If you’re on tour, you need these 3D printed items for musicians. Spare parts and little gizmos help you to stay organized and keep your sanity.
Touring is fun… but the tear and wear on your equipment isn’t. If something breaks, you need a replacement fast. 3D printing can help you with spare parts and little gizmos in advance. Also, it keeps your stuff organized.
It there’s anything you want to avoid on tour, then it’s breaking your instrument. You need it your gear to be as reliable as it gets. Because something breaks and you’re stuck on the bus, you won’t be able go to the next shop. Unfortunately, it’s always the little plastic things that break.
Therefore, we’ve assembled a list of essential 3D printed items for musicians. Some of them are also great for your bedroom studio.
If you don’t own a 3D printer, you still order all of these gadgets from a professional 3D printing service. If you want to get the best price, just upload the provided file to All3DP’s free price comparison service.
1. Simple Cable Clipper
What it is: A tool to roll up your cables. Everyone likes neatly tied up cables. This cable clipper is reusable and so much better than zip ties and such.
Durability: Should last very long.
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
2. Springless guitar capo
What it is: A 3D printed capo. This is a simple design, but it screws on instead of acting as a clamp, so fast changes – no chance.
Durability: Good.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
3. Small Cable Clip
What it is: A reusable cable clip. It organizes or holds together cables (i.e. from stage to mixer). They can be easily removed afterwards. Available in four different sizes. One of the coolest 3D printed items for musicians.
Durability: These probably break from time to time. Better make a few more.
Printability: Almost foolproof. Better in a bit more flexible PLA than ABS. Use an infill of 60 percent the least.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
4. XLR/DMX Caps
What it is: A cap for the female end of XLR sound and DMX light cables (5 and 3 pin variants).
Durability: Good. We worry more about losing them.
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
5. A Cable Drum
What it is: A cable drum to 3D print. Needs nuts and bolts to complete, but then it is a functional cable spool.
Durability: We’re not too sure about heavy mechanical stress, but it looks usable.
Printability: Moderate.
Download: Free on Thingiverse
6. Zoom H4n Mic Stand Adapter
What it is: A swiveling mount to attach your recording device. In this case the widely used Zoom H4N, onto a standard microphone stand. Needs a screw and nut, which enables you to adjust the angle.
Durability: Good, but it may wear down when you change the position often. Also, the threading may become a weak point after some use. Better experiment before going on tour with it.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
7. Cable Winders
What it is: Small cable winders for in-ear headphones, charging cables, USB-cables, small cinch cables. Available in different sizes; also, also ”Ghostly” labeled or vinyl designs are available.
Durability: Good.
Printability: Medium difficulty.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
8. Audio Jack Adapter Holder
What it is: A holder for the many 3,5 mm to 6,35 mm (1⁄8 inch to 1⁄4 inch) audio jack adapters you’ll find yourself looking for far too often in your gig bag. This is something everybody who uses audio cables will want to have. One of the greatest 3D printed items for musicians.
Durability: There’s no wear-down involved.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
9. Shaker Egg and Plektrum Case
What it is: A case for 4 shaker eggs and some spare plectrums. Better don’t mix with real eggs, please.
Durability: The hinge is the weak point, depending on how rough you are with it. You still can “upgrade” the hinge with Gaffa tape.
Printability: Advanced.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
10. The Mouthpiece Mustache
What it is: A mustache to put on your trumpet or similar brass instruments. Makes you look like a gentleman and gets you all the groupies.
Durability: How on earth would you break a mustache?
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
11. A Spare Trumpet Mouthpiece
What it is: A 3D printed CKB 7E trumpet mouthpiece. Can’t compete with the real one, but it might save a gig.
Durability: You’d want to get a new one from time to time to ensure a snug fit.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
12. Mike Stand Cup Holder
What it is: A cup holder to have a drink right next to your mic or music stand. Not recommendable for stage animals, as water and electricity don’t mix.
Durability: Should be long lasting.
Printability: Medium. Assembly with the clamp is for advanced tinkerers.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
13. Mounted Folding Guitar Stand
What it is: A guitar stand that can be folded inwards. This guitar stand stays attached to the guitar all the time and doesn’t take up much space.
Durability: With the 2 M3x16 bolts and 4.76mm (3/16) aluminum rods for the legs, this should hold your guitar reliably.
Printability: Medium. Simple assembly required.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
14. Crystal Volume and Tone Guitar Knobs
What it is: Two guitar knobs with a cool design. Customize your baby with knobs that no one else has. Should look great on a Flying V.
Durability: Nothing to worry about.
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on MyMiniFactory.
15. Basic Volume and Tone Knobs
What it is: Two guitar knobs in the standard design. You should have this as a spare in your gig bag.
Durability: Lasts long.
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on MyMiniFactory.
16. Guitar Strap Button
What it is: A screw-in button for guitar straps. Add a guitar strap to any guitar or renew the old one that just chipped because the plastic is too old.
Durability: The problem is the screw hole – be careful when replacing your old one. The button itself should be pretty durable. Don’t mount this your daddy’s expensive vintage Stratocaster without asking beforehand.
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
17. Guitar Strap Lock
What it is: This plastic ring ensures your guitar strap doesn’t slip off suddenly. Added security for your instrument lets you do more wild moves.
Durability: You should be okay.
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
18. Guitar Strap Top Clip
What it is: A clip that slides in just under the strings at the head of your guitar. Some guitars have a strap button at the bottom, but nothing to attach the strap to on the top. Print this and the problem is solved. Plus there’s a plectrum holder included.
Durability: Good, if you print it with enough infill.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
19. Guitar Finger and Thumb Picks
What it is: Guitar picks that slide on your fingers. Finger picking steel strings give much clearer tones with these than using your bare fingers. Finger picks, in general, give you the possibility to use all five fingers instead of only one plectrum.
Durability: Good, but you’ll need a new one now and then. Also are wearing down.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
20. Guitar Pick / Plectrum
What it is: Ye good ole’ guitar pick. Don’t print this in the finest resolution. A rougher surface means better grip.
Durability: Probably not too good, depending on your average plectrum usage. If you need a new one every song, this may not be for you.
Printability: Easy.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
21. Singlecoil Pickup Cap
What it is: A custom color cap for your magnetic pickup. This one was made for an Ibanez GRG170, but other models have roughly the same measurements. You can experiment a bit with this. Just don’t try it on a humbucker, stupid.
Durability: If you break the cap of your guitar pickup, it’s really not the cap’s fault.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
22. Guitar Wall Holder
What it is: Great for your studio. Something to hang your guitar on the wall. This looks nice in every room of the house, whether or not you play the guitar. Just don’t forget to add one.
Durability: This is massive and strong if you print it with thick walls and enough infill.
Printability: Medium.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
g
What it is: A gadget to wind up guitar strings. In style. And amazingly fast. Winding up new strings by hand is a pain. At a gig, speed is vital if there’s no second instrument you own. There’s a hand crank included, just in case.
Durability: Good.
Printability: Medium to Advanced.
Download: Free on Thingiverse.
License: The text of "23 Essential 3D Printed Items for Musicians on Tour" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.