3D printing has transformed the guitar production landscape with its infinite creativity, lightweight body design flexibility, and inexpensive prototyping. From classic guitar models reinterpreted to wild and flashy designs, these guitars afford musicians, luthiers, and hobbyists alike the chance to own one-of-a-kind guitars.
Why 3D Printed Guitars?
3D printing offers some unique benefits in the guitar building community:
● Customization: Designs can be made to fit individualized aesthetics, ergonomics, or playing styles, leading to personalized instruments.
● Cost Efficiency: Additive manufacturing makes it possible to use less material and eliminates the need for expensive molds or tooling.
● Innovative Designs: Designs can include complex geometries like Voronoi lattices or ergonomic forms that provide structure while being lightweight.
● Accessibility: Many free or inexpensive versions of designs are available on open-source repositories, such as Thingiverse and Printables. This means that guitar building is more accessible than it has been in the past.
Nonetheless, there are limitations with developing instruments using additive technologies, including structural durability, tone quality compared to traditional tonewoods, and obtaining compatible hardware for necks, pickups, and bridges,
1. The Black Widow 3D Printed Guitar
● Source: Thingiverse
● Description: Heavily inspired by heavy metal aesthetics, this electric guitar is designed to look futuristic with the use of an angular body shape. The modular design also means suitable for standard 3D printers (200 x 200 mm bed) and allows for bolt-on necks as well as humbucker pickups. There are also community mods for additional possibilities for custom builds.
● Printability: Print in PLA or PETG filament; you will also need to purchase screws, glue, and basic electronics knowledge to complete assembly.
● Standout Feature: This guitar's aggressive aesthetic and open-source nature make it a great choice for heavy metal enthusiasts who seek a visual and sonic approach to a striking DIY guitar, especially if they want to stand out on stage.
● Challenge: The lightweight body may lose some resonance and sustain, necessitating the purchase of high-quality pickups for the best tone possible.
2. 3D Printed Guitar Body - Stratocaster Type - Voronoi
● Source: Thingiverse
● Description: This body is inspired by the Fender Stratocaster, and it uses a Voronoi lattice pattern to be lightweight while retaining structural integrity. It can be built with standard Stratocaster components, including single coil pickups and tremolo bridges. The organic lattice pattern makes for a visually striking instrument as well.
● Printability: This can easily be printed purely as a single parts or multi-parts (15 - 25 hours) using PETG or ABS for strength and durability.
● Standout Feature:An organic lattice that is lightweight (30% less material), the instrument is a marriage of classic styling and innovative design. The instrument is well -suited for players looking for a unique and lightweight guitar for long performances.
● Challenge:The lattice requires high printing fidelity to eliminate weak points in the structure.
3. The Prusacaster - A 3D Printable Guitar
● Source: Printables
● Description: A Telecaster-inspired guitar from Prusa Research with a single-cutaway body designed to use standard Telecaster parts, such as bolt-on necks, and single-coil pickups. There are excellent guides to make it as accessible as possible. For people looking to build guitars from scratch, the results of this project are better than what is typically expected of DIY work.
● Printability: Parts in the design are meant to be made on 200x200 mm beds. Recommended materials are PETG.
● Standout Feature: Great for beginners and has good documentation. Overall, it is a well thought out and trustworthy guitar if you are a first timer trying to DIY build professional-grade guitars.
● Challenge: Quality hardware will cost $100-200 so this could burn your whole budget.
4. The SYS32 Electric Guitar Dean Razorback Dimebag Darrell
● Source: Cults3D
● Description: A Dean Razorback guitar for your 3D printer! This model includes extreme angular lines that are very much suited for metal guitarists, and works for standard necks and humber buckers. This build is inspired by the late great Dimebag Darrell’s legacy. Print and assemble carefully for the best possible playability.
● Printability: Complex multi-part guitar body; PETG or ABS, requiring advanced print skills.
● Standout Feature: The guitar's iconic metal look was developed to offer a custom build for any metal lover looking to get the ‘Dimebag Darrell’ styles and looks he utilized.
● Challenge: With such intricate assembly and alignment, you must have some experiences with 3D prints.
5. Headless Electric Guitar V3
● Source: Printables
● Description: A compact, headless electric guitar intended to be portable and compatible with multiscale necks and standard pickups to maintain modern playability. The aesthetics of the guitar make it ideal for traveling musicians.
● Printability: Modular; PETG fits standard printers.
● Standout Feature: Lightweight and travel-friendly; The instrument was designed and constructed with the needs of gigging players trying to go as portable as possible, while still being a guitar that can be played with modern playability and aesthetics.
● Challenge: Must provide precise tuning hardware due to the headless design.
6. The Gliding P Electric Guitar
● Source: Printables
● Description: A slim, ergonomic double-cut guitar in a modern shape for player comfort, compatible with standard necks and pickups, meaning you can have fun. If something's wrong with the print - so what! You can create another one. Perfect for long practice or performance use!
● Printability: It's a multi-part print, material type PETG and reasonably easy to assemble!
● Standout Feature:The ergonomic distraction for comfort with a modern look, perfect for players who are willing to spend long hours rehearsal or on stage.
● Challenge:Not much feedback from the community regarding tonal performance.
7. Electric Guitar
● Source: Printables
● Description: A double-cutaway electric guitar, which allows for a range of pickup configurations and uses bolt-on necks. With an open-source design, the possibilities for customization are endless. It could be a useful starting point for guitars that are specifically made for someone, based on their style or playing preferences.
● Printability: Modular body; PLA or PETG will fit just about any standard printer.
● Standout Feature:It is incredibly customizable, and it is a great starting point for anyone making a unique guitar for a wide variety of playing styles or genres.
● Challenge: It is kind of a generic design without a unique personality.
8. FRX Style Electric Guitar, 7 String Multiscale RedRaven4
● Source: Printables
● Description: A 7-string, multiscale guitar made for progressive metal, with a fanned-fret neck and humbuckers. Its advanced style allows for complex riffs. It's for the technical player looking for an extended range.
● Printability: Complex multipiece body; PETG or ABS.
● Standout Feature: Multiscale design enhances playability which is especially useful for contemporary metal musicians requiring an extended range to develop complex pieces.
● Challenge: Requires advanced neck alignment for multiscale guitar setup.
9. Electric Guitar Fender Stratocaster FULL SIZE
● Source: Printables
● Description: The full-size Fender Stratocaster replica has an authentic double-cutaway body (for normal Strat hardware). This fully captures the iconic look and feel of a Strat and is sure to please traditionalists with its historical pedigree and heritage.
● Printability: This is a multi-part print using PETG, and its design fits a 200x200 mm bed.
● Standout Feature: It is a faithful homage to the Stratocaster, which appeals to players looking for a classic, authentic guitar model with versatile classic Stratocaster capabilities.
● Challenge: The tonal results may vary a lot depending on the performance of the hardware used.
10. Warlock Electric Guitar Single Pickup
● Source: Printables
● Description: A Warlock-style guitar with sharp angles, a single-humbucker pickup that's designed for metal players. The straightforward electronics achieve a raw tone and the hostile look is great for a strong presence on stage.
● Printability: Modular; uses PETG or ABS.
● Standout Feature:Bold enough with easy electronics to simply get you back to true metal with raw tone and a strong stage presence.
● Challenge: Just a single pickup limits tonal versatility.
Building a 3D Printed Guitar: Practical Tips
Crafting a 3D printed guitar requires careful planning and execution:
● Printer Requirements:A 200x200 mm bed is sufficient for most designs, and precise calibration ensures good layers, limiting the effects of warping and providing a durable print.
● Materials: PETG strikes a good balance between durability and ease of printing. ABS is stronger but typically requires a heated bed and ventilation.
● Hardware Costs: Figure $100-300 for a neck, pickups, and a bridge. If you buy quality hardware from sources like you should be in the right range.
● Assembly Skills: You will need to have basic soldering skills and knowledge of guitar setup to wire up your electronics, and align the neck properly for playability.
● Tonal Considerations: A light-weight, printed body, will likely provide less sustain than a solid wood body, but high-quality pickups and a good setup are crucial to getting a good tone.
The Future of 3D Printed Guitars
The potential of 3D printing in music is exemplified by these ten guitars, from Black Widow's metallic bite to Prusacaster's shine. Advancements in material properties, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced filaments, and growing print speed and printer size will continue to improve the durability and sound quality of printed guitars. In open-source communities, people share their modifications, best practices, and other useful bits of information that help spur on innovation in the guitar building process, reducing barriers for new builders. Regardless of whether you play in a band or you only liked to tinker, these designs are a reasonably priced, inspired means to build your own dream guitar.
