Better sound?

[therindesign]

I play through a behringer bx-3000t, behringer ba4x10 cab, an ibanez gsx400, a mxr m-80 pedal, and a danelectro distortion pedal. I know it's not the best equipment. It seems like I just can't get the sound I want. I want the lows to be deep and rich yet not overpowering, I can do the highs and mids, but the low end just sounds like crap. I guess the sound is just kinda crappy all around. Am I running my mxr m-80 wrong? Should I have everything on my amp head at 0 and then just tweak with the pedal? What can I do to improve my crappy sound? Any advice will be appreciated.

[janekbass]

I really have no idea about the gear you own, or are playing, but Behringer is generally some of the lowest end gear there is on the market.

To get a sound out of a bass you have to have control in the fingers. Your "acoustic" sound on the instrument has to be of a quality that's worth amplifying.

I would certainly suggest trading your gear in for something with a little more punch in it, but as I'm guessing that may not be an option, I would set everything flat, not push the gain or the volume to the point where the sound distorts, and then just work on your natural sound. Everything flat, and just the fingers doing the work. You have to have good calluses formed on your plucking fingers, and control over how much you let the string resonate with the left hand.

Once you have those techniques together it shouldn't matter what gear you play with as sound comes from wood, strings and fingers. The amp should be the truest representation of your natural sound possible.

I choose Fender amps and Cabs for that. I think they're the best and clearest vehicle for my sound.

Easy,

Janek