The GURGLE
The grandest most bestest instrument the world WILL ever see.
In the end, the Gurgle suffered some changes due to time constraints, but it was finished. The neck was built out of layered plywood and the body was 3D printed. It surprisingly doesn't sound terrible!!! and can play pretty deep notes compared to other instruments of similar size. I'm still interested in seeing how it would sound with wood instead of plastic (hopefully better).
If I were to do it again/continue, I'd make it larger and add more strings (pretty much a lute).
PROCESS
Initial sketches and sizing. It was called Alizo 2 in the beggining.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
It will have a wooden bowl-shaped body, made out of 9 "ribs", resembling a lute.
A special joint will be needed to merge the neck to the body. It needs to withstand a lot of force because of the tension of the strings
A form will be 3D printed to wrap/bend the ribs over. A special wood is needed for it to bend correctly, to which I've chosen 3mm thick Spruce.
A very important part of the instrument is the hole shape, size, and placement.
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A study by some MIT researchers¹ says that there is a direct relationship between sound projection and the perimeter of the soundhole.
Another study² says that the bigger the Perimeter:Area ratio, the better the sound dispersion.
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Because of this, the optimal shape for the hole is not a circle (like in the guitar), but rather a more elongated shape, with more perimeter than area (like a violin). Since I seek neither a guitar nor a violin, I will be using a different shape, while still putting the previously mentioned concepts into practice
In conclusion:
UPDATES
(Feb 15, 2022)
I've started playing around with the appearance of the 3D model. Since there is no Plywood texture on the Fusion library, I had to make my own. I honestly think it looks pretty nice and Autodesk needs to catch up.
I have also worked on the shape of the sound hole, making what perhaps could be called a "J-hole". It still needs some work but I am probably going to end up with something similar to this.
Continuing with the hole-talk, I've been considering lasercutting the holes to get a much more precise shape. It can be done with thinner material, but I have to test if it will work with the the one I'm using (~3mm)
(Feb 16)
I might employ a "fan bracing", which I've used before. Although the traditional technique in classical guitars is the "fan" one, lutes used a "ladder bracing".
(like a trampoline)
We're at the point where I've started to take into account the position and size of the bridge. This is very important as it will impact how ~bassy~ or ~trebly~ the gurgle will be. As it has a smaller body, it is expected for it to have a higher pitch, as well as less deep basses. Either way, the desired outcome can be manipulated based on factors like bracing, material, bridge placement, size, etc.
For practical purposes, I'll likely use a guitar bridge, which will need to be adjusted to fit the gurgle's shape, size, and tone.
(Feb 18)
Working on bracing. Currently using 7, although will probably reduce that number considerably. I'm also planning on adding a horizontal brace, especially near the bridge.
(Mar 2)
I'm considering changing the number of strings on the instrument. Currently the plan is 6, but I'm starting to go back to the original idea of 8, or maybe 7.
(Apr 14)
Some cool renders:
(May 3)
Sadly, since classes end soon, I won't be able to keep working on this. In the interest of time, the body/ribs will not be able to be made out of the wood, but rather 3D printed for the time being. That said, the plywood was cut and glued together and the making of the neck (which is still being made out of plywood) will start soon.