Distorted Tone
Creeping Death
Metallica
BassThrash metal1980s
Original Gear
BassAria Pro II (exact model unknown)
AmpMesa/Boogie D‑180 heads (pair), Sunn Beta Bass Amp and Peavey Mark IV early, Mesa cabinets (4×12 and 1×15)
PickupsUnknown (likely stock Aria Pro II pickups)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5
mid7
treble7.5
presence7
compression5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Cliff used a pair of Mesa/Boogie D‑180 heads—one for clean, one for effects chain—and Mesa cabinets; earlier gigs used Sunn Beta Bass and Peavey Mark IV heads
Tone Character(4)
heavy, distortedwah‑wah filteredlead‑bass stylethick and aggressive
Difficulty
Cliff Burton’s bass part in ‘Creeping Death’ involves fast, intricate fingerstyle playing with effects, demanding precision and musicality beyond standard thrash bass.
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
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Create Free AccountBassThrash metal1980s
Original Gear
BassAria Pro II (exact model unknown)
AmpMesa/Boogie D‑180 heads (pair), Sunn Beta Bass Amp and Peavey Mark IV early, Mesa cabinets (4×12 and 1×15)
PickupsUnknown (likely stock Aria Pro II pickups)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5
mid7
treble7.5
presence7
compression5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Notes
Cliff used a pair of Mesa/Boogie D‑180 heads—one for clean, one for effects chain—and Mesa cabinets; earlier gigs used Sunn Beta Bass and Peavey Mark IV heads
Tone Character(4)
heavy, distortedwah‑wah filteredlead‑bass stylethick and aggressive
Difficulty
Cliff Burton’s bass part in ‘Creeping Death’ involves fast, intricate fingerstyle playing with effects, demanding precision and musicality beyond standard thrash bass.
Creeping Death settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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