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

Related Topics:

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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

About Erin Carson

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

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