If we're going to talk old school distorted bass... Felix Pappalardi.
Sorry, couldn't help it.
Sorry, couldn't help it.
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What did Mel Schacher use?
- Thread starter JPJ
- Start date
Wow You have the same opinion I had about Mel and Berry and Chris. They were my inspiration to play bass. Unfortunately Mel especially and Berry Oakley are totally underrated and it has bothered me for years. They deserve more recognition.Man! Just wondering about the forum and found this thread.
I started playing bass (switched from guitar) in 1971 and Mel Schacher was the first bassist that I tried to emulate. They were huge in the middle Georgia area. He was actually the first bass player that I could actually hear what he was playing on the records. Of course he used a pick so I stayed with that style primarily because of him (and of course Berry Oakley and then Chris Squire as I evolved). I think that I still have set lists from a band around 1971-72 and over half the tunes that we played were GFR. lol
Great time in music! To this day I love the sound of Mark Farner's voice. What range he has!
Critics hated them and we loved them!
I read somewhere that he had some kind of electronic mod right on the amplifier by Mr. West.
Yes, the L.O.U.D. mod (from the catalog):
L. O. U. D. =
L = Locked-in
O = Optimum
U = Ultra-Gain
D = Device
L. O. U. D. eliminates the cut functions of the tone controls and at the same time removes the phase distortion inherent in all tone control circuits. It increases the audible frequency response giving a richer fuller tone. This device does not increase the power of the amplifier, but allows full power to be obtained with a smaller input signal. This means the amplifier will sound at least TWICE AS LOUD.
L. O. U. D. =
L = Locked-in
O = Optimum
U = Ultra-Gain
D = Device
L. O. U. D. eliminates the cut functions of the tone controls and at the same time removes the phase distortion inherent in all tone control circuits. It increases the audible frequency response giving a richer fuller tone. This device does not increase the power of the amplifier, but allows full power to be obtained with a smaller input signal. This means the amplifier will sound at least TWICE AS LOUD.
Attachments
Most of the pictures show Mel using West amps. I do remember one picture from a studio. He was sitting on top of a Kustom 100 - one 15 inch speaker amp. I was very familiar with that amp. It has a blistering bass tone sound. Sitting on it slightly changed the sound. I guess we do not now if it was for practice or recording. I was there when they arrived 'On Time" Those 3 guys absolutely blew down live -- punishment for most other bands. total everything live. The Red Album (pretty much a musicians album) -- answers any questions about their unusual style. Those guys were good. Remember, Mark farner was a bass player also. Survival album -- the bass parts are totally cool. I can say that their first 4 or 5 albums are really a great case study for any bass player -- not so much to copy sound, but for note selection and continual hypnotic persuasion -- permanent.
