Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
Hello everybody,
Perhaps I did find some free time to use my 3d prtinter to print something different from the prusacaster that I like but to a certain extent.
Yes I know that some sloppy things are visibile but consider that:
1) I am not a photogrpher, indeed (shooted before the first setup/intonation as I was impatient to share with my friends)
2) I am not a luthier, this is my very first guitar that I built, an attempt.
3) I am not an engineer or a professional 3d printer, just an average hobbyst.
This experiment was to demonstrate to myself that my free time is precious and that you can 3d print a fully functional electrical guitar in pieces, I can say that I succeded.
This monster has no wood, with the exception of a little cilinder of 1 cm diameterx 1cm in the electronics box (for the grounding) and not a single drop of paint has been sprayed.
All you see is Carbon Nylon PACF12, Prusament PCCF, two rod of full carbon fiber as usually people do on Super Wizard necks,
Super Luminova-like material for the Glow in the dark inlay, Neodimium mags for the back covers and of course hardware/electronics/frets.
Believe it or not I printed this with my Prusa MK3S+, neck is in 3 pieces matched with Z tenons.
Finish? Not at all. Only 2 millions years of SANDING SANDING SANDING once I deleted my fingerprints.
How it sounds? Like a 25,5 diapason guitar with a pair of Fishman Fluence Modern (apologize this is my hand playing, directly into reaper with only NAM in the chain
How it plays? Well it stays in tune, surprisingly is not "elastic" like I though before starting this project, fretworking needs improvement but the fret ends are not sharp, only a bit ugly.
I can reach 2.5mm at 24th fretbstring action, not a SUHR but not the worst ever seen. It's ergonomic and balanced, I used Stewmac tools for rectify the fretboard and the frets.
Humidity and termal factors are not affecting the tuning stability, after many weeks I see no differences.
Basically I place the feeling among the mid-tier range guitars.
SPECS:
Body: 35mm thick Prusament PCCF with middle part of Carbon Nylon PACF12 for a better stiffness.
Neck: slim C /wizard like, I don't remember the dimensions but it's very thin, Prusament PCCF in 3 pieces with reinforcement in full Carbon Fiber, double action truss-rod.
Fretboard: Polycarbonate PC CF
Nut: 42mm, Graphtech Black TUSQ XL
Frets: Stainless Steel XJ
Marks and Inlays: Mix Epoxy/Europium/Strontium Aluminate to match Super Luminova color
Top body and headstock etched with the 3d printer, credits to the beloved master H.R. Giger (Biomechanical Matrix, Gruyere Giger Museum)
Machine heads: Thomann Locking tuner
Straplocks
Fishman Fluence Modern (Ceramic+Alnico),
switchcraft barrel jack, 3 way switch.
2 pots push pull (Passive/Active on volume and Hi-boost on tone)
PU Switch 3d printed in PACF to match the body and reduce the height.
Hipshot hardtail 0.125 black for the bridge.
Rest of hardware is dark black and belongs to Darren Grainger (UK).
Neck joint has brass screw insert for a better match with the body.
Strings: Daddario NYX hybrid 09-56
At this point, I started doubting very seriously on how the wood affects the tone, now I think it doesn't at all. It's only a matter of physics (I think that the same electronics, with the same strings, with the same pickup height and with the same tension and diapason lenght brings to the same sound).
I'll stop using wood guitars? No, but this will stay in my collection and can be used for gigs as well.
Please be patient with me but your opinions are very appreciated,
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
I love it. The thing about guitars is they've evolved and they keep evolving. From the Rickenbacker frying pans to Bo Diddley's cigar box guitar, they're born out of necessity or a whim and they all have a unique sound. Sometimes that sound creates a whole new genre of music. You're pioneeering the next generation of guitars and that's so cool.
Great choice of song btw.
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
I love it. The thing about guitars is they've evolved and they keep evolving. From the Rickenbacker frying pans to Bo Diddley's cigar box guitar, they're born out of necessity or a whim and they all have a unique sound. Sometimes that sound creates a whole new genre of music. You're pioneeering the next generation of guitars and that's so cool.
Great choice of song btw.
Thank you very much, I appreciate
Now I Need a 500x500 3d printer for the next. Prusa guys I am relying on you again 🙂
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
Impressive project.
'Stays in tune' is a good thing. 😉
Obviously some stock parts in there, but still, very impressive, and really shows what these printers can do!
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
I’ve made about nine guitar bodies. After the first it was evident that the screws holding down the bridge moved from the string tension. So I added carbon fiber rod inclusions which went from the neck pocket to the area under the bridge. The screws for the bridge go into the CF rods. It made it way more stable.
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
What you used for the body? Here Is PACF and is pretty stiff (a lot of perimeters and near 100% infill
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
I tried every material including PC. Any polymer will let the screw move if left under 90 degree lateral pressure. Some move slower than others but all move eventually if the bridge is not secured with an inclusion like CF or metal. I suggest you loosen the strings when you do not play it.
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
In my calculation the bridge won't move, the composite seems to do a lot since the body is behaving pretty stiff.
Also: plan a lot of perimeters (8-10) and for the screws I created the filet in the modeling
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
After doing it so many times and for so many years I got to see how the stuff behaves over many months not just a couple of weeks. All polymers will let the screw move in time, as you will soon see. A rigid inclusion is the only way to go.
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
It's a masterpiece, you should start production 😀
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
Can I have the files? It looks so cool, and I'd be interested in maybe giving it a try at some point!
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
So well done! And Weyland-Yutani too! (applause)
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
This is great! I've been wanting to try a 3d printed guitar with Fishmans for a while. I was wondering if the stl is available online anywhere?
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
After doing it so many times and for so many years I got to see how the stuff behaves over many months not just a couple of weeks. All polymers will let the screw move in time, as you will soon see. A rigid inclusion is the only way to go.
Im currently in the proces of making a very similar project to this one except richlite fretboard, I was thinking of a mounting design close to Schaller Hannes 6 bridge for a hipshot one. Basically I will make a holes for metal M nuts on the top and on the bottom of the guitar with a recess on the back for a cover. So the M screws will only be connected to nuts in the body instead of the body itself. I hope it will work.
@Violenzio How about its state as for today? Also what glue did You use and what do You mean by Z tenons? I really dont know how to connect neck pieces together so that they wont break or bend. What infill and in what position did You print the neck? It would really help me. Thanks!
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
I’ve made about nine guitar bodies. After the first it was evident that the screws holding down the bridge moved from the string tension.So I added carbon fiber rod inclusions which went from the neck pocket to the area under the bridge. The screws for the bridge go into the CF rods. It made it way more stable.
RE: Electric Guitar 100% 3d printed with Prusa MK3s+
Absolutely LOVE the aesthetic of this this guitar. If you ever release the files, please update here. I'd be happy to buy them if its something you'd consider.