NGD Iris MS-00

Shadow

Actually it feels like two NGDs: I bought it a few weeks ago but just got it back from having it setup by Kate Phillips (GuitarKes) and it does feel like a new guitar. She set the nut correctly and took a bit off the top of the bridge to lower the action and maintain the break angle as there wasn't a huge amount of saddle. The playability now is incredible.

This thing really sings, the projection is amazing. I wish I could sit in front of myself while I'm playing! I first tried the guitar almost a year ago but I couldn't quite stretch to it then, but my impending state pension and Guitar Guitar's very good buy now pay later scheme made it possible. I tried a lot of guitars including a Gibson L-00 and an £8000 Taylor and to me this blew them all away. Well maybe I would have taken the Lowden F series but not at twice the price.

Yeah the logo, I'm not a big fan but I can't see it when I'm playing so I couldn't care less.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jWvA8YFGGXJMdvmx9

Shadow

Had some editing problems and lost half the post twice but it's all there now!

guitarjack66

Very,very nice. Happy belated NGD.

DavidR

Looks great. Well done. Hadn’t heard of Iris Guitars so educational too! (OO now my size!)

Jez6345789

I have admired Iris for a while now and that looks very nice. 
Did you have the action taken down that low?
Shaving the bridge seems a bit dramatic to get a good setup on a new guitar. 
Anyway I still have a crush on Iris guitars.

Shadow

Jez6345789 said:

I have admired Iris for a while now and that looks very nice. 
Did you have the action taken down that low?
Shaving the bridge seems a bit dramatic to get a good setup on a new guitar. 
Anyway I still have a crush on Iris guitars.

The action is 2mm low E and 1.5mm high E. Kate said there's a tiny bit of bellying behind the bridge which she says is not at all unusual for US-made guitars in our climate, so the shaving was to counteract that. I can't make any bellying out so it's very minor.

Jez6345789

Shadow said:

Jez6345789 said:

I have admired Iris for a while now and that looks very nice. 
Did you have the action taken down that low?
Shaving the bridge seems a bit dramatic to get a good setup on a new guitar. 
Anyway I still have a crush on Iris guitars.

The action is 2mm low E and 1.5mm high E. Kate said there's a tiny bit of bellying behind the bridge which she says is not at all unusual for US-made guitars in our climate, so the shaving was to counteract that. I can't make any bellying out so it's very minor.

No that makes sense I think they are building these a little lighter than main stream manufacturers to get a more responsive instrument more of a vintage spec.  I think it was someone like Ervin Somogyi said your typical modern Martin is 30% over built to save on warranty costs.

Kilgore

Very nice.

Iris seem to fly under the radar here but have a great reputation in the US.

martin8708

I have an all mahogany OG that I bought from The North American Guitar Shop when they were selling them off cheap , and when NAGS was still in UK . I was a bit taken back by the “open pore “ finish of the guitar , but the sound was pretty much what I was looking for in my head , and the size was similar to a classical guitar , which is what I’m used to . The truss rod inspection hole needed a bit of shaving to gain access to the truss rod Allen bolt , but once the guitar was set up , it’s almost as good as my Ovation ( action wise )  They are excellent guitars , very few shops sell them , but I would definitely go for another one , either the DF or the RCM model .

AlexO

I had an Iris for a little while, unbelievable acoustics for the price.

Shadow

AlexO said:

I had an Iris for a little while, unbelievable acoustics for the price.

I agree, I can't see me letting this one go anytime soon. I'd say it's a great acoustic at almost any price.

Gandalph

Great guitars, congratulations. 

I have an AB, a 12 fret all mahogany og on the way and a df for sale in the classifieds section. 

I'm a fan! 

Shadow

Gandalph said:

Great guitars, congratulations. 

I have an AB, a 12 fret all mahogany og on the way and a df for sale in the classifieds section. 

I'm a fan! 

Thanks Jon. You really are a fan! It wouldn't surprise me if there was another Iris in my future.