The cross between a Telecaster and an SG was the initial idea for the infamous Manson MB model. It is by far one of the most iconic guitars of modern-day music.
ive had 3 guitars now with the PF-1 and have no problem getting clean tones out of it. I would recommend using a light compressor or a linear gain reducer (if you still want full dynamic range) if your guitar is pushing your amp too hard. but going into fender style amps, and even some marshals, i still get superb clean tones.
I played last weekend both the New Era and the Evo, both in the same pickup configuration (humbucker + sustainiac) and no FF installed. The difference in the pickup output is huge between them. Overall there was a noticeable difference in loudness between the two axes, with NE being much hotter, on both pickup positions, and driving the amp much more. I believe this is a conscious decision from Manson and Bellamy to have a hotter output, akin to Aftermath from BKP or going even into MotherBucker territory. It's definitely a matter of liking, but as you said, these new ones are more a metal / shredding machines, with additional advantage of better driving long effect chains. So it might be that to get to a EVO gain level at max, one needs to play 8-9 on the NE, maybe even 7. A propos pickup break up- I found that ITB amps are really sensitive to the input gain. So reducing the input on your Logic amps might help, and it will also help with this kinda nasty digital artifacts you were getting playing with your standard amp settings. I did not experience any high pitch squeals on Sustainiacs on both guitars I played - which makes me think there is a crosstalk issue on your particular axe. Peace and love, esp. towards P90s and BKP pickups 😅
I have a Manson MA-25 with a fuzz factory built in, and I found that opening the back of the guitar to adjust the volume, gain, and gate helped with the notes to come through the way you want :) unless you already did so, I suggest doing it but this is a great and thorough review
Really helpful review, Harry. The challenge as always is versatility vs getting a particular sound (in this case a rock trio where a single guitar has to do a lot of tonal work). The answer, of course, is to have more than one guitar but if that’s outside the budget then I suspect something like a PRS with its various split coil options gives you the variety of sounds you’ll need, but the feel is somewhat function vs a distinctive form. I love Muse and Matt’s guitar genius, I want to support a British guitar manufacturer, and I want the PF-1/sustainiac sound that really only comes with a Manson for the songs that tone is needed. Decisions decisions!
difficult decisions indeed. i very much support the idea of going for a PRS and various split coil options as a standing for a Manson, the only issue with PRS is that their neck width is a little wide.
@@harrychrisrobin yep, another thing to factor in as hand feel and playability will vary from person to person. I can see why, when you find a model that sufficiently blends all the factors you need, you’ll never switch! Probably just need 2 Mansons set up with different pickups 😃
I agree 100 percent. I've also had a Manson New Era for a few weeks now. I've been playing a PRS Custom 24 for over 20 years and I have to say that the Manson, in contrast, really isn't as uncomplicated or versatile. For my band Turm & Strang (some kind of german electro/dubstep rock) it is perfect for hard sounding drop d tunings.
I’ve got a Manson MBM-1 with a PF-1 in the bridge and a Bareknuckle Mississippi Queen Humbucker in the neck. I also have a coil split for the bridge. I find the guitar to be quite versatile, and the P90 helps a lot. However, I usually just riff on it when I play it. Perhaps it’s the psychology behind the guitar you’re talking about. I’ve concluded that if someone wants a super versatile guitar at a good price, an HSS Mexican Strat is the way to go. I personally have a SSS Mexican Strat and I adore it. But I always find myself thinking, if only this had a humbucker in the bridge. Those are just some of my random thoughts after watching this video.
I really really would love to own one of these but good lord close to $3K? Maaaan I love those large circular knobs but that volume is so close to the bridge like a strats is. For palm muting I never understood having a knob that dang close. Its fascinating that Matt really never jelled with a trem. He just uses that Digitech Whammy for everything - I dig it. I think this guitar in matte black would be an understated workhorse if for those with the expendable cash.
Hi Harry. Thanks for the video. I’ve been watching since I’m curious about Manson guitars. I have a question regarding the neck of new era. The profile such as compound radius & soft V is quite similar to META series, but are these two necks different? Please let me know since I do prefer slimmer neck like you but not sure if compound radius makes neck bigger as you mentioned in META series video if I remember correctly.(Maybe you already returned it so you don’t remember tho!)
Hi there, thanks for this. The neck on this and my other Mansons are very much what I look for in a neck, they're not thick and they're easy to get your hand around. The issue with the Meta was that they put the wrong neck on this.
I recently got a Manson MBM-2 and the built in fuzz factory is also something I have an issue with. I have the pedal as well and try to use both but it doesn't feel right switching back and forth, hope there's something you can adjust within the guitar to fix the issue but who knows. outside of that good review, probably won't be getting the new era or another manson soon cause god damn the prices are so much lmao
I have the same issue with the Fuzz, the sound is basically a regular fuzz factory with the guitars volume control rolled off slightly. I think this is down to the sustainiac and it's output impedance not playing nice with the fuzz factory.
Nice one as always mate, I have the old mb signature but I’m considering upgrading to a used Manson Evo. In your option, would this be a better option than the works MB1?
sustainiac squeal is a volume thing. volume knob has to be max and you should try to use a normal guitar cable and no wireless system. if it aint one of those than the resistance is too weak somewhere in the chain between guitar and amp.
@@harrychrisrobin well I think Im going with the evo, waiting for manson to restock the Ma Evo guitars, currently they're unreasonably very expensive second hands on reverb or ebay
I really like the new Blanta models because they finally got the sparkles right. It's a shame Mansons are so expensive.
The cross between a Telecaster and an SG was the initial idea for the infamous Manson MB model. It is by far one of the most iconic guitars of modern-day music.
ive had 3 guitars now with the PF-1 and have no problem getting clean tones out of it. I would recommend using a light compressor or a linear gain reducer (if you still want full dynamic range) if your guitar is pushing your amp too hard. but going into fender style amps, and even some marshals, i still get superb clean tones.
I absolutely adore this guitar, thanks for this review, great playing!
I played last weekend both the New Era and the Evo, both in the same pickup configuration (humbucker + sustainiac) and no FF installed.
The difference in the pickup output is huge between them.
Overall there was a noticeable difference in loudness between the two axes, with NE being much hotter, on both pickup positions, and driving the amp much more.
I believe this is a conscious decision from Manson and Bellamy to have a hotter output, akin to Aftermath from BKP or going even into MotherBucker territory.
It's definitely a matter of liking, but as you said, these new ones are more a metal / shredding machines, with additional advantage of better driving long effect chains.
So it might be that to get to a EVO gain level at max, one needs to play 8-9 on the NE, maybe even 7.
A propos pickup break up- I found that ITB amps are really sensitive to the input gain. So reducing the input on your Logic amps might help, and it will also help with this kinda nasty digital artifacts you were getting playing with your standard amp settings.
I did not experience any high pitch squeals on Sustainiacs on both guitars I played - which makes me think there is a crosstalk issue on your particular axe.
Peace and love, esp. towards P90s and BKP pickups 😅
I have a Manson MA-25 with a fuzz factory built in, and I found that opening the back of the guitar to adjust the volume, gain, and gate helped with the notes to come through the way you want :) unless you already did so, I suggest doing it but this is a great and thorough review
Really helpful review, Harry. The challenge as always is versatility vs getting a particular sound (in this case a rock trio where a single guitar has to do a lot of tonal work). The answer, of course, is to have more than one guitar but if that’s outside the budget then I suspect something like a PRS with its various split coil options gives you the variety of sounds you’ll need, but the feel is somewhat function vs a distinctive form. I love Muse and Matt’s guitar genius, I want to support a British guitar manufacturer, and I want the PF-1/sustainiac sound that really only comes with a Manson for the songs that tone is needed. Decisions decisions!
difficult decisions indeed. i very much support the idea of going for a PRS and various split coil options as a standing for a Manson, the only issue with PRS is that their neck width is a little wide.
@@harrychrisrobin yep, another thing to factor in as hand feel and playability will vary from person to person. I can see why, when you find a model that sufficiently blends all the factors you need, you’ll never switch! Probably just need 2 Mansons set up with different pickups 😃
I agree 100 percent. I've also had a Manson New Era for a few weeks now. I've been playing a PRS Custom 24 for over 20 years and I have to say that the Manson, in contrast, really isn't as uncomplicated or versatile. For my band Turm & Strang (some kind of german electro/dubstep rock) it is perfect for hard sounding drop d tunings.
I have a PRS & Manson. PRS is still my main axe for versatility, gotta have the vintage tones too
I’ve got a Manson MBM-1 with a PF-1 in the bridge and a Bareknuckle Mississippi Queen Humbucker in the neck. I also have a coil split for the bridge. I find the guitar to be quite versatile, and the P90 helps a lot. However, I usually just riff on it when I play it. Perhaps it’s the psychology behind the guitar you’re talking about. I’ve concluded that if someone wants a super versatile guitar at a good price, an HSS Mexican Strat is the way to go. I personally have a SSS Mexican Strat and I adore it. But I always find myself thinking, if only this had a humbucker in the bridge. Those are just some of my random thoughts after watching this video.
I really really would love to own one of these but good lord close to $3K? Maaaan
I love those large circular knobs but that volume is so close to the bridge like a strats is. For palm muting I never understood having a knob that dang close.
Its fascinating that Matt really never jelled with a trem. He just uses that Digitech Whammy for everything - I dig it.
I think this guitar in matte black would be an understated workhorse if for those with the expendable cash.
Hi Harry. Thanks for the video. I’ve been watching since I’m curious about Manson guitars. I have a question regarding the neck of new era. The profile such as compound radius & soft V is quite similar to META series, but are these two necks different? Please let me know since I do prefer slimmer neck like you but not sure if compound radius makes neck bigger as you mentioned in META series video if I remember correctly.(Maybe you already returned it so you don’t remember tho!)
Hi there, thanks for this.
The neck on this and my other Mansons are very much what I look for in a neck, they're not thick and they're easy to get your hand around.
The issue with the Meta was that they put the wrong neck on this.
Great and honest review! It’s a really nice guitar but the technical issues are a bit disappointing. Thnx for the video and opinion
whats is the best manson guitar to sound close to muse ?
I recently got a Manson MBM-2 and the built in fuzz factory is also something I have an issue with. I have the pedal as well and try to use both but it doesn't feel right switching back and forth, hope there's something you can adjust within the guitar to fix the issue but who knows.
outside of that good review, probably won't be getting the new era or another manson soon cause god damn the prices are so much lmao
If I had a boat load of money and I wasnt lusting after a les paul traditional pro in tobacco burst, my next axe might be a Manson guitar
I like the 71 Tele. Hope it comes your way.
I have the same issue with the Fuzz, the sound is basically a regular fuzz factory with the guitars volume control rolled off slightly. I think this is down to the sustainiac and it's output impedance not playing nice with the fuzz factory.
Nice one as always mate, I have the old mb signature but I’m considering upgrading to a used Manson Evo. In your option, would this be a better option than the works MB1?
The evo guitars are great, mine are great and I love playing them
sustainiac squeal is a volume thing. volume knob has to be max and you should try to use a normal guitar cable and no wireless system. if it aint one of those than the resistance is too weak somewhere in the chain between guitar and amp.
I agree the pickups are too hot , that’s what I noticed when I first played with mine
Osaka Jam :D 00:40
those demo riffs need to be made into songs
what was that riff you played after Supermassive Black Hole around the half way mark of the video
It’s called “Guitar Pick” by Memi. I’ve covered that song on the channel
tonight while sleeping I'm probably going to have a nightmare about you saying that those pickups are too hot
Hello, what is the name of your song demo ?
It doesn't have a name, its something I've had for a while and may do something with in future
Sounds great@@harrychrisrobin 🤘 Waiting for your release !
stuck between Ma Evo and this one, which one you think is worth the money ?
They’re very similar. If you want to save money get an evo
@@harrychrisrobin well I think Im going with the evo, waiting for manson to restock the Ma Evo guitars, currently they're unreasonably very expensive second hands on reverb or ebay
Play some Foo Fighter songs, as dave growl play mansons. May be that will help to not just see it as a Mat Bellamy guitar😂
He played a Manson once and sent it back to them. He’s not a Manson player