I 3D printed an electric violin and absolutely love it!

I adore this violin model by penk (apart from the silly mistakes I made!)
Download link:
www.printables.com/model/4576...
Intro 00:00
Overview 00:18
Materials & methods 00:44
Mistakes 02:45
Sound sample 06:54
Dimension differences 07:42
Closing thoughts 08:20
This was my first 3d printed violin and it was a great learning experience putting it together! Even though I had the wrong support settings and surface finish, I'm planning on using it and think it came out really well.
I hope more people make this and share their experiences! Thank you, penk!

[@jstandsforlove]

i would invest in a fingerboard, even a cheapo painted in black would make you happier with it, a real nut and especially a bridge, yours looks like it compromises the tone for being too thick. too bad the neck profile is so thick too, you made a great job and the design is actually cool. congratulations and thanks for sharing.

[@StepDub]

I would always applaud any attempt to build something yourself. But this is a major effort and deserves congratulations as the results sound great to my untrained ears. I would have appreciated some more close ups to show the exact geometry and perhaps some of the CAD models. From what I can see, an angled headstock, like a guitar, may improve the issue with the strings slipping off the pins. I hope you do a 2nd version based on the learnings and post another video.

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thanks for such detailed feedback! I’m in communication with the designer and plan to do an updated version in a few weeks :)

[@Strathmore]

Awesome! Keep up the great work.

[@LA6NPA]

You can get drill bits that are really long for getting through walls. And also extenders. Get one that's the same size as the carbon fiber rod and just drill out the supports! That should cut down on a lot of work. The head (where the tuners are) should be modified in software. It should be a bit longer (half an inch, maybe?) and angled downward, so the strings aren't at such a steep angle from the bridge. You'll get used to the guitar tuners. They're great. There is an alternative, though, but that will make the total depth (top to bottom) thicker, and that is banjo tuners, but you should stick with guitar tuners, I think. Also, I think I would get rid of the copper/brass tube and just add a support from the head (tuners) area. Aaaaand now I'm getting ideas for my own design! 😄 Thank you for a fun vid! ❤

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Oooh that’s a great point!!! I’m learning how to do supports better and haven’t had the same problem since, actually!

[@Leggup]

SO COOL

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thank you!!! :D

[@Wetdoor]

Holy cow! Amazing!!

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thanks so much!! Working on the next one 🤩

[@joyowolabi]

Amazing!!!!!

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thank you so much!

[@ccrider3435]

Amazing!!!

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thank you!

[@fonz4relli]

it may have been better to print the neck out vertically at a slight angle to keep some layer adhesion and reduce supports for a smoother neck. I'll try it out when I get around to it and let you know how it goes.

[@oasismike2905]

You definitely make that 3D print swing! You might enjoy Mikhail Kovalchuk's violin adjacent builds on KZbin. One is titled, " First sounds folk violin made of corrugated fiberglass plastic +classic violin Test 895 " (2:18) which def looks like a low risk instrument to travel with. His others are of a historic nature, and, also, sound great. He makes it seem as though 3D printing is more difficult than making something (one uses plastic water bottle for the front).

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Oooh thanks for the tip, I’ll look into that one for sure!!

[@LA6NPA]

Forgot to say, try just sanding the next neck instead of putting anything on there. A matte neck is often more comfortable than a painted/lacquered neck on guitars, though that's a mod you only do if the lacquer starts chipping, as it looks ugly and gets dirty, but that's because it's wood. It'll be fine and feel better on a print.

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Yup, realized that after the fact 🥲 I thought sanding would be more work lol

[@connerh492]

I think the issue with the tuners could be solved by making them angled so the strings meet them perpendicular. They are like this on guitars and mandolins, so I think this is their preferred operation parameter

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Great point! I’m definitely more attentive to the orientation of tuning pegs and tuners now after making this

[@ValTek_Armory]

On your tuner issues, there has been an updated version of the body that places the tuners more perpendicular to the strings now to prevent string slip!

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Ooh gotta make the new model then, thank you!

[@JC-td4gg]

I wonder when someone will come out with a printed Woods Viper violin!

[@viewee22]

gorgeous

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thank you so much!

[@guillermoramirez8444]

Awesome! 👏🏽👏🏽The tuners should be angled. Probably fixable on that instrument. Great effort. Again, awesome!

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thanks so much!

[@bhartissimo]

You may have made a few mistakes and hate the feel of the neck (with the acrylic), but the way you played, it sounds fantastic! Makes me want to make a violin now.

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Please do and share! I think it’s so valuable that violins are no longer “elite” and “priceless” instruments

[@bhartissimo]

@@natalyjazzviolin Thanks for reminding me. Work has been extra busy the last few months, and I still in the midst of the last guitar I'm building. I'll have to get to the violin by the end of the year.

[@patriciajrs46]

I think you play well enough. Though you grimaced a lot it sounded quite nice for being a carbon fiber and non-traditional violin. Good job, and don't give up. Try CNC machine. Maybe that will be easier for your making process.

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thanks for the comments! Facial expressions are definitely something to be worked on, but I’ve decided that perfection is the enemy of progress and didn’t dwell too long on that for this video. CNC machines are very big and expensive, unfortunately, but I’m looking into getting access to one.

[@Nachtuil36]

Very impressive ! From my experience playing electric (mostly to play at night): you can hugely improve the sound quality playing through any device that handles IR (impulse response). IR's recorded from top quality violins. Works with Line6 Helix and ciolin IR's.Contact professor Patrick Gaydecki of Manchester Univerciity who developped the vSound device ! Comes with Stradivarius,Amati and Guarneri sounds !!!

[@natalyjazzviolin]

That’s what I’ve learned since making this video, maybe I need to make a follow up 😅 thanks for the tip, I’ll look him up!

[@patriciajrs46]

Why are the tuning pegs at the bottom? Was that a personal choice? It sounds interesting, nicely so. Is it easier or harder to play on that neck? Just asking out of curiousity.

[@natalyjazzviolin]

It was a personal choice by the designer, I think! I just printed this, I did not design it. The neck was difficult to play because of the acrylic finish I applied, but after a few weeks it seems to have settled

[@meherbabagod-man1831]

🥰🥰🙏🙏😍😍

[@rezp8250]

The video don´t have the sound.

[@bonerici]

wow!

[@natalyjazzviolin]

Thank you!