Axis Floyd Rose Noise?

[jayjayjay]

Hi all - So something I've noticed on my 2018 Axis BFR: the Floyd Rose trem unit routinely makes a knock or clunk when it returns back to level, decked against the guitar top.

I'm running two springs w/ 9's, and unless I'm very, very gentle in controlling the trem return from a dive, it knocks against the body. Sometimes, if I bend more then a step so that it pulls the trem up slightly, I can even get a clunk when I release the bend.

I don't hear the clunk through my amp, at least that I've noticed.

Is this normal? Would loosening the springs so that it's just before floating help reduce the knock?

Long-term, is this going to damage the top?

Thanks!

 

[guitargonaut]

For the past 5 or more years - I've tried everything I could think of to stop the tremolo clunk with my Axis. Can't hear it through the amp so it's more of a mental thing. No discernable damage over that period of time either. Coming from a floating tremolo on a previous guitar - it was a little bothersome at first. Now I try to anticipate it and adjust as needed.

 

[jayjayjay]

For the past 5 or more years - I've tried everything I could think of to stop the tremolo clunk with my Axis. Can't hear it through the amp so it's more of a mental thing. No discernable damage over that period of time either. Coming from a floating tremolo on a previous guitar - it was a little bothersome at first. Now I try to anticipate it and adjust as needed.

Ah, sounds like it's just normal with that particular design. I can live with it. Good to hear that it doesn't seem to be marring the top finish. It's my only guitar with a Floyd Rose, and none of my others make a clunk (floating or dive only), so wasn't sure what to expect. Thanks!

 

[Stevie]

It could be that the level of your bridge contact points to the posts are not aligned. When you dive down, the bridge does not stay in wedged in the post, rather it too moves. So when you ease off the dive, the bridge slips back into the resting position and clunks on the way back to the resting position.

 

[Prodigalson]

I recently picked up a very nice 2002 Axis that does this. The trem action is also very stiff.

I guess the trick is to improve the balance of spring tension with string tension so there is less ‘thwack’ once the trem is released?

It’s an amazing guitar but having the trem go ‘thunk’ with very mild usage is distracting.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Hmm, if bending the string causes it to no longer be decked, I would tighten the springs a bit. I'm not a super expert on getting the smoothest feel from tremolos, so I can't remember if getting a higher number of springs at lower stretch or fewer springs with more stretch is better. There's also some springs that are weaker.
Anyway, there's really no way to avoid knocking unless you let the tremolo down very gently. You could also put some type of thin padding under there.

 

[Prodigalson]

Hmm, if bending the string causes it to no longer be decked, I would tighten the springs a bit. I'm not a super expert on getting the smoothest feel from tremolos, so I can't remember if getting a higher number of springs at lower stretch or fewer springs with more stretch is better. There's also some springs that are weaker.
Anyway, there's really no way to avoid knocking unless you let the tremolo down very gently. You could also put some type of thin padding under there.

Ah that's interesting! So I guess a decked Axis will knock as a matter of course?
tbh I turned it up yesterday and you don't really notice the clunking when you're making a lot of noise
It's a great guitar!

 

[tbonesullivan]

Ah that's interesting! So I guess a decked Axis will knock as a matter of course?
tbh I turned it up yesterday and you don't really notice the clunking when you're making a lot of noise
It's a great guitar!

You can get noise pretty much with any "decked" fulcrum tremolo, whether it's a classic 6 screw or a two point system.

 

[ngjenkins]

Without hearing it, there's a couple things to think about.

1. Is it just the impact of the trem coming back to resting position? If so... not much I know of to help with. It's not "dangerous" as far as I know.

2. OR, is the "clunk" from the posts at the fulcrum point? That is something I've encountered on different trem systems if the bridge isn't properly aligned with the notch in the post. This can happen if the posts are too low OR sometimes if they're wildly uneven. It's a "pop" when the edge of the bridge snaps back into the notch.

Incidentally, this happens on my JP6 every once in a while after a restring. I have to be very thoughtful about blocking the bridge when I remove the strings or it throws everything off and it's annoying to adjust once the strings are back on lol

 

[ngjenkins]

Hmm, if bending the string causes it to no longer be decked, I would tighten the springs a bit. I'm not a super expert on getting the smoothest feel from tremolos, so I can't remember if getting a higher number of springs at lower stretch or fewer springs with more stretch is better. There's also some springs that are weaker.
Anyway, there's really no way to avoid knocking unless you let the tremolo down very gently. You could also put some type of thin padding under there.

This is just my experience (so take it with a grain of salt), but I've found it's a combination of the two while also factoring in string gauge and preference for how the tension feels.

So, on my floating JP6 trem, I use 10-46 strings with a full set of springs to help keep the tension where I want it. I don't do dive bombs with a non-locking trem system so I want it set for vibrato (much like how I have a Strat set up; floating with a lot of tension).

For my axis (and other locking trem systems) I prefer less tension because I don't use them for light vibrato, I use them for an obvious effect/technique and I don't want to fight with the tension. So I use fewer springs (usually 3) and I tighten the claw down more.

Also, for a decked Trem, I try to have it so bending doesn't raise the bridge much (if at all). This is tricky to get it where I like it but it's what I aim for. Incidentally, I've noticed that having my tension so bends don't affect the bridge is helpful with overall tuning stability.

Again, this is all preference but it's what I've kind of discovered over the years. *shrug

 

[Prodigalson]

This is really helpful. I think it’s also a case of getting used to it. It’s a great guitar to play.