El Cheapo Portaguitar

thingiverse

This innovative design explores the possibility of using cardboard as a strong yet flexible material for guitar construction. The creator aims to make a portable backpacker acoustic and a toy cardboard guitar for children, testing the cardboard's ability to withstand guitar string tension while producing an appealing sound. Additionally, they consider a flatpack version in pine sheets, which would require a wood steamer first. This project is an entry into the Make/Makerbot contest. To create this unique guitar, follow these hand-cutting instructions. First, print and trace templates onto cardboard (ideal materials include pizza boxes or moving boxes). Next, pre-bend tabs, attach ribs to the body panel, glue side panels, and fold the remaining portion of the body panel over the ribs and side panels. Wrap the guitar with string or rubber bands while drying for added support. Notch the butt and head of the guitar for standoffs, then glue the standoffs in place and attach eyenuts. Cut a sound hole or slots on the face of the guitar, and repurpose chopsticks as the bridge and nut. Use nylon guitar string, fishing line, or elastic fibers to create strings, attaching them to the eyebolts and tuning by adjusting the nuts. For laser-cutting instructions, follow similar steps but use a laser cutter instead. Customize your design with unique f-slots, fancy sound holes, toothpick frets, modified body panel shapes, paint, varnish, or even install a piezo buzzer contact mic and quarter-inch jack for enhanced sound quality.