Upcycling Musical Instrument: Developing Ideas

Upcycling Musical Instrument: Developing Ideas

SG CIS TK DESIGN: We are now using junk or useless materials and turning them into something totally different- musical instrument!!!
In this phase, I will go into more details of what I want to make. Then, I will explore several variations like what materials I'll use or what should the musical instrument be like and choose one with a good reason. At last, I will have a whole clear idea of what I'll make and do scale-drawing.

Design Specifications

-This one string guitar should be durable.

-It should be challenging as a maker.

-It should make a variety of sound.

-It should have performance quality.

-The player can improve and build skills with practice.

-There should be something in the end to make it sound better.

-The guitar will only have one string.

-The string will be tunable someway somehow.

Variations

What should be at the end of the OSG (one string guitar)?

1. A tin

2. A wooden box

3. A plastic container

I choose a tin because I think a tin will make more vibration which means it should make the guitar sound louder and better.

What should I use for the stick part?
1. PVC tube

2. Metal tube from mop

3. Plastic tube from broom

4. Rectangular wooden piece

I choose wooden piece because it is durable and it will feel comfortable to press the strings because it is rectangular. Other tubes are circular and is easy to slip your finger of the thin, circle tube.

What should the OSG sound like when someone play it without pressing it?

1. “C”

2. “G”

3. “A”

I choose “G” so when someone starts playing it and press the closest area to the head, it will be a “C”, and there are little bit of lower notes so the range is bigger because very high notes may not be always used.

What should I use for the string?

1. Fishing line

2. Slingshot line

3. Metal string

4. Rubber band

I choose metal string because it is more loud and professional-like and proper.

Final Design

There will be a screw on both ends, the fishing string will be tied on both of them tightly and should sound an “G” below the middle “C”, when played without pressing. It can play at least an octave. The tin will be near the edge of the guitar and a bridge will be inside the area of the tin. The wood will be a long piece. Other measurements are up there. On the front of the guitar (the side opposite to the tin), there will be two screws (one on edge one in the middle). The one that is closer to the tin will be used for tuning the string, if you want the string to be tighter and sound higher, put the string around the screw more. Do it the opposite way if you want to make the sound deeper. (If the drawing is not clear enough, the 4 cm is talking about the distance between the screw and the edge)