designboom · Creativity & design

Slate Guitar: A Stone Acoustic Instrument

A maker has constructed a functional acoustic guitar using 18 pieces of slate instead of traditional wood, resulting in a heavy, uniquely built instrument.

The maker, BeBeau Builds, replaced the typical wooden body of an acoustic guitar with a faceted shell made from slate. The resulting instrument weighs 48.7 pounds and functions acoustically.

The project began with the idea that slate's resonant, metallic ring when struck could translate into a hollow body. However, working with the heavy, varied thickness of the stone presented significant construction challenges.

BeBeau Builds used 3D-printed templates to cut the slate pieces. The initial assembly struggled due to variations in stone thickness, causing angles to shift and requiring the pieces to be re-scraped and re-glued.

A second assembly attempt focused on exterior dimensions, using hot glue as a temporary structure while construction adhesive cured in the irregular joints. This allowed for adjustments between pieces.

A stone panel broke during fabrication and was replaced. Gaps were filled, and mineral oil was applied to darken the slate before the strings were attached and tuned.

When played, the slate guitar produces a sound surprisingly close to a conventional acoustic, though it is softer with shorter sustain. The tone is slightly altered, and the inch-thick front plate vibrates to move air.

The instrument's limitations are apparent in its weight, making it uncomfortable to hold, and an imperfect neck angle that affects playability. Despite these challenges, the project demonstrates that a stone body can function as a guitar.

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