Musicians Alfred Goodrich, Mike Block, and Elijah Lee recently appeared on an episode of Shark Tank, with the goal of garnering an investment in their instrument-making company Forte3D. The company designs, engineers, and hand-assembles bowed string instruments made with cutting-edge 3D printing technology, utilizing carbon fiber and polymer materials.

Despite the bodies of the instruments being 3D-printed, there is still a great deal of craft involved in the instrument-making process. The company finishes each instrument with wooden components — including the bridges, sound posts, fingerboards, tailpieces, tuning pegs, and endpins. All of the designs are fully patented.

The company's aim is to make high-quality instruments available at a much lower price point than those that are made by hand. Forte3D's cellos, for instance, cost just $3000 — and the company's violins, which have just recently launched, cost $1800.

Following their pitch on Shark Tank, the trio successfully secured an investment of $250,000 in exchange for 16% equity from Shark Lori Greiner.

"We need more innovations like this, creative solutions that expand access to music-making and open new paths to imagination and expression," said cellist Yo-Yo Ma of the instruments.

You can hear cellist Mike Block playing and discussing the instruments below. In addition, you can learn more about the instruments on Forte3D's website.

 

Image credit: Shark Tank