The sound of “The Eagle” and the resonance of Urushi lacquer
One of Headway’s core philosophies is to create “Acoustic Guitars That Grow With You.” As a new challenge that embodies this philosophy, the “The Eagle” model was born.
“The Eagle” was created by the hands of Master Builder Yasuo Momose’s disciples, who carried on his philosophy. Momose himself had high hopes for this model during his lifetime.
And there’s one more thing: Headway has been focusing in recent years on crafting guitars with a distinct “Japanese” aesthetic, a hallmark of Japanese guitar makers. Among these, there is a special “Urushi lacquer” finish that can only be produced once a year, during the summer. This lacquer finish deepens in beauty and character the more it is played, accompanying its owner for decades. The allure of this patina, combined with “The Eagle’s” philosophy of a “guitar that matures with you”, has given birth to a brand-new instrument. Please enjoy to your heart’s content this one-of-a-kind instrument, where the rich resonance of “The Eagle”, which deepens the more you play it, blends with the depth and presence unique to a lacquer finish.
The sound of “The Eagle” and the resonance of Urushi lacquer
One of Headway’s core philosophies is to create “Acoustic Guitars That Grow With You.” As a new challenge that embodies this philosophy, the “The Eagle” model was born.
“The Eagle” was created by the hands of Master Builder Yasuo Momose’s disciples, who carried on his philosophy. Momose himself had high hopes for this model during his lifetime.
And there’s one more thing: Headway has been focusing in recent years on crafting guitars with a distinct “Japanese” aesthetic, a hallmark of Japanese guitar makers. Among these, there is a special “Urushi lacquer” finish that can only be produced once a year, during the summer. This lacquer finish deepens in beauty and character the more it is played, accompanying its owner for decades. The allure of this patina, combined with “The Eagle’s” philosophy of a “guitar that matures with you”, has given birth to a brand-new instrument.
Please enjoy to your heart’s content this one-of-a-kind instrument, where the rich resonance of “The Eagle”, which deepens the more you play it, blends with the depth and presence unique to a lacquer finish.
- KOBAYASHI Lacquerware
Profile Profile -Noboru Kobayashi -Born in 1964, in the Nagano prefecture -Associate member of Kokugakkai Crafts Division, member of Shinshu Wood Crafts Association. -Started working professionaly with Urushi Laquer in 1981. Produced original Urushi accessories, and provided Urushi lacquer finishes for many woodworkers and furniture makers. -With his excellent lacquer painting skills and warm personality, he creates works full of unique Urushi charm to them.
A design that symbolizes -The Eagle-Design
A design that symbolizes -The Eagle-Design
The Eagle Symbol and Crown Logo
Inspired by the eagle, the king of the skies, the brand logo features the “Headway Crown Logo” design, which symbolizes a crown. This is a reimagining of the “eagle,” which Headway has used as its symbolic motif since its founding. It captures a moment of the eagle spreading its wings wide and soaring through the vast sky, evoking 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 this series.
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.
Our Commitment to Wood That Produces a Beautiful SoundMaterial
Our Commitment to Wood That Produces a Beautiful SoundMaterial
A combination of Sitka spruce and
Indian rosewood back and sides
The top of the body is crafted from Sitka spruce, often considered the gold standard for acoustic guitars, and its well-balanced harmonics and responsiveness make it suitable for any setting, ensuring a sound that will stand the test of time.
“Indian rosewood,” which offers just the right balance of stiffness and resilience, is used for the side and back. The tight bass and bright treble characteristic of rosewood form the foundation of the sound, and the combination of The Eagle’s tone with the lacquer finish brings out the maximum resonance, creating a sound with a direct, almost tangible quality.
One-piece mahogany neck
One area where Headway takes particular pride in its guitar-making process is the crafting of the neck. To create guitars that feel comfortable in the hand and can be played for many years, each one is crafted by hand, with the grip carefully checked as it is built.
In addition, the neck is crafted from a single piece of mahogany; this seamless neck ensures stability against warping and results in a beautiful finish.
Product LineupLineup
The Characteristics of Lacquer and Its Compatibility with The EagleFeatures
The Characteristics of Lacquer and Its Compatibility with The EagleFeatures
01
The new “RED GRADATION” color and the amber hue
created by urushi lacquer
The amber hue of the “Eagle Inlay” adorning the headstock and the binding on various parts of the guitar is a color that arises naturally through the layering of lacquer, lending the entire guitar a unique atmosphere.
Taking into account how well this amber lacquer complements the guitar’s overall look, the experienced finishers at Asuka Factory specially formulated the “RED GRADATION” finish for the body.
Red is a color that deepens in hue and character over time, and lacquer, too, develops its own unique luster and character as the years go by.
The longer it is used, the more these changes become a unique part of the user’s identity; our goal was to create a piece that would serve as a trusted companion for decades to come, growing alongside its owner.
02
Durability of Urushi Lacquer Finishes
Urushi lacquer finishes consist of an extremely thin coating, with a film thickness of approximately 0.05 mm. While this figure alone might raise concerns about durability, the finish adheres more firmly to the wood than solvent-based paints, resulting in a finish with exceptionally high rigidity. It also offers excellent preservative, waterproofing, and insect-repellent properties. It is often said that “lacquer finishes reach their peak beauty after several decades”, and, much like lacquered furniture, they offer the joy of growing more beautiful with use over time.
03
The Acoustic Properties of Urushi Lacquer and The Eagle’s
“Mid Point Shifted X Bracing”
Because the urushi lacquer coating is so thin, it does not dampen the body’s vibrations, allowing the wood’s natural, rich resonance to shine through.
The Eagle features the “Mid Point Shifted X Bracing” system, which was developed by custom builders Yasui and Furihata by taking the standard bracing used by Momose when Headway was founded as a foundation and incorporating modern adaptations. It is characterized by a well-balanced sound that combines a tone with clear definition in each individual note with a resonant body resonance in the low end, all enveloped in rich harmonics.
Urushi and The Eagle, two elmeents with distinct strengths and a deep commitment to sound, come together to venture into new sonic territory.
SpecsSpecification
01
The Dovetail Joint: Precision Determines the Sound
The dovetail joint provides a large contact area, producing a rich tone that makes the body and neck sound as if they were carved from a single piece of wood. Thanks to its high structural strength, issues such as neck bows are unlikely to occur, ensuring the stability that allows you to continue playing for a lifetime and enjoy the evolution of the instrument’s sound.
02
“Post-processing assembly” Ensures High-Precision Assembly
The body and neck are finished separately and then joined using the dovetail joint method. This method of joining the parts after painting is called “post-processing” assembly. By employing post-processing assembly, it is possible to observe the slight movement that occurs in both the body and neck during the finish process and make fine adjustments to the joint angle before assembling them. Since this method allows for the determination of the optimal neck angle relative to the bridge, it makes it easier to set the correct saddle height and string action, thereby contributing to improved playability.
Behind the ScenesGallery
Details to keep in mindCaution
– Are there any precautions I should take when caring for a urushi lacquer-finished guitar?
For daily care, wiping the surface with a dry cloth is best. Please avoid using chemical wipes or other products containing polish or abrasives, as they can damage the finish. If there is a slightly noticeable stain, we recommend wiping it with a cloth wrung out tightly.
-Does urushi lacquer change over time?
Urushi lacquer has relatively low resistance to ultraviolet rays, so while the deep color within the wood’s pores will remain, it may gradually fade over time, resulting in a lighter hue. We hope you will enjoy watching the finish change over time.