Iris Dan Erlewine DE11 with Hardcase

The Iris DE-11 Dan Erlewine Signature Model is one of the most unique acoustic guitars in the Iris lineup. It is a boutique, US-made instrument co-designed with the legendary guitar repair technician and luthier, Dan Erlewine.

The DE-11 is a faithful and thoughtful modern recreation of Erlewine's beloved 1937 Kalamazoo KG-11 a small-bodied, ladder-braced guitar known for its woody, punchy, and bluesy voice.

 Key Unique Features

The DE-11 includes several innovative features designed by Dan Erlewine:

• Built-in Capo System: The most distinct feature is the built-in screw-down capo system. Threaded brass inserts are installed in the Rosewood or Katalox fingerboard at the first seven frets. The guitar includes three brass capos and thumb screws that fasten to the inserts, allowing for incredibly precise and consistent tension (and intonation) without a traditional capo clamp on the back of the neck.

• Extended Peghead: The neck is deliberately extended by about two inches past the nut before transitioning into the peghead. This is a comfort feature designed to give the player's hand better access and more room for complex chords near the nut, reducing wrist strain.

• Tuners: It features Rickard Cyclotronic planetary banjo tuners, which are rear-mounted, look vintage, but offer modern, high-ratio precision.

• Ladder Bracing: Unlike the X-bracing found on most modern acoustics, the DE-11 uses Ladder Bracing, which is period-correct for the KG-11 and is the source of the guitar's dry, fundamental-focused, and "thumpy" blues tone.

Core Specifications

The DE-11 is a specialized instrument perfect for blues, ragtime, and vintage fingerstyle playing where its strong fundamentals and dry tone truly shine.