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Cutting through the GUITARS ¬¬

i want it to be punchy, not muddy and boomy-like

You're speaking of an entirely different amp --- it will not be cheap (from your band description)

...maybe the easiest is to tell the guitar players that they don't need to play so loud in order to be heard...

This is the most mature reply you've received... chances are you have a bigger singer/vocal clarity issue before bass problems.
 
At your next rehearsal, ask the guitars to cut the lows on the guitars. Actually, you might ask them if everything sounds okay to them. You really don't need to practice so loud that everything is muddied up. I suggest you get them to try and turn everything down as a test and hear how it sounds.

There have been many threads on this topic. If the guitarists won't change, maybe a bigger/louder amp will do.

Good luck.
 
get a Rickenbacker bass, they ALWAYS cut through guitars.

if not, boost your mids.

And look awesome... people will take notice. And whats more fun than being the guy that takes the attention away from a cocky guitar player?:D?

I have no techno-babble, nasa grade advice or input. If yer peavey isn't "bringing the wood"... get a strong amp and a cab full o' tens.... and remember tha pretty blue Ricks' just sound better ;)
 
eq flat on amp
tone control open on your p-bass (no treble cut)
then add in 250Hz to taste
then add in 800-1000Hz taste

see where that gets you

if you miss the bottom, don't touch the eq, just turn up your volume :)
or you will be back at square one

if it is to trebly for you roll of some high frequencies on the eq (2000Hz)

and buy some decent earplugs
no, really
more and more friends are getting tinnitus
 
If your guitarists are agreeable, ask them to cut the bass frequencies on their amps. It sounds awesome when the guitar is by itself but it muddies up your sound.

At the same time you could try boosting some @ 400Hz or 800Hz and possibly cutting @ 40, 60, 80.

Also, A P bass with a 15" is not going to give you the most definition.
 
I'm not sure about your amp but I'll be general (hope it helps). Most amps can't handle being loud and boomy without clipping at various levels. Try not cutting the tone control on your P bass first, then set your amp's eq with the lowest frequency reduced somewhat and increase the master volume slowly till you get the balanced sound you want in your band.

Like some of the guys who posted before, make sure your amp speaker is pointing at a direction where you can hear the full spectrum of your bass's tone (well at least try). I was told by my soundguy buddy today, that 400Hz is a very common frequency point for all instruments including vocals (mostly guitars, bass and vocals i think). So if you need more body in your sound to be heard, try boosting that a tad first, more to taste if needed. And remember, whether you're doing gigs or having rehearsals in a small room, the same applies - Try not to clash with bandmates sonically. A band only sounds good if IMO, EVERYBODY is audible and in varying degrees depending on music and choice and if no 2 instruments fight each other or sounds 'too much' together.