When it comes to modern rock frontmen, few are as instantly recognizable or as influential as Matt Bellamy of Muse. As the cofounder, guitarist, pianist, and lead vocalist of the band, Bellamy has led Muse to worldwide success, building a reputation not only for genre defying music but also for unforgettable, stadium shaking live performances. Along the way, Muse has picked up two GRAMMY® Awards for Best Rock Album, multiple Brit and MTV Europe Music Awards, and the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards for International Achievement, while selling over 30 million albums worldwide.
And at the heart of it all has been Bellamy shaping the tools of his trade.
Matt Bellamy and Manson Guitars
Bellamy’s journey with Manson Guitar Works began long before he became its majority owner in 2019. Growing up in Devon, England, Bellamy often visited a guitar shop in nearby Exeter, run by luthier Hugh Manson, who had previously worked as Led Zeppelin’s guitar tech. As a young player, Bellamy dreamed of one day owning one of Manson’s custom builds.
That dream became reality around 2,000, when Muse began enjoying success. Bellamy commissioned his first Manson custom guitar. This led to another custom build. Then another. Eventually, Manson guitars became the only guitars he plays on stage, each one refined to suit his unique playing style.
Over the years, the partnership grew into a defining aspect of Bellamy’s career. When Hugh Manson retired, Bellamy stepped in to ensure the company’s legacy would continue, taking over as majority owner and guiding its next chapter. Under his leadership, Manson introduced the Meta Series, designed to make high-quality instruments more accessible to players worldwide.
“We have some of those parts manufactured in Europe and some in Indonesia, and we have those parts brought to our warehouse in Devon where we put them together ourselves,” Bellamy explained in an interview with Premier Guitar magazine’s Joe Charupakorn. The Indonesian manufacturing partner he is referring to? Cort Guitars.
Cort Guitars and the Meta MBM-2H / MBM-2H Sustainiac
Cort Guitars, with its expertise in instrument production, now builds the latest Manson Meta model, the MBM-2H/MBM-2H Sustainiac. This guitar represents the next evolution of the Meta line, offering players the feel and style of Bellamy’s iconic stage guitars at an attainable price point. And the media has taken notice. Total Guitar magazine has given it the “5/5 Platinum” award, while MIA/Guitarist named it “Electric Guitar of the Year,” and Guitarist honored it with the “Signature Guitar of the Year” awards.
And now the strong reception continues. Recently, Guitar World magazine put the Manson Meta MBM-2H Sustainiac to the test in a detailed review.
Guitar World Reviews
In their review, Guitar World described the MBM-2H Sustainiac as
“clearly built to excel at modern tones and excel it truly does.”
One of the standouts highlighted was the inclusion of a Sustainiac® pickup in the neck position, paired with a humbucker in the bridge. This configuration offers everything from searing rock tones to infinite sustain, opening creative possibilities that go far beyond standard guitar setups.
The review also praised the guitar’s playability, describing the neck as “plays like a dream.” Build quality was another high point, with Guitar World noting the MBM-2H Sustainiac’s “feels like a more expensive guitar,” especially given its competitive price point.
Ultimately, Guitar World concluded that the MBM-2H Sustainiac is not just a worthy addition to the Manson line, but one that captures the essence of Bellamy’s boundary-pushing style while remaining accessible to everyday musicians.
The Legacy in the Making
From Muse’s sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium to their award-winning albums, Matt Bellamy has built a career on bold ideas and uncompromising creativity. His partnership with Manson Guitar Works—and by extension, Cort Guitars—ensures that guitarists everywhere can access instruments inspired by his own stage and studio work. We are proud to be a part of it all.
With the Manson Meta MBM-2H/MBM-2H Sustainiac receiving glowing praise from outlets like Guitar World, it is clear that Bellamy’s vision for affordable, innovative guitars is resonating with players worldwide. Much like Muse’s music, the MBM-2H/MBM-2H Sustainiac is designed to break boundaries, inspire experimentation, and keep the spirit of rock innovation alive.
