Projects - Violin (Hovalin v5.1)

Original source files: HOVA LABS (free to download)

Print settings

Printer: Prusa Mini+

Filament: Prusament Premium PLA Mystic Green

Infill: Adaptive Cubic, 20%

Supports: Selective supports on overhang areas to the base only

Detail: 0.2mm

Parts to buy

Below is a list of parts I bought that I needed. The stand is completely optional, just looks better when storing away and helps protect the bow better. As always with anything you buy, the more you spend the better the item will be. Bows for example can go well over £100 for carbon fibre, but as a beginner/learner I have included what I bought.

Strings: D'Addario J810 4/4M Prelude 4/4 Scale Medium Tension Violin String Set : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ (Recommended by the Hovalin blog)

Tuners: Musiclily Pro 3R3L Guitar Locking Tuners Machine Heads Tuning Pegs Keys Set for Les Paul Style Electric or Acoustic Guitar, Black : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ (These are required to fit the holes in the Hovalin, they come in black, chrome or gold, I picked gold for this project)

Bow: Hidersine 4/4 Brazil Wood Octagonal Violin Bow : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ (Fairly standard bow, but does the job)

Rosin: D'Addario KRDD Kaplan Premium Rosin with Case - Dark : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ (The case is useful to help protect the rosin when not in use or transporting)

Stand: Stagg 14581 Folding Violin Stand with Bow Holder : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ (Holds both the violin and bow together)

Chin rest: Bnineteenteam Violin Chin Rest, 4/4 Ebony Wood Chin Rest with Softwood Strip&Bracket Violin Music Instrument Accessory : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ (Fairly standard chin rest that fits the violin well, there are plenty of options out there depending on your budget)

Carbon fibre rod: 1x OD 8mm x ID 6mm x 500mm 3k Carbon Fiber Tube (Roll Wrapped) UK Stock~ : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science (Required size to fit through the violin to increase strength and durability)

Additional Notes

When I printed the original bridge (v5.1.0) it is too short for the model and the strings touch the neck when installed. To fix this I re-printed the bridge with the Y axis scale at 120% for the correct height, this is meant to be resolved in the next version.

I also had to split the lowest body piece in two as it was too big to fit on the Prusa Mini baseplate. You can see the split line in the picture above, luckily not effecting any string holes/positions. I also had to split the neck as this too was too big as one piece.

To stick all the pieces together I used standard gorilla glue and clamps for the main body, I made sure the rod would always go through neatly and not stick so that it can be removed for any reason. The neck pieces were also glued together but they slot into the body with the rod as additional support, so the neck can be removed/replaced if required (e.g. if it gets damaged).

Final thoughts

Overall I am very happy with this build. The filament is a fantastic colour and combines well with the black parts that have been added. The tuners are quite heavy but overall not too heavy an instrument. I've managed to tune is using a tuning app on my phone and it can play using a bow. It will never sound as good as a real violin, but for a beginner it's a great intro option and the colour options are endless.