Welcome back this is part 2 of Cliff Burton's Bass Rig.
Today we dedicate the entire episode to Cliff Burtons effects pedals.
Lets do this!
Don’t tell me you didn’t get tingles watching that effect’s splash.
I know some of you are excited.
It’s the meat and potatoes of Cliff’s rig, his effects setup.
Ever since the first days of E-Z street and Agents of Misfortune.
Cliff has always known what sound he was trying to get.
Firstly, Cliff combined an Electo Harmonix Bass Balls with a Big Muff Pi.
Showcasing his very first attempt at a fuzzy wah sound.
By the time he was in Trauma and eventually joining Metallica.
There was one crucial pedal by his side.
An original Telray Morley Power Fuzz Wah from the 70’s
with an all chrome chassis.
You guys might know what this is but for the uninitiated you’re in for treat.
This is a distinct sounding pedal with mid ranged fuzz, a vintage wah
and a volume swell all in one.
When you think of Cliff Burton and his crazy solos, it is down to this pedal.
Later in his career the The Power Fuzz Wah was then replaced with another Morley pedal.
The Morley Power Wah Boost.
Cliff liked Morley pedals because they used a noiseless light sensor instead of a moving
potentiometer like you would find everyday cry babys’.
A tribute pedal was made by Morley and released in 2015 and a limited edition
chrome chassis version then followed in 2016.
This pedal is not a reissue but instead improves upon the wah,
slimming the body profile and providing a battery compartment
supposedly being more in tune with today’s musicians.
A further fuzzy refinement took place in later tours
Where he settled down with an Ibanez Tube Screamer 9.
Some folks disagree, stating he used an TS808.
But looking at the body profile of the pedal, the footswitch is of a similar size to the
TS9.
That and with the TS9 released between 1982 and 1985
It isn’t too much of a stretch to believe Cliff bought this
when it originally came out.
Also seen alongside the fuzzy wahs
was a Boss CS2 sustainer.
Used for compressing louder signals and boosting lower ones.
This pedal is seen in performances during the “Kill’em all” phase and was stolen
after the tour in 1983.
During a 1984 radio interview with WCSB, when asked what pedals he used.
Cliff responded with An MXR limiter, A Boss Delay . And and an
unnamed chorus likely to be made by Boss which was also stolen with the CS2
Moving on towards the Master of Puppets Era.
Cliff was in possession of an Ibanez HD1500.
This funky little unit was used to create the intro of Damage Inc.
Overlaying bass harmonies, adding delays and volume swells.
It’s also been heard in bootlegs, specifically on For Whom The Bell Tolls using the harmoniser
pitchshifter effect to get some absolutely crazy sounds.
One version you should go take a look at is Metallica at the Lyceum in London dated
December 1984.
I'll put a link in the show notes. Please take a listen it is craaazy.
Then to finish this section there are a couple of grainy photos out there of Cliff’s pedal
board.
No clear confirmation is available but some have referenced the following pedals.
A Morley ABY Switcher.
Morley Compressor
A washburn AAD9 delay
and a PC40 footstwitch with the Ibanez HD1500
If you recognise any of these pedals that haven't been mentioned
Let me know in the comments.
Lets round the video up with strings.
A couple of sources have stated Cliff using light gauge Rotosound strings
These strings can also be found on the Aria Black N Gold tribute bass.
and as they are an uncommon selection it would appear this was a deliberate choice.
These strings are incredibly easy to bend and explains why he has such a flexible sound.
So make sure you get some of those when attempting Anesthesia.
And there you have it, that is Cliff Burton’s bass rig.
Please take a look at the show notes to read all of the details that weren’t included
today.
Check out part 1 if you missed it although I don't know why you would have-
Where we cover basses and amplifiers.
I’d like to give a big thank you to one of my viewers named Tim.
Who helped with the research of this video.
Please go and say thank you to Tim on his instagram page linked below.
If you like the video please give it a thumbs up and please subscribe for more.
There is plenty more to come in our second season.
So make sure you don't miss out
Thank you very much for watching and I'll see you next time.
Thanks again to David, Martin and Tim! - AW