Piccolo Banjo - Fully Functional!

Add some twang to your 3D printing projects with this fully functional piccolo banjo! Despite its compact size, this little banjo sounds surprisingly good and is a joy to both print and play.

Key Features:

• Compact Dimensions: 180 mm (7″) banjo head, 380 mm (15″) scale length, and 560 mm (22″) total length.
• Fretted or Fretless: Print as a fretless model or opt for a fretted design for a more traditional feel.
• Bridge Options: Two bridge (13 mm or 16 mm)  and nut (3.5mm or 2.5mm) heights let you customize the action to your liking.
  • 13mm Bridge and 2.5mm nut is recommended
  • If lower action is required you can file the grooves.
• Two Tuner Types Supported:
  • Affordable metal semi-open tuners from Amazon  - Print plate “Head Stock - Metal Tuners, 8mm Hole” 
  • 3D-printed tuners by @jwnicholson - Print plate “Head Stock - Printed Tuners, 9mm Hole”
• Flexible Printing & Assembly:
  • Multicolor Fretless (with AMS): Print in full color and snap the major components together for quick, tool-free assembly.
  • Without AMS or Fretted Version: Add extra color or install frets by gluing in the fretboard and fret markers. It’s still a straightforward build!

This piccolo banjo is sized for fun while still producing an impressively rich tone. Print one for yourself or as a special gift for any music lover or maker. Happy printing and happy pickin’!

Printing

Using the print profile is recommended. I have added modifiers in key locations to ensure strength, quality and reliability.

Choose your head stock, neck and fingerboard options according to your preference.

Supported tuners

• Affordable metal semi-open tuners from Amazon  - Print plate “Head Stock - Metal Tuners, 8mm Hole” 
• 3D-printed tuners by @jwnicholson - Print plate “Head Stock - Printed Tuners, 9mm Hole”

If you are not using the print profiles her are some suggestions for better results:

• Use at least 4 walls
• Use 25% infill, triangles if available
• Add modifiers, if possible,  to change to 100% infill in locations where parts snap together
• Add a modifier, if possible, to have a 3-5mm strip of 100% infill down the length of the neck

Demo & Assembly Video

Sound Test

Assembly Animation

Assembly Instructions

Known Issues

Tuner Height

The tuners suggested from Amazon are designed for a thicker head stock. Due to this, they protrude higher than you would normally like and may cause an issue with getting enough pressure on the bridge. The easiest way to deal with this is to do A LOT of loops on the strings at the tuners which will hold the string lower (closer to the head stock). 

If this is not a viable option I have included some spacers that can be used to adjust the tuners. Using the spacers will require you to use longer screws.

5th String Nut

In some of the photos and videos the fretted version does not have a 5th string nut as the fret is used. I have changed the design before release to have the same nut as the fretless version.

More Banjo Stuff

You can view my other banjo related models in my Banjo Collection