Solo Tone

The Dark Side

Muse

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarManson MB-1

AmpDiezel VH4 (studio recording, likely channel 3 or 4 for high gain), possibly blended with Marshall JCM800 (modded by Matt Wells)

PickupsManson custom humbucker (bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzZVex ZVex Fuzz Factory

delayBoss Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

modulationDigiTech DigiTech Whammy

Notes

Studio recording for 'The Dark Side' (2018, Simulation Theory). Matt Bellamy is known to blend the Diezel VH4 with a Marshall JCM800 for heavy tones. The MB-1 is his main guitar for this era and song. All gear confirmed for studio use on this album, not just live.

Tone Character(10)

saturated and sustaining leadtight, compressed attacksinging sustain with controlled feedbackfuzz-like texture layered over high-gain basearticulate note separationcutting upper midsslightly scooped low-midsmodern high-gain clarityaggressive pick attackmodulated delay repeats

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced control of effects (Whammy, delay, fuzz), fast and accurate picking/legato, and precise rhythmic phrasing, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

Matthew Bellamy's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard Matthew Bellamy's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard (page 2)Muse's Matt Bellamy: Unusual Collisions - Premier Guitar

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