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| Background information | |
| Born | April 8, 1951 |
| Origin | Flint, Michigan |
| Genres | Rock |
| Instruments | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Labels | Capitol, MCA |
| Associated acts
Notable instruments: Modified Fender Jazz (Gibson EB-1 humbucker pickup in the neck position) |
Question Mark and the Mysterians, Grand Funk Railroad, Flint |
Melvin George “Mel” Schacher (born April 8, 1951) is best known as the bassist for rock band Grand Funk Railroad.
Raised in Flint, Michigan, Mel took an interest in music by playing his father’s banjo at age seven and moving on to guitar at age twelve. At fourteen he was in a local trio playing bass at wedding receptions and parties and eventually played teen clubs and talent competitions with several local bands. Replacing the bass player in the sixties pop band Question Mark and the Mysterians, Mel was touring the country at age sixteen supporting their hit “96 Tears”. Mel hooked up with Don Brewer and Mark Farner to form Grand Funk Railroad in 1968. Considered the shy one, Mel’s unique bass delivery became a staple of Grand Funk recordings and concerts. His huge “lead bass” style helped create the signature Grand Funk sound and his muscular approach to music has inspired countless musicians to blend rock-solid support punctuated with fluid riffs.
Mel used “WEST” amplifiers made in Flint, MI. They were basically Dynaco project kits that were hot-rodded, similar to early Sunns. A”WEST FILLMORE” that has 4 KT-88’s, which is the model Mel used It approches an SVT in volume, but doesn’t have the same clarity. Sounds alot like a Sunn 2000S. He used two or four stacks (head and two 412 cabs) through which he often used his Gibsonised Fender Jazz bass. see pics.
There is an urban myth that the manager deliberately ripped Mel’s speakers to enable that great distorted tone.. who knows?
Mel lives in northern Michigan and his favorite pastime is working in his studio with friends and exceptional musicians.
Bass Stuff 