First Generation 1988 Levinson Blade R-4MG - Misty Violet - Sick Premium Super Strat - MIJ - Pro Set Up w Perfect Frets/Action/Intonation!

$1,988.00 $2,269.00

First Generation 1988 Levinson Blade R-4MG - Misty Violet

Serial: 70973

Luthier Measurements: 

Nut Width: 1.67

Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .84

Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .88

Radius: 12

Scale: 25.5

Weight: 7 lbs 14 oz's

Comes in a Gig Bag

$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings,  Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action. 

Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!


🔥 RARE 1988–89 BLADE R4-MG — FIRST-GENERATION LEVINSON / MORIDAIRA MASTERPIECE IN MISTY VIOLET 🔥

Here’s a true golden-era gem: an early 1988–1989 Blade R4-MG (Translucent Mirror/Gold Series), built at the legendary Moridaira factory in Japan for Levinson of Switzerland. These first-generation, pre-lawsuit R4s are highly prized for their Swiss design innovation and flawless Japanese execution — and this one is a spectacular example.

Finished in gorgeous Misty Violet (transparent purple) over a solid Japanese Ash (Sen Ash) body with heavy, wide grain, it still presents pretty cleanly from the front. There are scattered little dings, dents, and scratches, but overall it retains excellent visual appeal. The hard-rock maple neck carries a premium, dark-striped rosewood fingerboard that has that deep chocolate, oily, Brazilian-rosewood look so coveted from this era. It’s been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability, and best of all — the original Variable Spectrum Control (VSC) active preamp is fully functional.

The Specs

Exact first-generation factory blueprint:

  • Model: Blade R4-MG (Translucent Mirror/Gold Series)
  • Year: Late 1988 / Early 1989 (serial 70973)
  • Origin: Moridaira Factory, Japan (for Levinson Switzerland)
  • Body: Solid Japanese Ash (Sen Ash) with heavy, wide grain
  • Finish: Misty Violet (transparent purple)
  • Neck: Hard-rock maple with premium dark-striped rosewood fingerboard
  • Headstock: Traditional Fender-style pre-lawsuit shape
  • Pickups: Levinson MDN-3 single-coils (solid covers, no exposed poles)
  • Electronics: Fully functional Variable Spectrum Control (VSC) active preamp — Volume, Tone, 5-way selector, and 3-way mini-toggle
  • Hardware: Factory gold plating with ultra-rare early “GEL” (Gary E. Levinson) stamped vintage-style saddles

These early R4s represent some of the finest Japanese craftsmanship of the late 1980s, combined with Gary Levinson’s innovative Swiss electronics.

The Sound

The Levinson MDN-3 single-coils deliver clear, articulate, high-quality late-’80s Strat-style tones with excellent dynamics and note definition. Where this guitar truly shines is the fully intact VSC circuit:

  • Middle (Passive) — classic, pure Strat voice
  • Up (Bass/Treble Boost) — active “smile curve” for sparkling, open, enhanced cleans
  • Down (Midrange Boost) — fat, compressed mid push that makes the single-coils sound thick and punchy, perfect for solos or driving a tube amp

Having a 100% operational VSC is a major bonus — many of these circuits were removed or damaged over the decades. This one gives you an incredible range of usable tones right at your fingertips.

The Playability

Professionally set up with comfortable action and accurate intonation. The neck is fast and inspiring, the frets play cleanly, and the whole instrument feels balanced and refined under the hands. The pre-lawsuit headstock and gold hardware complete the premium look and feel. Scattered light wear doesn’t detract from the playing experience — this is a true player’s guitar with serious collector appeal.

A rare, first-generation 1988–89 Blade R4-MG in Misty Violet with Brazilian-look rosewood, fully functional VSC electronics, factory gold hardware, and a professional setup. Swiss design, Japanese excellence, and that unique late-’80s innovation all in one package. Perfect for the player or collector who wants something special that still delivers on stage or in the studio.

This one is dialed in and ready. Don’t let a piece of guitar history like this get away.


🔥 This guitar (or bass) has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, It features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made Ernie Ball strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. We make sure all frets are leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The guitar has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- or studio-ready. 🔥


About The Guitar Dude 

Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide. Specializing in premium Gibson, classic Fender guitars from all eras and the best Japanese made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget—contact us for details).  

Often copied, never duplicated. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for beautiful guitar content. 


Consignment Services

Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. We offer the best and most fair priced consignment service on the planet! Look for me online. @TheGuitarDude


Our Guarantee  

We stand behind every guitar we sell. “Good enough” is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.  


Neck & Setup - (unless otherwise noted)

- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss-rod issues. 

- Intonation is spot-on.  

- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.  

- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and all frets on all guitars are polished to shine like new with no divots.  


Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy 

We follow Reverb’s 7-day return policy. However:  

- You must 

notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.  

- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described.  

- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described.  Please note there is a 10% restocking fee on guitar orders that have been purchased and paid for - that have been off the market for 24 hours or more, even if they have not been shipped or picked up by the carrier. We perform a final set up and change strings put when an order is placed and paid for. NO EXCEPTIONS


We do our best to honestly describe and photograph every guitar and most of the noticeable imperfections. That said, we are human, if something very small can be overseen, if tiny marks, dings or super fine scratches (normal wear) bother you, please don't buy.


We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.  


Minor adjustments and tweaks to a set up (for example to correct a slight buzz or truss-rod tweak) are normal after shipping due to carrier mishandling the package, climate & atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute “significantly not as described.” Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.  


We are a small family owned and run business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time, money and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post purchase haggling, returns without restocking fees or partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs—we do not.  


Payment, Shipping & International Duties  

- All items can be shipped internationally. Buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.  

- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.  

- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.  


International Shipping Note 

International shipping prices shown are for most countries. Certain countries have higher costs. We try and avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS, but USPS is the only available or reasonable carrier in certain situations. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. We can’t under value merchandise as it can not be properly insured. If you would like to discuss different avenues, contact us by phone for a personalized quote.  


Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.




First Generation 1988 Levinson Blade R-4MG - Misty Violet

Serial: 70973

Luthier Measurements: 

Nut Width: 1.67

Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .84

Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .88

Radius: 12

Scale: 25.5

Weight: 7 lbs 14 oz's

Comes in a Gig Bag

$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings,  Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action. 

Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!


🔥 RARE 1988–89 BLADE R4-MG — FIRST-GENERATION LEVINSON / MORIDAIRA MASTERPIECE IN MISTY VIOLET 🔥

Here’s a true golden-era gem: an early 1988–1989 Blade R4-MG (Translucent Mirror/Gold Series), built at the legendary Moridaira factory in Japan for Levinson of Switzerland. These first-generation, pre-lawsuit R4s are highly prized for their Swiss design innovation and flawless Japanese execution — and this one is a spectacular example.

Finished in gorgeous Misty Violet (transparent purple) over a solid Japanese Ash (Sen Ash) body with heavy, wide grain, it still presents pretty cleanly from the front. There are scattered little dings, dents, and scratches, but overall it retains excellent visual appeal. The hard-rock maple neck carries a premium, dark-striped rosewood fingerboard that has that deep chocolate, oily, Brazilian-rosewood look so coveted from this era. It’s been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability, and best of all — the original Variable Spectrum Control (VSC) active preamp is fully functional.

The Specs

Exact first-generation factory blueprint:

  • Model: Blade R4-MG (Translucent Mirror/Gold Series)
  • Year: Late 1988 / Early 1989 (serial 70973)
  • Origin: Moridaira Factory, Japan (for Levinson Switzerland)
  • Body: Solid Japanese Ash (Sen Ash) with heavy, wide grain
  • Finish: Misty Violet (transparent purple)
  • Neck: Hard-rock maple with premium dark-striped rosewood fingerboard
  • Headstock: Traditional Fender-style pre-lawsuit shape
  • Pickups: Levinson MDN-3 single-coils (solid covers, no exposed poles)
  • Electronics: Fully functional Variable Spectrum Control (VSC) active preamp — Volume, Tone, 5-way selector, and 3-way mini-toggle
  • Hardware: Factory gold plating with ultra-rare early “GEL” (Gary E. Levinson) stamped vintage-style saddles

These early R4s represent some of the finest Japanese craftsmanship of the late 1980s, combined with Gary Levinson’s innovative Swiss electronics.

The Sound

The Levinson MDN-3 single-coils deliver clear, articulate, high-quality late-’80s Strat-style tones with excellent dynamics and note definition. Where this guitar truly shines is the fully intact VSC circuit:

  • Middle (Passive) — classic, pure Strat voice
  • Up (Bass/Treble Boost) — active “smile curve” for sparkling, open, enhanced cleans
  • Down (Midrange Boost) — fat, compressed mid push that makes the single-coils sound thick and punchy, perfect for solos or driving a tube amp

Having a 100% operational VSC is a major bonus — many of these circuits were removed or damaged over the decades. This one gives you an incredible range of usable tones right at your fingertips.

The Playability

Professionally set up with comfortable action and accurate intonation. The neck is fast and inspiring, the frets play cleanly, and the whole instrument feels balanced and refined under the hands. The pre-lawsuit headstock and gold hardware complete the premium look and feel. Scattered light wear doesn’t detract from the playing experience — this is a true player’s guitar with serious collector appeal.

A rare, first-generation 1988–89 Blade R4-MG in Misty Violet with Brazilian-look rosewood, fully functional VSC electronics, factory gold hardware, and a professional setup. Swiss design, Japanese excellence, and that unique late-’80s innovation all in one package. Perfect for the player or collector who wants something special that still delivers on stage or in the studio.

This one is dialed in and ready. Don’t let a piece of guitar history like this get away.


🔥 This guitar (or bass) has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, It features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made Ernie Ball strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. We make sure all frets are leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The guitar has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- or studio-ready. 🔥


About The Guitar Dude 

Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide. Specializing in premium Gibson, classic Fender guitars from all eras and the best Japanese made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget—contact us for details).  

Often copied, never duplicated. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for beautiful guitar content. 


Consignment Services

Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. We offer the best and most fair priced consignment service on the planet! Look for me online. @TheGuitarDude


Our Guarantee  

We stand behind every guitar we sell. “Good enough” is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.  


Neck & Setup - (unless otherwise noted)

- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss-rod issues. 

- Intonation is spot-on.  

- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.  

- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and all frets on all guitars are polished to shine like new with no divots.  


Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy 

We follow Reverb’s 7-day return policy. However:  

- You must 

notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.  

- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described.  

- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described.  Please note there is a 10% restocking fee on guitar orders that have been purchased and paid for - that have been off the market for 24 hours or more, even if they have not been shipped or picked up by the carrier. We perform a final set up and change strings put when an order is placed and paid for. NO EXCEPTIONS


We do our best to honestly describe and photograph every guitar and most of the noticeable imperfections. That said, we are human, if something very small can be overseen, if tiny marks, dings or super fine scratches (normal wear) bother you, please don't buy.


We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.  


Minor adjustments and tweaks to a set up (for example to correct a slight buzz or truss-rod tweak) are normal after shipping due to carrier mishandling the package, climate & atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute “significantly not as described.” Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.  


We are a small family owned and run business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time, money and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post purchase haggling, returns without restocking fees or partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs—we do not.  


Payment, Shipping & International Duties  

- All items can be shipped internationally. Buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.  

- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.  

- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.  


International Shipping Note 

International shipping prices shown are for most countries. Certain countries have higher costs. We try and avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS, but USPS is the only available or reasonable carrier in certain situations. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. We can’t under value merchandise as it can not be properly insured. If you would like to discuss different avenues, contact us by phone for a personalized quote.  


Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.