Brian Moore Guitars i8

I'm giving this a 9 only because this model doesn't have a tremolo or the midi/usb outputs. If you want those features this is not the model for you.

# i8 Features Comfort contoured body
# Unique sculpted headstock
# Bolt-on neck construction
# Kalantas Mahogany body and highly figured maple top
# 22 fret, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard
# 25.5" scale 15" radius
# Seymour Duncan Pickups with coil tapping
# Chrome Hardware
# Sperzel Locking Tuners
# Fixed bridge
# Innovative Output jack location

Sounds great. Pickups are Seymour Duncans (AII in neck and JB in bridge) and there is coil tapping so tht you can split to single coil sound and other combos.

Guitar is set up with nice low action. The i8 is also from the i2000 series which is a bit higher end. All fits were fine and I have not found anything wrong in that department. I actually raised the action a bit to my liking. The quilted top finish is simply gorgeous ala PRS style.

Everything on this guitar is solid! You have the better tuners (Sperzel Locking) and better pickups (Seymour Duncans). There is no tremolo to fuss with or get out of wack. Strap buttons are solid however I'll put strap locks on. I can depend on it and have used it live w/o a backup.

I wanted to get some info from Brian Moore on their factory set up specs so that I could compare to how I change the action etc. I have found broken page links on their site, have had numerous emails sent back that are invalid and cannot get through on the phone. Their phone system gives you a message after 1 ring that the person is unavailable with no option to leave a message. I tried several extensions including sales. The only email I got a response back from after 3 days was the sales email and they sent me a tech email which was not on the site. I emailed that tech email twice and it has been weeks. So much for customer service. This is the WORST I've ever experienced!!

I've been playing since 1982 and and own a few Fender Strats. I would buy one of these guitars again and will probably buy another one if I add another guitar to my collection. They really have some nice options to choose from and you can get something different. The main thing I love about this guitar and the main reason I got one is because this guitar is so comfortable to play. It is designed very ergonomically and the neck is smooth! It is also lighter than my alder Strats which I couldn't believe. No neck or back pain holding this one! Plus, it looks beautifully. Because of customer service however, I am knocking the overall rating down. I'm sorry but it is not just the guitar you are buying and you want a company that stands behind their product! Brian Moore, GET YOU ACT TOGETHER!!!

Manufacture year unknown (purchased used) but after 2004 likely. Korean made with flame maple top on mahogany. Sperzel locking tuners and EMG pickups.
The only thing I find lacking in feature set is there is a single tone control potentiometer, but there is a 5 way switch PLUS both pickups can be tapped by pulling up on the volume and tone knobs respectively. Result - the features are there.

Very rangy sound. Deep luscious "PRS style" throatiness to high ripping trebles.
The range is everything I need, no noise at all.

Bought this used, and it did have a buzz on the low E and A around the 7th fret. I adjusted the action on the bridge and the buzz is gone while still leaving low, buttery action.
Overall a smallish feeling, really nice guitar.

This is a solidly built instrument.

No experience.

I've been playing 30+ years (although more bass and acoustic guitar). This is one of the most satisfying electrics I've owned to date. Most other "inexpensive guitars" are FAR more trouble than they are worth in my experience. New, these aren't cheap, but what a great value after market guitar!
I would definitely buy another.

2005 i8 - Seymour Duncan Alnico II ad JB in neck/bridge, both with coil-tap ability, Sperzel locking tuners, lightweight, nice thin neck, 15" radius fretboard

Alot of different, quite usable sounds IF the volume knob is kept at full volume. If the volume is lowered, the highs drop out and the sound is just dull. with the volume control up, I'd rate the sound a 10 but...

This gitar was set up almost perfectly when I tested it in the store. Just tune it up and play. Very low action, no dead holes, very smooth

It's kinda light, but I'm assuming that since I don't beat em up, it'll go the distance.

Regarding the volume control issue, I left email, phone message, tried calling every extension... no answer. Not even on the sales line. Maybe they're too busy to take calls. Maybe this is better than Gibson, who just shmoozed me with smoke-up-my-ass answers.

I prefer the feel of this guitar over my Fender 60's RI Strat and Gibson Les Paul. I guess I needed a volume pedal anyway ;)

2000 Hand Crafted in S. Korea, 22 Frets.
Katlantas Mahogany Body with highly figured flamed maple top.
Twin Seymour Duncan Humbuckers (Alnico + JB) With Coil-Tapping.
Maple Neck With Dark Rosewood Fingerboard & Abalone Dot Inlays.
Finished in a Gorgeous Trans-Red.
Double Cut-Away (Strat-Esque) With Fixed Bridge & String-Thru Body.
Fixed Bridge, Sperzel Locking Tuners, Thin Neck.
Rear-Mounted Input Jack, Volume-Tone-3way Selector Coil-Tap Controls.

My main music style is rock. This guitar is capable of producing an amazing array of different sounds thanks in part to the coil-tapping feature on both pups. I currently put the guitar through BOSS DS-2 and CE-5 pedals into a small Marshall combo. The sound of each humbucker seperately is fantastic with a warmth from the neck pup and a crunchy abrasiveness from the bridge pup. However selecting the 'middle' position and playing with both 'buckers on will require adjustments of the tone knob to achieve a desirable sound.

In single-coil mode some great strat tones can be achieved although the rear pup in single mode can be a little 'tinny' but can still produce some useful tones.

The factory set-up required no adjustment at all, superb. The book-matching of the flamed maple is astonishing, it almost looks like a perfectly symmetrical single piece of wood. One notable flaw however is that the holes drilled for the thru-body stringing do look a little mis-aligned, but only under close inspection.

The guitar is built to last and will easily survive many years of hard-gigging. The hardware is all of a very high standard and should prove reliable for many years. The finish is thick enough to last a lifetime, which is a bit of a shame as this guitar would look awesome with some body-wear. I would still take a back-up guitar to a gig "as anything can happen in the next half-hour" (Thunderbirds : 1964).

I haven't had to deal with customer service. I have registered my instrument with the official website which was an easy enough process and gives me a lifetime limited warranty. However no documentation came with my guitar when I bought it, however "its not right, but its ok" (W. Houston : 1996)

Overall this is a fantastic guitar for the money. This guitar is capable of producing a vast amount of rich sounds. I particularly like the fact it is lightweight but still has great sustain and the jack-input is a great feature. I wish there were more colours available in the range then I might get another!

Hand crafted in Seoul, Korea, 2002 model. Two Seymour Duncs humbuckers with coil tapping.3 way selector, one tone, one volume. Mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. High gloss quilted top. Locking Sperzel tuners, thin, fast neck.

Played through a Marshall MG30DFX. Sound is awesome with choices thanks to the coil taps - rich and warm or bright depending on what you want to play. Also great sustain for a bolt on neck. This baby doesn't know when to stop!

Action a bit iffey - some bottom e buzz, but I just need to adjust it a bit. No flaws, just a few light scuffs on the back which will polish out, but it was bought second hand!

It looks and feels a bit fragile if you are used to standard strats or Les Pauls, but don't be fooled. Yes, it is a lot lighter, but build quality is excellent. I'd have no worries with this beaut!

Never dealt with them, but manuals are onn their web site and available to download free. Also the guitar does have a limited lifetime warranty, but I don't know whether that's transferrable, but still worth a nine here.

Been playing a few years and have owned various guitars, electric and acoustic (Burns Marquee, Hondo Les Paul, Wesley Honeydripper, Takamine G series, Tanglewood Les Paul, Artist metal), but I would put this at the top of the tree. I got this for a bargain price, as they retail for around #700.00 in the UK. If you see one, get it!!! You won't put it down!!

2003 i8. Perfect shape when I got it. Features are what I was looking for; coil taping, solid bridge, Sperzel locking tuners. I love the Seymour Duncans. Others have complained about their brightness / harsh eq type sound, but they really sing and are warm if you have a good amp. The coil tap obviously drops a hair in volume and sounds a bit thinner..... clearly, as you now have a single coil in your signal chain. I have found this to be very useful and musical when changing styles live.

I am a working musician- play blues, rock, alt-country, Latin, funk... with a lot of lead guitar based improv and articulte musical conversation. I am a toen freak who has spent five times more $ on guitars in the past and this is the most articulate, glassy, naturally harmonic of all the predesessors ( Fender Custom shop, PRS, Gibson Custom...) The sound is bright and gives nice definition on the low end... I play .11-.56. No noise. Beautiful tone!

Just perfect. I raised the pickups a wee bit. Otherwise,....

I would replace the pots too. It's light and the finish seems good and strong. I can absolutely depend on it and it stays in tune even when going from reg. tuning to open G in the same set.

i8 > crybaby > ts9 > microvibe > yamaha magic stomp > stereo amp rig: Ashdown Peacemaker 40 & Fender Blues Junior. This is the tone I want, very versitile. I ove the warm sustain of this guitar mixed with the articulation it provides for lead playing. I do not do metal or power chord stuff, I'm more of a Doyle Bramhall II/Kimock/Robin Ford/Warren Haynes influenced player. This is a superior lead guitar, I cannot believe I got it so cheap. Great day! I have two Fender custom shop Strats- a necck-thru with a a beautiful figured maple top and a rare '89 Custom Shop SRV that are works of art, but the way the 18 works with Seymour Duncans provides me with more versatility and warmth, and more articulate lead notes. A wonderful instrument, feels and plays...and looks ... like a custom hand made guitar worth much more than even the list ( about $1K) IF YOU CAN FIND ONE EBAY FOR BELOW $500 YOU SHOULD GET ONE, PERIOD!

See other reviews for specs

I play everything and anything.
Classical - jazz - rock - folk - metal. Suits every style beautifuly
Behringer 1204fxpro mixer -> Boss DS-1 DD-3 Cry Baby Wah wah (original) fuzz face. Amp is Marhsall tsl602.
Very slick guitar, excellent tonality range.
There is only one thing about this guitar that is a little whacko. Switching over to the coil tapping, there is a slight drop in volume. Spend a little time with this baby and you'll work around its faults (like any instrument :>)

Just looking at the guitar you get a sense of its workmanship. Beatifuly crafted, superb action. Naturally pickup height was change when i get home to suit my needs.

Pick this baby up! its light as a feather. Exactly what u need for a live gig, u heardly realise u have a piece of wood strapped on. The finish is rock solid, withstands scratches quite well.

The stock POTS arent the best, i had them replaced for 50$AU and now they are sweet. Innovative jack location is awesome, i dont understand why other guitar companies havent taken this and applied it to their own guitars.

Play this baby everyday for the past year, no need for backup at a gig, sperzels are solid for easy string changes. Nothing to be change on this axe. Except the pots :>

Masterpiece.

Haven't had the need to deal with Brian Moore diretly. I seldom go back to the manufacture due to how long it takes them to replace/fix equipment.

Go to your local music store, speak to the guitar buff, he/she'll fix you up with any problems.

I've been playing for approx 10years, this is quite clearly the best guitar ive had in which time. I tried out tonnes of guitars before selecting this one. Ibanez, Fender, Jackson, Gibson, Cort.
Be sure to get the pots replaced (you will notice a tonal difference as the stock ones blow)
Everyone has their own personal tastes, i was unsure about buying a brian moore.... why?.... who the hell are brian moore!?..
when it comes down to it, let ur fingers and ur ears make the decision for you.
A beast of a guitar, with lots of tonal possibilities, from satch to di meola to gilbert to hendrix to gambale to dimebag. You can cook up almost any tone you can imagine with this guitar.
Again, it comes down to taste and wat what suits ur musical needs.

See other reviews. Not sure if this one had the Seymour Duncan JB (bridge) and Alnico (neck). Definitely Seymour Duncans, though. Coil-tap, push-pull on volume + tone nob. Mahogany. Very Lightweight. Sperzel Locking Tuners. String through body bridge--hardtail. "Vintage Sunburst" finish. Body type similar to an Ibanez "S series".

This guitar resonates well unplugged. I tested it at a store through a Fender Princeton Chorus with a flat EQ to get a sense of it's character. It's too bad the unplugged sound doesn't translate well through the pick-ups. Clean, it sounds rather muddy. The tone nob just couldn't bring out any snap or sparkle, and the coil taps didn't help either. I can't really see how this could be compared to a PRS. Would need some massive EQ to bring out the top end. Distorted, of course, it sings with lots of sustain (like other axes meant for shredding). But in this price range, there are other, better sounding options (e.g. an Godin LG with coil taps). I was really hoping that this ax would sound as good as it looks--it's close, but no cigar.

Perfect set-up. Craftsmanship is really something. Finish is flawless. Fast neck that requires little effort for arpeggios and scale runs. It's playability alone is worth the price of admission.

If a little care is taken, I don't see why this wouldn't be great for a live gig. Hardware seems built to last. String through body + hard-tail + Sperzels= no tuning problems. I would definitely gig without a backup.

I've only tried the guitar at a store.

I've been interested in purchasing a coil-tap, two humbucker guitar in a moderate price range for quite awhile. I don't care much about where it's made, it just has to be versatile and sound great. I've been playing for 10 years (a little bit of Jazz-Blues fusion, instrumental rock, and jazzy-folk song-writing), and I'm looking for a nice jack-of-all-trades guitar that sounds great harmonically and just plain wails! I'm also not made of money.
For the extra hundred or so, I would purchase a Godin LG with the coil tap--much more versatile, and better clean sound. If you're going to use the i-8 primarily for shredding, it's perfect. If you're looking for a little more versatility, look elsewhere. I suppose I could change the pickups etc., but in this price range (especially with other options available), why bother?

Crafted in Korea, assembled in US.
21 frets.
Volume, Tone, 3-way selector, coil tapping on two Seymour duncan HB-4's.
Transparent flame top on a strat style curved top w/o pickguard. String thru body with locking tuners.
Came with tools.

I could've used a nice case, but i guess no. Moveable bridges are fun, but this thing sure stays in tune. I Did have to put straplocks on. That input jack is sweet!

This thing delivers the variety, but it also has it's own unigue sound. It sounds like a PRS in some ways. I like rock and blues but also clean stuff in major keys. I currently have a Crate 15w piece of junk and a Digitech RP100 and both are crappy. My Cry Baby sounds good though. It is not noisy, my amp is noisy. Before I tightened the nobs they crackled when I turned them.
Both pickups are quite full and beautiful. The neck breaks nice and both sustain like crazy (esp w/10's). When split both are nice and bright. I like the way the pups get the fret noise. It gets some sweet harmonice in bridge position.
I don't like how the neck pickup isn't as loud as the bridge, but I usually don't switch in the middle of songe so it doesn't matter. Great sounding guitar!

Everything was set up good. The bridge I had to change (obviousely) because of the string guage. No Flaws present.

This guitar has sustained much live playing since I got it 4 mos ago. The hardware will last. Finish will last unless you accidentally scrape a hard tool against it while tightening stuff! (I'm a moron!) I replaced the strap buttons with straplocks because I once dropped a bass on my big toe and it will not happen again! Overall a very dependable guitar. I left in my van overnight in 20 degree weather and the next morning it was still good and in tune and stuff. I regularly use it w/o backup. A very durable guitar.

I haven't dealt with the company but it has a limited lifetime warranty. (I hope it's still under it after the straplocks!)

I've been playing for a year and a half now. I described my gear, but soon i'll be getting an amp and some pedals. All of the surprises I found in this guitar were good ones. If stolen or lost, I would either replace this exact copy or get the piezzo version which sound interesting. I love the sound, variety, and playability. I wish it could have been blue, this being my 3rd red electric guitar(out of three). If you want to sound like a strat, get a strat, If you want a a fat tone baby that'll break your bak, get a Les Paul. If you want a versitile guitar that can do lots of tricks and sounds great, get this baby!

2001 hand made in Seoul Korea. Flame top. Same features as the others on here. I can sum this guitar's features up in one word; Incredible!

I use Carvin CM150 with Peavey Rockmaster tube pre amp sporting 4 Russian made Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 tubes. Zoom FX707 processor. Also run it through a Carvin SX200H.

One word for the sound of this guitar even through a Danelectro HoneyTone w 3" speaker; Awesome!

Another one word; Perfect!

Solid as a rock, but then I'm not a Strat owner who likes to throw my guitar around and brag about how tough it is. I take care of everything I own. Even my battle tanks.

Great people to chat with. They are not stuck up assholes like the people at Carvin.

This is one of the best made and sounding guitars you can buy at any price. For those out there who think USA made guitars are the only quility guitars made you need to wake up. The Korean's make Brian Moore and Hamer guitars which are some of the best guitars in the World. They are made in Korea to cut down on cost, not quality. Some Korean made guitars are in fact cheap, but then again look at the USA made CRAP Fender is putting out now. I have read several people rate this guitar and mention it playing and sounding better than some of the PRS guitars. I agree. PRS makes some pretty guiars, but so does Brain Moore's Seoul Korea plant, and for thousands less.