I listened to your recording and I feel you say some great things. You have a good feel and your lines are interesting.
Your ? about Equipment are important but technique can make even bad stuff sound decent.
I have few technical suggestions for improving your sound. You should concentrate on how weighted your left hand is on the string and watch where you are pizzing on the instrument. When it comes to your left hand every note that is fingered should sound like an open string. Its extremely difficult to do. Getting the instrument to ring on every note as if you were playing open strings. You should also experiment with where your right hand pizzes to get the biggest fullest sound. for every single note. Experiment. if you see something you like try it but don't force anything on yourself.
Best luck
Your ? about Equipment are important but technique can make even bad stuff sound decent.
I have few technical suggestions for improving your sound. You should concentrate on how weighted your left hand is on the string and watch where you are pizzing on the instrument. When it comes to your left hand every note that is fingered should sound like an open string. Its extremely difficult to do. Getting the instrument to ring on every note as if you were playing open strings. You should also experiment with where your right hand pizzes to get the biggest fullest sound. for every single note. Experiment. if you see something you like try it but don't force anything on yourself.
Best luck
