You should probably add this to the OP (if you haven't already) otherwise people are going to keep posting about the fact that you have an expensive 3D printer but can't afford a 4003.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
3d Printed Rickenbacker 4003 Bass
- Thread starter Gojira72
- Start date
You should probably add this to the OP (if you haven't already) otherwise people are going to keep posting about the fact that you have an expensive 3D printer but can't afford a 4003.
The negativity in this thread is disappointing to say the least... Why would anyone want to intentionally suppress creativity?
Worst case scenario is that it doesn't work. OP might deem the project impossible and think of something else, or he might try to figure out why it didn't work. Best case scenario? He has a playable instrument that he made himself.
Either way I don't see any downsides whatsoever to an admittedly broke teen trying to use ingenuity to make something in a less than traditional manner.
Worst case scenario is that it doesn't work. OP might deem the project impossible and think of something else, or he might try to figure out why it didn't work. Best case scenario? He has a playable instrument that he made himself.
Either way I don't see any downsides whatsoever to an admittedly broke teen trying to use ingenuity to make something in a less than traditional manner.
People are vastly overestimating the value of a used Monoprice Dual Extrusion Printer. It is a budget/hobby model that's worth (at most) a few hundred bucks on the second-hand market. "Sell the printer and buy a Rickenbacker" isn't a realistic suggestion.
(edited to add) Even though it's not a multi-thousand dollar device, the Monoprice is still a really cool gift for a young person. I am not trying to diminish the boss' generosity.
(edited to add) Even though it's not a multi-thousand dollar device, the Monoprice is still a really cool gift for a young person. I am not trying to diminish the boss' generosity.
Last edited:
I have a very expensive computer because I do a lot of modeling and rendering for side work. I also can't afford a 4003. That doesn't mean the obvious move is to sell my computer if I wanted a 4003.
There are likely people in this thread who own a car valued at well beyond the cost of a 4003, but can't afford a 4003. They shouldn't sell their car if they wanted a 4003.
Let's not be silly and assume the 3D printer the OP possesses is nothing more than a means to an end to a 4003.
Also, 3D printing has come a long way in affordability to the average consumer.
yep: a young cat is trying to do a project and it brings out the snark in all of the wannabe-expert types.
Well, no... that's actually Big Brother from the 1984 re-make. Although, come to think about it; lots of folks around here do seem to think they're one and the same...
For me, it wasn't about suppressing creativity, more about trying to avoid unnecessary expense and frustration. Low-end 3D printers do have their uses and their strengths, but you also have to have a good handle on their limitations and those of the medium in which they work. Pickup rings/covers? Knobs? Those are reasonable things to expect success with. A bass neck? Not so much.
Regardless of the printer the trick will be to figure out to make the neck stay stright and true after load calcs are determined. Same with the body to some degree.
I would think that frets, tuners, and at least part of a bridge will be attached to the bass.
Forget frets; make it a 1-string instrument of any shape to if you can make it work.
I bet that a guitar is much easier to design and make due to the much lower forces from string tension.
I would think that frets, tuners, and at least part of a bridge will be attached to the bass.
Forget frets; make it a 1-string instrument of any shape to if you can make it work.
I bet that a guitar is much easier to design and make due to the much lower forces from string tension.
UPDATE
So I got the Body Wings done. I plan to attach the Body wings, if the Neck Block works well. I plan to insert the Tuning pegs,Bridge, and the nut just to string it up just to see how well it works.
Don't mind the Tape, I still need to clean that off.
So I got the Body Wings done. I plan to attach the Body wings, if the Neck Block works well. I plan to insert the Tuning pegs,Bridge, and the nut just to string it up just to see how well it works.
Don't mind the Tape, I still need to clean that off.
Attachments
Last edited:
Already have plenty of ideas.Cool. I hope it works out or, at least, gives you some good ideas for the next one.
Yeah man! That’s awesome! Keep it up. Don’t let these guys try to stop you!!
The wings look great! I couldn’t afford a New Ric either, so I built my own, which ultimately cost more than I would have spent on a store bought one, but the slow build process allowed me to spread cost over time. It was also a fascinating learning experience and deeply satisfying accomplishment. You may find the neck not viable based on printer size and materials limitations, in which case a wood through neck blank is always an option. In the meantime, you are learning a highly marketable skill, that technology IS the future of manufacturing. Good luck with it!
Here is a video of me doing a rough assembly, no sanding, filling, etc.
Invalid Link Removed
P.S. If this dosen't work, let me know.
Invalid Link Removed
P.S. If this dosen't work, let me know.
That is mindblowingly awesome! It looks like all of your prints came out great. Additionally, now I think people might understand the concept you're going for after seeing it. Once you have the rods in the slots on the neck pieces, are you planning on getting a real fretboard to put over it or are you going to try and print one of those as well?
I'm stoked to see how this turns out.
I
I saw a guy print a fretboard using a wood filled filament. You can apprently apply a stain which hides some of the build lines, so I think I might try that, and if I say shag it, ill just make one or buy one.
That is in no way similar to what OP wants to do. OP wants to print a whole bass. These guys simply took some structural cardboard, likely sprayed it with some sort of reinforced resin, cut it into a Strat body, and then simply slapped everything else from a working Strat in it, including a fully-functional wooden neck with a truss rod.
Two entirely different project. There are more differences than similarities.
