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  1. Guitars

In pictures: Blade X-Fire XF-120 unboxed

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By Michael Brown ( Total Guitar ) published 10 December 2013

An axe that's sure to sharpen your shred

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
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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.

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