JT-Series’ First Model
Made Ising Japanese Sakura Wood

Since 2014, Headway has been producing acoustic guitars that utilize Sakura (Japanese cherry) wood for the back and sides, known as “Sakura guitars”. Until now, the use of Sakura wood has been limited to the high-end Customshop Series, Aska Team Build Series, and Standard Series manufactured in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, but in 2025, the company decided to make the charm of cherry wood guitars available to more guitar users at a more affordable price point. In 2025, the “HOC-SAKURA/JS” will be the first model in the more affordable “Headway Japan Tune-up” series to use Japanese Sakura wood for its back and sides.
This “HOC-SAKURA/JS” model incorporates all of the experience gained through more than 10 years of manufacturing Sakura guitars. This feature site will introduce you to some of its charms.

Lineup

7 Charm Points

Back & sides made our of Japanese Sakura wood

As the letters “JS” which stand for “Japanese Sakura” in the model name indicate, the back and sides of the guitar, are made of laminated Japanese Sakura wood. The gradient coloring enhances the warm, light pink color of the wood, allowing you to better enjoy the unique grain of each unit.

Coloring inspired by the four season of Japan

Cherry blossoms are a typical springtime tradition in Japan, and Headway has created a number of fantastically designed motifs such as “Winter Cherry Blossoms” and “Summer Cherry Blossoms” that combine cherry blossoms with each season, which have been well received through the years. This model also follows a selection of Headway’s coloring variations, bringing a guitar with an unconventional design to give more variety and allow every player to find the perfect design to match their style.

Japan Tune-Up Series’
High standards

Each and every guitar in the Headway Japan Tune-up Series, or JT Series, is tuned to the same standards as the high-end line at the Deviser Assembly Department in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. In addition to adjusting the string action, the frets, nut, saddle, and volume balance of the piezo pickups, all of which greatly affect the playability and sound of the guitar, are carefully finished before being shipped to the music stores around the world. For more information on the JT Series work process, please visit the feature site below.

JT Feature Site

Mother of pearl inlays decorationg
the headstock and fretboard

The headstock top and fretboard are decorated with a cherry blossom motif, which has been used on many Sakura guitar models. The material used for the guitar is a natural mother-of-pearl shell which changes the way it reflects light depending on the angle you view it from, making the guitar stand out even more for its unique character. The fingerboard of the SPK-GRD color with a spring motif is made of purple heart, which has a natural purple color to it, while the other three colors are made of black, high-density micarta wood. Both have excellent hardness and density, and produce a clear, articulate tone to them.

Equipped with a
Fishman® Sonitone pickup

Equipped with Fishman® Sonitone pickups and preamps that output natural sound quality despite being an under-saddle piezo type with the elements embedded under the saddle. The volume and tone can be adjusted with the controls in the soundhole, which is useful for live performances.

ボリVolume = Adjusts the volume. Going counterclockwise turns the volume towards 0 and fully clockwise turns the volume towards the maximum volume.

。Tone = Adjusts the sound quality. Turning counterclockwise gradually cuts the treble, resulting in a softer sound quality. Turning clockwise increases treble, resulting in a clear and crisp sound.
*These controls are used when connecting to a PA or amplifier via a shielded cable from the end pin jacks on the bottom of the body and outputting audio.

Small cutaway shape for easy handling

The small body, with a maximum width of 380mm and a maximum thickness of 106mm, is easy to hold and is a perfect fit even for small players, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy playing the guitar. The cutaway makes it easy to press strings on the higher frets above the 15th fret, allowing for a wide range of musical expression, including fingerpicking solo guitar playing styles.