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bass guitar from “for whom the bell tolls” by metallica | ToneDB

for whom the bell tolls

metallica

bass guitar

95% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A heavily distorted and wah-inflected bass tone with a cutting midrange and significant sustain, often described as a "lead bass" sound. It's aggressive, powerful, and sits prominently in the mix, especially noticeable in the song's iconic intro and throughout its heavy riffs.

Production Credits

Producer: Metallica

Engineer: Flemming Rasmussen

Recorded at: Sweet Silence Studios (Copenhagen)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Modified 1973 Rickenbacker 4001 (with a Gibson EB-0 humbucker in the neck position, a Seymour Duncan Stack Jazz Bass pickup in the bridge position, and a concealed Seymour Duncan Stratocaster pickup under the bridge plate for enhanced wah response)

Amp: Mesa/Boogie D-180 tube head (180W) driving Ampeg SVT 8x10" cabinets and/or Mesa/Boogie 1x15" + 2x15" cabinets

Microphone: Electro-Voice RE20 and/or Sennheiser MD 421 on cabinet, blended with a DI signal

Processing: Morley Power Wah Fuzz (or Power Wah Boost), Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (likely a Sovtek/Russian version)

Other: Played with a pick. The iconic intro features the Morley wah used as a filter sweep on higher notes, likely with less fuzz or fuzz off. For main riffs, the Big Muff and/or the fuzz from the Morley Power Wah Fuzz are engaged for heavy distortion. An Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer was also reportedly used sometimes to boost the signal.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded in 1984 at Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark, with Flemming Rasmussen as producer/engineer.
  • Cliff Burton's bass was typically recorded using a blend of a DI signal (for low-end clarity) and one or more microphones on his amplifier cabinet(s) (for character and distortion).
  • His aggressive picking style, use of string bends, and manipulation of effects (particularly wah and fuzz) were integral to his unique sound on this track.
  • The bass line in the intro is a prominent melodic feature, played on the higher strings with heavy use of the wah pedal as a filter.
  • The overall bass sound is rich in harmonics and sustain, allowing it to cut through the dense guitar tracks.

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Rickenbacker-style bass or a bass known for its bright, punchy tone. Favor the bridge pickup or a blend that emphasizes midrange.
  • A high-gain fuzz pedal (e.g., Big Muff style) is crucial for the main distorted rhythm tone.
  • For the intro's distinctive sound, use a wah pedal as a slow, expressive filter sweep on the higher strings. Experiment with the wah's range to find the vocal-like quality. The fuzz might be off or set very low for this part.
  • When the main riff kicks in, engage the fuzz fully. The wah can be used dynamically or 'parked' in a position that boosts treble and upper mids.
  • Always use a pick for the necessary attack and definition.
  • Boost upper-midrange frequencies (around 700Hz - 2kHz) on your amp or an EQ pedal to achieve Cliff's signature cutting tone.
  • If possible, try blending a clean DI signal with your effected amp sound. This helps retain low-end fullness and definition while the amp provides the distortion and character.
  • Don't be afraid to use higher gauge strings and tune down to D Standard (DGCF) as Metallica did for this album, though the song itself is often cited as being in E standard with the intro played high on the neck.

Sources

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