Our Encounter with the French platanus Tree
The platanus tree has a long history of being planted as a street tree and in parks around the world, and as a long-lived species capable of living for thousands of years, it has been a constant presence in people’s lives.
The platanus wood used here is sourced from France. In France, platanus began to be used as street trees around the 17th and 18th centuries, and it is said that in the 18th century, Napoleon ordered rows of platanus to be planted along highways to protect soldiers marching to the battlefield from the intense summer sun. It has also been planted as a tree-lined avenue at the Palace of Versailles near Paris, and today it is deeply rooted in culture as a symbol of the landscape in various regions.
Platanus trees, which grow to a great height, not only provide pleasant shade but are also recognized for their role in supporting biodiversity. Their green spaces serve as “oases” where a diverse array of living creatures coexist.
Headway Guitars and Momose Custom Craft Guitars are releasing limited-edition models crafted from French platanus. Inspired by the wood’s homeland, France, these special models feature design elements that capture the essence of the country throughout. We invite you to experience them.
Building Guitars from Platanus Wood
The word “platanus” derives from the Greek word ‘platys’ (meaning “wide”), referring to its large leaves; in Japanese, it belongs to the family Tiliaceae. Along with the elm, the bodhi tree, and the horse chestnut, it is sometimes counted among the world’s four major street trees. As a wood, platanus is moderately hard with a firm texture, yet it is relatively lightweight, offering a unique sense of balance. Its grain is also distinctive, featuring a unique pattern of fine, scale-like markings that spread across the surface. As a tonewood, the platanus produces a warm, cohesive sound in the midrange, similar to mahogany. With few harsh edges and a pleasant tone, it does not interfere with vocals during microphone recordings or strumming, and its sound character is well-suited for ballads and other solo guitar pieces.
Headway
A motif inspired by Louis XIV
Known as the “Sun King”
Inspired by Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King”, the design incorporates the sun as its central motif. The design is rendered in gold silk, drawing inspiration from the decorations of the Palace of Versailles, which Louis XIV helped build.
Traditional motifs:
“Fleur-de-lis” and the Tree of Life
The fingerboard features a “Fleur-de-lis” motif. This heraldic symbol, which depicts an iris and means “lily flower” in French, has historically been widely used by the French royal family. It appears on various structures, such as the gates surrounding the Palace of Versailles in Paris, and serves as a symbol of France in many ways. We have incorporated this motif into the design by combining it with the traditional guitar motif of the Tree of Life.
European Spruce
A white-colored body featuring luxurious abalone inlays and inspired by cityscapes
For the top, European spruce has been selected to complement the French platanus. With a history of use in instruments such as violins, European spruce possesses a supple character that pairs well with platanus, further enhancing the soft tone. Avalon mother-of-pearl was chosen for the body’s decoration, evoking the opulent imagery of places like the Palace of Versailles. The body color is an exquisite translucent white inspired by the limestone found in European towns, such as those in France.
Three-colored flowers representing the French tricolor
The vibrant blue, white, and red flowers, cut from acrylic, represent the cornflower, daisy, and poppy, respectively. These three flowers are used to depict the French tricolor. The center panel of the body features ash wood with a flame grain, which beautifully highlights the vivid inlays.
Distinctive leaves rendered in platanus wood
The pickguard features a design inspired by the distinctive large leaves that give the platanus tree its name. Crafted from platanus tree wood and left unstained to showcase its natural beauty, it allows you to appreciate the wood’s inherent character.
Soundhole cover inspired by stained glass
The soundhole cover features a design inspired by the stained glass that adorns French churches. We have used a variety of acrylic materials to capture the intricate shimmer of stained glass.
Momose
Featuring a design of distinctive platanus tree leaves
The distinctive large leaves that give the platanus tree its name are featured in the design on the top of the head. By using the silk-screening technique, which allows for delicate detailing, even the finest leaf veins are faithfully reproduced.
Three types of flowers representing the tricolor and the Tree of Life
The vibrant blue, white, and red flowers, cut from acrylic, represent the cornflower, daisy, and poppy, respectively. These three flowers are used to depict the French tricolor, which is incorporated into the design alongside the traditional guitar motif of the Tree of Life.
The traditional “Fleur-de-lis” motif
The fingerboard features a “fleur-de-lis” motif. Meaning “lily flower” in French, this heraldic symbol depicts an iris. Historically, it has been widely used by the French royal family and is a motif that symbolizes France in many ways—for example, it adorns the gates surrounding the Palace of Versailles in Paris.
A white color inspired by the townscape
The body color features a subtle white shade inspired by the limestone found in European towns such as those in France. The oil finish allows you to directly appreciate the natural texture of the platanus wood.
Demo Videos
Demonstrator: Maruyama Tatsuya
Demonstrator: Ariga Kyohei
