Brian Moore Guitars i1.13

Kinda a long review (sorry), but the 1.13 has lots of stuff to review .......

2005 model 1.13. Made in Korea, inspected & setup in Brian Moore custom shop in Lagrange, NY. Mine was setup 7/06/2005, and bought one month later from Brookdale Music in Naperville IL (wonderful store - highly recommended!).

22 fret, mahogany body, 3 piece neck thru body, 25.5" scale, charcoal gray flamed maple top & headstock, Seymour Duncan H-S-H pickups (Alnico2 - neck & middle, JB - bridge), 5 way switch with push/pull tone knob coil taps, RMC piezo and 13 pin synth, whammy bar, Sperzel locking tuners, nice (fake) ivory bindings on body & fretboard, all hardware gold plated except synth controls. Includes stereo Y guitar cable with piezo and magnetic outputs, 5 allen wrenches, and extra trem spring. Case extra, so I bought the Brian Moore black gig bag for $59 (nice)

The 1.13 is a "Swiss army knife" guitar - with all the features I wanted. I preferred to buy American (keep our jobs here), but there is no equivalent USA model (other than $3,000 plus customs from Brian Moore or Warrior, or the Parkers or Godins - I don't care for their body styles, wanted a super-strat). I had been eyeing the 1.13 for some time. When I walked in the store and finally saw and tried it, and I bought it on the spot!

This is a super-strat design, which has some pros and cons on a 3 output guitar like this. The 1.13's neck is noticeably thinner and narrower than my Telecaster or a Strat, but (I think) slightly bigger and wider than an Inbanez or those other shredder axes. I have average sized hands, so (compared to my Tele) the 1.13 is easier to bar and thumb chord and double stop, harder to cleanly fingerpick, whammy bar is great for rock and blues, but the piezo is more twangy and there is not as clean attack on synth stuff, etc. Brian Moore also makes a fixed bridge version of this (the 8.13). So make sure you're OK with the features mix versus the outputs.

Note on the maple top (if quilted versus flamed is important to you). Brian Moore's i2000 catalog and web site says this is a "highly figured maple" top. Most of their i2000 model photos and color patches show a quilted maple, while some show flamed maple (there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to this). Since I bought mine from dealer stock, I could see that my charcoal gray top was flamed (whereas its color chip in the catalog showed quilted). For me, either quilted or flamed is OK (in fact, I'm growing more fond of the flamed version). However if a specific maple type is important to you, either buy it from stock, or verify with seller whether it is flamed or quilted. Brian Moore is being honest to say it's "highly figured" - it's just that could be either quilted or flamed. Some other makers (like Fender) charge the same for quilted and flamed (on their deluxe American Strats), while other makers (like Carvin) charge more for quilted. So just check, if ordering site unseen!

I have been playing guitar for about 10 years, up through college. Then got away from it for 20 years, then picked it back up again 5 years ago. I play fingerpicked blues and folk, blues, blues rock, 80's classic rock, and similar stuff (both lead, and rhythm). My other guitars are a Taylor 410CE acoustic, a Fender Nashville Power Telecaster (with Fishman piezo), and a Squirer Jr Strat (for traveling) - been playing all those both for 5 years. I play by myself now as a hobby (intermediate player), but have owned enough guitars and been around long enough to know what good guitar tone and playability are.

My normal 1.13 setup uses the stereo 1/4" Y cable: its magnetic output goes into my Vox Tonelab SE (various Fender & Marshall & Vox models), and its piezo output go into my Digitech RP200 (set clean). The its 13 pin synth outputs go into my Roland GR20 synth. All the outputs from then go into my Behringer 1002 mixer. For practice, the mixer outputs then go into a Sony stereo amp and then into my Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones. For performance, the mixer outputs go into my effects return on my Fender Acoustosonic Jr. DSP amp [no effects on that - just using it as a PA] (am shopping for a tube amp too).

MAGNETIC PICKUPS: Since most Tonelab SE reviewers (and I) say it captures the tube amp sounds, this review should apply to most tube amps. The 1.13's magnetic pickups are great!!! Neck SD Alnico-2 PU has all the warm vintage PAF type sounds, when coil-split it does a really good strat neck sound or clean single coil. Middle SD Alnico-2 single coil does the strat thing again. Bridge SD is typical moderate overdrive humbucker. Single coil thru clean amps does the blues & Chuck Barry sounds great, full humbucker thru Marshall amps does all those 80's overdriven lead & rhythm deals. Only sound you don't get I suppose is the heavy metal garbage (but then you wouldn't be reading this review, would you?).

PIEZO PICKUP: Alone - sounds like nearly every other unmiked acoustic with piezos you've ever heard amplified (not that great). The real magic on guitars like the 1.13 and my Nashville Tele is to BLEND the magnetic pickups with the piezo. Then you get a great shimmer-type tone, much better than just piezo alone! By fiddling with the blend, you can either get an acoustic sounding clean electric, or vice versa. Taylor must have drawn the same conclusion, since their new Expression system for their acoustics is the same magnetic/acoustic blend. A/B compared to my Telecaster's Fishman piezo, the 1.13's RMC piezo sounds a little more piezo-twangy while the Tele sounds more acoustic steel-string'ish (both are OK though). The one disadvantage to the 1.13 is that the piezo and magnetic outputs can't be blended on the guitar (the stereo 1/4" cable gets you both, while the 1/4" mono gets you magnetic only), while the Tele's Fishman control blends them when you use a 1/4" mono, or separates them with a 1/4" stereo cable. Brian Moore offers a $125 factory option to permanently blend magnetic & acoustic outputs via mono cable ..... DON'T DO THIS (they don't recommend it either). You will forever loose the ability to run separate signal paths. If you don't want to buy separate amps, just buy a $39 Behringer 801 mixer and mix them there, or use a separate signal path setup similar to mine. You will be MUCH happier with the sounds and versatility!! Am (reluctantly) taking 1 point off because no piezo pickup (on any guitar) is as good as a miked acoustic. However - consider the overall sound a 10.

SYNTH OUTPUS: Have only experimented a little thru my Roland GR-20, enough to say that it all works as exactly as advertised (and there's a gazillion sounds possible), but not enough to give you a good review. Quickly discovered though: you can nail the Enya or 80's Windam Hills new-age things, or 50's/60's Nashville country thing .... by simply blending in the middle magnetic pickup, the piezo, and the orchestra GR-20 synth patches - all on clean amp(s) with reverb. Just strum some slow open cords, and you're there!!! Not exactly my musical goal, but can be very amusing after blues practice. (optional: glass of Chardonnay or shot of Jim Beam [respectively] enhances the experience!)

FLAWLESS wood, finish, build, setup, electronics, and action!! The only changes I made were to swap out the included Elixir 9's (Elixir's sound muddy to me, because they're coated) with standard Fender Super 250 9's, and swapped Schaller gold strap locks to replace the non-locking originals.

Only taking a half point off (reluctantly) because the screws for the middle pickup appear to be stripped. I can't adjust its height - although it's set correctly. I suppose it's simple fix - haven't gotten to it yet.

Had it for almost 1 year, and there is no wear or problems on anything. I always wipe my guitars down after each playing, with separate (non-waxed) polishing cloths for wood parts, and for metal parts & strings. The gold plated parts still look new. Neck and intonation remain flawless, very slight (even) variations in tuning as humidity changes (as with all guitars), but absolutely no neck warping or fret buzz. I try to keep my guitar room humidity around 48%, and use case humidifiers when it drops below that in our Northern winters. That seems to help electrics, and is definitely needed on acoustics. All switches and electronics still absolutely noise free. Had to replace the 9v battery just once. Never had to adjust the truss rod or intonation.

Haven't had to deal with them. But the guitar as shipped was flawless, it had their setup sheet, their dealer (Brookdale Music) was great, and their web site had lots of helpful information. Company seems like its in it for love of the product! Limited lifetime factory warranty (for original owner).

This is a REALLY REALLY NICE guitar. I would cry if it got stolen, drink all the Chardonnay & Jim Beam mentioned above ;-) then get another one just like it the next day!

It has a a ton of features, designed/built/setup by people who actually play guitars and who are really into superb craftsmanship. Great magnetic pickup tones, covers you on piezo, and you can also be the 1 man band on the synth. Add to that a great PLAYABLE guitar, reliable, that also looks better than most custom shop guitars (better than many PRS's and Gibsons I've seen, etc). No wonder, it's my favorite of my 4 guitars (I'm writing up their reviews for Harmony Central - they won't be quite as good as this one). TRY ONE OUT - YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!

2005 model, 22 fret, mahogany body, maple top, neck thru construction, gold hardware, H-S-H with split pick up, roland 13 pin built in, piazo, hardshell case, locking tuners, whammy bar

I have played 40 years, I have a 62 strat and a 97 roadhouse, a 74 les paul custom and ovation celebry acoustic. this is my main guitar, I can nail the strat sound as good or better than a real strat, increadable sustain, I can nail Prs guitars at less than half the price, it has the creamy sound of a les paul but it cannot quite get the sound probably cause the neck is 25 1/2 length instead of 24 3/4. with volume driven the pickup up can bite in all 9 configurations, roll off the volume and it is sparkeling clean with the anico two neck humbucker in the neck and anico two single in the middle. the JB humbucker is perfect in the bridge. on the down side the frets are too high, and the pot takes more turning than the strats to adjust them. I heard the bolt on's and set necks but they do not compare to the difference in sound from the neck thru construction of this one, it makes a world of difference in sound and playing

Set up was good but I lowered the action for my likes and adjusted the pickup height to my taste. fit and finish is perfect no flaws although I wish the mahogany body was 1/8 thicker and the same with the maple top. the neck is complex radis which I like but I wish it was 1/8 narrower at the nut and 1/4 inch narrower at the other end. I will probably file the high frets down sometime in the future. I also wish the whammy was on the other side like SRV's as I am crippled in my rt hand

I think this is a durable guitar, electronics will last but the gold finish will probably wear off eventually, I have been playing this for 7 months with no problems. Don't use a backup I have faith

never had to deal with them, lifetime warrenty I believe

if it was lost or stolen I would be heartbroken, best guitar I have owned

I purchased an i1.13 a month ago, it's a double cutaway style guitar made in Korea (don't let that put you off) has 22 frets, mahogany body with maple top, h/s/h pickup configuration with 5 way selector with tap, it has seymour duncan alnico 2 pickups and a JB single coil plus the piezo pickup in the bridge for the 13 pin/ acoustic sounds (all can be used at the same time)

I play all different styles and this handles them all very well (it's probably worthwhile mentioning i play through a line 6 flextone 3) everything from warm jazz sounds to funk to metal and it has a good natural sustain, i really can't fault it, anything seems possible on it.
oh, just bear in mind you need a second amp (acoustic) to access the piezo pickup (via stereo cable - included)

again, no faults here, perfect set-up and played like a dream from day one

I only use this for playing at home, jam sessions, but it is a very well made guitar and i would have every faith in it being up to scratch in any situation

n/a

i've been playing for ten years now and also own an Epiphone Gary Moore LP, a Fender roadhouse US strat and an Ovation celeb deluxe, i run them through a flextone 3 amp using a Boss ME-50 and Jim Dunlop Cry Baby wah, i also use a Line 6 guitarport.
The i1.13 is my no.1 guitar and i'm already thinking of getting an i2 i'm that impressed with it, everything is superb, i went to the store with the intention of buying a PRS and tried numerous CE24's before having a go on an i1 and it blew me away, don't get me wrong, PRS's are great but the Brian Moore topped it (i also tried a JJ retro and ibanez jem). At the end of the day this is just my opinion and you need to try one, even if you aren't initially interested give one a play, you owe it to yourself as a guitar player.

Made in March 2004, made in Seoul, S. Korea, 22 frets, laminate top, standard Brian Moore synth guitar set-up ie:"1" 3 way synth/mix/magnetic switch, "1" synth volume, "1" piezo volume, "1" magnetic volume, "1" magnetic "push/pull" treble, "1" program/step/down 3 way switch. Pickup config, H,S,H "Seymour Duncans" + RMC piezo for midi and synth. Active Pickups, "or so I think because of the 9 volt battery, maybe that only powers the RMC piezo though?" . ENOUGH OF THIS, THIS IS A KICK ASS GUITAR. I BOUGHT IT AS A "BLEM" FROM MUSICIANS FRIEND, AND I CANT FIND A THING WRONG WITH IT. KILLER TONES FROM THE MAGNETICS, AND EXCELLANT TRACKING FROM THE RMC INTO BOTH A GR-33 AND A VG-88.

I have really grown to appreciate the Brian Moore Guitars. This is my second one, like the previous poster I also have a i2.13. Both guitars were set-up beautifully, and they both stay in tune perfectly. MAYBE that has something to do with the neck through the body on both. These guitars are truly a treasure. I cannot believe what a value I got, "sight unseen", it is always scary buying guitars without testing them first.

I am sure there are alot of guys out there that could find a problem, but to me " a 25 year player", I cannot find a problem. As far as bookmatching goes, everybody wants a 59 Les Paul which is perfectly bookmatched, get out your inheritance and checkbook if you think this comes cheap. Charcoal Gray top has no flaws.

N/A, I only record at home now, everything seems solid though.

N/A only registered it at there website.

I love it, tremolo stays in tune like a Floyd Rose with the Locking Sperzels and all.

ROCK ON DUDES!

2002, Neck thru, Gold Hardware, Seymour Duncan Pickups, RMC Acoustic pickup, Rolang GK internal 13 pin midi option. This is the best guitar I have ever bought. KOREAN MADE. U think its cheap? Guess again! I've had Gibson, PRS and Fender and this thing sounds and feels way better and WAY more versatile than any of those guitars. I bought this one because I bought the i2.13 (Les Paul Shape) and I fell in love with that one. This adds a double cutaway AND the tremolo and I CANNOT believe how amazing this guitar sounds. I desparatly want to reward the Brian Moore company and order an American custom model but I need to save money. I got both of these guitars for about a $1000 each and I feel so glad I took a chance. Originally I thought that since it was Korean that it was garbage!! I had a Strat reissue which I put in an LRBaggs and a Roland GK pickup and it was not this nice and it was heavier!! I can't say enough about this guitar, IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME CHECK THEM OUT BEFORE YOU PUT DOWN ANY MONEY, YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED WITH THE FEEL, THE SOUND AND THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU. THere aren't too mn ay around with a Neck thru so get them while you can. THeyb are definitly hard to get, check ebay and gbase. YOU WIL NOT FIND MANY OF THESE BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ALREADY.

OH BOY, I have an amazing sound, my friends who don't give compliments often have said it sounds great.

See above!!! I LOVE THIS GUITAR AND MY i2.13.

It seems very strong, what is great is that Brian Moore has the best service of any guitar company I've dealt with.

See above and one more thing. I bought the i2.13 from a store near Boston. He sent me the 13 pin cable ($50) and a nice hard case ($70), but he forgot the stereo cable. In called Brian Moore and they sent me one for free.

One more thing thepush-pull tone knob was scratchy. They sent me a new one for free also. NICE!!!

10 THe best guitar I have EVER bought. I had a Les Paul, PRS, and Fender reissue and believe me, the i1.13 AND the i2.13 are AMAZING!! I don;t like the i8.13 or the i88.13 or the bolt on guitars. The set neck of both guitars have given me an amazingly long amount of sustain.

1 More Note: Pat Metheny, Apple, Emagic and SIbelius did a seminar available on the Apple website. WHAT GUITAR DID HE USE? A BRIAN MOORE. He had Brian Moore add a Sustainer pickup on top of the Electric, Acoustic and Synth pickups. AMAZING.