Cliff Burton’s bass guitar work on Metallica’s 1983 debut Kill ‘Em All, and especially the jaw-dropping solo (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth, helped set the band apart as leaders of the emerging thrash metal movement. Burton’s main bass was a red Rickenbacker 4001 that he customized for his effects and thunderous finger-picking style.
Cliff Burton
As the bassist for thrash metal powerhouse Metallica, Cliff Burton helped define what it means to be a modern metal musician. His innovative bass techniques and virtuosic playing helped elevate the band’s sound to new heights. His famous bass solo on the song “(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth” and the chromatic intro to “For Whom The Bell Tolls” are two of the most iconic bass lines in heavy metal history. Burton’s death in 1986 was a major blow to the music community, but his legacy lives on through his timeless music and the legions of Metallica fans who still worship at his feet.
Burton grew up in California, and his first exposure to music was at the age of 6 with classical piano lessons. He switched to bass guitar at 13, after his older brother died of a cerebral hemorrhage, and began practicing 6 hours a day to perfect his craft. He and his sister Connie shared a love for heavy metal music, and their garage-level thrash metal band EZ-Street was eventually signed to a record deal with Megaforce Records.
After releasing their debut album, Ride the Lightning, in 1984, the band’s improved musicianship caught the attention of major record labels. Soon, Metallica was recording its breakthrough album, Master of Puppets, which is considered a classic in the genre to this day. Burton’s distinctive melodic bass lines and grooving riffage were vital to the success of this landmark record, and songs like “(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth” are a testament to his immense skill.
While Burton’s bass tone was based on a traditional Fender Precision Bass, he often used effect pedals to alter the tone and create unique sounds. According to bassist and author Robert Trujillo, Burton’s use of a wah-wah pedal and an Electro Harmonix Big Muff was particularly notable. Burton’s musicality and knowledge of music theory also made him an important contributor to the writing of Metallica’s epic albums. His contributions to the songs on Master of Puppets, including the bass solos in four horsemen and Orion, are considered his career highlights.
Jason Newsted
The bass guitar is one of the most important instruments in any rock band. It helps to create the rhythm and groove that a band needs, as well as providing a solid base for the other members to perform on top of. It also allows the musicians to express themselves more creatively than would be possible with a guitar alone. For this reason, the bass is a key instrument in any hard rock or heavy metal band. Several bassists have played for Metallica over the years, including Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted and Robert Trujillo. These men have all contributed to the evolution of the band’s sound and helped to bring them to worldwide success.
Cliff Burton was a founding member of the band, and he remained in the group until his death in a car crash in 1986. Newsted was recruited to replace him for the band’s 1988 album, And Justice for All. The album was a huge success and ushered the band into mainstream success. However, Newsted’s presence in the band caused tension between him and other members of the band. He was accused of being a control freak and not being team player. He also created a side project called Echobrain, which did not have a long life span.
Newsted used a number of different basses in his rig, including an Alembic SB-4 and a Spector NS-2. He was influenced by many bassists, including Geezer Butler and Lemmy Kilmister. He also cited Bach’s Minuet as an influence on his playing style. In addition to being a bassist, he has also been an actor and sculptor.
After leaving Metallica, Newsted stayed in the music industry as a session bassist for other bands and a record producer. He has worked with bands such as Suicidal Tendencies and Black Label Society. He has also formed his own band, Newsted. He also continues to work on various musical projects, including sculpture and painting.
Although the bass is not the most visible part of a band, it is an essential element in their sound. The bassist must be able to play the melody, provide harmonic support and be a good singer. In addition, the bassist must be a team player. This requires a high level of dedication and practice.
Robert Trujillo
A bass player is the backbone of a band. It’s important that they are not only talented, but also have the charisma to play front and center on stage. Robert Trujillo, a longtime member of Metallica, has all of these qualities. He is a seasoned musician who has been playing bass professionally for 23 years. He has played on some of the most critically acclaimed metal albums ever recorded.
He has also made several solo records and worked with other artists, such as the acoustic singer-songwriter Laura Pergolizzi. He has a strong connection to his audience, and he always delivers a powerful performance. He has a unique style that is both aggressive and melodic. His music is a blend of metal, blues, and jazz. He has been a member of Metallica since 2003, and he is an integral part of the band’s sound.
Before joining Metallica, he played bass with Suicidal Tendencies, the California crossover thrash band that took hardcore punk in a heavy metal direction. He replaced the original bassist, Bob Heathcote. He is also a founding member of the side project, Infectious Grooves, with vocalist Mike Muir.
In the high school yearbook, Trujillo wrote that he planned to attend the Musicians Institute of Technology and become a bassist. He also wanted to be rich and famous like Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. He was a devoted student who excelled in both academics and music.
When he joined Metallica, Trujillo knew that he would have to work hard to fill the huge shoes of Cliff Burton. He learned to play the slap bass style that was popular in the metal scene at the time. During his audition, he impressed the band members with his impressive technique. He was able to play the slap bass with two fingers while maintaining speed. He also impressed the other members with his knowledge of music theory.
Trujillo plays Warwick Streamer basses, both five- and four-string models. He also occasionally uses ESP, Yamaha, and Zon basses. He usually powers his bass through an Ampeg or Mesa Bookie speaker cabinet. He prefers Dunlop Icon Series bass strings.
EVH 5150 Iconic Combo
After growing a loyal fan base with their raw-sounding, thrashy early releases Kill ‘Em All (1981) and Ride the Lightning (1984), Metallica entered more progressive territory with Master of Puppets (1986) and…And Justice for All (88). Their increasingly complex arrangements required high-tech instrumentation, resulting in a heavier, less-distorted sound. To achieve this tone, they turned to the EVH 5150 amp. The EVH Iconic Combo is the modern-day incarnation of this legendary amp.
Designed by James Brown, who worked with Eddie Van Halen on the original Peavey 5150 amplifiers, this 40-watt 1×12 combo offers an array of pro features for a street price below $1,000. Its two channels arm you with a full palette of tone-shaping controls, including a 3-band EQ and a global resonance control. The Green channel’s overdrive preset reaches deep into high-gain realms, while the Red channel delivers fiery leads and blistering burnout tones.
The EVH Iconic also includes a footswitchable reverb function that adds depth and dimension to your playing. This is a useful feature for players who want to perform at venues that require lower volumes. Its built-in noise gate is another impressive addition, allowing you to play rapid staccato phrases with zero interference between notes. Additionally, the EVH Iconic Series features a boost knob that adds 10dB to your signal for more volume when you need it.
This combo is loaded with a custom-designed 12-inch EVH Celestion speaker that delivers a sonic eruption of epic proportions. Its internal plywood baffling provides a tight, yet resonant response that enhances the low frequencies. Additionally, the Iconic’s overdrive presets range from clean to heavily distorted, allowing you to create your own signature metal tone.