The 3D printers have been busy lately as I’m making final revisions to the design of the new Strum Fix Plus 3 (SFP3). This will NOT be a replacement for the Strum Fix Plus 2 (SFP2), but instead is meant to be an additional choice for those that prefer a different feel for the stummer.

I’ve always liked the light/fast feel of the Guitar Hero guitar strummers, but didn’t like how loud they are and how much travel they have, so I set out to design a strummer with light/fast feel, shorter travel, and quieter operation. I also wanted it to feel “tight” and not sloppy or loose.

The Strum Fix Plus 2 was originally designed before 3D printing was a viable option and was original made by CNC-machining parts out of a solid block of plastic. This really limits how much detail and what kind of structures you can design into a part since everything has to be made by drilling or cutting away at the solid plastic block and you have to leave clearance for the tool head to reach the locations it needs to cut.

3D printing allows for a lot more freedom in the design and you can actually make parts which are impossible to machine or mold. The new SFP3 is designed from the start to be 3D printed and take advantage of what that technology can do.

Switches are a critical part of the strummer and I’ve bought and tested about every kind of “tactile” and keyboard switch there is. What I’ve found is that while the type/brand of switch is important, the most important thing is the geometry of the strum bar and how it interfaces with the switch. I developed a fully-parametric CAD design (say that 3 times fast!) that allowed me quickly tweak the design, test out all sorts of geometries, and then fine-tune it to achieve the exact feel I wanted.

The SFP3 design is in the final phases — I’m making pre-production prototypes and starting endurance tests to see how they hold up to extended use. I don’t have a schedule for when it will be released yet — we still have more testing to do and won’t release it until it’s ready, but I think we are talking weeks, and not months.

“Secret” Special Feature - there will be two versions of the SFP3 available — one will be similar to the SFP2 in looks and operation, while the other will have an additional “special” feature that I think some people will find very interesting. I’m not ready to release more details quite yet, but a hint is “overdrive” :-). I just need to do a little more testing and then I’ll provide more info about this.