The Mina Violin

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Human: Designing a modern electric violin is a dream come true for many musicians. This unique instrument pays homage to the classic Stradivarius while showcasing what's possible with crystal PLA on a 3D printer. I'm excited to share this design, which features a standard violin bridge and allows for a traditional-style chin rest. The included screw-on brackets make it easy to set up. As a steampunk enthusiast, I've incorporated clockwork elements and filigree details into the design. If you prefer a cleaner look, blank pieces are also available for remixing or customization. The lower bout and waist of the violin require separate printing due to size limitations on standard 8" printers. However, this allows for easy replacement or removal if needed. I'd like to thank Stepan Ignatovich for the inspiration and source material. This design has undergone updates since its initial release, with improvements made to the body and chin rest files in February 2017. In March of that year, I tweaked the wiring for the pickup to provide more space behind it. To achieve a precise finish without painting, I carefully cleaned up exposed areas using an exacto knife instead of sanding or filing. Post-printing is crucial to ensure a smooth and polished look. When printing, I recommend doing it piece by piece for better control. Only three pieces required supports in the end, which were mainly used for the clockwork details and the chin rest. The violin neck parts printed best when done flat, allowing for a smoother finish. General Materials Needed Printed Parts: 8pcs Threaded Metal Rod M8 x 370mm Violin Bridge - Requires sanding and flattening Violin Pickup and Preamp - Easily found on eBay or Amazon Guitar Tuners - 4pcs (2 left/2 right) Shoulder Rest - Standard Type Chin Rest Bracket - Standard Type Violin Strings Screws and Nuts Screws: M4 x 25mm socket cap - 9pcs M4 x 15mm socket cap - 2pcs M4 x 12mm socket cap - 2pcs M4 x 50mm - 1pc (philips or flat head) M4 x 40mm - 2pcs (philips or flat head) M3 x 8mm - 4pcs (for tuning pegs) M2 x 10mm - 4pcs (Note: often provided with violin pickup) Nuts: M4 - 16pcs M3 Brass Wood Screw Inserts for the tuners - 4pcs (likely need to drill out a bit for a smooth fit, brass is soft and will break if it has much resistance in the plastic) Infill and Walls I used a 20% infill with 4mm and 3mm thick walls to ensure solid tuning and a warm sound. However, this makes the instrument fairly heavy compared to classical acoustics or carbon fiber electrics. If you make one, please comment with your settings and outcome.