It’s a real guitar and has relatively the same shape as traditional shape of a classic les Paul, but this instrument did not come from a factory. This guitar was 3D printed.

Derek Manson, director of New Zealand design firm One.61 Ltd created the design and produced this new concept. He shared his inspiration.

“As you know music is so very subjective so we have no real data to support our design. The initial idea came from when I was watching Metallica’s Cunning Stunts DVD and Kirk Hammetts Wavecaster guitar is featured. This spawned the idea that a polymer based guitar is feasible because if it’s good enough for Kirk, it’s good enough for me.”

The implications of this achievement could be revolutionary for the music industry. It’s one thing to create a new design for an electric instrument, but imagine the possibilities for acoustic instruments.

Musical instruments have classic designs that are based mainly on the refinement by generations of specialist experts in hand-crafting the perfect shape for an instrument to have resonance and acoustic properties. Once a classic design is adopted, instruments can be mass produced.

With 3D printing technology, every musician can now experiment with complex instrument design. We are bound to see some instruments change from their classic form and new instruments appear.

Skeptical? Watch this video about a 3D printed flute.

Read more about the 3D Printed guitar at Forbes.

2010 was a pivotal year in 3D printing technology. In an interactive timeline, TeamTeamUSA lists the key developments that moved the industry over the year.

Notably:

• January – HP announced a 3D printer
• January – First 3D printer featured at CES
• February – Apple sells 3D printed iPhone cases
• April/May – Shapeways introduces new materials, including glass and gold
• June – Lifesize King Tut Mummy printed
• July – 3D printed fashion
• November – 3D prints added to Smithsonian Collection
• November – Maker factory launches
• December – Thing-o-matic ships
• December – 3D printed flute

Check out the full timeline at Dipity.