Making a song and dance of polymers

Researchers from Loughborough University will next month showcase a new breed of guitar made almost entirely of polymers.

In a break from traditional engineering, the three models — a hybrid wood/polymer acoustic, an all-polymer acoustic and a semi-hollow electric — feature foamed polymer technology that produces similar-quality sound to conventional guitars. This brings a number of benefits.

Polymers are easily moulded, meaning fewer parts and simplified assembly. Nonwood components allow for radical approaches to design and construction and alleviate pressure on wood supplies.

And the sound achieved through the millions of bubbles in the polymer is said to be excellent.

The project began in 1996 as part of a design and technology workshop, and is now under the university’s branded business, Cool Acoustics.

Researchers Owain Pedgeley and Eddie Norman said the next step is to develop the technology for low cost manufacture.