Manson Guitar Works is a British guitar and bass manufacturer based in Devon, England. Initially focussed on one-off, customised instruments, Manson Guitar Works has since extended its range of products into bass guitars, accessories, and, after forming a relationship with Cort, has recently launched more affordable ranges.
The company was started by Hugh Manson after following in his brother's footsteps in the guitar building scene, specialising in electric guitars. After moving from Crowborough to Exeter, Manson set up Mansons Guitar Shop alongside Adrian Ashton and Jay Henson. The company separated from the guitar shop in to avoid confusion.[1] In 2019, long-time Manson player Matt Bellamy of Muse bought a majority share in the company.[2]
In 2023, Bellamy revealed that the company is working on a line of pedals as well as more affordable instruments and more integrated effects, hinting at potential collaborations with DigiTech.[3]
Since the early 2000s, Matt Bellamy of Muse has worked with Manson Guitar Works to create his electric guitars. They have released several "M-series" signature models.[4]
The early years Muse were based in their hometown of Teignmouth, and the band sourced much of their equipment from Mansons Guitar Shop in Exeter. After the release of Showbiz in 1999, Bellamy had the funds to purchase his first Manson guitar — a 7-string that is most notably played in the song "Citizen Erased"[5] —and ordered a customised guitar known as the 'De Lorean', after the time machine in Back to the Future. The guitar's shape was inspired by a Fender Telecaster and Bellamy's previous Yamaha Pacifica, featuring custom electronics which allowed for the integration of a ZVEX Fuzz Factory and MXR Phase 90 and a custom aluminium finish.[6]
MIDI integration is the next phase of Manson and Bellamy's innovation with the instrument, first seen in the guitar dubbed the "Manson 007" in 2001, which Bellamy still uses in studio recordings.[7]
After the formation of the Beatles tribute the Jaded Hearts Club, Bellamy purchased a Höfner bass. By the time the group extended their repertoire and released the singles from the debut cover album, Bellamy had acquired a custom Manson violin bass with integrated LEDs.[8] Bellamy's signature models have also been manufactured by Cort, first as the MBC model[9] and now as the MBM.[10]
The newly dubbed "Verona Sky" - an S-type guitar - debuted on the Will of the People tour and is used in the performance of the song Verona.[11]