Burton's tone with this head

Lucho.Metal · #1 08-31-2010, 07:23 PM

Hi, I read in other thread that a tube head will give me the Cliff Burton's tone.
I was thinking to buy this head: Hartke HA-3500, because here in Argentina Ampeg is the most expensive.
I have a Peavey MINX110 (35 watts) and I want to buy something better, my objetive is define my tone.
What cab and head do you recommend me ?

BurningSkies · #2 08-31-2010, 07:26 PM

The 3500 is a great head for a pretty reasonable price. It's been around forever. But please note, that it is not a 'tube' head. It has a single 12AX7 in line with the preamp section to give some tube tone, but it will never be mistaken for a tube head by hearing it.

Kromwarp · #3 08-31-2010, 07:28 PM

To get Burton's tone, its Mesa Boogie all the way, find a Mesa 400+ Bass head and two Mesa 4x10 cabs

twinfallsbass · #4 08-31-2010, 09:00 PM

I thought he used a D-180

Sartori · #5 09-01-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinfallsbass

I thought he used a D-180

He used two.

funkytoe · #6 09-01-2010, 11:09 AM

Before Cliff hooked up with Metallica and finally got the label money to buy tube amps, he played solid state Sunn heads and cabs. His tone was nearly identical to his later tone with Metallica.

Cliff's tone was not in his amp. It was in his hands (and to some extent his pedals) and the aggressive way he played.

If you want Cliff's tone, you are better off getting an old Tel Ray Morely pedal (either a Power Wah Volume or Power Wah Fuzz), a vintage Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi and Bass Balls. Those pedals and some practice will get you closer to Cliff's tone than any new bass head - guaranteed!