Sandvik 3D Printed All-Metal "Smash-Proof" Guitar - Signed and Played by Yngwie Malmsteen

Global engineering company Sandvik decided to test their cutting-edge
techniques by building the world’s first all-metal, 3D printed, "smash-proof"  guitar and letting Yngwie Malmsteen unleash his smashing skills on it.

This is a chance to own a truly unique guitar played and signed by master guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. All proceeds from this auction will be donated to Engineers Without Borders Sweden.

The guitar and Yngwie Malmsteen’s smash attempt recently evoked global interest as Sandvik released two films about the unusual project.

Several different divisions of Sandvik collaborated to make the instrument.

• For the guitar’s 3D printed body, Sandvik relied on its world-leading expertise in metal powder and additive manufacturing. Lasers traced a design in beds of fine titanium powder, fusing layers of material one on top of the other. The layers, each thinner than a human hair, built up to make the body of the guitar.
• The guitar’s volume knobs and tailpiece were also created with 3D printing.
• The guitar neck and hub were made of recycled stainless steel and milled all in one machine in one continuous process.
• Extra material was milled from between frets to meet Malmsteen’s preference for a scalloped fretboard.
• The back of the guitar neck is hollowed out from the inside and is only 1 mm thick in places.
• Made of hyper-duplex steel, the lattice structure used inside the guitar neck is the strongest structure in the world.
• Before the guitar was built, Sandvik simulated the expected impact forces in the same way as car makers digitally crash-test new models.

At a rock club outside Miami, Florida, the Sandvik team watched as Malmsteen riffed and ripped on the strings with blazing speed and astonishing skill, until finally he raised the guitar over his head. Before they had come to the U.S., the Sandvik engineers felt confident their guitar could take whatever punishment Malmsteen could dish out.

But when Malmsteen paused with the guitar stretched toward the ceiling, in that brief moment before it came crashing down toward an amplifier, Sandvik’s engineers admitted they felt a little nervous.

Seconds later they broke into smiles. Malmsteen swung the guitar and smashed the amp. He slammed the guitar against part of the stage structure. He swung it again and again. He hurled it up into the air, letting it crash to the stage.

Nothing. The guitar remained in perfect shape, it only suffered a few scratch marks.

Technical specifications

• Size: Length 993 mm. Width 320 mm.
• Weight: 6.7 kg
• Body Shape: Drewman D1 Custom
• Body: 3D printed in titanium, using Powder Bed Fusion Laser technology
• Neck Material: Stainless steel, hollow with ILS inlay construction
• Neck Profile: Vintage C Style
• Neck Thickness: 19.7mm [at scallop lowest point]
• Neck Details: 5 Axis milled from billet with 12” radius fretboard
• Machine heads: Sperzel TrimLok 3 x 3 tuners
• Scale: 24 ¾”
• Fingerboard: Stainless steel, scalloped
• Nut: Stainless steel incorporated into fretboard
• Nut width: 40.5mm
• Frets:  Super jumbo 21 frets + zero-fret, incorporated into fretboard
• Inlay: Machined fret dots
• Strings: YJM Fender Signature Strings
• Number of Strings: 6
• Pickups: 3 Seymour Duncan YJM Fury pickups
• Pickup config: 3 ways switching
• Electronics: Hand wired in the UK - 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Middle Pickup, Position 3. Neck Pickup. Signature YJM Volume pot, No load tone pots.
• Bridge: Gotoh 510FB tunematic - locking saddles - locking studs
• Tail Piece: 3D printed in stainless steel, using Powder Bed Fusion Laser technology
• Vol/Tone Knobs: 3D printed in stainless steel, using Powder Bed Fusion Laser technology
• Finish: Machine finished / Custom Polished
• Right / Left Handed: Right Handed
• Condition: Smash-proof tested by Yngwie Malmsteen / Used!
• Year: 2018 / 19
• Case: Traditional Flight Case. Coated plywood, Aluminum edges, Rounded chrome corners, Nickel steel spring handle with transparent PVC cover, Three robust hinges, Padded inside cover with convoluted foam.

Disclaimer
The guitar was designed and built to withstand the forces from Yngwie Malmsteen’s smash attempt during the live performance shown in the film. Sandvik urges the buyer not to smash anything further with this guitar and instead to enjoy its sound and beauty.

This guitar is purchased “as is”, is intended only to be played for music or displayed and not for any other purpose, and all representations and warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability and non-infringement, are hereby disclaimed. When using the guitar, please be mindful of your personal safety and the safety of those people and things around you.

In no event will Sandvik be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or other consequential damages for any use of the guitar, including, without limitation, any lost profits, business interruption, product liability or other damage for injuries sustained from use or misuse of the guitar, even if Sandvik is advised of the possibility of such damages.