHH) Image

BLADE Thinline THH (Model THH/DTHH)

- similar to the Thinline (Model THS), except features an LH-55 humbucker/T 4 Bridge single coil pickups, push/pull tone (humbucker coil tap) control, available in 3-Tone Sunburst, Fire Red, Honey Burst, Ocean Blue, or Sunset Purple finish,...

BLADE B-25 (PENTA 5) Image

BLADE B-25 (PENTA 5)

- five-string configuration, offset double cutaway contoured sen ash body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, 4/1 per side Gotoh tuners, two JHB-25 J-style pickups, gold hardware, master vol...

BLADE RH 4 STANDARD (MODEL RS4) Image

BLADE RH 4 STANDARD (MODEL RS4)

- offset double cutaway sen ash body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Levinson Vint-Edge FT-3 tremolo, graphite nut, six-per-side Gotoh MG7 Magnum Lock tuners, chrome hardware, sepia mirror p...

BLADE RH 4 Classic (Model RH4) Image

BLADE RH 4 Classic (Model RH4)

- similar to the RH 4 Standard, except features an ebony or flamed maple fingerboard, Levinson Falcon tremolo, Sperzel Trimlock tuners, and gold hardware, mfg. 1996-present.

BLADE TEXAS SPECIAL (MODEL TS) Image

BLADE TEXAS SPECIAL (MODEL TS)

- similar to the Texas Standard (TE-2), except has sen ash body, and an LH-55 humbucker (bridge position), available in Fire Red, Honey, Ocean Blue, and Sunset Purple See-through finish, mfg. 1994-2003.

BLADE DURANGO T (MODEL DT) Image

BLADE DURANGO T (MODEL DT)

- similar to the Durango Standard, except features set-in mahogany neck, 24.75 in. scale, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, 2 LP-90 oversized single coil pickups, volume/tone push/pull (gain boost on/off) controls, 3-way selector switch,...

BLADE DURANGO T HYBRID (MODEL DTH)  Image

BLADE DURANGO T HYBRID (MODEL DTH)

- offset single cutaway mahogany body, hard rock maple neck, 25.5 in. scale, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, hexaphonic piezo bridge/stop tailpiece, graphite nut, 6-on-a-side SG-36 tuners, chrome hardware, curved white pe...

BLADE TEXAS VINTAGE CUSTOM (MOD. TV) Image

BLADE TEXAS VINTAGE CUSTOM (MOD. TV)

- similar to the Texas TE, except has sen ash body, available in 3-Tone Sunburst, Black, Candy Apple Red, Indian Turquoise, Sea Foam Green, Sonic Blue, Mary Kay Blonde, or Tobacco Sunburst finish, mfg. 1998-2003.

BLADE TEXAS VINTAGE Image

BLADE TEXAS VINTAGE

- similar to the Texas Vintage Custom except is modeled to like either a '57 or '62 Stratocaster, available in 3-Tone Sunburst, Black, Candy Apple Red, Indian Turquoise, Sea Foam Green, or Sonic Blue, current mfg.