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The Soul of Traditional Urushi Lacquer: A Guitar That Grows With You
Finding a guitar that doesn't just age, but grows in beauty and tone year after year, is the dream of every passionate guitarist. This is the core philosophy behind Headway: creating living instruments that evolve alongside their players.
The Headway The Eagle URUSHI/STD Type F RED-GRD embodies this vision to perfection. Its finish relies on the ancient Japanese art of Urushi lacquer, applied exclusively during the warm summer months. Applied in an extremely thin layer (approx. 0.05 mm), the Urushi lacquer adheres tightly to the wood without choking its natural vibration. Unlike modern synthetic finishes, it delivers remarkable rigidity while acting as a natural preservative, waterproof, and insect-repellent coating. Acoustically, this microscopic thickness allows you to hear the pure, uninhibited voice of the tonewoods. Over time and through hours of playing, the Red Gradient finish will brighten, reveal its deep grain, and develop an irreplaceable patina. It is a living piece of art.
Premium Tonewood Synergy for Flawless Acoustic Balance
At the heart of its design, the choice of tonewoods speaks volumes to acoustic connoisseurs:
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Sitka Spruce Top: Revered as the gold standard for acoustic soundboards, Sitka spruce delivers incredible dynamic headroom, instant responsiveness to both plectrum and fingerstyle techniques, and a natural tonal balance.
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides: Selected for its density and resilience, Indian rosewood forms a rock-solid foundation with tight, clear bass frequencies paired with shimmering, bell-like highs.
Combined with the specialized bracing of The Eagle series, this tonewood pairing produces a direct, warm, and deeply expressive projection.
A Master's Legacy: The Story of Yasuo Momose and "The Eagle" Project
To understand the magic behind this instrument, one must travel back to 1977, when Yasuo Momose co-founded Headway in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. A true legend of Japanese luthiery, Master Builder Momose studied traditional American and European building techniques before hand-crafting his own custom tools to build guitars meant to last a lifetime. Despite a devastating workshop fire in 1983, Momose San's dedication survived, guiding generations of craftsmen.
"The Eagle" represents an exciting new chapter. Co-developed by Yasuo Momose and his master apprentices (including custom builders Yasui and Furihata at the Aska workshop), this model completely reimagines the iconic HD-115. It introduces for the first time the Mid Point Shifted, Shallow Scalloped X Bracing. This refined bracing architecture yields exceptional note articulation, a rich low-end body resonance, and an unprecedented overtone spectrum.
A Symbol of Strength and Soaring Vision
Every aesthetic detail honors the eagle, king of the skies:
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Crown Logo Headstock: The Headway logo has been redesigned as a royal crown, mimicking an eagle taking flight into a new era.
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Fingerboard Inlays: The Richlite fingerboard features flying eagle feather inlays, symbolizing progress and a fresh journey.
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Included Accessories: A wooden soundhole cover featuring the eagle motif to control humidity and feedback, alongside a unique blue-themed soundhole label showcasing an eagle's gaze.
Why Choose JapanGuitar-Handmade.com?
As the pioneer and very first distributor to bring Bacchus guitars to France and Europe back in 2014, japanguitar-handmade.com is your ultimate specialist for handcrafted Japanese guitars. We are the exclusive distributor for France and Europe for Deviser’s prestige brands: Momose, Headway, STR, and Seventy Seven. Buying from us guarantees a perfectly inspected and professionally set-up instrument.
Shipping & Payment Options
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FREE Shipping to France and all European Union countries (for other destinations, please inquire).
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Interest-free multi-installment payment options available (subject to terms).
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