3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / 3D Printed Violins for the Masses
qidi

3D Printed Violins for the Masses

January 27, 2022

3D printed instruments are not a new thing, as we have seen with Olaf Diegel’s ever growing range of AM guitar creations. But most quality boutique instruments carry a price tag to match the effort of creation and the small scales of production.

Enter musician/engineer Matthew Canel, who hopes to change that. Canel is an engineering graduate from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio and in a previous life spent time learning the cello.

Motivated by the high cost of musical instruments (cello in particular), Canel has turned to additive manufacturing to make instruments of a reasonable quality for students.

The FDM printed violins are on sale via his 3DMusic website, and can be purchased for as little as $200.

printed violins
Two printed violins, just chillin on a bench. (Image credit: 3D Music LLC)<br />

That may sound a little expensive for an FDM print, but you’re not only paying for the printer time here, you are paying for the design work which has been carried out with the aid of professional luthiers. Sure, you could download any number of free STLs off the web and print it out, but it likely won’t sound too great.

The result of 3DMusic’s efforts is a violin that is claimed to sound something like a wooden instrument. Or at the very least, like an instrument in a higher price bracket!

“You can buy a wooden violin for up to $1 million. So, there is a huge range…the cheapest violins I’ve found on AliExpress are to $69 plus shipping, and their sound quality is what a $69 violin would sound like,” said Ben Kaufman, who works on Business Development at 3DMusic.

“We’re trying to get the sound quality of a $300 to $400 violin and then come in under their price.”

The company was formed a couple of years back, and they showcased their prototype the same year at the CES 2020 exhibition. They have had a stall at CES each year since then also.

CES booth (Image credit: 3D Music LLC)

As you can see in the picture, the violins have been printed using what appears to be a normal FDM 3D printer, which no doubt helps to keep the costs in line with the company vision for providing pocket-friendly violins.

Obviously printing a violin is a long way from printing a cello, and it may be a long time before we see any large instruments printed with tonal qualities comparable to their traditionally made variants. It’s still hard to print big things out of plastic with commonly available printers.

However, these printed violins are definitely a step in the right direction, and by combining traditional luthiery, modern materials and even simulation methods, the prospect of building a superior instrument out of plastic may not seem too crazy.

You can take a look at the ¼ size printed violins on offer over at the 3DMusic website, right here.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

Fraunhofer, MacLean-Fogg, and Toyota Develop Large-Scale 3D Printing System for Automotive Die Casting Molds

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has partnered with powder manufacturer MacLean-Fogg and Toyota to develop a 3D printing solution for manufacturing... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Fraunhofer, MacLean-Fogg, and Toyota Develop Large-Scale 3D Printing System for Automotive Die Casting Molds

ASTM International Approves New Standard to Streamline AM Processes

ASTM International's additive manufacturing technologies committee (F42) has approved a new standard designed to help businesses navigate the procurement and delivery of 3D... read more »

News
ASTM International Approves New Standard to Streamline AM Processes

Trek Launches 3D Printed AirLoom Saddle Line

Trek has introduced its first 3D-printed saddle series, the Aeolus AirLoom, featuring what the company calls AirLoom lattice technology. The new design updates... read more »

News
Trek Launches 3D Printed AirLoom Saddle Line

QuesTek Partners with Niobium Producer to Develop High-Temperature 3D Printing Alloy

QuesTek Innovations has partnered with a global niobium producer to develop a high-temperature alloy designed for additive manufacturing. The project targets aerospace and... read more »

3D Printing Metal
QuesTek Partners with Niobium Producer to Develop High-Temperature 3D Printing Alloy

Autodesk Research and Additive Tectonics Develop 3D Printed Floor System with Alternative Materials

Autodesk Research has partnered with Additive Tectonics to develop a new approach to concrete floor construction using 3D printing technology. The collaboration combines... read more »

Construction

NREL Acquires Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer to Advance Marine Energy Research

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has installed a new laser-powered metal 3D printer at its Flatirons Campus to support marine energy device... read more »

3D Printing Metal
NREL Acquires Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer to Advance Marine Energy Research

Apple Adopts 3D Printing for Titanium USB-C Ports in New iPhone Air

Apple’s latest smartphone release marks a quiet but notable step in consumer electronics manufacturing: the company has confirmed that its new iPhone Air... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Apple Iphone 17 air

GKN Aerospace Expands Connecticut Facility for 3D Printed Engine Components

GKN Aerospace announced the expansion of its Newington, Connecticut facility to include a new production line for additively manufactured Fan Case Mount Ring... read more »

Aerospace
GKN Aerospace Expands Connecticut Facility for 3D Printed Engine Components

UltiMaker Launches Secure 3D Printing Line for Defense Applications

UltiMaker has introduced its Secure Line of 3D printing products specifically designed for defense and high-security environments. The initial lineup includes the UltiMaker... read more »

News
UltiMaker Launches Secure 3D Printing Line for Defense Applications

Digital Manufacturing Centre Delivers 90kg 3D Printed Military Vehicle Component

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) has completed production of its largest additive manufacturing metal component to date - a 90kg suspension and differential... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Digital Manufacturing Centre Delivers 90kg 3D Printed Military Vehicle Component

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing