MOGI is a minimalist, DIY-friendly electric guitar platform. The core philosophy is to build a highly functional, "bodyless" instrument using readily available, off-the-shelf materials.
The system is fully modular, built around a core "body" of two parallel T-slot aluminum extrusions. Thanks to the continuous slots on these extrusions, builders can easily mount, slide, and swap any module along the length of the guitar. By using simple, custom-designed connectors, almost any standard guitar component—pickups, electronics, bridges, or built-in preamps—can be adapted into a MOGI module. This provides players and makers with extreme flexibility to explore endless hardware combinations.
Project Motivations:
- Tone Isolation: To eliminate the acoustic and resonant influence of a traditional solid guitar body.
- Ultimate Flexibility: To provide a robust platform where hardware permutations can be tested and swapped with ease.
MOGI MK4 is the latest proof-of-concept build. It represents a complete, fully functional minimalist guitar and serves as the reference model for this repository.
At the heart of the MOGI system are two parallel 2020 aluminum extrusions.
All functional modules are standard guitar parts (though custom ones can be crafted) that attach to this extrusion core using custom connectors. The step files for all connectors are provided in this repository.
Note on Manufacturing: In principle, all connectors can be 3D-printed. However, components subjected to high string tension (such as bridge anchors or tailpieces) require significant structural integrity. For these load-bearing parts, CNC-machined acrylic or aluminum is highly recommended over standard 3D-printed plastics.
Below are the specific design choices for the MOGI MK4 build:
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Neck Module: MK4 uses a standard Telecaster-style neck with a flat heel and a standard 56mm width. The custom neck connector acts as a locator block between the neck and the two extrusions, utilizing a standard 4-bolt connection.
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Pickup Module: Catering to a streamlined, high-gain preference, MK4 features a single active pickup positioned at the 24th fret harmonic node. Because the pickup connector does not bear any physical load, it is perfectly safe to 3D-print. The connector is designed to mount any standard pickup using a two-screw slot with an 83mm spacing. For pickups with irregular mounting dimensions, you can easily accommodate them by installing a simple adapter plate.
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Bridge Module: For simplicity and tuning stability, MK4 utilizes a wraparound-style bridge (combining the bridge and tailpiece into one unit). Because the T-slot extrusions are continuous, the bridge connector can slide freely, allowing the effective scale length and intonation to be set perfectly for any standard neck scale. (Note: Previous iterations, like MK3, utilized a classic tune-o-matic bridge and separate tailpiece, which are also compatible).
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Tail / Electronics Module: The tail block doubles as an enclosure for the guitar's electronics. It features a long-barrel TRS jack for robust cable connection. For power, it uses an A23 battery box. The A23 12V battery is ideal here: it is significantly smaller than a standard 9V battery, saving space, while providing higher voltage headroom for the active pickup.
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Wing Modules: While not electronically functional, MK4 includes two "wings" to provide ergonomic support against the player's body. The wings are axis-symmetric and center-symmetric, making them incredibly easy to manufacture and mount.
To build the MOGI MK4 as designed, you will need the following components:
| Name | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Aluminum Extrusion | 2 | 300 mm length |
| Neck Connector | 1 | Custom part (Repository) |
| Pickup Connector | 1 | Custom part (Repository) |
| Bridge Connector | 1 | Custom part (Repository) - Acrylic/Metal recommended |
| Tail Enclosure | 1 | Custom part (Repository) |
| Body Wings | 2 | Custom part (Repository) |
| Name | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guitar Neck | 1 | Telecaster-style flat heel (56mm width) works best |
| Wraparound Bridge | 1 | Combined bridge/tailpiece |
| Tuning Machines | 6 | Standard string winders to match your neck |
| Guitar Strings | 1 | Standard 6-string set |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | Standard |
| Name | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Active Pickup | 1 | Maker's choice |
| TRS Jack | 1 | Long barrel-shape recommended |
| A23 Battery Box | 1 | Should match the pre-cut space in the Tail part |
| Hookup Wire | 1 | For connecting the TRS jack to the pickup |
| Name | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M4 T-nuts | 14 | For T-slot mounting |
| M4 Screws (5mm) | 14 | |
| M4 Screws (15mm) | 2 | |
| M4 Screws (25mm) | 2 | |
| M3 Screws (30mm) | 2 | For pickup mounting |
| M3 Nuts | 2 | For pickup mounting |