Trouble with flutter on Universe

[linthat22]

Hey folks, I am curious. How does Steve pull off the awesome flutter on the Passion and Warfare album while no matter how I do it on my Universe it sounds like a fart?

Is it all in the springs for the tremelo? Or is it with how much you break in the springs for the tremelo?

This has always bothered me, because when I pick up a six string guitar I can flutter the bar no problem. But when I pick up a 7 string, the bridge snaps back making a very bad sound to where the flutter is barely audible over the sound of the bridge and strings (no matter how much muting I do).

Any Advice? Or is it a 7 string thing?

[napee]

maybe because he stuffed the springs cavity with tissue paper?

[steve]

It's all of those things, plus it's got to do with where the saddles are on the bridge when it's properly intonated (further back lends itself to more flutter, but more height variance when using the trem)... and you'll get more/better flutter if your bar is tight such that it holds its position when you let it go (this is how I insist my bars stay; right where I put them).
There's a lot more poundage of tension pulling on a 7-string bridge with that extra string, and that stiffens things up quite a bit.
The condition of your trem posts and knife edges also affects this; the better the condition, the more flutter you'll get.

Many factors...

[john1880]

steve is right. it involves many factors. another thing would be if the trem posts are not level with each other, you'll get less flutter. even the position of the tremolo. if it's leaning back too far, you may get less flutter.
even if the tremolo arm bushing is loose, it could affect the amount of flutter. check everything, especially the posts and knife edges. make sure nothing is rubbing anywhere.
i've seen this a few times. one of the saddle screws is sticking out too far and touching the wood underneath. "many factors" to quote steve again.
and you'll need to check all of them. :-)

john

[linthat22]

Thank you everyone. And here I was thinking it was going to be an easy answer

[Kontalonis]

Check to see if the edges of your trem are hitting the pickguard. If so, check the tech pages at www.ibanezrules.com for a quick and well done fix.

[pinto79]

Make sure the arm socket is nice and tight in the base also. If it's a bit loose it can counter-act the flutter and make a ton of noise in the process.