Guitar Neck Support - 3D Printing
- May 28
- 3 min read
by Joe Dufresne
I recently took the plunge into practical 3D printing and decided to share some of what I've learned in my first week into this new adventure.
I'm sharing a 3D model I designed from scratch using a free, open-source application called OpenSCAD. OpenSCAD allows you to write simple scripts to assemble geometric primitives into more complex designs. I won't hurt your head with discussions of CSG modeling or script syntax. If geometry and some basic trigonometry is something that you tend to avoid like the plague then know that you can still simply download and use the files, as provided, to customize and, if you have access to a 3D printer (or know someone who does), print your own.
Having never used OpenSCAD, but being somewhat computer literate, I created a parameterized model of a guitar neck support. Parameterization allows dimensions of the design to be changed "interactively" (the pane on the right) without actually needing to modify the working script code (the pane on the left).
When the model was sufficiently completed, I saved it as an .STL file which is then ready to import into nearly all 3D printer software. 3D printer software will take an .STL model and "slice" it into many stacked layers which form a path that the 3D print head follows while spitting out a hot, melted, environmentally friendly type of plastic stream.
I've test printed a few with various plastic filament types to test strength. For this particular model you can use nearly any source filament. Plain old PLA (which is relatively inexpensive) is perfectly strong enough for this type of application. I did increase the wall thickness to 3 layers / passes and increased the internal fill percentage to 25%.
I decided to paint one to "make it my own". If you print in white PLA, you can do the same.
Cover the top with generous foam and felt padding and you have a very useable and customizable guitar neck support. These are handy if you work on your own instruments, either adjusting intonation, changing pickups, or basic re-wiring.
Here, I'm using my new neck support to install a Duncan El Diablo into my old Jackson Pile O' Skulls RR1. Works well. The DIY ethos is strong in my house.
Now I know what you're thinking, "I can buy one of these things from any music store for like $20, why would I waste time learning or doing this?" Well, all I can say, it is much like a gateway drug but much healthier and possibly even profitable. Once you "get started" you can probably find dozens of things to make. For the record, this support costs about 50 cents worth of PLA to print plus some foam felt and super glue for about $1.50.
Don't have a printer? Services exist to print your models for you but chances are increasing every day that one of your friends will already have a 3D printer and would be happy to assist you.
In my first week I designed and made the guitar neck supports, I designed and made new locking magnetic latches for some hallway closet doors, fixed some old arcade game controls, and already have about a dozen new ideas. First week. Having never used any of this before. Having had zero previous experience. BAM!
In the true spirit of "punk" this is very much a DIY type of project / sub-culture.
OpenSCAD can be a little scary at first, but there are literally thousands of samples to be found online. Once you spend some time "experimenting", which is encouraged due to the interactive nature of the app, you can learn the CAD functions pretty quickly...just don't be afraid of the math.
OpenSCAD Nightly Build Installer for Windows
OpenSCAD Nightly Build Installer for Mac
Here are the .ZIPped Guitar Neck Support model files. The first can be opened and modified with OpenSCAD. The second .stl file can be directly imported into nearly all 3D printing / slicing software.
Prices on everything are coming down. Here's to hoping this blog post encourages you to explore a new and safe hobby
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