Headway
The Headway JT series HOC-KING FISHER was developed under the supervision of fingerstyle guitarist Yu Watanabe. We tried various combinations of body shapes and tone woods, and selected the specifications that best fit Yu Watanabe's strong performance style, "Fingerstyle with both warmth and transparency". In terms of design, we used the inlays of the Headway HDC-1020 King Fisher, Yu’s favorite model, for the fingerboard and headstock.





HOC Body Shape


The body uses a HOC shape with a cutaway that makes it easy to play even to the high frets and fits fingerstyle players perfectly. Thanks to its small and thin body, it is easy to hold even for smaller players. Having a comfortable instrument that doesn’t get on the way allows you to play in a relaxed state so you can get the best of your performance.




Slim neck - Low string action setup


The slim neck shape and low string action settings that have been carefully adjusted at our domestic factories make the strings really easy to press and play on.




Headstock - Fingerboard Inlay


We used Yu Watanabe's favorite model, the HDC-1020 King Fisher’s design, for the headstock and fingerboard inlay designs. These designs use the Kingfisher as their main inspiration, and also where the model name comes from.




The Kingfisher’s specialty is diving into the water to catch fish, the inlay is designed with a Kingfisher on the Headstock ready and diving to catch the fish on the fingerboard inlays.




Original soundhole label


The soundhole label uses an original design exclusive for this model. The design has a “submerged under the water” motif that matches the rest of the designs.


FISHMAN® SONITONE Pickup


Fittingly equipped with a FISHMAN® SONITONE under-saddle piezo pickup with volume and tone controls. By carefully adjusting the bottom of the sound bridge saddle one by one, it is tuned to obtain the optimum sound balance. In addition, since it is a simple system with nothing done to the body side, the original sound of the guitar is not impaired, maintaining a pristine live sound is very important to us.




FISHMAN Pickup Cutaway

HOC-KINGFISHER

Suggested retail price・・・¥110,000(plus tax)

HOC-KINGFISHER product page






“The HOC-KING FISHER is the result of many different iterations of prototypes and design combinations we went through to find a model that would fit my style and music. I wanted a guitar with a natural and well-balanced sound, and I think we reached that goal with this model.

It is a guitar that gives you the feeling that it will become warmer and warmer as you play it, growing alongside you as a player and aging into a magnificent instrument. The small body and easy-to-grip neck grip make it very easy to play, and I recommend of course, its also a great fit for anyone with a smaller build. The fingerboard and headstock inlays and the grain of the body are also beautiful to look at.

It's a model that is unique in its sound, playability, and appearance, so be sure to check it out if you have the chance!"

Watanabe Yu



Watanabe Yu

He began performing as a fingerstyle guitarist in 2005. In 2006, he won the highest award at "Fingerpicking Day 2006". He also worked as the opening act for performances by Tommy Emmanuel and Grammy-winning guitarist Ed Gerhard in Japan, and participated in the American festival "Walnut Valley Festival". He has also performed with Yuzu, BIGIN, Naotaro Moriyama, and Kotaro Oshio, and has participated in recordings with talented musicians such as Takezen Sato, NOKKO, and SAKURA. As a composer, he also provides music for numerous TV programs and commercials. As of September 2018, he has released 17 albums and is actively working while performing more than 200 live shows a year, including overseas.

Artist Page



Finely tuned and set-up the same as our top of the line -Japan Tune-Up- series


Headway Japan The Headway Japan Tune-up series is one of our latest high-end series, employing the skills of our craftsmen to not only create an amazing guitar but also to set them up in the best way possible so the user can get the maximum out of their instrument right out of the box.
It has been finely processed so that all users can use it comfortably. This is a valuable lineup that can be recommended not only for beginners who want to improve with confidence in their skills but also for intermediate-advanced players who don’t want to be held back by their instrument.



Reliable adjustment with thorough attention to playability





Our craftsmen thoroughly work on the finish of nuts, bridges, frets, the setting of string height, etc. to make it easier to play and achieve a lineup with high-cost performance. The strings are replaced with Elixir Phosphor Bronze strings, which are a popular choice among many players. Please try the JT series model carefully crafted our Japanese team.

Headway JT Series Lineup





Stores that sell this model

Singapore Davis Guitar Music Centre Peninsula Shopping Complex3 Coleman Street B1-40/41 179804
France Japan Guitar Handmade 7rue du commandant Charcot 56870 Baden
北海道 光栄堂楽器店 047-0024 北海道小樽市花園1-9-1
北海道 Guitar Shop RAMZY’S 064-0914 北海道札幌市中央区南14条西7丁目2-10
岩手県 東山堂楽器 020-0871 岩手県盛岡市大通3丁目4-1クロステラス2F
福島県 U-ONE MUSIC 960-8031 福島県福島市栄町11-25 福島AXC 3F
茨城県 島村楽器水戸マイム店 310-0015 茨城県水戸市宮町1-2-4
群馬県 TENSION 376-0045 群馬県桐生市末広町5-16
埼玉県 Dover Guitar Shop 362-0042 埼玉県上尾市谷津2-1-36MKビル3F
埼玉県 島村楽器コクーンシティさいたま新都心店 330-0802 埼玉県さいたま市大宮区吉敷町4丁目263-1
東京都 島村楽器八王子店 192-0046 東京都八王子市明神町3-27-1
東京都 ギタープラネット 101-0062 東京都千代田区神田駿河台2-1-11
東京都 池部楽器ハートマンギターズ 150-0031 東京都渋谷区桜丘町16-12
東京都 池部楽器店 アコースティックステーションリボレ秋葉原 101-0026 東京都千代田区神田佐久間河岸55 ASビルB2F
東京都 ドルフィンギターズ東京 恵比寿店 150-0021 東京都渋谷区恵比寿西1-10-8 本間ビル4F
富山県 開進堂楽器 Blue Guitars 930-0992 富山県富山市新庄町3丁目13-7楽器センター富山1F
三重県 コスモ楽器 510-0086 三重県四日市市諏訪栄町19-8
大阪府 三木楽器梅田店 530-0017 大阪市北区角田町1-15
大阪府 ドルフィンギターズ大阪 江坂店 564-0063 大阪府吹田市江坂町1-23-34
兵庫県 SOAR MUSIC 651-0093 兵庫県神戸市中央区二宮町2-6-18 1F
岡山県 長谷川楽器 700-0822 岡山市表町3ー3ー20
香川県 楽器堂オーパスイオンモール高松店 761-8012 香川県高松市香西本町1-1
福岡県 ヨシダ楽器伊都店 819-0379 福岡県福岡市西区北原1-2-1 イオンモール福岡伊都店2F