Deviser Timeline

Kei Yatsuzuka and guitar craftsman Yasuo Momose establish Headway is established by Kei Yatsuzuka and guitar craftsman Yasuo Momose, and begins manufacturing Headway acoustic guitars under the company’s brand name.

Deviser was established as the sales division of the Headway factory, commencing this way a two part system that worked in tandem.

Production of the Bacchus brand of electric guitars and electric basses starts.

The “WOODLINE” series was launched as Bacchus’ high-end line with new features such as oil finish. The “WOODLINE” series continues to be Bacchus’ flagship series to this day.

A limited number of re-released HD-115s were produced, thanks to the support of users and fans of Classic Headway guitars made in the Showa era(1977 – 83).

Launch of our Momose bramd, an original electric guitar and bass line named after craftsman Yasuo Momose.

We had our first exhibit at MUSIC CHINA, an international musical instrument fair held in Shanghai, China, that year. Since then, we have continued to participate almost every year, and has expanded into the Chinese market.

Established as a new workshop taking over the custom line of the Headway workshop. Satoru Yatsuzuka, a craftsman, becomes its representative.

Aska workshop’s master builder Satoru Yatsuzuka begins selling STR, a one-of-a-kind custom brand made with the finest materials and parts.

Participated in the NAMM even in the United States, focusing on STR brand products, which had been launched the previous year, entering the American market.

The SeventySeven hollow guitar brand, which inherits the commitment to organic sound that the Headway brand has built up, is launched.

Exhibited at an international musical instrument fair in Frankfurt, Germany. Expanding into the European market.

Launch of the Headway Aska team Build series, produced by a group of skilled craftsmen at the Aska factory who have gained experience under Momose’s teaching.

We started handling Mojotone Pickups, from Mojotone, an American handmade pickup manufacturer.

The Sakura- or “Cherry Blossom Guitar” made from cherry wood was first released under the Headway brand. Since then, we continued to produce products based on the same concept, including other brands, and they have become a popular line of distinctive Deviser products.

Our own Yasuo Momose was awarded the “Master Craftsman of Shinshu” award (Governor’s Award for Outstanding Technicians) by the Governor of Nagano Prefecture.

We held our first Deviser Special Showcase event where we invite a lot music stores to our headquarters to display our new and limited edition products in our showroom. Since then, this event has become an annual event due to the good reception.

Started a project of “JRP Guitars” (short for Japanese Red Pine) using red pine wood damaged by pine weedles in our local city of Matsumoto.

It was recognized as an amazing product and initiative that rediscovered the goodness and value of this wood, and won the Wood Design Award of 2018.

We partook for the first time at the guitars trade fair in Germany.

In November, a one-day event was held for the first time as an autumn version of the previously mentioned business fair. Since then, it has been held often from on then.

Yasuo Momose passes away leaving behind an unrivaled legacy as a master craftsman who was admired and beloved by everyone around him.

Deviser completes the new Technical Center meters away from its head office which features a new warehouse, workshop, showroom, and a photo and video studio.