Balalaika (Russian Stringed Musical Instrument) *Prints Without Supports*

thingiverse

Fully playable Balalaika prints without supports, bringing Russia's most popular instrument within anyone's grasp. This 3-stringed instrument is instantly recognizable with its unique triangular form. Listen to a quick sound test below and see for yourself how much improvement there has been. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akXrIWGhpfE **Print and Assemble Your Balalaika** Infill Settings: - Print the body at 50% infill with around 5 perimeters (shell). - Print the neck at 50% or higher to achieve a stable vertical structure. - The fretboard should be printed at a density of 30%-50% in a horizontal orientation. Recommended print settings include a layer height of 0.2mm for optimal quality. **Assemble Your Balalaika** To assemble, follow these steps: - If your prints are large enough, you can print the entire body and fretboard in one piece each. - However, the neck typically requires at least two parts to ensure stability. I used super glue to bond my pieces together. You can use the joiners (flat pieces) to make fitting the body parts a snap. Eventually, I plan on incorporating these so the 3-body puzzle pieces fit perfectly together without needing additional adhesives. **Strings and Tuning** Traditional Balalaika strings consist of two nylon strings and one steel string. However, you can experiment with all-nylon or all-steel options. Personally, I prefer all-nylon for a brighter sound. You can purchase Balalaika-specific strings, although they can be pricey. Alternatively, use classical guitar or steel guitar strings as alternatives. A good starting point is using two 0.04 gauge nylon strings and one 0.011 gauge steel string to achieve the traditional tuning of E-E-A. **Tuning and Finishing Touches** I used inexpensive individual classical tuners, available from eBay for around $5 with free shipping. Traditional tuning should bring your Balalaika to life, allowing you to enjoy its beautiful sounds and craftsmanship.