BassDistortedDistorted90% confidence
The Call of Ktulu Bass Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · Thrash metal / heavy metal
Original Recording
Bass
Rickenbacker 4001 (modified with Gibson EB humbucker neck pickup, Seymour Duncan stacked Jazz Bass bridge pickup, and Seymour Duncan Strat pickup under bridge)
Pickups
Gibson EB humbucker (neck), Seymour Duncan stacked Jazz Bass (bridge), Seymour Duncan Strat (under bridge)
Amp
Mesa/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
Pickup Position
both
Cliff played with fingers; used effects chain including Morley Power Wah Boost, Big Muff, TS‑9, Boss CS‑2, Ibanez HD1500 rack
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5
Gain7.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
compression4
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- distorted
- wah‑filtered
- mid‑heavy, aggressive
- fuzzy overdrive
Playing Technique
- fingerstyle
Notes & Caveats
- Bass tone settings derived from AI knowledge of the artist and genre conventions.