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Given that guitars might have solid or hollow bodies, lengthy necks, strings, and electronics, it could appear challenging to 3D print one. Nonetheless, the guys were not going to back down from the effort. You get to play all of these awesome 3D-printed guitars in this narrative!
1. The Geartar
You won’t think it was a buddy of the designer’s joking request when you see Geartar. After modifying the design of a neglected guitar, the maker added tiny, battery-operated gears that, when locked into position, give the instrument a stylish appearance.
Included with the guitar’s files are the creator’s thorough instructions, which cover everything from recommended sizes and fillers to specific tasks. To make the Geartar fit virtually any space, it was based on a commercially available 1:1 scale model.
As long as the post-print assembly is meticulous, the Geartar’s maker claims that even smaller 3D printers can manage the task. The fewer pieces a 3D-printed guitar has, the better.
The Geartar’s source files and instructions are available here for no cost at all. Also, the gears, which are really from a different design, are available to you for free.
Download Link: MyMiniFactory
2. H.R. Giger Tribute
The late Swiss artist H.R. Giger was famed for his science fiction works with “biomechanical” motifs; it is evident from the name that this guitar is a tribute to him. The graphic design for Ridley Scott’s Alien, a film he directed, is really under his purview. One of his admirers, Francesco Orrù, carved and printed this guitar that features several allusions to Alien.
Evidently, Orrù printed the humbuckers with 40% infill for strength, but just 20% infill for the finer portions. Printing this plan can take up to 30 hours, depending on the printer you’re using. Several individuals have used ABS, PLA, and PETG printers and materials to create this model.
Download Link: MyMiniFactory
3. Multicolor Honeycomb
This colourful Stratocaster was simpler to print in sections, so that everyone could play along. Gary Donahue wished to combine his two passions—guitars and 3D printing—into one. He detailed his steps in building this guitar in a blog post. For the guitar’s construction, he turned to an UltiMaker S5 and PLA.
Trying on various hues and fittings on a miniature model was a first for Donahue. They created the illusion of seamless color transitions by printing, cleaning, and gluing together five separate sections. After one year of usage, the PLA still hasn’t cracked or bowed, according to him.
Download Link: Thingiverse
4. Prusacaster
To my knowledge, the Prusacaster is the sole 3D-printed guitar. The 3D printing community has provided Mikolas Zuza, a computer graphics engineer at Prusa, with a lot of helpful feedback, and he built it. Generally speaking, this instrument is well-received for its attractive appearance, low price, and relative ease of use.
You can simply 3D print the guitar’s hexagonal body using a standard home printer. Using a 250 x 210 x 210 mm build plate and the Original Prusa i3 MK3S+, we were able to create the inaugural Prusacaster. Additional effort may be required if your machine is on the smaller side.
Taking design cues from the Fender Telecaster, the maker proposes a T-Style neck and electronics kit for the instrument’s inside. If you want to save a tonne of money compared to buying the parts individually, you can get unapproved replica kits for less than $100. You might also have to pick up some superglue and JST connections, however that depends on the kit you’re after.
Those who reside in hot climates or who frequently play outside could benefit from fabrics that include carbon fiber, which provides superior thermal protection. However, the vast majority of individuals should have no problems with frequent PLA.
If you’re still on the fence about taking on this project, the Prusacaster comes with comprehensive instructions that will help you learn all you need to know about 3D printing and assembly. In addition to comprehensive building and printing instructions, the design comes with a complete history.
Download Link: Printables
5. Electric Guitar Warlock
The Electric Guitar Warlock is a fantastic opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind instrument that will be sure to turn heads, whether you’re a heavy metal fan or simply appreciate the distinctive design of the B.C. Rich Warlock guitar. Players may pick between a more conventional or distinctive appearance with the maker’s two pattern options: solid and honeycomb.
The final assembly of the instrument requires additional components such as a neck and circuitry. The 3D printer utilised a two-part epoxy that took five minutes to cure before gluing the guitar body together. Carefully chip off any excess material once the glue has cured using a knife or razor. The author recommends priming, sanding, and painting for a polished appearance.
The maker of Electric Guitar Warlock included a comprehensive list of components that are often available for less than $200 if you’re interested in constructing your own instrument. A comprehensive setup guide with instructions for configuring the electronics further guarantees a problem-free construction procedure.
Download link: Printables
6. The Compact Bass
Bass guitars are larger and heavier than the average guitar, but they have a reputation for being awesome in the music industry. As a result, one musician decided to create a little bass guitar using 3D printing technology; it has even been performed live!
Just like the other guitars here, these files are available for free and include everything you need to create a functional 3D printed guitar. However, you should exercise caution, as this 3D-printable guitar’s pickup wire has a reputation for being brittle.
Download link: Thingiverse
7. Lovecraft
All around this guitar you can see allusions to characters from H.P. Lovecraft’s science fiction novels. Designed in ZBrush and refined in Rhino to facilitate cutting into eight pieces, according to inventor Francesco Orrù. Using a MakerBot Replicator 2 and a Delta WASP printer, Orrù created his guitar. The total time required was close to 100 hours.
Download Link: MyMiniFactory
8. The AMG
The AMGP (Adapter Modular Guitar Pro) is a DIY 3D printer guitar with a classic rock guitar profile and contemporary personalisation options. The guitar’s body form is reminiscent of vintage rock instruments, and it comes with a detachable pick case. The AMGP is here to provide you the freedom to express yourself through music by allowing you to build an instrument that you love.
With the AMGP, you may experiment with various pick sizes and materials to find the one that suits your tone and needs. No matter how long you play for, the interchangeable pick holster will keep your picks close at hand. The AMGP has the appearance of a classic, vintage rock guitar. The iconic guitars of the ’60s and ’70s are echoes in their body form.
The AMGP’s included pick holster streamlines the process of carrying and retrieving your picks. Your choices will never be without a secure home since you can swap out the pouch. With the AMGP, you may adjust the pick’s size and substance to get the sound and playability you like. Find the one that best suits your style by trying out a few different options.
Download Link: thingiverse
Best 3D Printing Software
There are many 3D printing software available that can prepare designs for 3D printing and a good example is SelfCAD. SelfCAD is an easy to use 3D modeling software that you can use not only to create 3D models but also edit meshes and slice designs. It comes with interesting 3D modeling tools like freehand drawing and sketching that you can use to create designs from scratch. There are also easy to use selection modes as well as various modification tools to help you modify your designs based on your requirements. It also comes with an image to 3D feature that makes it easier to turn photos to 3D models. You can also import STL files and modify them based on your needs. The software also comes with an in-built online slicer that one can use to prepare designs for 3D printing. The video below shows how to slice STL files and generate the Gcode to send to the 3D printer.
Final Verdict
There are a lot of benefits to 3D printed guitars, including reduced production costs and new methods to modify them. The intricacy and resources utilised to make a 3D printed guitar determine its pricing. On the other hand, you may find materials and components for basic designs for as little as $50. Because of this, 3D-printed guitars are accessible to musicians of all financial means.
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