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Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Matt Bellamy. Every item links to its public source.
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What guitar does Matt Bellamy play?

Matt Bellamy uses his Manson MB-1 for at least half of every Muse show, with an MXR Phase 90 and ZVex Fuzz Factory built into another Manson. Premier Guitar's 2026 Rig Rundown shows his sound running through a Fractal Axe-Fx III, with Strymon BigSkys, DigiTech Whammys, a JHS Colour Box, a Keeley Fuzz Head and an RJM Mastermind GT. He says DI'd fuzz starts from a Big Muff.

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What gear Matt Bellamy uses: a sourced gear guide

Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.

Guitars

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Live rig

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Pedals and fuzz

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Records that shaped him

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Questions

About Matt Bellamy's gear.

What guitar does Matt Bellamy play?

Premier Guitar's 2026 Rig Rundown says his main Manson MB gets played at least half the show. He told Guitar World pretty much all his guitars are Mansons, and that on Will of the People the higher guitar parts are Jeff Buckley's Telecaster.

What amp does Matt Bellamy use?

Live, everything runs through a Fractal Axe-Fx III loaded with captures of about 35 of his own amps, including Vox, Diezel, Laney, Orange and vintage Fenders. A Marshall JCM 25/50 sits onstage so he has something behind him while he sings.

What effects are built into Matt Bellamy's guitars?

His custom Manson mirror guitar has an MXR Phase 90 and a ZVex Fuzz Factory built in, a combination that goes back to his original aluminium DeLorean Manson. Another Manson carries a controller that sends MIDI to a Korg Kaoss Pad in the rack.

What fuzz does Matt Bellamy use?

He told Guitar World the Will of the People sessions had around 50 fuzz pedals, that he usually starts from an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff, and that much of his sound is DI'd fuzz. His live rack also holds a ZVex Fuzz Factory and a Keeley Fuzz Head.

Which records influenced Matt Bellamy?

He has said he did not think his voice suited rock until he heard Jeff Buckley's Grace. He calls Rage Against the Machine's Calm Like a Bomb his favourite song and points to Iron Maiden's first album, and Phantom of the Opera, for its harmonic minor riffs.

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Matt Bellamy
About this guide · Last checked

Matt Bellamy is the singer, guitarist and pianist of Muse, and since 2019 the majority owner of Manson Guitar Works. This guide covers the Manson MB-1 he plays for half of every show, the Fractal Axe-Fx III rig and rack pedals from Premier Guitar's 2026 Rig Rundown, the fuzzes and Jeff Buckley's Telecaster from the Will of the People sessions, and the records he says shaped him.

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