I use anything that will achieve the bass tonality I'm looking for in
a particular song.
I use the direct approach for a close-up feel when I play jazz tunes, a J-station or Pod for a particular bottom feel on jazz/funk/fusion songs, mic'd amp AND direct when I use the percussive thumb-slap technique on some of my heavily- syncopated R&B/Jazz/Phunk-grooves, and when using an Uprite
acoustic, I direct the mic to the cleft holes of the Uprite and plug the mic direct into board!
The whole key here is truly what others said, "EXPERIMENTATION!!"
I also record 2-3 different bass tracks to see what sound I like the best for whatever the song calls for using diff eq settings,efx and the like on each track.
Peace
Mr.Q