Manson DL-OR and DL-OR Relic Limited Edition Guitars
Manson DL-OR and DL-OR Relic Limited Edition Guitars
Manson Guitar Works are proud to announce the release of one of its most iconic instruments in the company’s history, the Manson DL-OR “Origin Re-issue”. Inspired by Matthew Bellamy’s fully aluminium clad guitar, designed and originally built by luthier Hugh Manson, Matthew Bellamy and guitar electronics genius Ron Joyce, a production run of 24 DL-OR and 6 ultra limited DL-OR Relic guitars will be available for sale.
This production run version is the most closely replicated version of Bellamy’s first Manson Guitars instrument. The original, which was used for MUSE’s concert appearances from the launch of the Origin of Symmetry album onwards, was stripped and studied in detail at the Manson Guitar Works headquarters during the development and build programme of the DL-OR. Hence, the OR versions feature a fully clad aluminium body, just like the original instrument. Each model features the circuits used before the guitar’s retirement from touring duties and includes a USA ZVEX Fuzz Factory, MXR Phase 90, Piezo Acoustic output utilising a Graph Tech Ghost bridge and Ron Joyce custom circuit.
The incorporation of a ZVEX Fuzz Factory pedal inside the guitar was fundamental for Bellamy to create the riff from Plug in Baby during live performances. The award winning and classically infused riff has been closely associated with the guitar as well as the recipient of several riff awards, including the number one spot in the Greatest Riff of the 21st Century poll.
The Manson built pickups reflect the guitar in its early stage life whilst improving the quality and versatility of the set up. The multi-rail bridge “Mother Superior” pickup is a Manson in-house build by Simon Thorn and comes as standard with a push/pull coil split switching mode.
The neck pickup is another Manson design by Thorn in a hot output P-90 configuration; the Deci-Bel 90. With the switchable magnetic multi rail humbucker, fat single coil P-90 and piezo outputs, the Manson DL-OR would be a formidable tone-beast, yet Matt’s creativity from his earliest years was not satisfied by the standard and ordinary hence the guitar features a built in USA ZVEX Fuzz Factory and MXR Phase 90. The end-user can move seamlessly from mild tonal explorations with subtle phase undertones (Phase speed is now controllable from a front potentiometer) or free fall fuzz insanity with the Fuzz Factory engaged, operated, as per the original, by external Stab and Compression controls.
The DL-OR Relic takes replication of Bellamy’s DL-1 a step closer to the original with same gauge 6230 fret wire, fingerboard side dot location, Ron Joyce internal Fuzz Factory sub-board control unit and the very last Fuzz Factory boards built to the same specification as the original DeLorean, a process involving months of development and the incredibly lucky find at ZVEX of original components. The component grail search wasn’t just a case of finding the correct items; to replicate the original instrument, ZVEX had to source transistors in the correct gain range. That task was described by ZVEX as “like finding a needle in a haystack…”
Fate intervened when long serving employee Shoua Thao found something buried deep in his component cabinet. ZVEX takes up the story; “Zack asked our tech Shoua how we still managed to have any of those germanium transistors after so many years? Shoua said Zack instructed him specifically to keep those last remaining transistors separate… for just this possibility. Ironically Zack had no memory of giving those instructions. You could say it was foresight forgotten, but amazingly, and thankfully, Shoua didn’t forget!” The find meant Manson Guitars Works and ZVEX could now create replicas of the original board, as ZVEX described it, “We have the correct transistors to make perfect replicas. Hand soldered by the same person, on the same bread board used to build the original DeLorean circuit”
Every DL-OR features the most accurate MXR vintage Phase 90 re-issue circuit modified at Manson Guitar Works. Accessibility to the phase speed is now completed through the front mini potentiometer from subtle shimmer to space-warbled otherworldliness! Pure Showbiz!
Renown for a huge sound from the most stripped down of rock ensembles - the trio - Matthew Bellamy needed to move between acoustic purity, standard rock distortion and sonic chaos all from one single instrument. Installing a Graph Tech saddle system, amplified through a custom Ron Joyce preamp, allows one to achieve these seemingly impossible tasks without once having to set foot near a pedalboard. Ron Joyce found his original notes and circuit diagrams to rebuild this circuit just as per the original. In the DL-OR Relic the Fuzz Factory sub-board is also incorporated, just like the original instrument.
Such a special instrument requires accessories to match and a road ready UK made Protechnic flight case protects the DL-OR guitars from anything a real world tour could throw at it. Each instrument is accompanied by a laser etched steel certificate with Matt’s signature carefully reproduced. In addition, his signature adorns a hand signed card from the DL-OR promotional film. Each guitar comes with a Manson Premium UK crafted strap from Heistercamp, signature plectrums, and cleaning cloth.
The DL-OR will be released 3pm GMT 26th October 2021 with shipping before the end of 2021.
Prices: DL-OR £9999 DL-OR Relic £12,999 inc VAT
