The Eagle URUSHI ROSE/STD Type J BR-B

Introduction

Urushi Lacquer and The Eagle

Making “acoustic guitars that grow alongside you”, one of Headway’s core philosophies.
Our “The Eagle” model was created as a new endeavor that embodies that philosophy.

“The Eagle” was completed 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 one more thing: Headway has been focusing in recent years on crafting guitars with a “Japanese” aesthetic, a hallmark of Japanese guitar makers.

Among them is a special finish called “Urushi lacquer”, which can only be produced once a year, during the summer.
A lacquer finish that deepens in beauty and character the more it is played, accompanying its owner for decades. The charm of its aging process has fused with “The Eagle’s” philosophy of “a guitar that grows with you,” giving birth to a brand-new instrument.

A combination of Sitka spruce and Indian rosewood for the back and sides

The top of the body is crafted from Sitka spruce, often considered the gold standard for acoustic guitars. Its balanced harmonics and responsive tone make it suitable for any setting, ensuring a sound that will stand the test of time. For the sides and back, we’ve selected “Indian rosewood,” which offers just the right balance of hardness and resilience. The tight, well-defined bass and treble characteristic of rosewood form the foundation of the sound, and the combination of The Eagle’s design and the lacquer finish draws out the maximum resonance, creating a sound with a direct, almost tangible quality.

The color is finished in “Brown Sunburst.” It has been expertly formulated to bring out the amber hue of the lacquer, resulting in an exquisite brown that exudes a modern feel while retaining a vintage aura, a texture unique to lacquer models.

Excellent durability

Urushi lacquer finishes consist of an extremely thin coating, with a 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 “ Urushi lacquer finishes reach their peak beauty after several decades”, and, just like lacquered furniture, they offer the joy of growing more beautiful with use over time.

A sound that grows richer the more you play it

You can directly experience with your own ears a sound so natural it could be called the “raw sound of Urushi”, which preserves the inherent clean sound of the wood. While conventional solvent-based paints also allow you to appreciate the aesthetic appeal of the finish and the changes in sound quality that result from the material blending with the wood, Urushi lacquer finishing is a truly unique technique that lets you experience these qualities in an even more natural way.

A New Beginning for Headway

Founded in 1977 and with a history spanning more than 45 years, Headway released “A Completely New Headway” in 2023, embodying its aspirations to soar into a new era.

While retaining the style of Headway’s flagship model, the “HD-115,” this model features completely revised specifications and technical details, having been developed from the ground up through a collaborative effort between the craftsmen of the Aska Team Build and Headway founder Yasuo Momose.
It is called “The Eagle”.

Based on the “Eagle”, a trademark motif that has long appeared on traditional Headway models, the design has been refined.
Drawing inspiration from the eagle, the king of the skies, the Headway logo on the headpiece now features a new design resembling a crown.
Momose himself holds a special place in his heart for “The Eagle”, which was reimagined by his beloved apprentices, whom he has nurtured throughout his career as a craftsman.

Playability and Sound Backed by Technology

New Bracing: Heralding a New Beginning

Based on the standard bracing used by Momose when Headway was founded, 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

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.

Fretboard 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.

Soundhole Label

The soundhole label, featuring the sharp gaze of an eagle, is also based on the theme color “blue” and inspires a quiet spirit of challenge.

Frequent questions about Urushi

Q -Are there any precautions I should take when caring for an Urushi lacquer-finished guitar?
A. 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 noticeable stain, we recommend wiping it with a cloth wrung out tightly.

Q -Does Urushi lacquer change over time?
A. Lacquer has relatively low resistance to UV 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.