Innovation

11 cool 3D printed musical instruments

By // May 5, 2015, 4:30 AM PST // ErinCarson

Image 1 of 11

  • Recorder

    Let's be real. The best part of music class in middle school was the unit where they handed out recorders. Relive those days with this 3D printed model.

    Image: cymon

  • F-F-Fiddle

    This isn't your average fiddle. It's a full size electric violin that costs about $250 worth of plastic to print.

    Image: OpenFabPDX

  • Maracas

    These mini maracas from Shapeways come in metal and plastic, and in a variety of different colors.

    Image: Phits

  • Ocarina

    If wind instruments are more your thing, try out this ocarina. It has six holes and you blow through the top to make music.

    Image: Cheong Li

  • Stratocaster/Les Paul hybrid guitar

    This 3D printed guitar lands somewhere between full and hollow body.

    Image: TheWhaleBiologist

  • Steampunk guitar

    This guitar will run you about $4,000 if you wanted to get it printed from 3D Systems.

    Image: OlafDiegel

  • Saxophone

    This isn't exactly an instrument you can print yourself, but it's pretty impressive replication of a saxophone.

    Image: Olaf Diegel

  • Soprano Ukulele

    Saying you play ukulele is a pretty good conversation piece. Imagine if you played a 3D printed one.

    Image: 3Dguy

  • Violin

    Monad Studio designed this violin, which barely looks like a violin. They say the shape actually improves the acoustics of the instrument.

    Image: Monad Studio

  • Piano

    3D Systems has this piano on display at conferences they attend — the surrounding structure is decorative leaves and ladybugs.

    Image: Lyndsey Gilpin/TechRepublic

  • Castanets

    Get your feet wet in the percussion world with these castanets.

    Image: Christiano Maci

Recorder

Let's be real. The best part of music class in middle school was the unit where they handed out recorders. Relive those days with this 3D printed model.

Image: cymon

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About Erin Carson

Erin Carson is a Staff Reporter for CNET and a former Multimedia Editor for TechRepublic.