Lots of variables to this question. Almost too many to even respond.
Good recordings start at the source and work there way through the signal chain. Its quite possible the vocalist your working with, doesn't really sound good through a 58. Could very well be the wrong mic for the singers voice. While there have been some amazing vocals recorded through 57/58's... Generally you want to use a decent condenser/tube/ribbon mic for more detailed response. The larger the diaphragm, the more broad the frequency range is on the microphone. That's why you see small Pencil style mics on hi-hats and overheads. Because the smaller the diaphragm, the better it picks up high frequencies. Same reason why you see people using 15' P.A speakers as mics in front of kick drums. That's 15' Diaphragm!! You think its gonna pick up some low end? Hell yeah!!
Preamps, Vocalist, Mic, Signal processing... all play a roll in the sound that you will capture.
This is just the way i do things on my equipment. But as an example, when I'm recording a vocalist, i usually have them sing the key spots 3 times(sometimes 4 or 5 depending on the material) Once i get 3 identical tracks from the singer, ill pan 2 of them to about 30 on both L/R and then ill leave the last one in the center to fill the whole stereo field. I maybe EQ the center track to give it some more low end as well. I'm running vocals through a pretty expensive chain which includes a channel strip where i can EQ to tape(hard drive) and get the sound i want WHILE tracking it. I start with a good Tube microphone, running into a tube preamp channel strip, then out of that into a compressor and then out of that into a AD converter into my sound card.
I'm not saying you need a huge chain like that to get a quality recording. But when you DO have a chain like that. You take all the work out in the end, so you don't have to do the things your asking about right now. When I'm done tracking my vocals, they are done. i RARELY have to EQ them anymore, and they stack very well when adding multiple layers. Which can be a problem with cheaper mics. The more you lay vocals, the shittier the sound becomes because the crap frequencies are being added up more and more every time you lay another vocal track.
With all that being said. I think you might want to consider getting a better vocal mic for recording. One that has the sound your looking for BEFORE you record it. It will save yourself some time and frustration in the end. And i also recommend compressing your vocals as you track them. This will give you a nice even playing field when your ready to mix and you you'll avoid any clipping from plosives, loud notes, and any other increase in the signal.
Good Luck, i hope that helps a little. Your questions is soooo general and the variables involved are mind boggling.
