Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Rodrigo's Cure
  • California Dreamin'
  • "Apotheosis of mediocrity" - Rundgren vs Swift
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

In pictures: Blade X-Fire XF-120 unboxed

News
By Michael Brown
Published 10 December 2013

An axe that's sure to sharpen your shred

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Blade X-Fire XF-120

Blade X-Fire XF-120

You don’t hear the name Blade too often in guitar circles, but the new X-Fire series looks set to change all that, with shred-ready specs and looks to match.

The X-Fire XF-120 has winged its way over to us for review, so join us as we share our first impressions of this rock beast.

For the full review of the Blade X-Fire XF-120, check out Total Guitar issue 249, on sale 23 December.

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Blade X-Fire XF-120

Blade X-Fire XF-120

The XF-120 looks sleek in its Tungsten finish, but black and Blinding White options are also available, if you prefer

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Blade X-Fire XF-120

Blade X-Fire XF-120

Pickup-wise, you can get this X-Fire fitted with Levinson or EMG ’buckers

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Blade X-Fire XF-120

Blade X-Fire XF-120

That tiny toggle switch activates Blade’s Variable Spectrum Control, which offers boosts for midrange, treble or bass

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Blade X-Fire XF-120

Blade X-Fire XF-120

And here are the three trim pots that let you dial in the frequencies that the VSC toggle switch controls

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Blade X-Fire XF-120

Blade X-Fire XF-120

Those X inlays make the XF-120’s 24-fret fingerboard as distinctive as its finish

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Blade X-Fire XF-120

Blade X-Fire XF-120

Make no mistake, this Blade is a weapon

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Michael Brown
Michael Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Read more
Donner Hush X Pro on wood floor
Electric Guitars “When you're away from your main rig, it more than fills a void.”: Donner Hush X Pro review
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH RW HT in Purple Metallic finish with gold hardware. Shot on white surface.
Electric Guitars “This is a difficult guitar to put a review score on”: Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH RW HT PM review
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II: these humbucker-loaded T-styles are packed with features and are offered with myriad hardware, pickups and finish options
Guitars Harley Benton throws a big ol' T party and you are all invited, as it debuts the Fusion-T II series
 
 
Sire Larry Carlton X1
Electric Guitars “Ideal for beginner guitarists chasing heavier sounds”: Sire Larry Carlton X1 review
 
 
Jackso Pro Series Phil Collen PC1-E
Artists Phil Collen on why you can play anything on his new Jackson, and even nail those Hysteria tones
 
 
Telstar Standard ST14 12-String review
Electric Guitars "Superb playability, a versatile sound set, and pretty unbeatable value": Shergold Telstar Standard ST14 12-String review
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Positive Grid Sparktober
Guitar Amps Positive Grid just kicked off the deal season with a gigantic 38% discount on our favourite headphone amp for guitarists and a wallet-friendly FRFR
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear round-up September 26, ft. Matteo Mancuso's signature Revstar and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Sep 2026 edit, featuring fresh drops from Taylor, Yamaha, ESP and more
 
 
Eric Clapton plays his Blackie Strat onstage in the mid '80s. He auctioned the Strat off in 2004 to support the Crossroads rehab centre in Antigua.
Artists Eric Clapton on why he has no regrets about auctioning off his most “sacred” guitars
 
 
Patina PJ-6
Electric Guitars "Genuinely punches above what its asking price might suggest": Patina PJ-6 offset guitar review
 
 
Bass Guitars Ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted pays his respects to the late, great Cliff Burton
 
 
Jackso Pro Series Phil Collen PC1-E
Artists Phil Collen on why you can play anything on his new Jackson, and even nail those Hysteria tones
 
 
Latest in News
Oli Howe
Artists Instagram reharm sensation Oli Howe on the formula behind his chaotic reworks of classic hits
 
 
An SSL 2+ MKII audio interface on a desk
Recording I sifted through Sweetwater's massive up to 50% off studio gear sale to bring you the best equipment discounts
 
 
Lola Young performs onstage at the 2025 Coachella Valley music and arts festival on April 11, 2025
Singers & Songwriters “Breathing feels like a chore”: Lola Young bemoans the effect of vaping on her health on TikTok
 
 
tapes
Samples SampleRadar: 485 free tape-treated samples
 
 
Cronos of Venom
Artists “I want people to think, ‘That band Venom was crazy!’”: Heavy metal innovator Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant dies at 63
 
 
gen 2
Tech Universal Audio's next generation of Volt audio interfaces offers more ways to shape your sound
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...