【Deviser Special Showcase Event – 2022】Custom builder “Concept Models”!

This year’s Deviser Special Showcase Event is getting closer and closer and we can’t wait to share more details about it with you all!

Today we want to introduce you to what we dub “Concept Models”, master builders Furihata and Yasui’s brainchild models!

The two builders in charge of carrying Headway’s torch

Since its inception, Headway has been led by master builder Yasuo Momose, who has been active for many years as the brand’s signature builder.
In 2022, Headway will celebrate its 45th anniversary, and two builders, Masato Yasui and Arata Furihata, who have inherited the techniques and experience Mr. Momose has cultivated over the years, have emerged as leaders of the Aska Team Build team, engaging in daily friendly competition.
While they share the same “Headway-ism” that Momose taught them, they are different and each has their own uniqueness and personal style as a builder.

The Customshop Series models are one-off, time-consuming models that incorporate the builder’s individuality and philosophy in terms of processes and techniques, while the Aska Team Build and Standard Series are models that are more optimized in terms of processes and making procedures.

The “Concept Model” is a “high-cost-performance model” that incorporates the custom builder’s individuality and ideas while optimizing productivity, exclusively for show models such as Divisor business meetings and One Day Guitar Show!

Masato Yasui’s 『HC-Y’s Concept ’22 SF,S-ESU/ATB』

New system “Twistless system”

While its performance is uncontested, it was considered too complicated and costly to implement in the Aska Team Build models.
This time, only the Yasui concept model, which is only available at the Deviser Special Showcase Events, will be the first Aska Team Build model to be equipped with this new system.
By installing bearings on both ends of the truss rod, neck warping and twisting can be reduced greatly, and this helps to reduce neck problems.
This new system is a further update of the “non-twist adjustable rod” previously developed by Yasui.

Pinless bridge

For the bridge, he went pinless.
The pinless bridge has the advantage of softening the tension feeling by making the angle of the strings on the saddle shallower.
In addition to the lower string height, the soft tension provided by the pinless bridge makes it easy to play and allows for a lighter touch and facilitates finer and more nuanced playstyles.

Tapered fretboard

In addition to the bridge, the fretboard itself is tapered with a different thickness near the nut and near the end of the fretboard, which makes the neck set angle shallower and the tension looser by changing the angle at which the strings break from the saddle to the nut.
By incorporating these two features, he could achieve excellent playability even with a 648mm long scale, which is disadvantageous in terms of tension.

Luminlay position markers

Luminescent Luminlay markers are used for the position marks on the fretboard and sides.
Luminlay is a luminescent material, making it highly visible and practical even on a dimly lit stage.

Yasui also paid particular attention to the placement of the position marks, placing the smaller Φ3 position mark closer to the 6th string side, giving it the feel of a custom model.

No-pickguard design

The rosetta around the soundhole is decorated with Abalone.
In order to maximize the sound of the body, he went for a no-pickguard design, so the white color of the Lutz spruce and the Abalone rosetta give a simple yet luxurious feel to the decorations and general aspect of the guitar, which is characteristic of Yasui’s models.

Arata Furihata’s『HOM-F’s Concept ’22 SF,S-SV/ATB』

Momose’s expertise in material selection

Although it is not often featured among these kinds of feature explanations, the wood selection is a very important process that has a great impact on the sound after completion.
This time, master-grade German spruce top wood was used, which Momose had been seasoning carefully for more than 15 years, and was given to us by Momose himself.

Quintessential Elbow Contour

The elbow contour (bevel) that Furihata uses on his custom models is a very special feature that can only be experienced by actually holding and playing the guitar, as it improves playability without changing the look in the slightest. This is a very discreet feature, but the technique to achieve in the acoustic guitar-making process is extremely difficult, and the reason why it is not commonly used is that it’s hard to implement. The special model for this showcase utilizes this technology as a “concept model”, so please don’t miss your chance of trying it yourself.

Optimization of body thickness

The body shape of this model is designed to be about +3mm thicker than the conventional HOM model.
This allows the characteristics of the selected high-quality Indian rosewood to be brought out well.

Equipped with 34-bracing Hand shaved by Furihata himself

Bracing is one of the most important features of a guitar, as it determines the tone quality, so every millimeter shaved by the builder has a big impact on the tone.
Because of the high skill and cost involved, the regular models use braces of a fixed size, but for this “concept model,” Furihata handcrafted the braces himself, one by one.

Logo in writing with white butterfly shells used for his custom models

The customized logo that Furihata uses on his custom models is of course also used in this “Concept Model”.
It’s easy to see that this “Concept Model” is a very special model with a more luxurious look and feel.

　

That’s all for today folks!
Make sure to keep an eye out for more news on the upcoming event!