With its Strat-meets-Les Paul body, this SL Deluxe is just more comfortable to play than most Gibsons you're likely to encounter. Better balance, a tummy cut, effortless upper fret access...

Why We Love This

The core of the b3 SL's design is simple - take a Stratocaster and a Les Paul and combine the best bits into something new. Simple in theory, hard in practice (read: easy to get wrong). Fortunately for you and me, fellow guitar enthusiasts, Gene Baker of b3 Guitars draws on his time at both the Gibson Custom Shop and the Fender Custom Shop to absolutely nail this idea.

The neck carve on this SL is a highlight, which is true of all b3's in truth. It's incredibly easy to play and immediately feels like home (especially for Gibson players). Gene calls it a '59 Soft V and it measures .89" to .98" with stainless 6105 frets (22).

Wired with a set of Lollar Imperial humbuckers and a two volume / two tone (push/pull coil taps) / 3-way setup, you can cover a wide range of tones, clean to fuzzed out (anything you'd call on a Gibson-style guitar for basically).

A fantastic guitar that will make Strat players looking for some Gibson flavor, or Gibson players looking to dip into a Strat, very happy.