There's a Brian Moore store ...? Very interesting. I think their factory is right up the Hudson in Cold Spring, is it not?

Never got to spend much time with the iGuitar, but armed with one of those, an iPad and Garage Band, one could do a bit of damage to both the music industry and one's bank account (or both) ....

Lets say A13#9

Hey Christopher,

Great job with the site, bro! :)

Yeah, his main factory used to be in Brewster, NY (not far from me) but, Brian sold the entire business a number of years ago, and now the company only sells the "i" models. But, someone told me they're still making the custom models, but, not sure who's actually making them these days. Probably overseas, like the "i" models. I guess????? Been a while since I've been "in the know"....

A very good friend of mine has 3 original custom BM guitars, made by Brian himself....oh, those axe's are SO SWEET!!! (they're very close friends)

Not sure how true this is, but, I was originally told that when the "i" models first came out (like my i9F Model) that the "i" stood for "IMPORT" model, now, I think, the "i" means something else. "Intelligent" or some crap like that????

I actually live in the village of Cold Spring, and the BM store is next door to my house, but, it's very small...kinda looks like a little tiny music store, and they give lessons, guitar repairs, sales, etc....Have NO CLUE where their factory is, or even if it's in the US anymore???

Again, it's been a while since I've been around the music biz...so, not 100% sure about all this stuff anymore. I could be wrong... hehe

Chris

The fact that Brian left a long time ago, but the company still bore his name for many years reminds me a bit of Tom Oberheim, who had his eponymously-named synth company taken out from under him in the mid-80s. Oddly enough, Gibson was involved in both cases. In Brian's case, a lawsuit from them brought about his departure, and in Tom's case, they ended up buying rights to his name.

Brands are brands, and companies are companies. I guess sometimes they are related and sometimes not.

I always felt the iGuitar was a little before its time. Now, I'm not so sure.

You're right....and the company STILL bares his name, to a certain extent!

Now, this is weird:

The company's website still bares the "Moore" name (Brian Moore Guitars) and, you can actually order a true "Brian Moore Custom Shop Guitar", custom built to your specs, all under the Brian Moore logo, YET, all the other models are strictly called "iGuitars"...So, I have NO CLUE what the "deal" is with this company??? And how they are able to use the BM name for Custom Models, yet, all the others are called iGuitars???

Maybe Brian sold the "rights", maybe he said they can use the "Moore" name??? I don't know the details, to be honest???

Kinda reminds me of Gibson & Epiphone....

I think Brian was forced to leave the company, and if that's true, I'm sure whoever escorted him out checked first to see who owned the trademark on the company. I'm not a lawyer but my guess is that just because the company's named after you doesn't automatically allow you to take it with you if you leave.

That being said, I'm sure their increased use of iGuitar is directly related to all the "i" prefixed products coming out of Apple these days. Not a bad brand to emulate.

Hey Chris,

I think you're right...Looks like he left the company early on......Some problems between Brian and Ned Steinberger, and some legal issues, as well.

I just found this post on the Steinberger Yahoo Forum...Interesting...Stuff I was not aware of...And looks like the original MC/1 (Custom Models) are not even being made anymore (Since 2001)...wasn't aware of that either.

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/steinberger_world/message/36364

And if you go to the bottom of the page, you'll see many more posts & good info on Brian, and about the company BMG. Might want to check it out, very interesting stuff...

Chris

EDIT:

Some legal issues between Brian & Gibson....Looks like Brian was sued by Gibson...

OK, well, I found out that their store (next to my house) IS (in fact) their main location, now. Just checked their website www.iguitar.com....

At this store, they're offering mods & all repairs on all brands of guitars...Seems I can have a USB system installed on my guitar for $300...might consider it on my i9F model? We'll see.

But, I'll certainly have to pay them a visit on Wednesday, maybe even have them give my i9F a tune-up, and oil-change! hehe

Now that is awesome!