Distortia- 3d Printed Guitar- Squier SuperSonic

Squier SuperSonic 3d printed guitar

I wanted to start off with a thanks to ElectricHerald. Without his PDF's online I would have not been able to model and make this, or even find proper measurements without purchasing a real guitar. Here's the link to his main webpage: https://www.electricherald.com/

How and Why I designed this (skip if you just wanna make the darn thing...)

I was browsing the internet one day just looking for something cool to 3D print when I came across the PrusaCaster. I play guitar, obviously, and I thought it was awesome. But since I'm a unique person, I didn't want something that was commonly found. So, I dug into the internet and found ElectricHerald. That's just what I needed since I use AutoCad and can import PDF files (not Fusion, I know but it still works.) I was browsing the free templates section and came across multiple guitar designs I have never heard of like the Gretsch Astro-Jet. And that's when I found the Squier Super-Sonic. Holy crap, I thought, this looks pretty cool. Doing some research, they're hard to come by as they were in a limited run twice in the 90's and early 2020's, so the cheapest used one you can buy is about $400. As a broke college student, thank you but no thank you. It's literally just a reverse Jazzmaster but with some spice added to it. So I downloaded the files and spent a few weeks working on the design. I didn't like the original Strat tremolo since I feel it's popular (go back to my unique line above... and besides I already have a Strat) and found the DuoSonic/Mustang PDF. Perfect. It'll give some grunge feel like Nirvana since all Kurt used were basically Mustangs. So I implemented the Tremolo cavity, thimble holes, and neck pocket for the short scale action. It also helps that the Mustang Tremolo plate is large so surface area for string tension is applied around more area, like the telecaster plate on the PrusaCaster. I also added hexagons like the PrusaCaster as a kind of nod-off to it and to also reduce weight of the guitar. All my real ones are like 13 pounds, anyways, so my back needs a break. For an even cleaner, smoother look I added angled pickups in the HS configuration with a Les Paul style toggle switch. Pretty easy build for a guitar, honestly. Overall there are 6 main pieces and pins that need to be printed. Overall, the shape and size are super satisfying to me and work perfectly! 

What needs to be printed

You will need a printer with a surface of at least 250x250x250mm. I used the Anycubic Kobra S1 with only 2 rolls of filament.

As I mentioned above, there are 5 main parts and pins that need to be made. Please make one of each, but the file called "Pin" needs to have 3 copies made. Bottom_Pin is normal and just requires one. (The bottom pin is for aligning the bottom piece vertically as if it were straight, the parts would not fit in each other.)

Settings:

Center_Core_Basic; Needs either PLA or PLA+, your option. PLA+ is stronger but needs more walls since it's slightly less stiffer than regular PLA. You'll need at least 10 walls and 20% infill. The more the better. Print it with tree supports. Please print as oriented, and if it doesn't come out right in your slicer, rotate it on its side on the 30 degree flat section faced 45 degrees across your bed. It barely fits but it does. 

All other parts; Since the body parts don't have any major stress, you can print as normal per your slicer. However for the left side parts, since they hold the strap buttons I would recommend at least 6 walls to hold the screws in place. Pins included. 

What needs to be bought that can't be 3d printed

You can either purchase some form of a guitar kit with a Mustang Tremolo, or buy the parts separated. 

Here's the full list if buying separately.

• 24" scale neck w/ tuners and string trees

• Standard Fender Neck Plate w/ screws

• Fender Mustang Tremolo (import spec/Squier)

• Fender Mustang/Jaguar/Jazzmaster Bridge (Also import Spec, or Tune O Matic if you're really into Nirvana)

• Fender Mustang Control Plate

• Strings (lighter gauge = BETTER)

• Wiring harness or components to make wiring harness (500k Pots, capacitor, output jack, wires, LP toggle switch; or find a wiring harness for an Epiphone Les Paul/SG Special guitar)

• ALL SCREWS (Pickguard, tremolo plate, pickup, etc.)

• Strap Buttons

• 1 Bridge Humbucker and 1 Bridge Strat Single Coil Pickup

• Some form of adhesive like JB Weld 

• Some form of rubber clamps to hold the guitar together in while binding it

• Drill with drill bits

• Screwdriver/allen wrenches 

General steps to get this thing rocking!

1. First of all, print all files like how I mentioned above after obtaining all parts. 

2. After Center_Core_Basic was printed, fit the neck, tremolo, and lightly put in the thimbles and bridge to make sure everything fits fine. If there are any major flaws, please reprint or even re-design if applicable. (I included DWG files.)

3. REMOVE SUPPORTS

4. Take the bridge thimbles and carefully hammer them into the thimble holes. If there are any small cracks, they can be left alone or to play it safe, glue/epoxy them shut. If it is major, remake the model. Hammer them all the way down until the upper lip is flush with the guitar’s surface. 

5.  If all fit, start installing the neck with the plate and screws, and drill out holes for the tremolo plate to be mounted in. Do not forget to drill a ground wire cavity! After all holes are drilled, put in a ground wire with a stripped end into the cavity and mount the tremolo plate directly into the plastic. The 10+ walls will hold it down!

6. Check the scale length with a tape measure! Make sure it is around 24 inches (around 61cm) and can be adjusted with the bridge if slightly off!)

7. This step is optional. If you want to test the strength of your center piece, string it for a while and see if there is any creep. If not, just skip this step

8. Take the other 5 pieces and insert pins to each. The bottom pin that has the angled slot should fit into the bottom left piece. The angled slope should be facing out of the piece with the sharp end facing the right side, if you’re looking at the part itself. Afterwards, test fit all parts. 

9. After inserting all parts and test fitting, use your epoxy or JB Weld to hold the parts together. Use the clamps to prevent any movement and place the entire assembly on a flat surface as slight misalignment can cause some bumps that don’t look good. Let it dry for at least 1 day. 

10. If all looks good and there are no gaps, continue on. If there are any small gaps you can fill them, but bigger ones may be a little tricky. Be careful with any leaks.

11. After all parts are epoxied together, install the strap buttons. There are pre-printed holes. 

12. Install pickups into each slot on the printed pickguard, as well as the toggle switch. 

13. Solder wires if not already to the toggle switch. You’ll need inputs from both pickups, ground, and output.

14. Solder the neck pickup to the toggle switch. 

15. Loop the rest of the wires through the central cavity in the core carefully, and solder the bridge pickup to the toggle switch. 

16. Place potentiometers and capacitor with output jack onto the control plate. You can wire it however you please; but I did the traditional master volume/tone control. Make sure there is an input for your potentiometers and a ground from your jack’s sleeve. 

17. Connect the toggle switch output to the input of your potentiometers and ground to the ground wires after routing all wires through the control panel cavity. Do not forget to connect the tremolo plate ground to the ground wire group.

18. Test the electrical connections! 

19. If all is well electrically and the body looks great, go ahead and screw in the pickguard! 

20. String the guitar up and let it rock!

If you have any questions, just comment and I'll try to answer as quickly as possible, or just shoot me a DM.