Favorite IRIS guitar model???

[jdinco]

Originally Posted by dave42

I ordered through TNAG. I can not recommend these folks.

I ordered from them too...Kim was great to deal with. I do recommend them !

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by McLatchey

Haha will do! There's a chance (albeit very small) that I'll part ways with the DF.....I can't imagine liking the AB better than the DF.....but you never know until you play 'em right!!

I really want to order a custom Iris with 1 3/4 and 2 5/16 with Adi/Hog.

Just hate waiting 14 months....granted I talked to Adam and he did say they are about to move to another production facility and just hired two new people (I think he said from Collins) to help speed up production so the wait might not be 14 months

Any updates? I recently picked up a secondhand DF with a customer-supplied, 30+ year-old Adirondack spruce top, and the sound is unbelievable. When I spoke to Adam about it, he said that the wood would typically be found on a $10k guitar, and I believe it. This guitar already has me thinking of getting in line for the 000 model that is supposedly in the works.

[Brucebubs]

I really like the ND-200 jumbo - I'd like one with 1.725" nut and Gotoh tuners - they told me both are doable.

[Mak2525]

Originally Posted by sinistral

Any updates? I recently picked up a secondhand DF with a customer-supplied, 30+ year-old Adirondack spruce top, and the sound is unbelievable. When I spoke to Adam about it, he said that the wood would typically be found on a $10k guitar, and I believe it. This guitar already has me thinking of getting in line for the 000 model that is supposedly in the works.

In emailing with Adam re: my recently acquired DF Smeck, I asked directly about the 000 14 fret rumor. He confirmed that this is their next production model. I believe if you get on the $1000 deposit waiting list, this will be an option for you come build time.

[Mr. Paul]

It's the only Iris I've ever played but what a guitar this ND200 is, colorful rosewood and nicely figured adirondack. I ordered a full C neck and it is a handful ... deep and the 1/3/4 nut measures 1.77. Perfect for what I like.

It's been over 10 years since I sold my last jumbo, a Lowden O. I'd forgotten that there is nothing like a big guitar.

[Mak2525]

Wow, what a beauty! I think the open pore finish looks even better on rosewood than mahogany. Every Iris I have played and the Smeck I own have big voices - I'll bet this one has a HUGE voice! I'm sure Brucebubs will be by soon asking you about it as he has his eye on one as well. Congrats and enjoy!

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Mak2525

Wow, what a beauty! I think the open pore finish looks even better on rosewood than mahogany. Every Iris I have played and the Smeck I own have big voices - I'll bet this one has a HUGE voice! I'm sure Brucebubs will be by soon asking you about it as he has his eye on one as well. Congrats and enjoy!

Ha! I've been in contact with Mr Paul about this guitar before he took delivery, gotta say I think it looks fantastic too.

Good choice of specifications there too Mr Paul .. the full body and neck binding would be my choice too.

Pretty sure my SJ-200 will be the last new guitar I ever buy .. but it's nice to look around and see what else is out there.

[gfirob]

I think what is really interesting about these guitars, is that very high level luthiers have decided to market affordable guitars that working musicians can afford, which sound and play way above their pay-grade. They do this (as I understand) by simplifying the entire neck construction (three pieces with a scarf joint at the headstock and a bolt on attachment to the body) simplifying all body decoration, including the finish, and making a lot of construction processes common to all the models—while at the same time making a very light body with a thin top, carefully considered bracing and very thin matte nitro finish, without filling the pores. These are guys who know a lot about what makes a guitar sound good and what makes it cost a lot. I am going up to Burlington and visit the factory in a month or so (I live in Vermont).

If you compare them to a big plant like Martin's or Gibson Montana, they seem to be more of a collective, a group of luthiers who control their supplier. As far as I can see, this is a very winning formula, but you are not going to get what you would with a high end boutique builder or high end model from a factory in terms of finish and glitz, but you are going to pay about a third of the price and it will probably sound great. I have not played one, but they have great word of mouth. I'm looking forward to the visit and playing their models (especially the Smeck and the ND200).

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by gfirob

I think what is really interesting about these guitars, is that very high level luthiers have decided to market affordable guitars that working musicians can afford, which sound and play way above their pay-grade. They do this (as I understand) by simplifying the entire neck construction (three pieces with a scarf joint at the headstock and a bolt on attachment to the body) simplifying all body decoration, including the finish, and making a lot of construction processes common to all the models—while at the same time making a very light body with a thin top, carefully considered bracing and very thin matte nitro finish, without filling the pores. These are guys who know a lot about what makes a guitar sound good and what makes it cost a lot. I am going up to Burlington and visit the factory in a month or so (I live in Vermont).

If you compare them to a big plant like Martin's or Gibson Montana, they seem to be more of a collective, a group of luthiers who control their supplier. As far as I can see, this is a very winning formula, but you are not going to get what you would with a high end boutique builder or high end model from a factory in terms of finish and glitz, but you are going to pay about a third of the price and it will probably sound great. I have not played one, but they have great word of mouth. I'm looking forward to the visit and playing their models (especially the Smeck and the ND200).

What’s great about the business model is that they allow a decent amount of customization, unlike, say, Waterloo, where the specs of each model are set. The downside for me is that when I get to the point of placing my order, I’ll want a bunch of extras—Adi top, slotted headstock, sunburst with ivoroid binding, crackle-gloss finish, upgraded tuners…

The tone of my secondhand DF never ceases to amaze me.

[rollypolly]

Anybody own an AB in maple B&S and natural top? A few I've seen almost looks like they have adi top?

[58Taylor12]

I have an ND-200 sunburst with 1.75" nut. LOVE it.

[jim1960]

I got my maple/adi ND-200 in November. It's hasn't been back in the case since then.

[R22]

That's just a stunning sunburst Jim. If it plays and sounds as good as it looks, I can see why you're having trouble putting it back in it's case.

My JB is very plain Jane. I do have a J45V with a nice SB, but I've got to admit I'm a little jealous.

[jhansenku]

I have a DF and ms-00. My DF has been a love hate relationship. Sometimes I love it and others I consider selling it. It's a big bodied guitar for me. But the neck feels so good on it! I put Martin Retros on it and that has seemed to help tame the guitar a bit. This maybe a dumb question, what's the difference with the Smeck model?

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by R22

That's just a stunning sunburst Jim. If it plays and sounds as good as it looks, I can see why you're having trouble putting it back in it's case.

My JB is very plain Jane. I do have a J45V with a nice SB, but I've got to admit I'm a little jealous.

Not sure how I missed this—agree 100% that that sunburst is killer, and I bet it looks even better in person (cameras have a tendency to lose the gradation of fades).

Originally Posted by jhansenku

I have a DF and ms-00. My DF has been a love hate relationship. Sometimes I love it and others I consider selling it. It's a big bodied guitar for me. But the neck feels so good on it! I put Martin Retros on it and that has seemed to help tame the guitar a bit. This maybe a dumb question, what's the difference with the Smeck model?

The Smeck option is available on the DF and MS-00 models. You get a deeper body and a 12-fret neck join. The DF Smeck is a big guitar with a big sound (and the standard DF already has a big sound).