HC-URUSHI/Coffee’25/STD CLG

Introduction

Video

Urushi Guitar x Coffee Model

Crafted collaboratively by Headway’s guitar artisans and Urushi-lacquer artisans, a truly unique set of models has been born. Deviser, who has developed guitars using various woods including Japanese woods and exotic woods, has recently taken on a new tonewood—the Coffee Tree, a wood deeply connected to the culture of coffee lovers. Inspired by coffee, two distinct color schemes were developed. Furthermore, by applying a finish using the traditional way “Urushi lacquer,” the result is a very thin layer that allows the wood’s natural resonance to be maximized.
The sound and feel produced by the skilled craftsmanship of experienced artisans create an instrument perfect for relaxing and playing with a cup of coffee on a holiday afternoon.

『Coffee Tree』

The wood used for the back & sides is “Coffee wood,” native to the Midwestern United States. It possesses a rare wood quality that is both hard and lightweight, characterized by a responsive, bright tone.
Originally, Native Americans cooked and consumed beans harvested from this Coffee Tree, or prepared them as a beverage. European settlers, who brought with them a culture of drinking coffee as we know it today, observed this Native American custom. They roasted the beans as a substitute for coffee and enjoyed them like coffee, which is how this tree earned its name.
While it is a different species from the coffee plant used for the coffee beans we consume today, we were drawn to the origin of this Coffee Tree, its connection to the habit of drinking coffee, and its unique wood properties. This inspired us to develop instruments using this wood.

Design

The headstock features the words “Coffee Break”.
Designed to be the guitar you naturally reach for in those quiet moments, it embodies the concept of a “coffee guitar”—crafted to let you enjoy your break time with a cup of coffee in hand.

The position markers shaped like coffee beans feature a design that’s not too over the top, yet it remains playful. They blend seamlessly into everyday life, but at the same time, they almost call you to pick up your guitar during your coffee break for a quick session.

Cafe Latte Gradation

The CLB (Cafe Latte Burst) model, finished in a warm, cafe latte-like color, is designed to deliver a milky, mellow richness and a sweet, mellow sound.

’34 Semi forward shifted, Scalloped X Bracing

We adopted the “34 Bracing” layout for this variant, which offered the most satisfying response among recent creations by Headway Master Builder Yasuo Momose. Combining soft harmonics responsive to even the most delicate touch with the hard yet light characteristics of coffee tree wood, the result is a sound with a punchiness to it, yet a sweetness and warmth reminiscent of a café latte.

Urushi & Guitars

Outstanding Durability

The urushi lacquer finish is extremely thin, being around 0.05mm thick. Just hearing the number, you might get the idea that it would have poor durability, but it adheres more firmly to wood than solvent-based coatings, resulting in a finish with exceptionally high durability. Furthermore, it excels in decay-prevention, water-resistance, and insect repellence. It is said that “Urushi lacquer reaches its peak beauty decades later,” so the guitar will continue to grow alongisde you with the years as you keep playing it.

A sound that deepens in richness the more you play it

This guitar allows you to experience the pure, natural sound of its wood materials. So much so that it could be called the “pure sound of urushi”. While changes in tone due to beautiful finishes or the way materials age can be felt even with solvent-based paints, urushi lacquer coating is a one-of-a-kind technique that lets you experience this in the most natural and direct way possible.

Q&A about Urushi guitars

—Q.Are there any precautions to take when doing maintenance for a urushi lacquer-finished guitar?
A. Regular maintenance is best done with a dry cloth. Avoid using chemical cloths containing polish or abrasives, as they can damage the finish. For noticeable stains, we recommend wiping with a cloth lightly dampened in water and then wrung out tightly.

—Q. Does urushi lacquer undergo aging changes over time?
A. Urushi lacquer has relatively low resistance to ultraviolet light. While the deep color penetrating the wood grain remains, the color may gradually fade over time, resulting in a lighter hue. We hope you will enjoy the evolving appearance of the finish as time passes.