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Additive manufacturing mogul crosses over into music! Opens a 3D-printed custom guitar store.

September 24, 2025 Applications 669

Additive manufacturing mogul ventures into music, launching a custom guitar store exclusively using 3D printing to "create the extraordinary," having produced 116 unique guitars over 14 years.

An additive manufacturing professor at the University of Auckland, Olaf Diegel, recently made a major move: he officially launched his own custom 3D-printed guitar shop, "ODD Guitars."

A university professor opening a guitar shop might seem surprising at first. But in his own words, this isn't just about running a store—it's about "showing everyone that additive manufacturing isn't a futuristic concept; it can already create practical and innovative products today."

3D-Printed "Unconventional Bodies" with Full Customization
Step into the world of ODD Guitars, and the first thing that catches the eye is the array of uniquely designed guitars. These distinctive 3D-printed instruments represent a perfect fusion of art and advanced manufacturing technology.

1. Complex Structures Only Possible with 3D Printing
Customers can freely choose body designs—such as delicate mesh lattices or sculptural intricate patterns—that are simply impossible to achieve with traditional carving or machining. For example, some guitar frames feature layered patterns hidden within, making them both lightweight and sturdy, while delivering a unique visual impact.

2. Reliable + Customizable Hardware for Musicians
Don’t worry about the technology being all flash and no substance! Core components like the bridge, neck, pickups, and tuning knobs all use high-quality off-the-shelf parts, ensuring playability and sound stability on par with traditional guitars. Buyers can also select most of the hardware themselves—for instance, swapping out pickups for a richer tone—tailoring the instrument entirely to their needs.

From an Article to 116 Guitars: 14 Years of Pushing Technological Boundaries
Professor Diegel’s journey into 3D-printed guitars began out of sheer curiosity. In 2011, after reading an article in The Economist about a 3D-printed Stradivarius violin, he had a sudden inspiration: “If a violin can be printed, why not a fully functional electric guitar that’s robust enough to play?”

He quickly built his first prototype—and was amazed by the result. The sound quality was comparable to traditional guitars, and the flexibility of 3D printing opened up endless design possibilities. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. To date, he has created 116 guitars using a variety of 3D printing technologies, including polymer powder bed fusion, metal powder bed fusion (SLM), full-color material jetting, and even binder jetting combined with wood dust.

A Living Showcase of 3D Printing
For Professor Diegel, ODD Guitars is not merely a commercial venture—it’s a dynamic demonstration of additive manufacturing’s potential. Through these instruments, he highlights the powerful synergy between advanced manufacturing, creativity, and craftsmanship. Even an apparently simple guitar involves careful material selection, structural design, and parameter calibration—each one representing a fusion of technology and art.

This initiative also mirrors his teaching philosophy at the University of Auckland: additive manufacturing extends beyond industrial applications—it can excel in the consumer goods sector as well. ODD Guitars stands as tangible proof.

Professor Diegel’s cross-disciplinary work fully unleashes the “innovative DNA” of 3D printing. While many still perceive the technology as detached from everyday life, projects like this reveal its ability to create functional musical instruments, medical devices, and even aerospace components. This 3D-printed guitar is more than an instrument—it’s a walking showcase of what 3D printing can achieve.