My new YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnw56J_TeOsF4M_F5pPPJQ

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.

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.

UPDATE!!
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.

I have uploaded all the current parts for everyone to TEST this EXPERIMENTAL design! Have fun!

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/4xRkysNNRc4

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!

The sound the first prototype makes is bright as expected but it is pretty loud. A good sign!

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.

Stay tuned!

If you like what I do and want to help me do more, please consider supporting me on my Patreon page! http://www.patreon.com/ErikJDurwoodII Thanks!