If you were using an active bass or higher output pickups, then you might find you don't need to have the master as high.
On the other hand, if you use a different passive bass, you might find you need to turn it up further.
The amplifier just amplifies the signal that it gets. So if it's not an overly powerful signal to start with.
You could increase the input gain to clipping. Just use your ears (well, one ear for your IEM & one for your rig).