Limited Edition Headway HF-KAGASOMEIYOSHINO’25/ATB Sakura Electro Acoustic Guitar Review 2025

1. Introduction

2. Specifications and Design Aesthetic

3. Sound & Tone

4. Craftsmanship and Playability

5. Conclusion

Introduction

Limited edition model made with Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms from Ishikawa Prefecture.

The Headway HF-KAGASOMEIYOSHINO '25/ATB Sakura Electro-Acoustic Guitar is a new 2025 Limited Edition release. This guitar combines a stunning visual aesthetic, excellent tone projection, comfortable playability, and high durability.

Specifications and Design Aesthetic

The "Blue Dawn Gradation" finish, depicting the rise of dawn, immediately caught my attention from afar. It’s rare to see an acoustic guitar adorned with such a vibrant and beautiful colour palette. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the elegant Sakura (cherry blossom) and golden eagle design motifs, which symbolize a bold progression into the future, sharing a motivational story. The finish is seamlessly consistent across the front, sides, and back, creating a stunning blend of colours. Beneath the gradient, the natural wood grain of the Somei-Yoshino Sakura body remains visible, adding a layer of organic beauty to the striking design. This guitar is a perfect harmony of artistry and craftsmanship, where breathtaking visuals meet natural wood aesthetics, all while telling a heartwarming and inspiring story.

Featured Specifications:

Limited edition model made with Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms from Ishikawa Prefecture

The body sides and back are crafted from Somei-Yoshino cherry wood sourced from Ishikawa Prefecture. While Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are well-known to the Japanese people, each log features a unique grain pattern. The Ishikawa-sourced wood selected for this guitar is distinguished by its beautifully even grain and the warm, brown hues characteristic of Somei-Yoshino cherry.

The center of the body back incorporates Indian rosewood, which enhances the sound with added core and tension. This combination fully complements the sweet midrange tones produced by Ishikawa Prefecture’s Somei-Yoshino cherry wood, resulting in a balanced and resonant acoustic voice.

The wish contained in the flying golden eagle

The golden eagle symbol of Ishikawa Prefecture serves as this guitar’s central motif, elegantly incorporated into every detail, from the pickguard to the inlays. From the headstock to the fingerboard, the design dynamically captures the golden eagle’s feathers amid a shower of falling cherry blossoms. On the back’s centerpiece, the eagle soars toward a rising sun, embodying a bold progression into the future.

The fingerboard inlays feature cherry blossom petals crafted from a pale pink material, mirroring the delicate hue of Somei-Yoshino sakura. This subtle touch lends the guitar an exquisite elegance, distinctive to a cherry blossom-inspired instrument.

Collaboration with "Hakuichi," a group of gold leaf craftsmen representing Kanazawa

When crafting this guitar from Ishikawa Prefecture wood, Headway Company sought to incorporate traditional local artistry. To achieve this, they collaborated with "Hakuichi", a renowned group of Kanazawa gold leaf artisans, to adorn the sound hole cover and label with exquisite gold leaf detailing.

Japan's best "Kanazawa foil" - gold leaf has been used since ancient times in temple architecture and Buddhist statue sculpture as a material symbolizing eternity and unchanging, and has become established and developed as something unique to Japan. Kanazawa now accounts for 99% of Japan's gold leaf production. The origin of Hakuichi is that they were the first to produce gold leaf crafts in Kanazawa.

The sound hole cover is completely covered in gold leaf, with a gorgeous design that expresses cherry blossoms with uneven surfaces and has the shine of real gold leaf that makes it suitable for display as is. The design of cherry blossoms falling from the head top and gathering on the sound hole cover is impressive.

The sound hole label is made using a combination of silver and gold foil, resulting in a design that sparkles brightly even in the dim light of the sound hole.

Coloring that expresses the morning sun

"Blue Dawn Gradation" was crafted exclusively for this model, capturing the fleeting moment just before sunrise, when the first light spills over the horizon, transforming the sky from a profound midnight blue into the soft glow of morning. The delicate gradient mirrors this celestial dance, evoking the quiet beauty of dawn.

Manufacturing at Headway

Although the design of the Sakura guitar is eye-catching, Headway has not forgotten its basic belief of "a guitar that can be played for a long time with good sound." The neck is made of the "Extra Slim U Neck" which is both easy to play and sturdy, and the bracing is made of the "Semi-Forward Shift Bracing" which was designed by Momose. Asuka Headway uses a one-piece neck with no joints, which is made possible by purchasing materials from logs, resulting in reliable sound transmission and a beautiful finish.

Extra Slim U Grip

One of Headway’s manufacturing philosophies is to create instruments that can be played with confidence and in good condition for a long time. In keeping with this philosophy, the necks of Headway guitars have been made with a relatively thick design. While this neck grip is known and appreciated as one of Headway’s unique features, we recognize that many users have the impression that it is too thick and difficult to grip. In 2020, Headway has developed a new neck grip with a slimmer shape than ever before, the “Extra Slim Grip”. Of course, it’s not just a thinner neck, but it’s also reinforced with carbon bars for durability, which is Headway’s signature. The thinner grip reduces the mass of the neck body, but the “high-strength neck” construction with carbon bars on both sides of the truss rod increases rigidity and suppresses unnecessary neck flex, allowing the strings to vibrate smoothly through the body.

Like the Extra Slim V Grip, the Extra Slim U Grip is Headway’s thinnest neck ever, starting in 2020. 20.5mm thick around the first fret is a drastic change in size never before seen in a Headway neck. The 20.5mm thickness around 1F is a drastic size change from previous Headway necks, and the carbon bar reinforcement maintains Headway’s traditional robustness and durability.

The neck grip is an important factor in the playability of an acoustic guitar and has a big impact on performance. Please visit a music store to compare different guitars and find the neck that fits you best. We hope you will try the “Extra Slim Grip” that Headway proudly now offers and feel the difference by yourself.

Specifications:

Body

Top: Sitka Spruce
Side & Back: Somei-Yoshino (Ishikawa Prefecture) with 3P Center: Indian Rosewood

Neck

Material: African Mahogany
Grip Shape: Extra Slim U
Width at Nut: 43mm
Scale Length: 645mm (25.4")

Fingerboard & Bridge

Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Ebony

Hardware

Nut: High-Density Bone (Buffalo Bone)
Saddle: High-Density Bone (Buffalo Bone)
Machine Heads: GOTOH® SG301-AB01-GG
Frets: HHF-AG2S

Bracing & Finish

Bracing Pattern: 34 Semi-Forward Shifted, Scalloped X-Bracing
Finish: Thin Urethane

Strings & Accessories

Strings: Elixir® NANOWEB Light (.012–.053)
Includes: Hard case, hexagonal wrench, warranty card, soundhole cover

Specifications and designs subject to change without notice.

Sound & Tone

✨ Check out my review on YouTube for a demonstration on the guitar tone!

Thanks to its Sitka Spruce top, this guitar delivers the brightness and clarity essential for fingerstyle playing. The Somei-Yoshino cherry wood, sourced from Ishikawa Prefecture, is exceptionally rare and highly prized. Its dense, durable grain resembles wild cherry but features a distinctive bluish hue. Acoustically, Somei-Yoshino produces a sweet midrange tone that embodies the delicate elegance of Japanese craftsmanship. To further enhance the sound, the center back of the body incorporates Indian rosewood, adding depth, projection, and structural tension. Together, these woods create a perfectly balanced voice, where the rosewood’s resonant core enhances the Somei-Yoshino’s lyrical midrange, resulting in a rich, nuanced acoustic character.

The guitar’s harmonics are exceptionally clear and sustain for a long duration. It boasts impressive resonance and sound projection, so loud and vibrant that it doesn’t even need to be plugged into an amplifier, with notes that ring out beautifully. These qualities allow tones to project effortlessly and blend into harmonious melodies. When amplified and paired with reverb and chorus effects, the guitar produces a dreamy, romantic sound with elegant character, thanks to the sweet tonal properties of the Somei-Yoshino cherry wood. Out of curiosity, I experimented by adding a metal effect and increasing the amp gain which surprisingly, the guitar delivers a powerful roar perfect for metal and rock genres. The Sitka spruce top ensures precise articulation, making it ideal for both soaring solos and powerful strumming.

Ultimately, the tone is a perfect balance of brightness, clarity, and the uniquely sweet midrange of the Somei-Yoshino cherry wood, making it highly versatile for any playing style.

Craftsmanship and Playability

I love how comfortable this guitar feels! The slim neck profile allows me to reach the strings effortlessly, and the well-balanced fret spacing provides excellent movement between notes. The frets are so smooth like butter making slides and techniques a joy. The body shape is incredibly comfortable, offering great balance while playing. Combined with the low, consistent action, it ensures enhanced comfort even during long sessions. There’s also a perfectly balanced space between the soundhole and strings, making strumming feel natural and effortless. I had so much fun playing this guitar!

Conclusion

✨ Check out my review on YouTube for the Full in-depth Analysis!

The Headway HF-KAGASOMEIYOSHINO '25/ATB Sakura Electro Acoustic Guitar perfectly blends stunning visual aesthetics, comfortable playability, a sweet, resonant tone, and excellent durability. The natural wood grain aesthetics, unique design motifs, and "Blue Dawn Gradation" finish create an inspiring, motivational story. The combination of Sitka Spruce and Somei-Yoshino cherry wood from Ishikawa Prefecture, with a 3-piece Indian Rosewood center, delivers a uniquely sweet midrange tone, offering versatile performance across genres with elegant aura. Playing this guitar was an absolute joy. Its smooth, slim neck profile and low, consistent action made it incredibly comfortable. Crafted at Headway's workshop, it features 34 Semi-Forward Shifted, Scalloped X-Bracing and an extra-slim neck reinforced with carbon rods, enhancing both tone and long-term durability. Overall, the Headway HF-KAGASOMEIYOSHINO '25/ATB Sakura Electro-Acoustic Guitar is a limited-edition masterpiece that shines with its uniquely sweet style.

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Special Thanks to Davis Guitar Music Centre Singapore for the opportunity to feature and review this incredible guitar! 💞 Their continued support of musicians and creators in the local scene is truly appreciated.

You can find this stunning guitar at Davis Guitar Music Centre, right here in Singapore. Whether you're trying it out in-store or reaching out online, their team is super knowledgeable and always happy to help you find your perfect match.

I enjoy visiting Davis Guitar Music Centre, as it is one of Singapore’s iconic guitar stores. Many celebrities, including JJ Lin, have been known to stop by. Since its establishment in 1989, the store has embodied a 90s aesthetic, giving off a cool retro vintage vibe like you’ve travelled back in time. Their customer service is excellent! Their staff are highly knowledgeable and kind, always ready to provide the information you need about the guitar gear you’re looking for.

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or pro player, they’ll help you find the perfect guitar based on your personal preferences! They also offer guitar repair services by technicians with over 30 years of experience, ensuring your guitar is in good hands!

Davis Guitar Music Centre Singapore Location

3 Coleman St, B1-40/41 Peninsula Shopping Complex, Singapore 179804

🎸My favorite Guitar Gear at Music Talk 🎸

https://musictalk.com.sg/

On days when I just want to stay at home and do some online shopping, I love to check out Music Talk, one of my favourite online guitar stores for the best deals and latest products. I love their organized UI/UX design on the website, as it helps me easily find what I’m looking for within their wide range of products. When I’d like more information about a product, I simply drop them a message, and they reply quickly, providing all the details I need about the guitar gear!

I love getting my favourite guitar gear in Singapore at both Davis Guitar Music Centre and Music Talk, as they are the official distributors in Singapore for my favourite guitar brands like Headway, Aria, Takamine, PRS, Schecter, Momose, Orange, ESP, Laney, Bacchus, and more!

Sources

https://www.deviser.co.jp/en/products/hf-kagasomeiyoshino25-atb

https://www.deviser.co.jp/products/hd-kagasomeiyoshino25-atb

https://youtu.be/Pi-RCkcQX-g?si=sK3L0mSuNfft_lzy

https://www.deviser.co.jp/en/feature/sakura-model-anthology-2

https://www.deviser.co.jp/information/49881

https://www.deviser.co.jp/

https://www.deviser.co.jp/headway

https://youtu.be/X1ABgQ1jaLM?si=jr8OXnIRqRPQ_-VB