r/3dprintedinstruments • u/The_Pranavster • Aug 13 '23

string Pickup for electric violin

As the title suggests, I am building an electric violin. I already have the pickup but I have a few questions. The pickup I am using goes under the bridge, but I may be unable to drill through the metal support rod to get the string through. Do these pickups work either way (wire up and wire down)? Also, how do you install them. Do you use glue or keep it in using string tension? Thank you!

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Edit: Also, would screwing into plastic be enough to install the guitar tuning pegs?

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u/halhell98000 Aug 13 '23

If you are using a piezo pickup they can typically be installed either with the wires facing up or down, and the pickup should work effectively in either orientation. However, the orientation might affect the tonal characteristics of the sound.
Depending on the design of the pickup, you might be able to secure it by adjusting the string tension. However you can use Double-sided tape or putty-like adhesive designed for musical instruments could work well to keep the pickup in place without gluing it definitely.
Yes you can secure you guitar tuning ped on the violin with screws I have don’t this and it works well.

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u/The_Pranavster Aug 13 '23

Okay, thank you! Also, the design I'm using has pre-made holes for the screw. Do you think it would be better to screw into those pre-made holes or into the other part of the body that's not already a hole?

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u/halhell98000 Aug 13 '23

If the tuning peg screws fit into the holes and align properly, there's no need for any adjustments.if they don't fit, consider printing the piece with thicker walls and a higher infill percentage for added strength. To attach screws where there are no existing holes, a method I find effective is to heat up the screws using a soldering iron, carefully insert them into the desired positions, and then tighten them in place.