Luthier Adam Buchwald based Iris Guitar Firm in 2018 with a transparent imaginative and prescient: to construct devices with custom-shop high quality utilizing good, streamlined building. Sharing a workshop with its bespoke sibling manufacturers, Circle Strings and Fairbanks Guitars , Iris attracts on the identical expert workforce of builders. It additionally advantages from direct entry to distinctive tonewoods, due to Buchwald’s possession of the guitar-making provide firm Allied Lutherie. This connection offers Iris a supplies benefit that’s uncommon amongst small-scale builders.

Although Iris guitars are sometimes positioned as budget-friendly workhorses, the MS-00 I reviewed—a {custom} construct showcased on the January 2025 NAMM present—is a distinct form of beast. Priced at $5,100, this instrument encompasses a sinker salmon Sitka spruce high, Madagascar rosewood again and sides, and a Brazilian rosewood bridge and fingerboard—all chosen for enhanced tonal readability. In spending time with the MS-00, I discovered a guitar that’s simple, well-balanced, and constructed to be performed, not pampered.

Classic Vibe, Trendy Contact

The matte darkish burst and stylish physique form of the MS-00 evoke the traditional Gibson L-00. That’s no coincidence—this mid-’30s-style guitar was developed in shut collaboration with Folkway Music’s Mark Stutman, a classic professional and luthier identified for his deep data of prewar Gibsons. From his store in Waterloo, Ontario, Stutman introduced each a pointy eye and a well-trained ear to the venture, serving to the MS-00 seize the voice and character of a golden-era flattop.

Whereas the usual MS-00 begins at $2,350, the guitar I reviewed consists of a number of options from the $3,150 Mark Stutman spec—equivalent to a wider 1-3/4-inch nut, 2-5/16-inch bridge spacing, and a modified V-neck profile. However this specific construct pushes issues even additional, with a extra custom-made voice and really feel that units it other than both manufacturing mannequin. 

Madagascar rosewood is usually considered as an in depth substitute for the coveted Brazilian, and is just used on a choose few new guitars today. The again on this instrument is constructed from 4 items relatively than two. True to Iris’ ethos, this selection displays the corporate’s dedication to utilizing nice tonewoods that may fall in need of measurement necessities or beauty requirements for higher-end boutique builds, however nonetheless ship excellent sonic character.

The result’s a refined tackle the MS-00—visually distinctive and sonically responsive, with simply sufficient individuality to face out. And for these impressed by this construct, Iris does settle for {custom} orders, permitting gamers to request particular combos of tonewoods, neck specs, and beauty particulars.

Consolation and Playability

I discovered the vintage-style open-back tuners straightforward to make use of and exact in holding pitch. Whereas the modified-V formed mahogany neck wouldn’t be my first selection—the profile is extra pronounced than I usually desire—the usual MS-00 comes with a spherical C-shaped neck, which I’d seemingly discover extra to my style. Like different Iris guitars, this mannequin encompasses a wider, squarer heel that accommodates the bolt-on design. Although visually a bit clunky, it actually solely impacts the texture on the twelfth fret. In any other case, the motion was comfy proper out of the case, and the fret ends had been clear and clean throughout the board. General, the guitar performed effortlessly—inviting lengthy stretches of follow or efficiency with out fatigue.

Versatile Tone Throughout Kinds

Utilizing the included Iris 1.5mm ivoroid decide, I began noodling in G main in open place and instantly observed the complete, articulate midrange—together with a decent low finish that offered a transparent, unmuddied drive. The low E string might deal with some push, so I improvised a powerful however groovy strum on an open E pedal whereas taking part in diatonic thirds on the fourth and fifth strings. I discovered the guitar able to taking a heavy strum with out sacrificing readability.

I then moved into an E minor bass chord sample and was impressed by how clearly the bass notes reduce by the combo. Switching to the traditional flatpicking tune “Purple Haired Boy,” I discovered the notes nicely balanced throughout the strings in first place—each distinct, but mixing along with simply the correct amount of pure “guitar-verb.” The ladder bracing might contribute to this character as nicely, giving the guitar a dry, punchy response with a little bit of old-school edge—particularly noticeable on arduous strums and fast be aware runs.

Testing the higher register, I picked by the B part of the traditional valse musette “Mystérieuse” to listen to the be aware separation up the neck. Right here, I discovered the taper of the neck extra pronounced than I’d desire, however once I dug in at increased positions, the guitar opened up and dealt with the added dynamics nicely.

I shifted to fingerpicking Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne,” and the MS-00 responded sweetly. After I strummed by the primary half of the trad-jazz staple “Blues My Naughty Sweetie Provides to Me,” the guitar held its personal surprisingly nicely on this jazzier context. I wrapped up with a chord-melody model of “April Showers,” and the guitar dealt with all of it—full chords up and down the neck, dynamic contrasts with out tonal loss, and clear single-note strains all through the fretboard.

Excessive-Finish Construct, Classic Soul

At $5,100, this NAMM-showcase MS-00 will not be precisely the budget-minded flattop Iris is greatest identified for—nevertheless it doesn’t fake to be. With its mixture of premium tonewoods, vintage-inspired neck carve, and responsive voicing, it delivers the form of tactile, dynamic really feel you’d count on from a boutique instrument. Whether or not you’re fingerpicking, strumming and singing, backing a band, or taking the lead, the MS-00 proves that Iris can compete on the highest stage.

SPECS

BODY

14-fret 00; sinker salmon Sitka spruce high; Adirondack spruce ladder bracing; four-piece Madagascar rosewood again and sides; black/white/black purfling and rosette; Brazilian rosewood bridge with bone saddle (2-5/16″ spacing); firestripe pickguard; satin darkish burst nitrocellulose end

NECK

Mahogany; bolt-on, modified V profile; 24.75″ scale; Brazilian rosewood fretboard with 16″ radius; 1-3/4″ bone nut; ivoroid binding; nickel/silver frets; six-petal flower headstock inlay; vintage-style open-back tuners with cream knobs; satin nitrocellulose lacquer end

OTHER

D’Addario XS Gentle Phosphor Bronze Coated strings (.012–.053); TKL hardshell case

MADE IN USA

PRICE $5,100 as reviewed/from $2,350

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