HEADWAY HD-Platanus’26/ATB Acoustic Guitar [JAPAN HANDMADE]

Headway HD-Platanus’26/ATB – Limited Edition "Deviser Special Showcase 2026"

Owning an exceptional instrument is, above all, about sharing a story. With the Headway HD-Platanus’26/ATB, you are not just purchasing an acoustic guitar; you are becoming the custodian of an incredibly rare piece of art. Crafted especially for the prestigious Deviser Special Showcase in May 2026, this guitar is an ultra-limited edition with only 16 pieces produced worldwide. A unique opportunity for our continent: only one single copy is available for the whole of Europe, and it is right here.

Inspired by the cultural richness and elegance of French history, this instrument perfectly blends high-end Japanese luthiery with a poetic design directly borrowed from the imagery of Versailles and French royalty.

The Spirit of Traditional Luthiery: The Legend of Yasuo Momose

Behind the excellence of the Headway brand stands one man: Yasuo Momose. Honored with the title of Master Craftsman, Momose-san dedicated his life to the art of building instruments entirely by hand. Refusing the compromises of mass production and the use of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, his passion led him to craft his very own tools to shape wood with surgical precision. This sacred respect for the material and absolute quest for acoustic perfection are what make Headway a unique brand worldwide, revered by purists and collectors alike.

A Sensory Journey Through Tonewoods

The HD-Platanus’26/ATB stands out for its bold use of French Platanus (Plane tree) for its sides and back. This precious wood, renowned for its lightness and balanced density, offers a unique grain with fine scale-like patterns. Acoustically, it unfolds a vibrant, organic warmth in the midrange frequencies—very close to fine mahogany—but with an incomparable velvety softness. Your notes articulate without any harshness, making it ideal for subtle fingerpicking ballads or for warmly accompanying vocals without ever overpowering them.

To sublime this vibration, the soundboard is made of European Spruce, a noble wood historically favored by master luthiers for violin making. Its natural flexibility pairs beautifully with the Platanus to further expand the instrument’s roundness and projection.

The back of the guitar hides a craftsman’s secret: a 3-piece construction where the center piece features flamed Tamo (Japanese Ash), superbly contrasting with the Platanus. The neck, carved from a single piece of African Mahogany (1P), provides exemplary stability and a remarkable depth of sustain, crowned by an ebony fingerboard that feels absolutely smooth under your fingers.

Royal Aesthetics and High-End Details

Every visual detail pays tribute to France and the Sun King, Louis XIV:

• The Headstock: Adorned with a solar motif in golden silk, directly inspired by the sumptuous gilding of the Palace of Versailles.

• The Fingerboard: Features a majestic inlay blending the traditional Tree of Life with the Fleur-de-lis motif, the historic symbol of French royalty found on the gates of Versailles.

• The Top and Purfling: Sublimated by spectacularly brilliant Abalone shell, contrasting with the Limestone White Blonde (LSWB) finish—an exclusive translucent white inspired by the limestone of historic European cities.

• The Back: Integrates a fine acrylic marquetry depicting a cornflower, a daisy, and a poppy, subtly forming the French tricolour flag.

• The Pickguard: Cut directly from a sheet of Platanus wood with a natural finish, allowing you to appreciate the raw texture of the tree's leaf.

• The Soundhole Cover: A true masterpiece imitating the shimmering stained glass windows of French churches, magnifying the instrument when it rests in its case.

Innovation Serving Comfort: The ATB Series

While deeply traditional, this guitar benefits from the latest innovations of the Aska workshop in Matsumoto. It features the Extra Slim U Grip neck profile, the thinnest in the brand's history. Reinforced with carbon bars (High Strength Neck), it offers modern, immediate playing comfort while eliminating unwanted twisting, allowing perfect transmission of string vibration to the top.

The Semi Forward Shifted, Scalloped X Bracing, developed by Yasuo Momose after a meticulous study of vintage 1934 guitars, delivers a powerful bass response and impressive volume from the very first chords, while ensuring perfect structural stability over time.

Why Buy Your Instrument from JapanGuitar-Handmade.com?

Since 2014, JapanGuitar-Handmade.com has been the pioneer in distributing the BACCHUS brand in France and Europe. Having become the essential specialists in handmade Japanese guitars, we are the exclusive distributor of Deviser brands (Momose, Headway, STR, Seventy Seven) for France and Europe. Every instrument from the Japan Handmade line is entirely crafted by hand at the Aska workshop (Matsumoto, Japan) without any CNC machines, then inspected and set up with extreme rigor. By choosing our site, you benefit from the direct expertise of the only official partner capable of guaranteeing the authenticity and perfection of these luthiery treasures.

Services included with your order:

• Free shipping to France and anywhere within the European Union (for other destinations, please contact us).

• Interest-free financing options available to acquire your instrument with complete peace of mind.

• Delivered in a premium Headway hard case with its certificate of authenticity and custom handcrafted soundhole cover.