It was only a matter of time until some brilliant designers out there started using the new 3D printing technology to make musical instruments. The science has recently moved beyond creating mere reproductions of existing musical instruments into promising new realms of creativity, sound, and design.

There has been a real renaissance in 3D electric guitar design, courtesy of makers like Olaf Diegel of Sweden, whose intricate designs are available at cubify.com. The architects of MONAD Studio in Florida have begun to design bizarre, otherworldly instruments, including the piezoelectric violin that was announced on Classicalite earlier this spring. Their instruments, which look like ceremonial Klingon weapons, represent the very apex of this new craft:

1. MONAD Studio: Piezoelectric Violin, Electric Bass and Cello

Eric Goldemberg and Veronica Zalcberg, founders of MONAD Studio, officially unveiled three new instruments at 3D Print Week NY earlier this year. In an overview of the event, Eddie Krassenstein of 3Dprint.com described the instruments and backdrop as a "Sonic Art Wall Installation: an installation that when complete, will feature five separate 3D printed instruments." As Krassenstein explains, "The wall itself acts as a decorative assembly, which also helps play a role in sound manipulation, and doubles as a display unit for the instruments themselves."

As you might imagine, these instruments have an otherworldly sound:

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