The Eagle URUSHI/STD Type F RED-GRD

Introduction

Wiped Urushi Lacquer and The Eagle

One of Headway’s core philosophies is creating “Acoustic Guitars That Grow With You.”
The “The Eagle” model was born as a new challenge that embodies this philosophy.

“The Eagle” was crafted by Master Builder Yasuo Momose’s apprentices, who carried on his legacy. Momose himself had high hopes for this model during his lifetime.

Another key focus for Headway in recent years has been the creation of guitars imbued with “和”(Wa), a philosophy unique to Japanese guitar makers.
Among these efforts is a special lacquer finish that can only be produced once a year, during the summer months.
This lacquer finish deepens in beauty and character the more it is played, accompanying its owner for decades to come. The allure of this aging process has fused with “The Eagle’s” philosophy of a “guitar that grows with you,” giving birth to a truly unique instrument.

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

The top of the body features Sitka spruce, often considered the gold standard for acoustic guitars. Its balanced harmonics and responsiveness 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 brings out the maximum resonance, creating a tone with a direct, vivid quality.

Excellent Durability

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, lacquer adheres more firmly to 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, 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 “pure sound of urushi lacquer”, which preserves the inherent freshness of the wood. While conventional solvent-based coatings also allow you to appreciate the visual beauty of the finish and the changes in sound quality that result from the material’s integration with the wood, 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, Headway, which has been in business for over 45 years, has released a “completely new Headway” in 2023 with the intention of moving into a new era.
While retaining the style of Headway’s flagship HD-115 model, the specs and design were completely revised, and the craftsmen of the Aska Team Build team collaborated with Yasuo Momose, founder of Headway, to develop this model from scratch. It is called “The Eagle”.
The concept of “The Eagle”, which has been a symbol of previous Headway models, was used to brush up the design. Inspired by the eagle, the king of the skies, the Headway logo on the headstock has been redesigned to resemble a crown. Momose himself has special feelings for “The Eagle”, which was reconstructed by his apprentices, whom he has nurtured over the course of his craftsmanship career.

Playability and Sound Backed by Technique

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 good 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-

Crown Logo & Headstock Inlay

Inspired by the eagle, the king of the skies, the brand logo features the “Headway Crown Logo” design, which symbolizes a royal crown.
This logo reimagines the eagle, a motif Headway has used as its symbol since its founding. It captures a moment of the eagle spreading its wings wide and soaring through the sky, evoking the image of taking flight into a new era.

Fingerboard 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 distinctive, piercing gaze of an eagle, is also based on the theme color “blue” and inspires a quiet spirit of challenge.

FAQ About Urushi Lacquer Guitars

—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 slightly noticeable stain, we recommend wiping it with a cloth wrung out tightly.

—Q. How should I store and care for it?
A. The storage method is the same as for a standard acoustic guitar; simply loosen the tuning pegs slightly after use and wipe it down to ensure it will serve you for many years to come. (We recommend wiping it with a dry cloth; please refrain from using solvents or similar products.)