"My passion was embedded into the ’59 Les Paul and all things cool about vintage Gibson models...but then you take Leo Fender as the father of a great format for modification, find a way to blend the two and you can lean into any direction you want."
~ Gene Baker (via guitar.com)
Founded by Gene Baker, b3 Guitars is the culmination of a career that's touched nearly every major name in American electric guitar building.
Gene apprenticed under Roger Giffin at the Gibson Custom Shop, joined the Fender Custom Shop in 1993 and rose to Senior Master Builder, then went on to serve as Chief Master Builder at Premier Builders Guild from 2009 to 2015, overseeing production of guitars designed by Dennis Fano, Roger Giffin, Saul Koll, Johan Gustavsson, and Jason Schroeder.
Since 2015, he's run b3 independently building the Earth, Fire, Wood, Water, Metal, Phoenix, and Ring Master models - each designed around a specific tonal target and named after the five phases of the Chinese cycle of Wu Xing.
The Music Emporium has carried b3 for years, with a selection that spans Gene's core models and the one-off custom builds his shop is known for. Gene plays every guitar before it leaves the bench, and after thirty-plus years of building at the highest level, that final check is worth what it sounds like.
Modern Vintage
b3 guitars blend classic forms with modern sensibility, channeling the best of vintage feel and tone while refining playability and design for today’s players.
Masterbuilt Mentality
Every b3 is handcrafted by Gene Baker - former Fender Custom Shop Master Builder - and his small team. Precision, consistency, and artistry define each instrument.
Custom Without Compromise
With an array of body styles, finishes, pickup configurations, and hardware options, b3 Guitars offer custom-shop flexibility backed by decades of pro-level experience.
b3 Guitars FAQ
Common questions about b3 Guitars - who builds them, the model lineup, and where to play them.
Where can I buy a b3 guitar near Boston?
The Music Emporium is an authorized b3 Guitars dealer and has carried Gene Baker's instruments for years. From our showroom in Lexington, Massachusetts near Boston, we keep a selection spanning b3's core models and the one-off custom builds the shop is known for, and players visit from across New England to try them in person.
Who builds b3 Guitars?
b3 Guitars is built by Gene Baker, a luthier whose career spans nearly every major name in American electric guitar building. Gene apprenticed under Roger Giffin at the Gibson Custom Shop, joined the Fender Custom Shop in 1993 and rose to Senior Master Builder, then served as Chief Master Builder at Premier Builders Guild from 2009 to 2015. He has run b3 independently since 2015, building every guitar himself or with his small team and playing each one before it leaves the bench.
What b3 models does The Music Emporium carry?
b3's core lineup includes the Earth, Fire, Wood, Water, Metal, Phoenix, and Ring Master models, each designed around a specific tonal target and named after the five phases of the Chinese cycle of Wu Xing, alongside the SL, Telstar, and Monroe lines. As an authorized dealer, we typically have a cross-section of these models in stock along with one-off custom builds, and our selection rotates as Gene's shop completes new instruments.
What makes b3 Guitars different from other boutique electrics?
b3 blends classic Fender- and Gibson-style forms into new designs, drawing on Gene Baker's decades as a Master Builder for both companies. Every instrument is handcrafted by Gene and his small team, with custom-shop flexibility across body styles, finishes, pickup configurations, and hardware - backed by over thirty years of building at the highest level.
Are b3 guitars available as custom orders?
Yes. Gene Baker's shop builds one-off custom instruments alongside the core model lineup, and as an authorized b3 dealer we can help guide the spec and place the order. Because every guitar is built and played by Gene himself, lead times reflect the pace of a small, hands-on shop.