How to get more "punch" and "growl" out of my b guitar?

i have played acoustic guitar for many years. now, i just bought my first electric b. it is a schecter stiletto elite 4. it sounds way different than most bes. a fender jazz and a musicman stingray have more of a "punch" to their sound than this one does, but the strings that came on mine kinda suck. do the strings or the b effect the punch? and how would I get more punch using the control knobs and/or the amp settings? and no smart answers please. thanks.