Last Updated on December 28, 2023 by Chris
Table of Contents
Left Handed Manson Guitars
Let’s take a look at whether there are any left handed Manson guitars and basses available.
My first introduction to Manson Guitar Works was relatively recently when I found out the kind of guitars Matt Bellamy played. At this point, I didn’t really look any further into them, though I did marvel at the kind of sounds that Bellamy was making with his band Muse.
While I do like Muse’s music, it wasn’t until I became a fan of the British band Skindred, sometime around 2010, that I took more notice of the brand. Skindred’s guitarist, Mikey Demus is in fact left handed! And his Manson guitar is a very distinctive ‘Atomic Tangerine’ color.
Ever since then I’ve been interested in Manson Guitar Works, and put the Mikey Demus orange MD-2 guitar on my shopping list!
Other well-known players of Manson guitars and basses include Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Joe Hottinger (Halestorm), Graham Coxon (Blur), and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro).
Who Are Manson Guitar Works?
Manson Guitar Works evolved from a small workshop started by skilled English luthier Andy Manson, who made and repaired acoustic instruments back in the late 1960s.
Due to the growing interest in electric guitars in the ’70s, Andy soon partnered up with his younger brother Hugh, who specialized in building them. They focused on making one-off custom guitars for their clients, and then later branched out to produce “production custom” guitars, which allowed customers to choose and customize their guitars from a varying set of options.
The company made a name for itself for its high quality and craftsmanship.
The eighties were a busy time for the company, having had a full order book, and a large number of artists wanting Manson instruments, including John Paul Jones, Jeff Beck, and Jack Bruce.
By the mid-’80s, the brothers moved their workshop from Sussex to Devon, with Hugh working solely on electric guitars and basses, and Andy specializing in acoustic instruments, each working independently in separate workshops.
In the early nineties, recently qualified lawyer and bass player Adrian Ashton decided to quit his job and partner up with Hugh and colleague Jay Henson, resulting in Manson’s Guitar Shop opening in 1992.
Manson’s Guitar Shop unfortunately had to close after 31 years, ceasing trade in 2023.
The Manson workshop was also expanded at this time, recruiting two new staff to the team; Tim Stark and Rom Dobbs.
Manson’s Guitar Shop and Manson Guitar Works separated into two businesses in the 2000s, and so Manson Guitar Works Ltd was born. It was during this time that the Manson “DeLorean” custom model was made for singer/guitarist Matt Bellamy, which marked the beginning of an important partnership with the Muse frontman.
During the 2010s, Manson Guitar Works introduced the MA EVO, which catered to players who wanted modern technology in their guitars, from MIDI screens to sustainiac pickups to Z-Vex Fuzz Factory installs! Of course, Manson also made the MA Classic as well to cater to the traditional player.
A move to larger premises saw an increase in production, and the facilities for CNC process, in-house finish spraying, and pickup manufacturing, along with the traditional hand-crafted processes, which enabled a “Made in the UK” status for all of their guitars built on-site.
By 2019, after many collaborations with Manson Guitar Works, Matt Bellamy purchased the majority share of the company from Hugh Manson (now a consultant to the company), allowing for a new collaboration between Matt and Adrian.
What Do I Think of Manson Guitars?
I really like Manson guitars; they’re often packed with lots of innovative tech, that most other guitars don’t have, giving you a wide variety of sonic options.
Take the MA EVO MIDI, for example, which features a MIDI screen from which you can control your MIDI effects directly from your guitar, letting you make it sound like almost anything! This isn’t for everyone, of course, but it certainly shows what a forward-thinking guitar company this is. It’s just unfortunate it’s not available in lefty configuration.
At the time of writing, Manson only offers one electric guitar shape/style, and one bass guitar shape, and there’s not a whole lot of choice in terms of colors and finishes, but I do think they look really cool, and the features they offer definitely sets this guitar company apart from the others.
Different Types of Manson Guitars
- Meta Series
- M-Series
- Signature Series
- Bass Series
- Limited Edition
Manson Guitar Works also has a deal with Korean guitar company Cort, to produce more affordable versions of some of their guitars, most notably the award-winning Matthew Bellamy Signature model.
Left Handed Manson Electric Guitars
At the time of writing there is just one left handed Manson electric guitar.
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Manson Meta Series MBM-2 Left Handed
£569.00 MSRP, Made in Indonesia
An evolution of the MBM-1, and a guitar at a more affordable price point, this guitar is produced under license with Cort Guitars.
It’s developed to reflect the playing experience of Manson’s Matthew Bellamy guitars and is fitted with dual humbuckers and a larger cavity to more easily allow for a future upgrade to a sustainer.
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Basswood
- SCALE: 25.5″ (648mm)
- NECK: Bolt-On Hard Canadian Maple
- NECK PROFILE: Soft V
- FINGERBOARD: Indian Laurel with Side Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12-16″ (Compound Radius)
- FRETS: 22
- NUT TYPE: Black
- NUT WIDTH: 1.65″ (42 mm)
- BRIDGE: Cort Fully Adjustable
- NECK PICKUP: Manson Humbucker
- BRIDGE PICKUP: Manson Humbucker
- CONTROLS: Kill Button, 1x Volume, 1x Tone, 3-Way Pickup Selector
- HARDWARE COLOR: Chrome
- FINISH: Dry Satin Black
Check price/availability at:
MA EVO Sustainiac Left Handed
£1,869.00 MSRP, Made in England
A very versatile guitar!
Fitted with a Sustainiac Stealth Pro pickup, this guitar can sustain for days! Let your notes ring out for as long as its battery lasts!
Also featuring a kill switch, custom CTS potentiometers, custom aluminum hardware, and a Gotoh bridge.
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Alder
- SCALE: 25.5″ (648mm)
- NECK: Bolt-On Hard American Maple
- NECK PROFILE: Soft V
- FINGERBOARD: Ebony with Side Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12″ (305 mm)
- FRETS: 22
- NUT TYPE: Graphite
- NUT WIDTH: 1.65″ (42 mm)
- BRIDGE: Gotoh GE103B-T with Gotoh GE101A tailpiece
- NECK PICKUP: Sustainiac Stealth PRO
- BRIDGE PICKUP: PF-1 Bridge Pickup with Chrome Cover Manson Etch
- CONTROLS: Kill Switch, 1x Volume, 1x Tone, 3-Way Selector Switch, Sustainiac Off/On Switch, Sustainiac Harmonic Mode Switch (Harmonic/Mix/Fundamental)
- HARDWARE COLOR: Chrome
- FINISH: Dry Satin Black
Check price/availability at:
Manson MA Evo Sustainiac Satin Fire Red Left Handed
£2,019.00 MSRP, Made in England
With the Sustainiac Stealth PRO pickup fitted in the neck position, your sustain will keep on going and going and going!
Couple that with a Custom Voiced Humbucker at the bridge and you have one versatile guitar.
Also features a Kill Switch for some cool staccato effects.
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Alder
- SCALE: 25.5″ (648mm)
- NECK: Bolt-On Hard American Maple
- NECK PROFILE: Soft V
- FINGERBOARD: Ebony with Side Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12″ (305 mm)
- FRETS: 22
- NUT TYPE: Black Graphite
- NUT WIDTH: 1.65″ (42 mm)
- BRIDGE: Gotoh GE103B-T with Gotoh GE101A tailpiece
- NECK PICKUP: Sustainiac Stealth PRO
- BRIDGE PICKUP: PF-1 Bridge Pickup Stealth Humbucker
- CONTROLS: Kill Switch, 1x Volume, 1x Tone, 3-Way Selector Switch, Sustainiac Off/On Switch, Sustainiac Harmonic Mode Switch (Harmonic/Mix/Fundamental)
- HARDWARE COLOR: Black
- FINISH: Satin Fire Red
Check price/availability at:
Manson MA Evo Sustainiac and Fuzz Factory Dry Satin Black Left Handed
£2,319.00 MSRP, Made in England
The MA Evo Sustainiac and Fuzz Factory is fitted with a Sustainiac Stealth PRO pickup in the neck, as well as an onboard Z.Vex Fuzz Factory, which combine to let you create some crazy-sounding effects!
Also features a Kill Switch for some cool staccato effects.
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Alder
- SCALE: 25.5″ (648mm)
- NECK: Bolt-On Hard American Maple
- NECK PROFILE: Soft V
- FINGERBOARD: Ebony with Side Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12″ (305 mm)
- FRETS: 22
- NUT TYPE: Black Graphite
- NUT WIDTH: 1.65″ (42 mm)
- BRIDGE: Gotoh GE103B-T with Gotoh GE101A tailpiece
- NECK PICKUP: Sustainiac Stealth PRO
- BRIDGE PICKUP: PF-1 Bridge Humbucker with Chrome Cover Manson Etch
- CONTROLS: Kill Switch, 1x Volume, 1x Tone, 3-Way Selector Switch, Sustainiac Off/On Switch, Sustainiac Harmonic Mode Switch (Harmonic/Mix/Fundamental), Z.Vex Fuzz Factory Off/On Switch, Z.Vex Fuzz Factory Stab and Comp
- HARDWARE COLOR: Chrome
- FINISH: Dry Satin Black
Check price/availability at:
Left Handed Manson Acoustic Guitars
There are no left handed Manson acoustic guitars available, as Manson Guitar Works don’t currently make them. Andy Manson has his own separate company that makes acoustic instruments, however.
Left Handed Manson Bass Guitars
The company does make basses, but unfortunately, at the time of writing, there are no left handed Manson bass guitars being made.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it; the currently available left handed Manson guitars.
At the time of writing, there are four different lefty models. I think it’s a slight shame that Manson doesn’t offer much choice in the way of color/finish. The majority of the left handed Manson guitars are black, however, they do offer one in Satin Fire Red with a matching headstock, which I think looks fantastic!
Four models isn’t bad, but there are many more right handed Manson guitars; I do think they look and sound amazing though. Even without the modern bells and whistles, they’re also great electric guitars. They don’t come cheap though.
There is, however, one more affordable model at the time of writing, made under license with Cort Guitars.
What are your thoughts on Manson guitars? Let us know below!
Photo credit: mansonguitarworks.com