InstrumentLIBRARY
Hex Ukulele, a 3D-printed ukulele
Photo: Tomek via Printables, CC BY-SA. Resized and converted to WebP.
Strings · Ukulele

Hex Ukulele

A soprano ukulele with hexagon details: no supports, no glue, no hardware except strings

Designed by Tomek, published on Printables

CC BY-SA Commercial use OK Build info 5/5

Licence verified on Printables, 20 October 2026.

Get the files on Printables ↗ Watch the video
Scale
350 mm (soprano)
Bed size
All parts fit 215 × 215 mm (or 210 × 240)
Filament
About 400 g of PLA plus about 50 g of PETG
Hardware
None; even the tuning pegs and bolts are printed
Difficulty
Easy to medium
On Printables
3,958 likes · 8,889 downloads · 230 makes · 864 comments (as of 20 Oct 2026)

About the Hex Ukulele

The Hex ukulele is a follow-up to its designer's heart-shaped ukulele. This time it has a classic ukulele outline with hexagon detailing, and the same ambitious rules. Every part prints without supports on an ordinary printer, and nothing is glued. The parts join with printed bolts and joints, so you can take it apart to upgrade it later. The tuning pegs, bridge and nut are printed too, so the only thing you buy is a set of soprano strings.

It's a bit more demanding than the heart version. There's some multicolour printing on a single nozzle (filament changes), a few awkward overhangs and some bridging, but the files are pre-oriented so the largest flat side sits on the bed. The designer prints the body and neck in PLA, and the internal rod and small threaded parts in PETG for better layer bonding. Two optional 2 × 8 mm carbon-fibre strips stiffen the neck. A brim helps the small pegs and dots stay put.

This is one of the most-made instruments on Printables. The designer has videos showing the assembly (including a version with a piezo pickup and built-in tuner), how to attach the strings, and all three of his printed ukuleles playing together.

Who it's for. A great first stringed instrument to print, with room to tinker. The designer's favourite strings are Aquila Red Series, in low-G or high-G.

What you'll need

Printed parts

  • Body, neck and internal rod
  • Printed bolts and joints
  • Tuning pegs, bridge, nut and fret dots

Bought parts

  • One set of soprano ukulele strings
  • Optional: 2 carbon-fibre strips, 2 × 8 mm, about 37 cm each

Tools

  • A printer with at least a 210 × 210 mm bed
  • A tuner

Build overview

  1. Print the parts. No supports, with a 0.4 or 0.6 mm nozzle; PLA for the body and neck, PETG for the internal rod and small threaded parts.
  2. Assemble the body and neck. Join them with the printed bolts and joints, adding the carbon strips if you're using them.
  3. Fit the hardware. Screw in the printed pegs and fit the bridge and nut.
  4. String it. The designer's stringing video shows the method.
  5. Tune and play. Tune up and let the strings settle.

Print settings

  • Material: PLA (body, neck); PETG (internal rod, small threaded parts)
  • Supports: None
  • Nozzle: 0.4 or 0.6 mm
  • Orientation: Largest flat side down (files come pre-oriented)
  • Adhesion: Brim for the pegs and dots

Videos

Play video: Hex ukulele assembly (with piezo pickup and tuner) (loads YouTube)
Hex ukulele assembly (with piezo pickup and tuner), Tomek (the designer). Plays from youtube-nocookie.com after you click.
Play video: How to attach the strings (loads YouTube)
How to attach the strings, Tomek (the designer). Plays from youtube-nocookie.com after you click.

Nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. Video thumbnails are © their creators.

'Stand By Me' played on all three of the designer's printed ukuleles (YouTube) by the designer

Photos

  • Hex Ukulele, photo 1 of 6
  • Hex Ukulele, photo 2 of 6
  • Hex Ukulele, photo 3 of 6
  • Hex Ukulele, photo 4 of 6
  • Hex Ukulele, photo 5 of 6
  • Hex Ukulele, photo 6 of 6

All photos: Tomek, from the design page on Printables, licensed CC BY-SA. We resized them and converted them to WebP. These adapted versions are shared under the same licence.

9 more photos on Printables ↗

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