Distorted Tone
The Call of Ktulu
Metallica
BassThrash metal / heavy metal1980s
Original Gear
BassRickenbacker 4001 (modified with Gibson EB humbucker neck pickup, Seymour Duncan stacked Jazz Bass bridge pickup, and Seymour Duncan Strat pickup under bridge)
AmpMesa/Boogie D‑180 heads (one for clean, one for effects) through Mesa cabinets (4×12 and 1×15); also Ampeg SVT‑1540HE enclosure seen in rig listings
PickupsGibson EB humbucker (neck), Seymour Duncan stacked Jazz Bass (bridge), Seymour Duncan Strat (under bridge)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5
mid6.5
treble7
presence6.5
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Cliff played with fingers; used effects chain including Morley Power Wah Boost, Big Muff, TS‑9, Boss CS‑2, Ibanez HD1500 rack
Tone Character(4)
distortedwah‑filteredmid‑heavy, aggressivefuzzy overdrive
Difficulty
The bassline features aggressive, distorted fingerstyle playing with effects and complex fills, making it technically demanding.
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Original Gear
BassRickenbacker 4001 (modified with Gibson EB humbucker neck pickup, Seymour Duncan stacked Jazz Bass bridge pickup, and Seymour Duncan Strat pickup under bridge)
AmpMesa/Boogie D‑180 heads (one for clean, one for effects) through Mesa cabinets (4×12 and 1×15); also Ampeg SVT‑1540HE enclosure seen in rig listings
PickupsGibson EB humbucker (neck), Seymour Duncan stacked Jazz Bass (bridge), Seymour Duncan Strat (under bridge)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5
mid6.5
treble7
presence6.5
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Cliff played with fingers; used effects chain including Morley Power Wah Boost, Big Muff, TS‑9, Boss CS‑2, Ibanez HD1500 rack
Tone Character(4)
distortedwah‑filteredmid‑heavy, aggressivefuzzy overdrive
Difficulty
The bassline features aggressive, distorted fingerstyle playing with effects and complex fills, making it technically demanding.
The Call of Ktulu settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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