Gearphoria Issue #26

This is the first guitar Gene Baker built in 2017... and that's not the only reason this Phoenix V is truly special!

Gene Baker, former Master Builder at the Gibson and Fender Custom Shops, has moved his b3 Guitars from California to the brand new, state of the art, Roscoe Guitars workshop in North Carolina. Once again, he is making his SL, Phoenix, and Ring Master models by hand, with top quality materials, and true to his designs. This Phoenix V is the absolute best example of the model we've every played.

The Phoenix is a combination of many classic guitar design elements that result in a unique and wonderful instrument. Fundamentally, this is a 25.5" scale, neck thru solid-body guitar with string thru body and angled headstock, all of which accentuate energy transfer and resonance. The look and the feel of the Phoenix is inspired by the best features of the Tele, Firebird, Strat, and Les Paul.

The Phoenix can be ordered with a wide variety of electronics and bridges. This Phoenix V has Mean Gene's original design of two Lollar mini humbuckers and a Tele singlecoil on a 5-way switch with master volume and tone. Each of the two humbuckers can be split by pulling up on the tone control giving you NINE tonal variations! This balanced combination is mated with a full-size and extra mass Tele 3-barrel bridge for pronounced sonic character.

The V designation indicates this guitar is upgraded with creme bound neck and deluxe trapezoid fret markers. This guitar also has a clean (i.e. not aged), full body and neck TV Yellow finish that is super thin and beautifully translucent with a well matched tortoise shell pickguard. The most striking element of this guitar is its premium Korina body and neck.

The Echopark DT Standard Series is here! To kickoff the move from Los Angeles to Detroit, Gabriel Currie has developed this new line of guitars and has made them exclusively available through a select group of authorized dealers. Distortion Brothers goes way back with Echopark Guitars and we are stoked to be part of this new evolution.

Echopark now makes two series of guitars. The DT Series, which is the acronym for Detroit, is made with a Working Musician's budget in mind. The DT Series employs a choice selection of the same quality components used in the Handcrafted Series.

This Echocaster is serial number DT-002 and it has a few, well-suited custom appointments. Its 1-piece Alder body is finished in Sonic Blue, it has amp-style knobs, and it is nicely custom aged. Gabriel Currie made some last-minute changes to make this Echocaster come alive: a Strat-style pickup in the neck and a white pickguard. In two of the photos below, you can see it with its original Tele-style pickup and black pickguard.

Gabriel also signed the back of this guitar's headstock. This Echocaster comes with a hard-shell case and a signed certificate of authenticity. It is ready to rock and roll!

Each of Josh Grove's Protocaster Guitars is a unique instrument with a distinct voice. This Ess-type is a finished with a masterfully aged Inca Silver and appointed with nickel hardware. The neck with its hand-carved shape feels substantial and comfortable. The Peter Florance pickups sound greasy and ripping.

Distortion Brothers is proud to sell Protocaster Guitars. Each one seems have a different backstory. This sense of "dues paid" is inherent in all of them. You really do need to check them out to fully appreciate it.