1. Family Ownership: Cliff's parents, Jan and Ray Burton, inherited the majority of his personal belongings, including his basses. They initially kept the basses within the family, cherishing them as mementos of their son's life and musical career.
2. Display in the Cliff Burton Museum: In 2011, the Cliff Burton Museum was established in Castro Valley, California, near Cliff's hometown of Castro Valley. The museum showcases various artifacts related to Cliff's life and music, including several of his basses. Some of these instruments are on display for fans and visitors to admire.
3. Use in Reunions and Tribute Performances: On special occasions, Cliff's basses have been used by other bassists during reunion performances or tribute concerts. For instance, Metallica's former bassist Jason Newsted played Cliff's black Rickenbacker 4001 during a tribute performance at Cliff's induction ceremony into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
4. Auctions and Sales: A few of Cliff's basses have been sold or auctioned over the years. Some collectors and fans have acquired these instruments as valuable pieces of music memorabilia. The proceeds from these sales have often gone to charitable causes or foundations related to music education.
5. Current Locations: Cliff's basses are currently dispersed among various locations, including the Burton family, the Cliff Burton Museum, and private collectors. Some of his basses remain privately owned and are not publicly available for viewing.
Each bass that Cliff played holds significant historical value and contributes to his legacy as one of the most influential bassists in heavy metal history. The remaining instruments serve as a reminder of his incredible talent and the lasting impact he made on the music industry.