Fender Jaguar bass: dead, floppy E

[j3ss3]

Gurus, I need help.

I always thought my bass' string tension was fine, until I played my teacher's Jazz! My e is floppy to the point you can't get a defined slap note out of it, while the other strings sound fine!
I currently have it strung up with Daddario Xls ( .105) but I can't imagine someone would need a .130 to be able to play his bass, right?
I can't imagine someone being able to slap my bass' E, so I suppose this is not only a string issue, right?
My tone from the E is downright anemic compared to the other strings!
(either with a pick, fingerstyle or slap...)

My bass was set up by a local luthier who knows his job and is known to deliver quality work, action's comfy and it intonates perfectly...


Anyone has a clue to what be causing my problems?

Thanks in advance, Jesse

[lowsideonacurve]

How's the string height compare with that of your teachers? You can check the setup yourself with a metric ruler, here's what Fender recommends;
ACTION
Players with a light touch can get away with lower action; others need higher action to avoid rattles. First, check tuning. Using a 6" (150 mm) ruler, measure the distance between bottom of strings and top of the 17th fret. Adjust bridge saddles to the height according to the chart below, then re-tune. Experiment with the height until the desired sound and feel is achieved.
Neck Radius * String Height Bass Side * Treble Side
7.25" * 7/64" (2.8 mm) * 6/64" (2.4 mm)
9.5" to 12" * 6/64" (2.4 mm) * 5/64" (2 mm)
15" to 17" * 6/64" (2.4mm) * 5/64" (2 mm)

If everything looks good, I'd take it back to the Luthier and see what he says when he tries to slap it. Even the best make mistakes. He may have had a Homer moment. If he's good he'll make it right.

[lug]

Slightly raise your E string at the saddle and see if it works better for you.