Since this topic revolves around trying to get that classic "Ampeg" tube amp bass tone:
 
If you're looking for an affordable real bass amp for recording, checkout the new Fender Rumble heads/cabs.  
I know... the previous Rumble series aren't exactly known to sound great...  
But the new units are a different story.
Though it has no tubes, the Rumble 500 head can produce a good impersonation of an SVT-Classic or Bassman-300.
Dial in just a little "dirt" using the Overdrive channel.
Now (to approximate that scooped SVT sound), push in the Contour button.
That's right in the ballpark.
Now, for the finishing touch, boost the Low Mid EQ just a small bit.
You've got a big, tight, dark, punchy bass tone that has some dirt... and still has plenty of clarity/articulation.
Street price for the Rumble 500 head is $400.
 
If that slightly dirty "classic-rock" tone isn't your thing, the Rumble 500 can still fit the bill.
With the Overdrive channel off and all EQ settings at 12 o'clock (detent), the unit produces a huge/tight bass tone that would work in almost any genre.
 
I'd consider the tone/response in a similar realm to the Markbass LM-III.
To my ears, the Rumble has a slightly more traditional/classic tone.
 
 
 

I agree with the tips bandso posted earlier, especially the ones of setting up the bass (new strings, tuning etc). I have been going straight into my interface and then running it through Guitar Rig. I think they've really nailed some great bass tones, especially for jazz and blues type material.

I'll have to try out that Fender Rumble, Jim. I have heard good comments from others as well. I have a 60w Fender Bassman tilt back practice amp that I bought about 10 years ago and I have gotten really good mic'd amp tone out of that. It has a 15" speaker in it, if I remember correctly.

I'm poor, so I don't have the budget for any of the boutique pres...I just record my bass (usually a Musicman Stingray) into a cheapo Whirlwhind EDB1 DI which goes into a Presonus Blue Tube and then goes into my soundcard. It's pretty beefy, and I usually have to cut down on the low-end EQ when mixing. 
 
A DI is a must, not necessarily just for tone, but to ensure you have maximum signal coming into your chain for an optimum S/N ratio.

elsongs
A DI is a must, not necessarily just for tone, but to ensure you have maximum signal coming into your chain for an optimum S/N ratio.

S/N is important (using 24bit vs 16bit will help) just be aware that amp sim plug-ins may react to a hotter signal differently than you expect. You may have to drop the grain feeding the plug-in.
First noticed this with the Line6 AmpFarm plug-ins.  I thought the recorded output volume of their DI's was too low but that's the level that their plug-ins prefer. If the input is hotter than it likes it doesn't matter how you tweak the plug-in it just sounds crappy.

No love for Mark Studio 2? I have this VST and I love it! There's just about every kind of bass sound you could want from this thing. The presets are excellent and it's super easy to just dial your own sound in. Personally I like to use it as an effects send and just mix some in with the dry signal. There are some great pedals in it - I find a little distortion and chorus mixed in does wonders to make a bass stand out in the mix.