The Next Generation of 3D-Printed Musical Instruments Are Worthy of a Star Trek Movie

It was only a matter of time until some brilliant designers out there started using the new 3D printing technology to make musical instruments. The science has recently moved beyond creating mere reproductions of existing musical instruments into promising new realms of creativity, sound, and design.

There has been a real renaissance in 3D electric guitar design, courtesy of makers like Olaf Diegel of Sweden, whose intricate designs are available at cubify.com. The architects of MONAD Studio in Florida have begun to design bizarre, otherworldly instruments, including the piezoelectric violin that was announced on Classicalite earlier this spring. Their instruments, which look like ceremonial Klingon weapons, represent the very apex of this new craft:

1. MONAD Studio: Piezoelectric Violin, Electric Bass and Cello