How to Make a 3d Printed Wax Tin Guitar

I always liked Cigar Box Guitars but they do require woodcraft skills and tools, which I don't have. So I've decided to create a 3d printed instrument with 3 strings, same open G tuning and a wax tin as the body. It is very easy to make. 2 parts to print and 3 gear heads. It is portable and fun to play. It can even be amplified with a contact mic and the back design is ready for the contact mic.

• Small hair or beard wax tin
• 2 3d printed parts (download link below)
• 3 acoustic tuners/gear heads (6 comes in the package)
• 3 acoustic strings (lower strings E A D)
• 1 screw 1.2 inches long
• Optional: contact mic

Download Wax Tin Guitar gcode files from here.

Print using PLA, with support, 60% infill

1. Screw the 3 tuners to the head using 3mm screws.
2. Place tin in the middle and screw the 2 body parts.
3. Dont worry about tin being loose. It will be ok when you put the strings.
4. Now put the strings and tune the first string at G, the second at D and the third one at G but higher.

You can view the complete mounting procedure in the video below

A short blues jam using the Wax Tin Guitar with contact mic, a Wah pedal and Orange 20 watts amp.

Tuning is open G: GDG and you can use any Cigar Box 3 string tutorial.

What about frets? I did not mark frets at this point since I wanted to make some tests regarding string length but it is not complicated to learn finger position by playing. If you want to add frets, here you have a fret calculator

Basically, you have to enter the length and you will obtain the size starting at the bridge.

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