Metal Bass Alert: The Morley Cliff Burton Power Wah Boost is Early Metallica All The Way
Morley resurrects Cliff Burton's legendary bass tone with the Power Wah Boost reissue—featuring a massive 40dB boost, optical wah, and retro chrome style.
Heavy metal bassists and tone chasers, rejoice. Morley has officially resurrected one of the most legendary effects pedals in rock history. The Morley Cliff Burton Power Wah Boost is back, offering a faithful recreation of the classic pedal used by the late, iconic Metallica bassist Cliff Burton.
Developed in close collaboration with and approved by the Burton Family Foundation, this stunning reissue is the latest addition to Morley’s celebrated Tel-Ray Revival series. If you've ever wanted to capture the earth-shaking, aggressive growl that defined early Metallica albums like Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning, this pedal is your ticket to tone heaven.
The Secret Behind Cliff Burton's Monstrous Tone
During the 1980s, Cliff Burton revolutionized how the bass guitar was played and heard in heavy metal. His secret weapon? The original 1970s Morley Power Wah Boost. Burton used two of these pedals interchangeably to craft his signature lead bass style.
Grab your Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature SB-CLB and this new Tel-Ray Revival Morley Cliff Burton Power Wah Boost, and should be able to get closer to his tones.
Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)
By combining an expressive optical wah-wah sweep with an enormous, built-in clean boost, the original pedal slammed the front end of his amplifiers. This created the massive, highly saturated distortion and vocal-like sustain heard on legendary tracks like "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
Vintage Sound, Modern Functionality
While the new Tel-Ray Revival Morley Cliff Burton Power Wah Boost faithfully recreates that classic, high-octane vintage experience, it comes packed with modern upgrades designed for today’s touring musicians.
It differs from the standard modern-style Morley Cliff Burton Power Fuzz Wah, which has been available for some years and the original 1970s unit.
Tel-Ray
The most notable physical change is the footprint. The original 1970s units were famously massive "boat anchors." This new reissue shrinks the design down into a much more pedalboard-friendly chassis, without sacrificing its ruggedness.
This new Tel-Ray Revival series also includes the Volume Boost Pedal in the same format.
Key features of the Tel-Ray reissue include:
- Independent Dual Footswitches: Unlike the original, separate footswitches for the wah and the boost sections allow players to engage each effect independently or combine them for the full, saturated Tel-Ray experience.
- Massive 40dB Boost: The switchable boost circuit delivers up to 40dB of clean boost. It is perfect for pushing tube amps into natural overdrive, extending solo sustain, or ensuring your bass cuts right through a dense metal mix.
- Electro-Optical Wah: Utilizing Morley's signature optical technology, this pedal eliminates traditional potentiometers (pots). This means no scratchy noises, no pots to wear out, and a smooth, consistent sweep gig after gig.
- Retro Aesthetics: Built with a heavy-duty cold-rolled steel housing, the pedal pays visual tribute to its predecessor with a stunning chrome treadle and base, vintage-inspired Tel-Ray graphics, and a glow-in-the-dark treadle grip.
- Versatile Compatibility: While optimized for the low-end frequencies of bass, it works beautifully with electric guitar and keyboards as well.
Specifications
- Type: Wah & Boost
- Technology: Electro-Optical (no pots to wear out)
- Boost Range: Up to 40dB
- Housing: Road-ready cold-rolled steel
- Power: 9V DC (optional Morley adapter) or 9V battery (quick-clip door)
- Visuals: Chrome finish, retro Tel-Ray graphics, glow-in-the-dark treadle grip
- Warranty: One-year manufacturer warranty
Verdict
The Morley Cliff Burton Power Wah Boost is an absolute triumph. Morley has managed to capture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of Cliff Burton's original 1970s tone and pack it into a reliable, pedalboard-friendly enclosure.
The addition of independent footswitches for the wah and the massive 40dB boost makes this incredibly versatile, while the optical design ensures it will survive the rigors of the road. Whether you're a die-hard Metallica fan or a bassist looking to inject some serious muscle and expression into your rig, this pedal is a must-have.
Score: 9.5 / 10
Where to Buy
Ready to claim your piece of metal history? The Morley Cliff Burton Power Wah Boost is available for $229.99. You can purchase yours today at:
#Morley #Cliff Burton #Tel-Ray Revival Morley Cliff Burton Power Wah Boost
- +Faithful recreation of Cliff Burton's original tone
- +Independent dual footswitches for wah and boost
- +40dB clean boost pushes tube amps into natural overdrive
- +Electro-optical design eliminates scratchy pots and wear
- +Compact pedalboard-friendly chassis vs. original 1970s size
- +Retro aesthetics with modern road-ready durability
- +Works with bass, guitar, and keyboards
Can I use this pedal for regular electric guitar?
Yes! While designed with bassists in mind to replicate Cliff Burton's iconic tone, the Power Wah Boost works exceptionally well with standard electric guitars and even keyboards.
How does the optical wah differ from a traditional wah?
Traditional wah pedals use a physical potentiometer (pot) that can wear out, accumulate dust, and become scratchy over time. Morley's Electro-Optical design uses a light sensor to control the sweep, resulting in silent, wear-free operation and a highly consistent sweep.
Does the pedal come with a power supply?
No, the pedal runs on an optional Morley 9V adapter or a standard 9V battery, which is easily accessible via the quick-clip battery door.
Is this a limited edition?
As part of the Tel-Ray Revival series, this pedal is a specialty release. Given the legendary status of Cliff Burton, demand is expected to be incredibly high among collectors and players alike.
