Editing Cliff Burton (section)

== Equipment ==
=== Bass guitars ===
[[File:Rickenbacker Bass 4001JG.jpg|thumb|90px|Rickenbacker 4001 bass, one of the models played by Burton]]
When he joined Metallica in 1982, Burton's main bass was a red [[Rickenbacker 4001]].  Burton made several modifications to it, in particular removing the stock high-gain pickups, which did not suit his heavy use of effects pedals and aggressive finger-style playing.<ref name="Brewster">{{cite web |last1=Brewster |first1=Will |title=Gear Rundown: Cliff Burton of Metallica |url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/rig-rundown-cliff-burton-of-metallica/ |website=mixdownmag.com |publisher=Mixdown Magazine |access-date=20 April 2025}}</ref>  The neck pickup was swapped with a [[Gibson Brands|Gibson]] "Mudbucker" and the bridge with a [[Seymour Duncan]] "Classic Stack [[Jazz Bass]]" pickup.<ref>[https://guitarspace.org/electric-guitars/cliff-burton-rickenbacker-history/ "The Cliff Burton modded Rickenbacker"] at Guitarspace.org</ref>  Burton used this 4001 on ''Kill 'Em All'' and several tracks on ''Ride The Lightning'' before technical problems forced him to retire it.  Burton then briefly played an [[Alembic Inc.|Alembic]] Spoiler II before it was stolen from his car.  In 1985, Burton began endorsing Japanese manufacturer [[Aria (guitar company)|Aria]].  He initially played an SB1000 model before receiving his signature "SB Black n' Gold" bass, which he used on ''Master Of Puppets''.<ref name="Brewster"/>

In 2013, Aria released a replica of Burton's bass, called the Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature Bass. The company had received permission from Burton's family and Metallica ‍to produce the instrument. The bass ‍was officially unveiled at the Winter ‍[[NAMM Show]] in Anaheim, California. On January 25, 2013, Burton's father Ray ‍attended the press conference where he signed autographs and talked about Burton's life and the instrument.<ref>{{cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |date=January 21, 2013 |title=Cliff Burton Aria Pro II Signature Bass to Debut at 2013 NAMM Convention |url=http://loudwire.com/cliff-burton-aria-pro-ii-signature-bass-debut-2013-namm-convention/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225073147/http://loudwire.com/cliff-burton-aria-pro-ii-signature-bass-debut-2013-namm-convention/ |archive-date=December 25, 2013 |access-date=December 24, 2013 |work=[[Loudwire]]}}</ref> Current Metallica bassist [[Robert Trujillo]] was also present and was the first to try out the bass, playing parts of "[[Anesthesia - Pulling Teeth|(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth]]". Ray Burton said, "What a beautiful instrument and a wonderful tribute to Cliff."<ref name="metallica.com">{{cite web |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Cliff Burton Signature Bass |url=http://www.metallica.com/news/20130116-463284.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630035909/http://www.metallica.com/news/20130116-463284.asp |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=December 24, 2013 |publisher=Metallica.com}}</ref>

=== Amplifiers ===
Burton initially combined a [[Sunn]] Beta Bass Amp with a [[Peavey Electronics|Peavey]] Mark IV Series 400 head in early gigs, before switching to a pair of [[Mesa/Boogie]] D-180 heads for the heavy tone he became known for.  One D-180 was used for his clean signal, the other for his effects chain.  Burton favored Mesa cabinets, as well, combining a 4x12 and 1x15.<ref name="Brewster"/>

=== Effects ===
Burton used many effects pedals in his career.  He made "distinctive" use of the Morely Power Wah Boost, using it to filter through frequencies for his bass solos.  Burton included the Power Wah Boost on his pedalboard for almost every Metallica concert, while the effect can be heard on tracks like "[[For Whom the Bell Tolls (Metallica song)|For Whom The Bell Tolls]]".<ref name="Brewster"/>  Other effects used include the [[Boss Corporation|Boss]] CS-2 Compression Sustainer, [[Electro-Harmonix]] Russian [[Big Muff]], and [[Ibanez]] HD1500 Harmonics/Delay rack unit.<ref name="Brewster"/>