FAQ
IN-DEPTH FAQ
Structural Integrity & Longevity
How do these guitars handle string tension?
String tension is addressed at the design stage.
Bodies are segmented into multiple interlocking parts and chemically welded together using solvent adhesives. This distributes load across the structure instead of concentrating stress along one long span.
This approach has proven stable over years of use.
Do they creep or warp over time?
No.
ABS and ASA are extremely stable. PLA can show very small temperature-related drift, but not structural deformation when designed properly.
I have long-term builds with no measurable creep, including bass guitars.
Why don’t you reinforce the body with steel or carbon rods?
Because reinforcement is unnecessary when the structure is designed correctly.
Rods are commonly used to compensate for:
- Long straight glue joints
- Long uninterrupted spans
- Monolithic prints
Those are design shortcuts, not requirements.
Segmented geometry and solvent welding eliminate the need for reinforcement.
Would reinforcement make it stronger anyway?
It may increase stiffness, but it introduces new problems:
- Uncontrolled weight distribution
- Stress risers between materials
- Increased complexity without solving root causes
If a printed guitar needs rods to survive normal tension, the design needs revision.
Sound & Playability
How do they sound compared to wooden guitars?
Like normal electric guitars.
There is nothing unique about their sound that suggests they’re made using alternative materials. Differences between guitars exist, but they are comparable to differences between wooden guitars.
Does material affect tone?
Slightly, but not dramatically.
Material has some influence, but it does not override pickups, scale length, bridge type, strings, or setup. The effect is subtle, not transformative. If you would like to know the difference then PLA is significantly heavier than ABS/ASA and will have a naturally darker/warmer tone when compared to the latter. Having said, PLA will also have increased sustain when compared to ABS/ASA. That's not to say that ABS/ASA is lacking, because it's still very comparable to most hardwood. PLA just has even more sustain!
How is sustain?
Excellent.
Sustain correlates strongly with mass and density. These guitars are intentionally built to weigh roughly the same as traditional guitars.
Do they feel like plastic?
No.
After sanding and painting, they feel indistinguishable from a traditionally finished guitar. Even without painting, they don't feel cheap. They feel extremely solid.
The “cheap plastic” feel people associate with 3D printing comes from fast, low-density decorative prints, not structural designs.
Weight & Balance
How much do they weigh?
Typically a finished body without hardware will be very comparable to it's wooden counterpart. Given that all guitars can vary in weight due to the type of wood they're made from, choosing your material to use will nearly always put you within the same range.
Weight is deliberately controlled to match traditional guitars.
Do they neck dive?
No.
Balance is determined by strap button placement and mass distribution, not material choice. These guitars balance the same way their wooden equivalents do.
Why not make them as light as possible?
Because extremely light guitars invite balance issues and unnecessary skepticism.
Weight is chosen intentionally, not accidentally.
Printing & Assembly
What materials are used?
Primarily ABS and ASA.
PLA can also be used successfully when the design accounts for it.
Carbon-fibre filaments are not required.
How many pieces is the body printed in?
Usually between 8-12 parts, depending on the design.
This improves strength, print reliability, and layer adhesion.
How are the parts joined?
Using solvent adhesives that chemically fuse the parts together.
Once cured, the joint is stronger than the surrounding plastic.
Getting coverage of the mating surfaces is critical to ensuring a solid guitar.
Why not print the body as one piece?
Large monolithic prints are more prone to creep, warping, flex, and layer failure.
Segmented designs outperform single-piece prints in strength and reliability, especially on consumer printers.
Are screw holes drilled after printing?
No.
All critical holes are modelled into the design before printing, including:
- Bridge mounts
- Pickup mounts
- Strap buttons
- Wiring channels
Cost & Access
How much does it cost to build one?
A basic build can be completed for under $150 USD, including filament and budget hardware.
Higher-end builds cost more depending on hardware choices.
Do you sell finished guitars or bodies?
No.
I sell files, not completed bodies. Printing and finishing bodies is time-intensive, and wooden bodies remain more cost-effective for most people.