Mel Schacher of Grand Funk Railroad

[peabody]

I'm 45 and play in a classic rock cover band with the same guys I played with in high school and college (many, many years ago). We usually get together once or twice a year and play a gig (or two). Although we only get together once or twice a year, we have a blast. Anyway, we decided to learn a couple of new songs this year. We're learning some Grand Funk Railroad tunes....We're An American Band, I'm Your Captain, Some Kind of Wonderful....I just realized what an amazing bass player Mel Schacher was (is). I admit I'm a bit biased, but I've always loved a strong lead-type bass in the mix (that's how I play) and Mel's licks are inspiring. Anyone know what he was using back in those days? I'm guessing a P-bass or a Jazz. Gotta love the sound....

[JimmyM]

P bass with flats.

[73jbass]

He used both P-basses and Jazz basses depending on the record.Usually through( correct me if I'm wrong) Park amps.He's the reason I play bass today,as I'm sure a lot of the over 40 crowd here. He stayed just busy enough to keep the bass lines interesting,without overplaying.

[The Lurker]

he also modded a few of his basses, for example this:



through West amps that deliberately had the wrong kinds of tubes in them-- impedance mismatch made the distortion, supposedly his roadie had to stand by to replace blown-out tubes during songs.