An electric bass guitar entirely printed in 3d. -

Electric bass Printed in 3d

Electric Bass Guitar by FILOALFA®

The idea of ​​modeling and making an electric bass with 3D printing is by Alberto, a great fan of Roger Waters and a young bass player, who then decided to involve his father Antonio.

In the world there are many examples of instruments made with FFF technology: from the famous hovalin, a 3D printed violin, to the many electric guitars with original and surprising geometries, up to electric basses with the body produced with the printer.

So far, however, a bass has never been realized that has both body and handle 3d printed

Design and modeling

First of all, Alberto, who has been researching and studying the techniques and components needed to make the instrument for a long time, scour the net to find all the parts that are needed.

The electronic and sound components are then purchased: pick-up with active electronics, potentiometers, "truss rod" bar to be inserted into the handle, bridge, pegs, nut, screws and ropes. While everything else will be printed!

Now is the moment of the creative part: 3D printing is the perfect tool to realize the form that Alberto dreams of. With a lot of effort, a reference bass, a caliber, and a meter ... a young fifteen-year-old bassist and an engineer with a few years more realize the 3D model.

Choice of materials

At this point we move on to the action, it is the sponsor's turn: FILOALFA®!
Some tests are then made to understand which filaments are the most suitable for 3D printing.

For the handle, the material chosen is the brand new ALFAOMNIA, a carbon loaded filament, made in collaboration with LATI S.p.a., for the particular stiffness that the material gives to the molded piece.
It is a fretless handle molded in a single piece 800 mm long, including the headstock.

The body of the instrument requires a more aesthetic material: Alberto opts for ALFASILK Azzurro Chiffon.
A shiny filament, particularly suitable for prints with rounded shapes due to the splendid reflections it gives to the piece.

Print

After a few press tests, the designers decide to involve another partner: i3D, which, thanks to the large printers it produces and Marco's experience, makes it possible to make the entire instrument only in two pieces: body and handle.
The printer used is the Wider, which offers a useful printing area of ​​140x70x85 cm.

Assembly and sound tests

Once assembled all that remains is to play and share the result with those who really know about music: MusicShowMilano... here we come!!

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