petetexas Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) Hi Guys, Just bought a secondhand Levinson Blade. I believe it is a B4, pics to follow. Does anyone know anything about these. Been on the web site, seems the B4 is no longer made. Got the info regarding the three "trim" pots inside ( high, mid and low ) and the toggle switch. Ebony fingerboard, ash body ( see through purple ), gold hardware etc. Any info would be received with thanks. Pete Edited January 12, 2013 by petetexas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslapper Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) I've owned 2. They are fab basses, high quality Japanese build, excellent components and the best necks, with beautiful ebony boards. The tonal options with the trim pots are far ranging. They are seriously underrated (unknown) and underpriced IMHO. If they had a passive option on the preamp and were a little lighter, I'd still have them. Good purchase! Also Gary Levinson is really helpful if you want any info on your bass. Edited January 12, 2013 by oldslapper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 Hi, Thanks for info..............I bought it as a second bass to my American jazz, but now I feel as thought the Jazz is going to take a back seat ! Any info regarding the headstock shape, this one has the fender shape, but from bits of info that I have gained, it was stopped by Fender ? Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Lovely instruments - their Strats are far superior to any Fender I've ever tried. As for the basses, I only had a quick try of the B1 which is the current cheaper version, I think yours has been replaced by the B2. They do seem to have a thing about see through purple - perhaps it's a Swiss thing! Great second hand buy, as with all these lessr known brands, they don't hold their value as they don't have a recognisable name on the headstock. Congrats on getting such a nice bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I've got a B15 and it is a stonker. They really are a great find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslapper Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 [quote name='petetexas' timestamp='1357988633' post='1931352'] Hi, Thanks for info..............I bought it as a second bass to my American jazz, but now I feel as thought the Jazz is going to take a back seat ! Any info regarding the headstock shape, this one has the fender shape, but from bits of info that I have gained, it was stopped by Fender ? Pete [/quote] Yeah Pete, fender took exception to the headstock, so the later Blades have a slightly different headstock shape. The last one I owned had Ernie Ball cobalt strings on. Really seemed to suit the ebony board and really showed off the preamp. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Well Yolanda Charles uses one as her main gigging instrument ..and she knows a good bass I can assure you. These are very good quality basses make no mistake - however the lack of the F word on the headstock turns the general populace off them (as usual). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 (edited) Hi Guys, Just had a e-mail from Levinson confirming from the serial number that it is a B4 - made early 1991. They also confirmed that the headstock shape was changed 2004 ( because of Fender complaining ! ) Also sent me a pic of the advert for a B3 and B4, with a copy of the settings for the internal eq trim pots - WHAT A COMPANY ! Pete Edited January 14, 2013 by petetexas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 I used a purple Levinson B4 as my main bass for 20 years - fantastic instrument. Only stopped because i started to find the jazz neck profile too thin for my tastes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I used to play a B15 as my main instrument. I'd definitely have another. Only fretless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 [quote name='oldslapper' timestamp='1357981871' post='1931216'] I've owned 2. They are fab basses, high quality Japanese build, excellent components and the best necks, with beautiful ebony boards. [/quote] If this was bought from Musical Express it is is the one you sold me John. Very nice bass but I wasn't playing it and it was too nice to sit around a work for lunch breaks. Congratulations on your new bass Pete, it certainly is a thing of beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslapper Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1358272188' post='1936104'] If this was bought from Musical Express it is is the one you sold me John. Very nice bass but I wasn't playing it and it was too nice to sit around a work for lunch breaks. Congratulations on your new bass Pete, it certainly is a thing of beauty. [/quote] LOL! You're right Ed, it needs to be played in anger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) Hi Pinball, Yep its yours from Music Express ( I was the Guitar Tech showing you the controls on the Sandberg ! ) When I took it in the workshop for a set up ( more of a tweek really - it was pretty well set up anyhow ) I fell in love with it ! Used it last night at full blown rehearsal, great sound, but must find out how to set the hum pots . Had a very loud " hum " when near the amp ( old school GB750 Head with massive transformer - NOT digital power supply ) Anyone know how ? Pete Edited January 16, 2013 by petetexas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 AAh cool, I didn't recognize you from your picture. If you can find hum pot settings your doing well I did tweak settings until I got something that I really liked but no in depth knowledge here I'm afraid. A PM to Oldslapper should do it as he knows them better. Thanks for the tips, you can report back that I'm very happy with it. It's exactly what I was looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 Thanks, and enjoy the Sandberg Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetexas Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 (edited) Hi, Was having "hum" from amp, when close by with Bass. Now I believe I have set the hum trim pots correctly...............( no hum ) I set up as though I were playing live ( full rig at gig volume ) leads connected etc. Removed backplate from Bass ( locate the two hum trim pots - NOT the EQ trim pots ) Stood as close to amp as possible to get the "hum" Turned the p/up blend control to the neck p/up, Turned the neck p/up trim pot clockwise and anti - clockwise untill the sweet spot was found with no "hum" Turned the p/up blend to the bridge p/up Turned the bridge p/up trim pot clockwise and anti-clockwise to find the sweet spot with no "hum" Hey presto - solved ! I`m not saying this is the correct way, but it worked for my B4 Hope this helps anyone who has this problem Pete Edited January 20, 2013 by petetexas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Glad you got it sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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