BassDistortedDistorted90% confidence
Creeping Death Bass Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · Thrash metal
Original Recording
Bass
Aria Pro II (exact model unknown)
Pickups
Unknown (likely stock Aria Pro II pickups)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie D‑180 heads (pair), Sunn Beta Bass Amp and Peavey Mark IV early, Mesa cabinets (4×12 and 1×15)
Pickup Position
unknown
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
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass5
Gain7.5
Treble7.5
Presence7
compression5
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Tone Character
- heavy, distorted
- wah‑wah filtered
- lead‑bass style
- thick and aggressive
Playing Technique
- fingerstyle
Notes & Caveats
- Bass tone settings derived from AI knowledge of the artist and genre conventions.