Introduction: How to Make a 3d Printed Wax Tin Guitar
I always liked Cigar Box Guitars but they do require woodcraft skills and tools, which I don't have. So I've decided to create a 3d printed instrument with 3 strings, same open G tuning and a wax tin as the body. It is very easy to make. 2 parts to print and 3 gear heads. It is portable and fun to play. It can even be amplified with a contact mic and the back design is ready for the contact mic.
Supplies
- Small hair or beard wax tin
- 2 3d printed parts (download link below)
- 3 acoustic tuners/gear heads (6 comes in the package)
- 3 acoustic strings (lower strings E A D)
- 1 screw 1.2 inches long
- Optional: contact mic
Step 1: 3d Printing
Download Wax Tin Guitar gcode files from here.
Print using PLA, with support, 60% infill
Step 2: Mounting
- Screw the 3 tuners to the head using 3mm screws.
- Place tin in the middle and screw the 2 body parts.
- Dont worry about tin being loose. It will be ok when you put the strings.
- Now put the strings and tune the first string at G, the second at D and the third one at G but higher.
You can view the complete mounting procedure in the video below
Step 3: Demo Video
A short blues jam using the Wax Tin Guitar with contact mic, a Wah pedal and Orange 20 watts amp.
Step 4: How to Play the Wax Tin Guitar
Tuning is open G: GDG and you can use any Cigar Box 3 string tutorial.
What about frets? I did not mark frets at this point since I wanted to make some tests regarding string length but it is not complicated to learn finger position by playing. If you want to add frets, here you have a fret calculator
Basically, you have to enter the length and you will obtain the size starting at the bridge.
Step 5: Interested in Other Musical Instruments?
