Manson Guitar Works

Manson Guitar Works is a British guitar manufacturer based in Devon, England. The company grew from the work of Hugh Manson, who followed his brother into guitar building and developed a specialism in electric guitars. After moving from Crowborough to Exeter, Hugh Manson established Mansons Guitar Shop with Adrian Ashton and Jay Henson. The manufacturing operation later separated from the retail shop so that the two businesses would not be confused, while continuing to operate within the same broader Exeter guitar-making and music-retail context. The brand initially concentrated on one-off and customised instruments rather than a large standardized catalogue. This model allowed players to specify unusual body shapes, finishes, electronics, control layouts, and integrated effects. Manson's reputation was strengthened by its relationship with Muse guitarist and singer Matt Bellamy. Muse originated in nearby Teignmouth, and members of the band obtained equipment through Mansons Guitar Shop in Exeter. After the release of Muse's 1999 album Showbiz, Bellamy was able to commission and purchase increasingly elaborate instruments from the maker. He has used Manson guitars since 2001, helping make the company's custom-work approach visible to a global audience of guitar players. Bellamy's instruments include a seven-string guitar associated with Muse's performance of “Citizen Erased” and a highly customised guitar known as the De Lorean. The De Lorean combined a Telecaster-influenced outline with elements inspired by Bellamy's earlier Yamaha Pacifica, an aluminium finish, and integrated effects including a ZVEX Fuzz Factory and MXR Phase 90. Manson also built a guitar with integrated MIDI for Bellamy in 2001. These instruments positioned the brand around experimentation and performance-oriented electronics rather than conventional vintage reproduction alone. Since the early 2000s, Manson and Bellamy have collaborated on several M-series signature instruments. Some signature models were produced through a relationship with Cort, allowing designs associated with Bellamy to reach players at lower price points than fully custom-built instruments. The resulting range included the MBC model and later the MBM line. This relationship formed part of a wider move by Manson Guitar Works beyond one-off custom guitars into more affordable instruments and a broader commercial product portfolio. The company has also extended its scope into bass guitars and accessories. Bellamy's work with the Jaded Hearts Club led to a custom Manson violin bass featuring integrated LEDs, illustrating how the company's design language could be applied beyond standard electric guitars. A Verona Sky guitar appeared during Muse's Will of the People tour and was used in performances of “Verona.” In 2019, Bellamy acquired a majority share in Manson Guitar Works. His investment formalized a relationship that had previously centered on artist collaboration and custom instrument development. In 2023, Bellamy said the company was working on a line of pedals, more affordable instruments, and products with more integrated effects. He also indicated that collaboration with DigiTech was a possible direction, although the available reference material does not establish a completed DigiTech product launch. Manson Guitar Works therefore occupies a distinctive position between boutique British guitar making, artist-designed instruments, and increasingly accessible production models.

Manson Guitar Works developed from Hugh Manson's work as an electric-guitar builder. Hugh followed his brother into guitar making and later moved from Crowborough to Exeter, where he established Mansons Guitar Shop with Adrian Ashton and Jay Henson. The shop and the manufacturing business were subsequently separated to distinguish the retail operation from the guitar-making brand. In its early form, Manson Guitar Works focused on one-off and customised electric instruments. Rather than competing primarily through high-volume standardized models, the company built guitars around individual players' requirements, including unusual finishes, modified body shapes, specialized electronics, and integrated effects. This approach became particularly visible through the company's relationship with Matt Bellamy of Muse. Muse was formed in nearby Teignmouth, and the band sourced equipment from Mansons Guitar Shop in Exeter. Following the success of Showbiz in 1999, Bellamy commissioned and acquired increasingly sophisticated Manson instruments. Bellamy has used Manson guitars since 2001. Among the best-known examples are a seven-string instrument associated with “Citizen Erased,” the customised De Lorean guitar, and an early-2000s Manson instrument with integrated MIDI. The De Lorean combined a Fender Telecaster-related silhouette with influences from Bellamy's Yamaha Pacifica and included a custom aluminium finish and built-in effects. These instruments helped establish Manson as a maker capable of combining traditional guitar construction with electronic and stage-performance experimentation. The Bellamy relationship expanded into a family of M-series signature instruments. Some models were manufactured through a relationship with Cort, including the MBC model and the subsequent MBM range. Cort production gave the designs a route into more affordable market segments while retaining the association with Bellamy and Manson's custom work. The company also broadened its output to bass guitars and accessories. Bellamy's violin-style Manson bass, built for his work with the Jaded Hearts Club, incorporated integrated LEDs. The Verona Sky guitar later appeared on Muse's Will of the People tour and was used for performances of “Verona.” A major ownership change took place in 2019, when Bellamy acquired a majority share in Manson Guitar Works. The transaction connected the company's long-standing artist relationship with direct ownership and gave Bellamy a formal role in its future direction. In 2023, he described plans involving pedals, lower-cost instruments, and more integrated effects, with possible DigiTech collaboration mentioned as a prospective area rather than a confirmed completed product. The company's history is therefore defined by three overlapping strands: boutique British guitar building, a sustained creative partnership with a globally recognized touring musician, and a gradual effort to extend custom design ideas into more accessible commercial products.

• 2023

  The company discussed pedals and lower-priced instruments

  [1]Manson Guitar Worksen.wikipedia.org

  Bellamy described work on pedals, more affordable instruments, and more integrated effects, with possible DigiTech collaboration mentioned.

• 2019

  Matt Bellamy became majority owner

  [1]Manson Guitar Worksen.wikipedia.org

  Bellamy acquired a majority share in the company after years of collaboration and use of Manson instruments.

• 2001

  Manson built an integrated-MIDI guitar for Matt Bellamy

  [1]Manson Guitar Worksen.wikipedia.org

  The company built a guitar for Bellamy incorporating MIDI, reflecting its focus on customised electronics and experimental stage instruments.

• Hugh Manson established the guitar-making business in Exeter

  [1]Manson Guitar Worksen.wikipedia.org

  After moving from Crowborough, Hugh Manson established Mansons Guitar Shop with Adrian Ashton and Jay Henson; the manufacturing operation later separated from the shop.

A British boutique-oriented guitar maker combining custom instrument building, experimental electronics, artist collaboration, and more accessible production ranges.

• Electric guitars

  Custom electric guitars

  Manson Guitar Works began with one-off and customised electric guitars built around individual players' specifications. The instruments may combine bespoke body designs, distinctive finishes, specialized pickup and control configurations, and integrated effects. This custom-building tradition remains central to the brand's identity and differentiates it from mass-market guitar manufacturers.

• Artist signature electric guitars

  M-series

  The M-series comprises guitars developed through Manson's long-running collaboration with Muse guitarist Matt Bellamy. The instruments translate features associated with Bellamy's custom stage guitars into signature models. Some versions have been produced through Cort, giving the designs broader availability and more accessible pricing than individually commissioned Manson instruments.

• Custom electric guitar

  De Lorean

  The De Lorean is a customised Bellamy instrument whose shape draws on Fender Telecaster ideas and Bellamy's earlier Yamaha Pacifica. It is noted for an aluminium finish and integrated effects including a ZVEX Fuzz Factory and MXR Phase 90. Its design exemplifies Manson's combination of familiar guitar forms with highly individualized electronics.

• Electric guitar

  Verona Sky

  The Verona Sky guitar was introduced in connection with Muse's Will of the People touring cycle and was used by Bellamy in performances of “Verona.” It represents the brand's continuing role in developing stage-focused instruments for Bellamy's live work.

• Electric bass guitar

  Manson violin bass

  Manson built Bellamy a custom violin-style bass for the Jaded Hearts Club. The instrument included integrated LEDs and extended the company's custom-electronics approach into bass design.

• Artist signature electric guitars

  MBC and MBM

  The MBC and MBM models are Cort-produced signature ranges associated with Matt Bellamy and Manson Guitar Works. They provide a more commercially accessible route to design concepts originating in Bellamy's Manson instruments.

• Guitar effects

  Effects pedals

  In 2023, Bellamy said Manson Guitar Works was working on a line of pedals. The available reference material does not confirm the products' commercial launch, final specifications, or release date.

• 2023

  The company pursued broader and more accessible product categoriesStrategy

  Background

  Manson had historically been associated with customised instruments, while its Cort relationship had already provided a route to more affordable signature models.

  Action taken

  Bellamy said the company was working on pedals, more affordable instruments, and guitars with more integrated effects, while indicating possible DigiTech collaboration.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not document the final launch status or commercial results of these plans.

  Source

• 2019

  Matt Bellamy acquired a majority shareM&A

  Background

  Bellamy had collaborated with Manson for many years and had used the company's instruments since 2001.

  Action taken

  He purchased a majority share in Manson Guitar Works.

  Aftermath

  The ownership change formalized the artist's relationship with the manufacturer and preceded discussion of broader product development.

  Source

• 2021-06-28

  Manson Guitar Works unveils KR-1 signature guitar[2]Manson Guitar Works 发布 KR-1 签名吉他guitarworld.com

  Reported: 2021-06-28

  Manson Guitar Works unveiled the KR-1, a new Matt Bellamy signature guitar inspired visually by Knight Rider's KITT. The KR-1 is limited to 80 pieces worldwide; a separate K1T-1 edition is limited to 20 instruments. Both models start at £2,499.

1. 1Manson Guitar Worksen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Manson Guitar Works 发布 KR-1 签名吉他guitarworld.com