the Makerlele - MK1

prusaprinters

<p>My new YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnw56J_TeOsF4M_F5pPPJQ">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnw56J\_TeOsF4M\_F5pPPJQ</a></p> <p>This fully 3D printable ukulele (save for bolts and strings) uses an acoustic transducer to carry the lower frequency sound created by the strings to a very thin membrane on the bottom of the body. The sound is focused and projected out of channels in the body to (hopefully) create a fuller tone with reasonable amplitude.</p> <p>I am still working on the design of the head and tuners. Right now, to have a good gear ratio for the prototype, I made the gears almost comically large.</p> <p>UPDATE!!<br/> I'm refining the design of the geared tuner head but I wanted to test the tonality to see if I was getting somewhere so I quickly designed a test friction head and tuning knobs to try it out.</p> <p>I have uploaded all the current parts for everyone to TEST this EXPERIMENTAL design! Have fun!</p> <p>VIDEO: <a href="http://youtu.be/4xRkysNNRc4">http://youtu.be/4xRkysNNRc4</a></p> <p>A couple of notes: I am tweaking the body design. The bridge is a little wonky and the transducer pops right off! I have to think that one over a bit. The bottom membrane is only two layers thin. It is tricky to print and even trickier to remove from the platform. BE SUPER-CAREFUL TO NOT TEAR THE MEMBRANE OFF!</p> <p>The sound the first prototype makes is bright as expected but it is pretty loud. A good sign!</p> <p>NOTE: This friction head is for testing only, it will no longer hold a tune after a while without shims or other "friction-enhancers." The geared tuner is the solution to this, I'm just working to make it a better, more reliable print.</p> <p>Stay tuned!</p> <h3>Print instructions</h3><h3>Category: Music Summary</h3> <p>My new YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnw56J_TeOsF4M_F5pPPJQ">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnw56J\_TeOsF4M\_F5pPPJQ</a></p> <p>This fully 3D printable ukulele (save for bolts and strings) uses an acoustic transducer to carry the lower frequency sound created by the strings to a very thin membrane on the bottom of the body. The sound is focused and projected out of channels in the body to (hopefully) create a fuller tone with reasonable amplitude.</p> <p>I am still working on the design of the head and tuners. Right now, to have a good gear ratio for the prototype, I made the gears almost comically large.</p> <p>UPDATE!!<br/> I'm refining the design of the geared tuner head but I wanted to test the tonality to see if I was getting somewhere so I quickly designed a test friction head and tuning knobs to try it out.</p> <p>I have uploaded all the current parts for everyone to TEST this EXPERIMENTAL design! Have fun!</p> <p>VIDEO: <a href="http://youtu.be/4xRkysNNRc4">http://youtu.be/4xRkysNNRc4</a></p> <p>A couple of notes: I am tweaking the body design. The bridge is a little wonky and the transducer pops right off! I have to think that one over a bit. The bottom membrane is only two layers thin. It is tricky to print and even trickier to remove from the platform. BE SUPER-CAREFUL TO NOT TEAR THE MEMBRANE OFF!</p> <p>The sound the first prototype makes is bright as expected but it is pretty loud. A good sign!</p> <p>NOTE: This friction head is for testing only, it will no longer hold a tune after a while without shims or other "friction-enhancers." The geared tuner is the solution to this, I'm just working to make it a better, more reliable print.</p> <p>Stay tuned!</p> <h3> Instructions</h3> <p>Print, bolt together, string, tune, and play!</p>