A division of Circle Strings in Burlington, Vermont, Iris Guitar Company is a small team of highly-skilled and seasoned luthiers who are dedicated to building a modern instrument that captures vintage-inspired tone and aesthetics. Iris guitars are handmade using a combination of state of the art techniques and old-world craftsmanship.

The MS-00 was designed with mid-'30s small-body guitars in mind. It has a 14-fret body with slope shoulder a short scale (24-3/4"). The MS-00 was developed on the insistence of Mark Stutman of Folkway, for whom it’s named. Mark is a very talented luthier who is considered to be the expert in vintage Gibson guitars, which show clear influence on this model.

We ordered this MS-00 (serial #1768) with a Dark Burst top finish and edge burst back and sides. With Ivoroid binding and a Firestripe pickguard, this is a classy-looking Axes. We upgraded the top to European Spruce, which is fine grain and flexible. Combined with the hand-scalloped Adirondack Braces, the European Top helps this MS-00 come alive with a lighter touch. A superlative fingerpicker that sounds equally as good with a pick, this MS-00 produces expressive small-body tone with impressive balance. Its mahogany back and sides add woody overtones and color. It has a 1-3/4" nut width, and the string spacing is 2-1/4" at the bridge.

Dimensions:

• Depth: 3-5/8” - 4-3/4”
• Body Length: 19-3/8”
• Total Length: 40"
• Upper bout: 10-3/16”
• Lower bout: 14-3/4”
• Waist: 10-1/2”

Specs:

• Top: European Spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Braces: Scalloped Adirondack Spruce
• Neck Joint: Bolt on Tortoise & Tenon
• Nut: Bone, 1-3/4" Spacing
• Saddle: Bone, 2-1/4" Spacing
• Scale Length: 24-3/4"
• Fingerboard & bridge: Indian Rosewood
• Top Binding: Ivoroid w/ Black/White/Black purfling
• Back Binding: Ivoroid
• Pickguard: Firestripe
• Finish: Dark Burst Nitrocellulose Satin
• Tuning Machines: Golden Age Relic Brass w/ off-white buttons
• Case: Hardshell by TKL