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About Momose Custom Craft Guitars Kyao Momose and the neck of Asuka Factory A neck with a sense of security created by Asuka Factory on the foundation laid by the master builder "Kyoo Momose", the origin of the brand. By delving into the construction of the neck, which is literally the crux of a guitar, we will explore the appeal of Momose brand instruments.




Momose Custom Craft Guitars
▲Current logo design (2011~)



■Craftsman Yasuo Momose

Limited to produce Momose Custom Guitars.



The area around Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, where the company Asuka is located, is where Soetsu Yanagi Due to the influence of the folk art movement he advocated, folk furniture making is popular, and the region has a long history of woodworkers. Thanks to its easy access from Tokyo, the number of guitar factories rapidly increased with the electric guitar boom of the 1960s. Like his peers, Momose started his career in woodworking as a furniture craftsman, but he became fascinated with the lively guitar-making industry at the time, and began making guitars at the age of 20. Later, in 1977, he joined the founding of the acoustic guitar factory HEADWAY, and since the time when Japanese-made guitars were still in the early stages of development, he has continued to make guitars that can be used around the world. We have continued to prove the high quality of our Pan Guitars both domestically and internationally.

Momose was great at making his own guitars, but he was also skilled at creating jigs and establishing processing processes, and producing high-quality products on a line while sharing the work with other staff members. As a result, the guitars Momose made were of high quality but reasonably priced, which led to the high cost performance of Bacchus Momose. Masu.

At one point, a fire at the factory led to a change in direction from making acoustic guitars to making electric guitars, but in 2000 the company restarted production of acoustic guitars. Open. Around this time, Kyao Momose's name began to become known as a guitar builder, and the solid guitars that Momose produced also attracted attention, and in 2002, We started producing the Momose brand.


MOMOSE Custom Craft Guitars/Introduction





Asuka Factory neck production

One of the important elements for a guitar to function as a musical instrument is the neck. If the neck warps, it will directly lead to problems in playing such as chatter. However, since the neck is made of wood, it is inevitable that it will warp due to humidity and temperature, and cannot be avoided.

At the Asuka Factory, which manufactures momose products, each neck is still processed by hand, based on the neck-making method laid down by Yasuo Momose. The essence of this is to proceed with the process little by little without rushing.

If you take the time to make it properly, you can reduce the risk of unstable warpage and trouble after it is completed.

■What is a handmade neck?
All of the woodworking at momose is done by hand, and only the pickguard is inputted into a computer and processed using an NC router. Not limited to guitars, make the target the same size Processing using a router using a computer is faster and more efficient. However, not only the type of wood, but even the same type of wood differs in grain, direction of conduits, density, and hardness. Processing staff need to change the speed and force applied to the wood depending on the feel of the blade and the finish of the surface being processed. Particularly in the production of necks, where the precision of the finish is critical, manual processing is indispensable, and can be said to be more efficient.

■"Neck curdle"
When wood is cut or scraped, it becomes twisted and warped. If the product is manufactured in a short period of time, there is a high risk that the product will be twisted or warped after completion. There is a time period where you can leave it alone for a certain period of time.This ``kuruidashi'' period increases the production time, but by bringing out the curls in the wood during processing, it reduces the possibility of twisting or corrugation after completion. In the case of a neck, this ``kuru-dashi'' process is applied once after cutting the wood into the shape of the neck and once after the first grip process, and then flattening the bonding surface of the fingerboard and attaching it to the fingerboard. The final shape is achieved by gluing, regripping, and adjusting the radius of the fingerboard surface.


■When filling the truss rod


▲The fingerboard and neck are clamped and glued together. Drying in a special booth.



The depth of the groove in which the truss rod buries and the point of the curve are uniquely designed to apply force evenly over a wide range and compensate for warping without causing the fingerboard to wave.

In addition to design, the accuracy of the embedment also affects the effectiveness of the truss rod. The process is simple: insert an iron core into an arcuate groove dug into the neck, then fill the wood with wood on top of it, leaving no gaps. Cleanly. When embedded, the top of the filler will have the same curve as the bottom of the trench. If this is not done properly, even the best-laid design may cause trouble, such as the rod becoming less effective or producing a resonant sound after completion.

■When installing the neck
At the initial machining stage, the neck pocket was machined to be slightly smaller, and the neck pocket was cut again before assembly. I'll repair. This prevents the neck pocket from becoming too wide due to changes in the wood during painting. Check out the extremely detailed neck joint in the finished product.

Reference: Preparing the truss rod


▲You can see the groove for filling the truss rod.



▲Pour glue into the groove and drive the wood from above.



▲After thoroughly drying, polish the protruding part to a flat surface.


*Image of truss rod preparation


Momose's truss rod preparation method allows for well-balanced compensation for both forward and reverse warping if the neck moves after completion.





! Thermo Wood Neck

The charm of a neck treated with thermowood that "reproduces the aging of wood"

``Thermowood'' is a wood processing method developed in Finland primarily for use in building materials. In recent years, its acoustic properties have attracted attention, and its use in guitars is progressing. By heating the wood to a high temperature of nearly 180°C in an oxygen-free environment and then drying it, it changes to a unique brown color. The benefits of this processing are ``dimensional stability'' and ``changes in sound quality.''

Even after the neck is assembled into the guitar and completed, it continues to dry out little by little. A guitar that has remained in good condition without any problems during this period is called a "vintage guitar." That service.

Sounds are described as ``withered'' or ``dry,'' and are sought after by many musicians.

Neck wood treated with Thermowood has lower moisture and fat content than wood normally used for production. This condition is close to that of a vintage guitar. By using this neck, you can create a kind of ideal guitar for players who want a ``new yet vintage-like sound.''



Wood used for neck
Thermo wood processing
The moisture and resin content in the wood decreases, making the wood drier and less likely to warp.
Improved dimensional stability against humidity changes. Neck that doesn't warp easily (blue)
Change in sound quality vintage guitar sounds like (red)





Model using thermowood
MTL2-TW/ID NO
When specified in a minor change order
Product price 20,000 yen (+ tax)

 

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MINOR CHANGE ORDER

Information regarding minor change orders A minor change order is a specification of options for parts and wood for the regular model. Although there are restrictions on the settings, the appeal is that you can order a guitar or bass to your specifications at a low price. If you place an order, we will manufacture it according to the progress of the regular product production line, so the number of days from order to completion will be determined individually. Please check the completion schedule when placing your order. We will provide a separate estimate for specification changes to already completed products. Please contact us.