Eagle-eyed fans might find the Manson Black Edition series familiar. And that\u2019s because it\u2019s a faithful recreation of one of Bellamy\u2019s most eccentric guitars; back in 2003, the guitar made its debut in Muse\u2019s Time Is Running Out video, boasting a body rammed with unique effects knobs and switches. Now, fans can get the guitar for themselves.<\/p>\n
First up, the Black Edition OR (Origin Reissue) Relic comes as a totally accurate replication of Bellamy\u2019s original matt black mahogany axe. Brainstormed over three years, the guitar has the same \u2018worn-in\u2019 look, complete with glued joint \u2018repairs\u2019, scrapes and scratches. It even has all the same components of the original guitar, which Manson says proved quite a challenge considering it\u2019s been 23 years since the birth of Bellamy\u2019s original creation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As a result, the Black Edition series offers the same MIDI-controlled killswitch effects and slew of futuristic sounds in the form of the Z-Vex Fuzz Factory and theramin-style Wah Probe. There\u2019s also Sustainer Intensity controls as well as a Sustainer three-way Mode Toggle, a pickup selector, and Comp and Stab controls.<\/p>\n
On the back, there\u2019s more \u2013 you can flick your LEDs on or off, as well as trim pots RF and LED Wah Probe trim pots, Ron Joyce Sub Board trim pot system, and volume controls for your Wah Probe and Fuzz Factory drive.<\/p>\n
As a result, the OR Relic is the most exclusive release of the series. It\u2019s limited to just nine guitars, and it\u2019s set to cost \u00a329,999. To make sure it gets to you with no extra dings, it also comes in a specially designed Protechnic flightcase.<\/p>\n
Every OR guitar has also been personally road-tested and approved by Bellamy, with the Muse frontman having a go on each unique guitar before signing the back of its headstock. The strings Bellamy used will also come in a sealed bag with your guitar, together with a copper laser-etched certificate and some limited edition picks.<\/p>\n
For those who can\u2019t nab one of the ultra-scarce OR Relic models, there are also two New Era Black Edition models. The axes come as more modern interpretations of the original guitar, utilising newer, less rare components, as well as coming in both marked and squeaky-clean versions.<\/p>\n
In terms of the components, the guitars still offer a slew of unique features. In terms of its integrated systems, there\u2019s a Sustainiac Sustainer, Z-Vex Fuzz Factory, Manson\/Ron Joyce FL Wah, and a MIDI Strip controller. Alongside volume and tonal controls, there\u2019s a MIDI Rotary Program Potentiometer, Sustainiac Drive and a three-way Sustainic Mode Toggle, as well as a pickup selector. There\u2019s also Fuzz Factory controls, as well as Comp and Stab controls.<\/p>\n
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However, the New Era editions are still pretty limited \u2013 after all, this is an all-in-one performance multi-tool, offering the \u201cultimate self-contained\u201d instrument for the stage. For that reason, the New Era guitars are limited to just 25 pieces between them, costing \u00a311,999 for an unmarked edition and \u00a312,999 for a relic edition.<\/p>\n
The New Era guitars ship in a Manson\/Hiscox II case, as well as coming with a limited-edition strap and a hand-signed certificate by Bellamy and Manson\u2019s Head of Production Tim Stark.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re carving out rich art-rock words or fine-tuning your proggy licks, the Black Edition series is up to the task. Nicknamed the \u201cGadget Guitar\u201d, Bellamy has explained that the Black Edition series is his definitive creation with Manson.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I could only have one guitar in the world, the Black Edition would be it,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n
To date, Bellamy\u2019s live rig and personal axe collection is rammed with Manson guitars. His first signature collaboration came back in 2001, where he conjured up his signature Mattocaster\/MB shape to capture the feel of a Fender<\/a> Telecaster<\/a> with the sound of a Gibson<\/a> Les Paul<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFundamentally, the way a guitar feels is so important,\u201d he told us back in 2020<\/a>. \u201cWhen I was younger and I picked up a Strat or a Gibson or something like that, it would always send me down a certain way of playing, which I felt was less original than when playing my own design.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[When designing a guitar], I want to come up with a guitar that leads me down a path of 21st-century music rather than going backwards with a retro feel,\u201d he added. \u201cThat\u2019s always been the challenge with the guitar in the modern era of music.\u201d<\/p>\n