Headway "The Eagle" KUROEZOMATSU/STD Type F BK-VGR – Master Craftsmanship Meets Japan's Rarest Tonewood
A New Chapter for a Legendary Brand
Founded in 1977 by master luthier Yasuo Momose, Headway has spent over four decades building guitars with a singular philosophy: "making guitars that people can play for a lifetime." In 2023, Headway unveiled "The Eagle" — a "Whole New Headway" developed from the ground up by the artisans of the Aska Team Build, in collaboration with Momose himself, to carry the brand into a new era.
Now, "The Eagle" opens a new chapter with the introduction of Kuro-Ezo-Matsu (Black Ezo Spruce) , a rare Japanese tonewood sourced from the dwindling natural forests of Hokkaido and carefully managed from stock secured by the Aska Workshop.
Black Ezo Spruce & The Eagle
Founded in 1977 and boasting a history spanning over 45 years, Headway released what we call a “Whole New Headway” in 2023, embodying the company’s aspiration to soar into a new era. While retaining the style of Headway’s flagship model, the “HD-115”, this model features a complete overhaul of its specifications and design, developed from the ground up by the artisans of the Aska Team Build in collaboration with Headway’s founder, Yasuo Momose.
Now, “The Eagle” opens a new chapter with the use of the Japanese tonewood “Kuro-Ezo-Matsu” or “Black Ezo Spruce”. By pairing “The Eagle” design with Black Ezo Spruce wood, one of Japan’s premier tonewoods, selected from materials that meet the criteria for use as an acoustic guitar top, a new model has been born that fully realizes both the wood’s inherent potential and “The Eagle’s” sound concept.
The Potential of Black Ezo Spruce as a Tonewood
“Adirondack spruce” is renowned as the premier top wood for acoustic guitars. Black Ezo Spruce boasts a dynamic tone and rich overtones that rival even Adirondack spruce, demonstrating high potential as a tonewood.
Although this material is highly prized and scarce due to the decline of natural forests in its native Hokkaido, this project was made possible by utilizing stock that Aska Workshop had secured and managed in the past.
“Black Vertical Gradation”, Inspired by Black Ezo Spruces
The body top’s coloring is also inspired by Black Ezo Spruces, featuring a gradient of a uniquely formulated “black” with an ink-black base. The exquisite shade, through which the grain of the Black Ezo Spruce shines, creates a finish that combines a chic atmosphere with a sense of luxury.
New Bracing: Heralding a New Beginning
Custom builders Yasui and Furihata incorporated modern arrangements and took on the challenge of redesigning it, resulting in the first-ever adoption of “Mid Point Shifted X Bracing.” Additionally, the “Shallow Scalloped” specification, which features shallower scalloping of the bracing than usual, had previously been used only in Momose’s Custom Shop models, but has now been incorporated into “The Eagle” for the first time. Featuring a tone with well-defined articulation in every note combined with a resonant body resonance in the low end, all wrapped in harmonics, this well-balanced sound stays true to the traditional Headway sound while hinting at new possibilities for the brand.
A design that symbolizes -The Eagle-
The Eagle Symbol and Crown Logo
The brand logo is inspired by the eagle, the king of the skies, and features the “Headway Crown Logo” design, which symbolizes royalty.
Headway has reimagined the “Eagle”,a symbol the brand has used since its founding. Capturing a moment of the eagle spreading its wings wide and soaring through the vast sky, the design evokes the image of soaring into a new era.
Feather Inlay
The fingerboard features a design depicting eagle feathers in flight. Eagle feathers are said to show the path ahead and help propel one into the future; this design expresses our hope for a fresh start—both for Headway and for everyone who picks up these models.
Soundhole Cover
The soundhole cover helps maintain humidity inside the body and reduces feedback. It features a design symbolic of “The Eagle”, giving it a presence befitting the majestic Eagle.
Specifications
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Body Top: Solid Black Ezo Spruce
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Body Side & Back: Indian Rosewood
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Neck: African Mahogany
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Fingerboard: Richlite
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Nut: High Density Bone (Water Buffalo Bone)
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Saddle: High Density Bone (Water Buffalo Bone)
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Bridge: Richlite
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Machineheads: GOTOH® SG301 01 GG
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Frets: HHF-AG2S
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Scale: 628mm (24.7")
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Width at Nut: 43mm
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Neck Grip: Slim U
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Bracing: Mid Point Shifted, Shallow Scalloped X Bracing
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Finish: Thin Urethane
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Strings: Elixir NANOWEB Light (.012-.053)
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Accessories: Hard Case, Allen Wrench, COA, Soundhole Cover
The Headway Legacy
Headway guitars are built by the Aska Team Build — a small, elite team of craftsmen who have honed their skills for over a decade under master builder Yasuo Momose. Free from automated CNC machinery, every instrument is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring tolerances and quality that only true master luthiery can achieve.
The Headway "The Eagle" KUROEZOMATSU/STD Type F BK-VGR — where Japan's rarest tonewood meets the pinnacle of handcrafted luthiery. A collector's instrument that embodies the expertise of DEviser and Headway, built to inspire for a lifetime.
