Cliff Burton Of Metallica
By Mark Grove
First of all, don't change your Bass axe or get a beefier amp or arsenal of stomps that just blur your original intentions as a Bottom-Feeder who means business. No need to do that.I was reading an old article by EE Bradman in the now defunct Bass Guitar Mag.The article was on Metallica's Cliff Burton.
If you listen,really listen to early Metallica material on "Ride The Lightning" you'll see Cliff played like Randy Rhoads because they were both schooled in classical music.Along with that Burton's phrasing and chord texture was like a guitarist.
Both Rhoads and Burton learned this type of approach to music long before they ever hit a stage with Ozzy or Metallica. What I mean by all of this is Burton played more like a guitar player.Burton used more
effects for certain songs,and he knew how to use them for more grinding effects that lended themselves to lead guitar chords.
Using more guitar like cabinets in Cliff's arsenal like Mesa-Boogie's or Marshall's will not help most Bass players.First of all, I probably know shit compared to a lot of players out there,but learning how to get a grittier tone that's in sync with the lead guitar and drums will help you be on the road to greater excellence as a bass axeman.
Setting up your axe for higher action and lighter strings,not too light as a bass player, and more open tuning will bring more harmonic's and tones that enable you to play more guitar like chords and riffs.
Using the Right Guitar Cab and Amp In Your Bass Arsenal:
I would go the other way around and not use a guitar cab or amp,but a beefier Bass amp like an SWR.You could use an Ampeg,but to get better tones and play more like a guitarist,use a solid bass amp like the SWR I mentioned.
http://www.swrsound.com Look at the new SWR "Black Beauty Bass Amp
Lighten up the string gauge very minimally and set up your amp so it's volume is swelling,yet the presence is turned back a bit.Playing dirtier yet challenging the tone and your ability to chord like everyone else.
Once your band sees what you're doing and not trying to change the tone or style,but trying to challenge the band to come out with new tones and playing at a new level,they'll be more giving and see you want them all to get
better as players.
It's also vital and I say this constantly--that you have to apply the lead guitar and drum technique to tap their playing. So they see you want to play like them,but aren't just playing off somewhere that has nothing to do with the band's intentions. Constantly listen to other players will help your own playing as a Bass axeman.
When it comes to stomps...
When it comes to stomps and effects,keep it simple to mix in distortions and effects.Dunlop has some of the best stomps out there,like their Blowtorch stomp effects box made to put the right amount of dirty and deep bass tones,and high end Bottom-Feeding Distortion that keeps you in line with the other players in your band.
http://www.jimdunlop.com Blowtorch
It takes time to learn this shit.And the more you do to challenge your ability as a great Bottom-Feeder to play like a guitarist,without fucking up the band tempo and timing,the more you'll get noticed by other bands.
Studios,agents, and other industry people will want your services in studio sessions and live work.And above all else will want to hang with you. Keep your playing simple and your gear that way too,but strive to keep your playing different as a Bass axeman.
For more info on the best amps and bottom-feeding stomp boxes:click these links to these great companies:
http://www.jimdunlop.com MXR Blowtorch Distortion Stomp Box
http://www.swrsound.com SWR Black Beauty Bass Amp
Peace everyone.
Mark G Canadian Guitar Player
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