Aria Guitars will launch former Metallica bassist Cliff Burton's Aria Pro II signature bass at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA next week.
Cliff's father, Ray Burton, will be on hand at the Aria Guitars booth to do the introduction and sign autographs on Friday, January 25th at 12:00 noon.
This guitar has been a year in the making and is being made with the authorization of the Cliff Burton family and Metallica. Cliff Burton was the bassist for Metallica for their first three albums, "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning" and "Master Of Puppets".
The Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature Bass is a replica of the Black 'n Gold I bass that Cliff played. Painstaking attention to detail was taken to build a tribute bass. It has a 7-ply maple/walnut neck with a neck-through, heel-less neck design. It has the same headstock with the patent statement on the front and Cliff Burton's authorized signature on the back of the headstock. Each of the tuners are handcrafted out of brass and gold-plated and the 40mm nut is made of brass. The neck has a 34-inch scale with 24 frets. The fretboard is made of rosewood with cat eye and mother of pearl inlays.
The body is the original SB shape and made of alder. The bass is loaded with an Aria MB-V passive pickup. It has a single tone and volume control with a dual sound mini-toggle switch. The bridge is solid brass with gold plated saddles. The bass will ship inside of a deluxe ostrich hardshell case and a certificate of authenticity signed by Ray Burton.
"What a beautiful instrument and a wonderful tribute to Cliff,” said Ray. “The first year Cliff was with Metallica he played a Rickenbacker guitar that he purchased in 1982. He loved his guitar, but he did not feel it was a strong enough instrument to withstand the rugged treatment of the daily rigors of heavy metal touring. Early in 1984, Cliff was treated to an Aria Pro II bass guitar. He really liked it and therefore did not seek any other bass to play. He told me it was strong and ideal to play. I never heard a discouraging word about his Aria bass guitars. To give testament to his preference, he had several of them at the time of his death."
Cliff died in a September, 1986 tour bus accident in Sweden.
Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature Bass
Specifications:
Headstock: Original SB Design
Neck Shape: Standard, Medium
Neck: 7 Ply Maple/Walnut
Neck Joint: Neck-through, Heel-less Cutaway
Tuners: Handmade Solid Brass Tuner Buttons, 24 K Gold Plated
Nut: 40mm Width Solid Brass
Truss rod Cover: Solid Brass
Headstock Front Inlays: Patent Statement
Headstock Back Inlay: Cliff Burton Authorized Signature
Fretboard Scale: 34" or 864mm
Frets: 24 Frets
Fretboard: Rosewood
Fretboard Inlays: Cat Eye, Mother of Pearl Inlays
Body Shape: Original SB Shape, Super Balanced Body
Body Material: Alder
Pickup: Aria MB-V Passive Pickup
Controls: 1xVolume, 1xTone, 1-Dual Sound Mini-Toggle Switch
Knobs: Black SB Knobs
Tailpiece: Solid Brass With 24K Gold Plated Saddles and Black Plated Body
Strap Pins: 18K Gold Plated Solid Brass
Strings: Rotosound RS66LB (35, 55, 70, 90)
Certificate: Certificate of Authenticity Signed by Ray Burton and Toshi Matsumura
Case: Deluxe Ostrich Hardshell Case With Gold Hardware
Metallica
See also:
Metallica announce 3D film Through The Never
Metallica to headline Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival
Metallica’s 3D movie influenced by Led Zeppelin
Metallica, Van Halen among Pollstar’s Top 50 worldwide tours
Metallica earn more U.S. Gold and Platinum
Metallica: Detroit location confirmed for Orion Music + More festival
Wedding band version of Metallica’s Enter Sandman goes viral
Metallica album sales disappoint after joining Spotify
Metallica to host 2013 Orion Music festival in Detroit
VIDEO: Metallica – Damage, Inc. from Quebec Magnetic
VIDEO: Metallica preview My Apocalypse from Quebec Magnetic
VIDEO: Metallica preview The Four Horsemen from Quebec Magnetic
Metallica catalog now available on Spotify
VIDEO: Metallica – Master Of Puppets from Quebec Magnetic
VIDEO: Metallica – The Day That Never Comes from Quebec Magnetic
Exclusive Metallica T-shirts raise money for Virginia Tech scholarship fund
Metallica launch their own record label
VIDEO: Metallica preview Quebec Magnetic DVD
Metallica featured in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 HD Revert Pack
VIDEO: Metallica preview Quebec Magnetic live DVD
Metallica to return to South Africa in 2013
VIDEO: Metallica share New Orleans concert footage
VIDEO: Metallica pay tribute to Green Day in New Orleans
VIDEO: Metallica rock Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
Metallica guitarist talks timeline for new music
Metallica to release Quebec Magnetic DVD on their own label
Metallica, Iron Maiden & Bruce Springsteen to headline Rock In Rio 2013
Metallica: It’s a honor to replace Green Day at Voodoo Music Experience
Metallica replace Green Day at Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
Metallica offer free Orion Music + More download
Metallica offering free 1994 concert download
Metallica and Vans launch new shoe line
Metallica update from guitarist Kirk Hammett
Metallica remember Cliff Burton with free 1984 concert download
Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi named Greatest Metal Guitarist
PHOTOS: Metallica celebrates Kill ‘Em All anniversary with Vans
Metallica guitarist announces San Francisco book-signing event
Metallica: 2009 Quebec City World Magnetic concerts coming to DVD
Metallica top Rolling Stone’s Greatest Heavy Metal Albums poll
Metallica guitarist announces book-signing events
VIDEO: Metallica rock Seek And Destroy at third Vancouver show
VIDEO: Metallica rock classics at second Vancouver show
VIDEO: Metallica rock Sad But True in Vancouver
VIDEO: Metallica rock 1991 classic at second Edmonton concert
VIDEO: Metallica rock The Memory Remains in Edmonton
Vancouver scalpers selling $5 Metallica charity tickets for $50 or more
Metallica announce $5 charity concert in Vancouver
VIDEO: Metallica rock Master Of Puppets at final Mexico City show
VIDEO: Extended preview of new Deep Purple tribute project
VIDEO: Metallica rock And Justice For All in Mexico City
AUDIO: Metallica covers Deep Purple for tribute album
VIDEO: Metallica rock Battery at sixth show in Mexico City
VIDEO: Metallica frontman talks about Mexico City shows
VIDEO: Metallica rock Outside Lands Music Festival
VIDEO: Metallica rock 1986 classics in Mexico City
VIDEO: Metallica frontman gets pied for his 49th birthday
VIDEO: Metallica rock Cyanide at third Mexico City show
AUDIO: Soul singer covers Metallica classic
VIDEO: Metallica rock Fuel in Mexico City
Metallica to headline Australia’s Soundwave festival
VIDEO: Metallica share Mexico City’s opening night concert footage
AUDIO: Iron Maiden singer’s son records Metallica classic
VIDEO: Metallica – best effects from new stage show
VIDEO: Metallica explodes with new show in Mexico City
VIDEO: Metallica rock Master Of Puppets at Orion Music fest
Metallica to begin work on new album this fall
Deep Purple tribute features Metallica, Iron Maiden
VIDEO: Metallica share Belgrade concert footage
VIDEO: Bob Seger loves Metallica’s cover of Turn The Page
Metallica guitarist to appear at Comic-Con
VIDEO: Metallica - Highlights from Austria’s Nova Rock Festival
Metallica to celebrate Kill ‘Em All anniversary with Vans
VIDEO: Metallica perform Creeping Death at Orion Music + More
VIDEO: Metallica share Download Festival footage
Metallica introduce limited edition Hetfield sunglasses
VIDEO: Metallica – Orion Music + More Day 2 recap
VIDEO: Metallica share Denmark concert footage
VIDEO: Metallica – Orion Music + More Day 1 recap
VIDEO: Metallica drummer checks in from Orion Music + More
VIDEO: Metallica perform Escape for the first time ever
VIDEO: Metallica perform Ride The Lightning album for first time