Asking the experts - recording bass

[zbert]

I'm not sure if I'm getting the most from my bass tracks. I'm not a bassist so I'm asking recording bass players what they like to use in the studio. Right now I'm going between a Focusrite Trakmaster and a Peavy VMP2 pre as my DI. I'm recording a lot of rock, blues and folk music. The rest of my chain from the pres is into a Studiomaster P7 board to Tascam DA38 recorder. Should I be looking to something like the Sansamp or an Avalon D5? Should I stay where I am? My budget is around $500. Let me know what you think.
Thanks

[ez_willis]

I'd recommend getting a decent preamp/compressor with an onboard eq. I send my bass through a JoeMeek VC1Q. Go heavy on the mid's. Use new strings when recording, and compress the track. If you have an open track and the bass player isn't recording in the same room as any drums or amps, mic the strings.