Manson Guitar Works Oryx VI review

A modernist vision from Manson Guitar Works, co-designed with Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood, that focuses on stripped-down and functional style. But is it just for ‘progressive’ players?

Manson Guitar Works ORYX VI
(Image: © Future / Phil Barker)

Guitar World Verdict

Undeniable build quality, smart design and versatile sonic options make the Oryx a compelling instrument for progressive guitarists.

Pros

  • +

    Cohesive player-led design.

  • +

    Exceptionally detailed and considered build.

  • +

    Surprisingly versatile pickups, especially paired with the series/parallel Free-Way switch.

Cons

  • -

    By design, it’s aimed at the ‘progressive’ player.

  • -

    It’s not cheap.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Think of Manson electric guitars and you invariably imagine some tech-loaded instrument that satisfies the likes of Matt Bellamy. Of course, its designs are not all so expansive – or expensive – and, via a hook-up with Cort, instruments such as the Meta Series start around £569. 

Moving up from those, the MA Series is fabricated in the Czech Republic then assembled and finely set up at Manson Guitar Works HQ in Devon. 

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Dave Burrluck
Gear Reviews Editor, Guitarist

Dave Burrluck is one of the world’s most experienced guitar journalists, who started writing back in the '80s for International Musician and Recording World, co-founded The Guitar Magazine and has been the Gear Reviews Editor of Guitarist magazine for the past two decades. Along the way, Dave has been the sole author of The PRS Guitar Book and The Player's Guide to Guitar Maintenance as well as contributing to numerous other books on the electric guitar. Dave is an active gigging and recording musician and still finds time to make, repair and mod guitars, not least for Guitarist’s The Mod Squad.