How to Sound Like Cliff Burton from Metallica on a Budget

Cliff Burton, Metallica’s legendary bassist, left an indelible mark on the world of metal with his innovative playing style and distinctive tone. For aspiring bassists looking to emulate Burton’s sound without breaking the bank, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential elements of his tone and technique, offering budget-friendly alternatives to achieve that iconic Metallica bass sound.

Understanding Cliff Burton’s Tone

Cliff Burton’s bass tone was characterized by its aggressive, forward presence and melodic sensibility. He treated the bass as a lead instrument, influenced by players like Phil Lynott and Geddy Lee. Burton’s sound was a combination of his unique playing technique, carefully selected gear, and innovative use of effects.

Key Elements of Burton’s Sound

• Aggressive playing style: Burton played with extreme intensity, hitting the strings hard with his fingers.
• Mid-range focus: His tone emphasized the mid-range frequencies, providing clarity and cut-through in Metallica’s heavy mix.
• Use of distortion and effects: Burton incorporated fuzz, wah, and other effects to create his signature sound.
• Melodic approach: He often used the bass as a lead instrument, incorporating solos and melodic lines.

Budget-Friendly Bass Guitars

While Burton famously used modified Rickenbacker and Aria basses, you can achieve a similar tone with more affordable options:

Recommended Budget Basses

1. Squier by Fender Precision Bass PJ: Offers versatility with its split-coil and single-coil pickup configuration.
2. Ibanez TMB100: Features a P/J pickup setup and active EQ for tonal shaping.
3. Yamaha TRBX304: Provides active electronics and a variety of tonal options.

These basses, while more affordable, can be set up to approximate Burton’s aggressive tone when paired with the right amplification and effects.

Amplification on a Budget

Burton used high-wattage Mesa Boogie amps, but for budget-conscious players, there are several alternatives:

Affordable Amp Options

• Fender Rumble 40: Offers a punchy, clear tone with enough power for practice and small gigs.
• Ampeg BA-110v2: Provides classic Ampeg tone in a compact, affordable package.
• TC Electronic BG250 112: Features built-in effects and tonal shaping options.

When setting up your amp, aim for these general settings to approximate Burton’s tone:

• Volume: 8 (Set as high as possible without distorting)
• Gain: 5-6
• Bass: 3
• Mids: 9-10
• Treble: 6-7

Remember, the key is to emphasize the midrange frequencies while keeping enough clarity for articulation.

Essential Effects Pedals

Burton’s effects chain was crucial to his sound. Here are some budget-friendly pedals to help you achieve similar tones:

Must-Have Pedals

• Distortion/Fuzz:
  • Budget option: Behringer Bass Overdrive BOD400
  • Mid-range option: EHX Bass Big Muff Pi
• Wah Pedal:
  • Budget option: Donner Vowel Mini Wah Pedal
  • Mid-range option: Dunlop Cry Baby 105Q Bass Wah
• Compression:
  • Budget option: Kokko FCP2 Mini Compressor
  • Mid-range option: MXR M87 Bass Compressor

While these aren’t exact replicas of Burton’s gear, they can help you achieve similar tonal characteristics on a budget.

Strings and Setup

Burton used light gauge strings, which contributed to his ability to perform wide bends and aggressive playing.

String Recommendations

• Rotosound Swing Bass 66: .035 to .095 gauge
• D’Addario EXL160: .050 to .105 gauge (slightly heavier, but more durable)

Set your bass up with low action to facilitate fast playing and string bends. This setup, combined with lighter strings, will allow you to replicate Burton’s aggressive playing style more easily.

Technique and Playing Style

Emulating Cliff Burton’s tone isn’t just about gear, his unique playing technique was a crucial part of his sound.

Key Techniques to Practice

• Aggressive fingerstyle: Practice playing with your fingers, striking the strings hard to achieve that aggressive attack.
• Three-finger technique: Burton often used three fingers for fast passages. Practice this to increase your speed and dexterity.
• String bends and vibrato: Work on wide string bends and expressive vibrato, especially in the higher registers of the bass.
• Chord playing: Practice power chords and full chords on bass to replicate Burton’s thick, harmonic passages.
• Tapping and harmonics: Incorporate two-handed tapping and natural harmonics into your playing for those signature Burton lead lines.

Iconic Cliff Burton Bass Lines to Learn

To truly capture Burton’s essence, practice these classic Metallica bass lines:

• “(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth” from “Kill ‘Em All”
• “For Whom the Bell Tolls” from “Ride the Lightning”
• “Orion” from “Master of Puppets”
• “The Call of Ktulu” from “Ride the Lightning”

These songs showcase Burton’s innovative approach to bass playing and will help you internalize his style.

Cliff Burton Style Recording and Mixing Tips

When recording your bass to achieve Burton’s tone, consider these tips:

1. Double-tracking: Record your bass parts twice and pan them slightly left and right for a thicker sound.
2. EQ settings: Boost the mid-range (around 800Hz-2kHz) to cut through the mix.
3. Compression: Use moderate compression to even out the aggressive playing style.
4. Distortion blending: Mix a clean bass signal with a distorted one for clarity and grit.

Budget-Friendly All-in-One Solutions

For those looking for an even more economical approach, consider multi-effects pedals or amp modelers:

1. Zoom B1X Four: This multi-effects pedal offers a wide range of bass effects and amp simulations, including distortion and wah3.
2. Line 6 Pod Go: While pricier, this unit provides extensive modeling capabilities for both amps and effects.

These units can provide a variety of tones, including those similar to Burton’s, in a single, cost-effective package.

Developing Your Own Sound

While emulating Cliff Burton is a great way to develop your skills and understand innovative bass playing, remember that finding your own voice is equally important. Use Burton’s techniques and tonal approaches as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own unique sound.