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Making a Working Fender Stratocaster Out of Cardboard

Will it shred?

By Rain Noe - December 7, 2015

in Materials

California-based Signal Snowboards has been running an interesting video series called Cardboard Chaos. In partnership with cardboard experts Ernest Packaging Solutions, they try to see how far they can push the material by incorporating it in items where you'd never think to use it. Like, say…in a Fender Stratocaster.

Signal CEO Dave Lee reckons the strings put some 250 lb.-ft. of torque onto the neck. Is it possible that the corrugated stuff can be made to handle the strain? Lee hits up Fender's machine-filled Design Lab to see what the Master Builders can do:

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Mike Heck

8 years ago

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I wonder how they braced the neck area? Even 3D printed guitars usually have to have real wood in that area. I'd love to have seen how they installed the frets too. This is very cool!

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Mike Brannon

8 years ago

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Yeah, this is pretty unbelievable. I assumed before seeing it they would have to soak the entire body & neck in resin or fiberglas, but apparently not. Somehow there's enough strength in the inherent structure of the cardboard. As a guitarist for over 30 years Im amazed at the sound, as well. There was a moment where you could hear it going out of tune, but maybe that was stress from int being played. That it can play at all is monumental. Brilliant work.

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L H

8 years ago

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I am wondreing what did they gule the whole thing with... It's kinda like "Oh look they made an object out of something unusual - mixed with plastic, and a lot of it."

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Steffi Burra

8 years ago

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Its amazing what you can make out of cardboard and the crazy ideas people come up with!

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