Thanks to Bob P.
The instrument can be printed, assembled and fine-tuned in under 24 hours.
A young engineering student in the US has helped turn a high-school experiment into a new business by blending 3D printing and modern materials to reinvent one of classical music’s most iconic instruments, the cello.
Forte3D, co-founded by lead inventor and CEO Alfred Goodrich and Elijah Lee, a biomedical engineering senior at Yale, secured a massive offer on Shark Tank after 3D-printing cellos and now violins using carbon fiber and polymer composites.
Goodrich and Lee’s innovative cello, which replaces traditional wood with high-performance composites while preserving sound quality, earned Forte3D an offer of a USD 250,000 investment from entrepreneur Lori Greiner for 16 percent equity on the show.
“The number one skill from Yale Engineering that served me most was the ability to iterate rapidly… To take your best shot, use that information, improve, and try again,” Lee revealed.
School idea goes big
Lee stated that the idea behind trying to 3D print a cello came from Goodrich, his orchestra director, who at the time urged him to merge his love of music with 3D printing by taking the lead in building Forte3D’s first 3D printer.
While working on the project, the pair figured out that traditional cellos are not only expensive and often cost more than USD 5,000, but their large size and fragility also make them difficult to own, travel with, or even practice consistently.
They then set out to create a cello that was tougher, cheaper, and easier for anyone to access. The pair completely redesigned the instrument and created a simple hybrid structure.
Credit: Yale Engineering
The cello’s top and back are made from flat carbon-fiber panels. Its ribs, neck, and scroll are produced through 3D printing. Meanwhile, traditional parts such as the sound post, fingerboard, and bridge preserve tonal authenticity.
Forte3D’s robust instrument can withstand travel, temperature changes, and daily use while still delivering a rich, resonant sound. This is made possible by rapid Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
Thanks to the software, the team can adjust the shape, thickness, and materials to refine the cello’s acoustic. Conventional carved wood cannot achieve that level of precision.
Reinventing the cello
After six years, hundreds of prototypes, and custom-built 3D printers capable of producing cellos and now violins later, the company is now manufacturing hand-assembled string instruments that have caught the attention of major musicians.
US cellist Yo-Yo Ma and YouTube group The Piano Guys were among the first to play Forte3D’s innovative design. In addition, the firm offers custom-printed finishes, letting each cello and violin reflect its player’s personality and style.
In November, Forte3D appeared on the nationally syndicated show Shark Tank, seeking USD 250,000 for a 10 percent equity stake. They ultimately received an offer of the full amount, securing a tentative deal with Lori Greiner in exchange for 16 percent equity.
Credit: Yale Engineering
Lee recalled the moment the cello finally sounded the way he and Goodrich imagined. “That moment made it all worth it,” he explained in a press release. He noted that the company has already launched a violin and is working on 3D-printed viola as well as smaller instruments for students.
Forte3D hopes to bring high-quality string instruments to students and musicians who can’t afford or access traditional options.
“Music shouldn’t be confined by price or fragile wood,” Lee concluded. “If we can put instruments in the hands of more people, spark curiosity, and make music accessible to everyone, then we’ve really built something that can change the way the world hears music.”