Exceptional Japanese Craftsmanship for Tone Purists
When you hold an instrument crafted at the Aska workshop in Nagano, Japan, the impression is immediate: it possesses a soul, a tactile elegance, and an acoustic resonance that mass production simply cannot match. The Momose MJS1-ADZ-BL/R BLK/OIL-MH captures this philosophy entirely. Hand-built by senior Japanese luthiers, this offset electric guitar preserves the classic lines of traditional design while introducing crucial modern electronics and playability upgrades.
This exclusive instrument is part of a highly limited Custom run: only about ten copies crafted worldwide, with 1 allocated for Europe. Acquiring this model means owning an authentic piece of Japanese high-end lutherie.
This model draws heavily from the technical innovations showcased during the Deviser Special Showcase May 2026. If you wish to explore showcase-level instruments further, discover its sister model, the Momose MC-MV SP'26/E Japan Handmade.
Selected Alder Body & Organic Black Oil Finish
A two-piece selected Alder body serves as the tonal backbone of this instrument. Alder is famous for its impeccably balanced frequency response, providing warm and expressive mids, clear tight lows, and smooth upper frequencies.
To allow the wood to resonate without constraint, Aska workshop craftsmen applied an organic Black Oil Finish. Unlike thick polyurethane or polyester coatings that dampen vibrations, the oil finish leaves an ultra-thin protective layer, allowing the timber to breathe freely. The result is an immediate, vibrant acoustic response accompanied by a silky, natural tactile feel. Visually, the matte deep black wood finish paired with a vibrant anodized aluminum pickguard creates a stunning, dark aesthetic.
Yasuo Momose's Legacy: The Handcrafted Philosophy
At the heart of every Momose instrument is the philosophy of Master Builder Yasuo Momose. A legendary figure in Japanese lutherie, Mr. Momose laid the groundwork for Deviser’s high-end craftsmanship back in 1977 when he launched the acoustic brand Headway. Over four decades, he perfected his own hand tools, templates, and construction techniques.
While modern guitar production heavily relies on automated CNC routers, Momose Custom Craft Guitars continues to build by hand. Wood is an organic material; no two boards share the exact same density, flexibility, or resonance. The luthiers at the Aska workshop rely on their physical senses to shape, sand, and adjust every component according to the unique traits of each wood piece. This relentless dedication is what places Momose alongside the most prestigious custom shops worldwide.
Advanced Tonal Versatility: Refined Electronics
While maintaining timeless offset ergonomics, the MJS1 features a deeply upgraded electronic layout tailored for modern performers:
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Improved Hotrod JS Pickups: Re-voiced for 2026, these hand-wound single-coils feature slightly higher output. They deliver clear, harmonic-rich vintage tones while handling distortion and overdrive with remarkable tightness.
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Series / Parallel Switch: In Parallel mode, the instrument functions as a traditional offset with standard pickup selector options. Switching to Series mode connects both pickups in series, transforming them into a thick, high-output humbucker tone perfect for lead lines.
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Dedicated High-Pass & Low-Pass Filters: Replacing the traditional upper preset circuit, Momose integrated two passive tone-shaping filters. The High-Pass filter tames harsh treble frequencies, while the Low-Pass filter sculpts low-end response to suit your amplifier.
Premium Hardware & Ergonomic Refinements
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MS Type Saddle: Eliminates the notorious string-slippage issues found on traditional offset bridge saddles while improving tuning stability, bass response, and overall sustain.
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Recessed Neck Joint Plate: The traditional neck joint plate is recessed directly into the body wood, maintaining vintage tonal mass while providing effortless access to higher frets.
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Rosewood Fingerboard with Wood Binding: The Indian rosewood board adds warmth to the tone. It features matching wooden binding along the edges, preventing fret sprouting during seasonal humidity shifts.
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Luminlay® Side Dots: Glow-in-the-dark side dots ensure perfect fretboard navigation on dark live stages.
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Puretone® Output Jack: Featuring dual tension grounds and dual positive tips, this jack firmly grips your instrument cable, preventing signal dropouts and crackles.
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Modern 310R Radius: A flatter fingerboard radius (approx. 12 inches) allows ultra-low action setups without choking during wide string bends.
Why Choose japanguitar-handmade.com
Pioneering the distribution of Bacchus instruments in France and Europe since 2014, japanguitar-handmade.com is your premier specialist for handcrafted Japanese guitars. We are the exclusive distributor for Momose, Headway, STR, and Seventy Seven across Europe. Each instrument undergoes a comprehensive inspection and setup prior to dispatch.
Shipping & Payment
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