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

Headway HF-Platanus’26/ATB – 2026 Showcase Limited Edition

When the absolute rigor of traditional Japanese luthiery meets historical French elegance, the result is nothing short of magical. With this Headway HF-Platanus’26/ATB, we reach the pinnacle of exclusivity. Specially crafted for the prestigious DEVISER Special Showcase in May 2026, this Auditorium-style (HF) acoustic guitar is a true work of art: only 14 pieces exist worldwide, and only one single model is available for the European market, right here.

The Story of a Quest for Excellence: The Headway Heritage

To understand the soul of this instrument, we look back to 1977 in Nagano, Japan, when the DEVISER manufacture was founded. In the beginning, a small group of exceptional luthiers set out to build acoustic guitars that could rival iconic American brands. Despite a devastating fire that destroyed the workshop in 1983, their passion remained untouched. Headway rebuilt itself, sharpening its visual and acoustic identity to become the crown jewel of the DEVISER group.

At the heart of this legend stands Momose Yasuo, founding member and Master Artisan. Renowned for building his own custom hand tools to achieve millimetric precision without ever relying on CNC machines, Yasuo-san instilled a unique philosophy: every guitar must be carved and voiced by hand as a standalone masterpiece. This deep reverence for natural wood and musicianship is why Headway is so highly respected by guitar connoisseurs worldwide.

Visual Aesthetics Inspired by France and Versailles

The HF-Platanus’26/ATB is a vibrant tribute to European heritage, enhanced by the Limestone White Blonde (LSWB) finish, a subtle translucent white inspired by the historic limestone buildings of Europe.

• The "Sun King" Headstock: The headstock design incorporates elegant gold silk patterns inspired by the lavish decorations of the Palace of Versailles built under King Louis XIV.

• The "Fleur-de-Lys" Inlay: The premium ebony fingerboard showcases a breathtaking interpretation of the traditional Tree of Life, intertwined with Fleur-de-Lys motifs made of abalone and mother-of-pearl.

• The Tricolor Back: The back of the body features fine acrylic inlays representing three flowers: cornflower (blue), daisy (white), and poppy (red), subtly recreating the French flag colors. A center piece of highly figured Flame Tamo (Japanese Ash) highlights this stunning artwork.

• The Custom Soundhole Cover: Included with the guitar is a beautiful, removable soundhole cover made of multi-colored acrylic pieces, mimicking a church stained-glass window. The pickguard is made from natural Platanus wood, left uncolored to highlight its genuine grain.

Premium Tone-Woods for a Captivating Sound

Make no mistake: beneath its breathtaking aesthetics, this Headway is a high-performance instrument. Each tonewood was carefully selected for premium acoustic balance.

• French Platanus & Flame Tamo Back and Sides: Platanus wood is relatively lightweight yet dense. Acoustically, it produces a very warm, focused midrange response, closely resembling high-grade mahogany. The 3-piece center section in Flame Tamo adds a touch of projection and high-end clarity.

• European Spruce Top: Historically used for master violins, European Spruce is highly flexible and resonant. It pairs beautifully with Platanus, providing a rounded, smooth acoustic voice. Whether you are playing delicate fingerstyle or dynamic strumming, the tone never breaks up and perfectly tracks your playing nuances, making it excellent for vocal accompaniment and studio work.

Modern Playability: The "Aska Team Build" (ATB) Engineering

Entirely handcrafted by elite luthiers at the ASKA workshop in Matsumoto, Japan, this guitar features the brand's latest innovations:

• Extra Slim U Neck: Forget thick, fatiguing acoustic necks. This is the slimmest profile ever designed by Headway. To ensure flawless long-term stability, it includes dual carbon reinforcement bars (High Strength Neck design). This setup minimizes unwanted neck flex, allowing string vibration to transfer directly to the body top for increased high-end responsiveness.

• Semi-Forward Shifted, Scalloped X Bracing: Based on Momose Yasuo’s extensive research into legendary 1934 vintage acoustic guitars, this proprietary bracing system features an X-cross positioned closer to the soundhole. This design delivers prominent bass response and an open, loud projection right out of the box, while preserving structural top stability.

Why buy your Headway from JapanGuitar-Handmade.com?

As an industry pioneer, JapanGuitar-Handmade.com was the very first dealer to distribute BACCHUS guitars in France and Europe back in 2014. With theses years of specialized expertise in high-end Japanese handcrafted guitars, we are proud to be the exclusive distributor for elite DEVISER brands: Momose, Headway, STR, and Seventy Seven across France and Europe. Every instrument undergoes a meticulous quality check and setup before shipping.

Our Premium Services for this Unique Model:

• Free fully-insured shipping to France and anywhere within the European Union (for other international destinations, please contact us for a custom quote).

• Flexible Payment Options: Installment plans are available with no hidden fees or extra costs to help you secure the guitar of your dreams.