I play five string bass. I'm currently running a Thunderbird Studio V and a Jazz Bass 24 V through an Ampeg SVT3-Pro and an Ampeg SVT 810E.

I'm not happy with the sound of any note below E-- essentially the low notes of my B string. They sound muddy and loose, rather than tight and focused like the notes on other strings.

I realize this could be an inherent quality of the B string, since they are 34" scale basses, but I'm wondering if it's my speaker cab. The frequency response of an 8x10 begins at 53 Hz, and the usable low-end only extends to 40 Hz. Both figures are above the response of a B string, which is about 32 Hz.

My question: does any of this matter? Should I consider replacing my 8x10 with a 4x10 and a 15"?

I also use a dBx compressor, the 166, I believe. Any advice on settings to maybe even out my basses' response?

(I'm careful with the amp's low end eq, and actually have the low tone control {50 Hz} rolled down.)