Eric developed a 40-percent-scale replica of the classic Leslie speaker for guitar. In the cabinet built using a CAD model and CNC machine, the rotating sound diffusers were powered by modern brushless motors; high and low frequencies were dispersed through 3D-printed rotating components.
Adapted for guitar use rather than an organ, the system became lighter and more portable than the original. The build attracted interest as other guitarists tried it out.
Why it matters
This project shows that the Leslie effect, traditionally associated with the organ, can be adapted for guitar use. The 40-percent scale and lighter construction transformed the mechanism into a form that guitarists could carry, while also raising the question of whether its sound-directing function could be preserved. The combined use of CAD, CNC, and 3D printing made it possible to redesign a classic sound technology rather than simply copy an off-the-shelf product. The fact that other guitarists tried the build shows that it is not merely a personal engineering project, and that different users could also consider similar setups. However, the text does not provide a comparison of how closely this adaptation matches the original Leslie in terms of sound character.