CYBER SHREDDER
Cybertruck-inspired aluminum electric guitar
Solo Project - Feb 2022 to Oct 2022 | Arduino | Acoustic Design | Sheet Metal Fabrication
Overview
The Cyber Shredder is an experiment.
Its purpose is to push the boundaries of modern guitar design through the use of unconventional body geometry, uncommon materials, and external LED electronics to create a unique sonic and playing experience.
I wanted a guitar that was dynamic and reacted to the user and the music they made. It needed to embody the aesthetic of the Cybertruck and stay true to its metal exterior without compromising ergonomics.
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So I got to work...
Design Objectives
Ergonomics
Unique Sound
Reactive LEDs
Why the Cybertruck?
It's the first production car I worked on so it has a special place in my heart.
Sketches
And this is how it starts...
Brainstorming
Similar to the Cybertruck, I wanted this guitar to have a minimalistic, metallic exterior while still maintaining depth as it reflected light.
Minimalism
Metallic
Depth
Concept Generation
After a tough decision, I finally chose to proceed with design #7.
Prototypes
Ok, the guitar looks great - but how does it feel?
Bristol Board Prototype
Before CADing the Cyber Shredder, I created a 1:1 scaled prototype using bristol board to see how the guitar would actually feel in my hands.
Bristol Board Prototype
Verify:
Dimensions
Ergonomics
Aesthetic
CAD Model
PLA Prototype
Renders
Almost there...
Aluminium Hollow-body
Cybertruck Wheel Cover Dials
LED System
This is where the fun begins...
Electrical Architecture
I wanted the Cyber Shredder to have sound-reactive LEDs that would pulse and sparkle when the user is playing or singing. I also wanted to add an element of customization to allow the user to change the colour of the LED strips with a potentiometer and switch between 5 different LED display settings with a button.
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Sound-reactive
Colour Customization
Multiple Settings
Software Process Flow
Final Design
Here it is!
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Live User Testing
Inspiring the next generation of innovative guitar designs.
After a few solo jam sessions, I hosted "Demo Week" and invited my fellow University of Toronto students and friends to play the Cyber Shredder (CS) and give some constructive feedback that will influence my next guitar project. I even got the Dean of Engineering to give it a try! The majority of musicians were mechanical and hardware design specialists with a lifelong background in guitar and performance.
As a metal musician, songwriter, and long-term guitar hardware designer, Padraig has played every type of guitar out there and stated he "never played a guitar quite like the Cyber Shredder." He loved how the natural chorus effect added a subtle, brassy vibrato to his rock songs.
Sebastian is a robotics engineer, product designer, and rock musician. With a collection of his own guitars, he provided feedback on what attributes are important to instrument design. Playability and quality of sound are two critical factors that the CS excelled in.
As a physics major and lead guitarist of a local Toronto band, Yianni loved the uniqueness and sound of the CS and suggested implementing a mechanism to adjust "action height" as the guitar's wooden neck will slowly deform with age.
Sunny is a guitar pedal designer, electrical engineer, and an old bandmate of mine. He customizes his own guitars and provided insight on guitar tone materials and ergonomics. He enjoyed testing the various LED display settings and playing around with colors.
As a guitarist, vocalist, and pianist, I'm played my fair share of unique instruments. My main goal with the CS was to "bring the sound to life" with visuals via sound-reactive LEDs. I experimented with several hidden button placements to insure they were user-friendly.
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Ayrton is a lifelong guitarist and electric powertrain lead of the University of Toronto's Formula SAE Team. As a specialist in electrical systems design and a guitar enthusiast, he really enjoyed playing the CS and suggested adding a concave cut-out to its back to improve its overall ergonomics.
Features
What makes the Cyber Shredder Unique?
Click the button to play!
Natural Chorus Effect
Aluminium resonates differently than any standard tone wood used for guitars. This causes the Cyber Shredder to vibrate in a way that's similar to applying a chorus pedal to get that signature 80s pop sound. The "Chorus Effect" is usually achieved through analog signal modulation, but the Cyber Shredder does this in a purely mechanical way!
Click the button to play!
Sound-reactive LEDs
The Cyber Shredder lights up as you play with 5 different LED display modes! You can swap between modes with an easy-access, hidden button.
Static Colour
Ambre
Pulse
Strobe Lights
Radiate
You can also change the colour of the LEDs with the colour dial on the back of the guitar.