As 3D printing becomes a more accessible means of creation, it seems that imagination is our only limit. ODD Guitars realized this and put the technology to use in instruments.
“3D printing allows designs to be manufactured that could not be manufactured through traditional means,” the company writes on their website. “The 3D Printing technology used in ODD guitars is called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and builds the components by spreading a thin layer of nylon powder, that is then fused in the correct locations for that particular slice of the component. The layer is then dropped down a fraction of a millimeter, and another layer of powder is spread on top of the first, and the process is repeated until the component is built. The typical layer thickness is 0.1mm.”
One of their two bass models is the Hive: a Les Paul inspired bass with bee theme. Built around a wooden inner core, the Hive’s body 3D printed body has a beehive like hexagon motif with miniature bees inside. The rest of the bass is made from more traditional parts, including a Warmoth Pro Angled maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, Gotoh tuners, and a Schaller bridge. It sports a pair of EMG Hz 35 passive pickups controlled with a 3-way toggle switch.
Here’s the Hive in action along with other 3D printed instruments:
ODD Guitars Hive 3D Printed Bass Guitar Gallery:
