Unboxing a Super Cheap Donner Guitar...But Is It Worth Buying ?
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
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Darrell! Did you ever try a Kramer? Maybe a Baretta Special? Those things go for $200 and holy hell, they're quality. Love your content!
BTW, the fretboard might be Amaranth, I have a few Amaranth fretboards with the exact same look
152$CDN?For real?
Nice video Darrel, very detailed :) One thing though, I felt like you were rushing through the content like you were even talking fast haha Have a great evening :)
No mention of the obvious neck shim falling out at 12:20 not very honest review.
"Let's not mess aboawt and open this guitar" love it!
Music is Win got the same guitar and color today, too.
No messin' aboawt! Ha Ha.😊🍁
@@ragjamrock Aboot!
@@DMSProduktions What do you expect he is a Canadian after all!
@@Edward1312 Eh?
Tyler was specifically wanting this color though according to the video. He was looking for another model of his first guitar which he said was a Cort guitar but he went with this cause Cort guitars aren't budget guitars like they used to be.
My wife just bought me this exact guitar at a thrift store for $70. I am amazed at how well it plays! I’ve been playing this guitar more than my expensive Ibanez and Charvel guitars! It’s well worth upgrading because of how well it plays. I just ordered new pups, tuners, and a pearl pickguard and a solid brass block for it!🎶🎸
I got this in sunburst for Christmas - no complaints so far.
How are the sound and pickups?
You like it?
@@louiswilkins9624 Yeah, I got the bundle with the little practice amp and other accessories (strap, cable, tuner, extra strings). I think what differentiates it from other entry-level Strat copies is that it has a humbucker. The amp is very small (which I wanted) and the gig bag seems a bit more durable than the super flimsy ones you usually get at this price range. Mine doesn't go out of tune that much but I don't use the trem. I will say the frets do stick out a bit on the sides but that's pretty minor to me. I'm not exactly shredding all over the neck and I can always polish them down if I need to. I've seen this listed on Amazon as having 20 frets but that's not true; it has 22. Hope this helps.
@@h.9089 They're OK for me as an intermediate player. There are about a dozen other reviews of this guitar on UA-cam you can reference - search "Donner dst".
I got one too recently but I got a rare lemon... the internal electronics were cutting out :(
what a coincidence that this is also MusicisWin's very "first" guitar.
Exactly, I just saw music wins video few hours back
Didn’t he just do a video about that today? What a coincidence lol
pretty sure musiciswin said his first was a cort guitar, this probably was the closest he could find to that one
With the time it takes to edit the videos, this is a huge coincidence but the sharing of the line "doesnt matter if its expensive or cheap, it's always exciting for a new guitar." That is scary.
Ha! I haven't seen his video and had no idea he was making one! I've used that line in my videos for years though 😊
Very impressive for the price. Have you seen how much stuff comes with their starter packages? They even include a tuner. Perfect, complete package for a beginner.
My wife got me one of these types of "amazon special" $100 guitar/amp combos a few years ago for Christmas. Little did she know she created a monster. But, if you're on the fence about getting a guitar, get one of these. Great to learn on, and if it turns out guitar isn't your thing, you're only out a little money.
but you're up on fire wood.
I purchased a Donner strat two years ago and it looks like they stepped up their game a little. Mine had high action, wicked fret sprout, and would not hold tune very good. That being said I learned how to correct all of that on YT and now it plays like a champ. VERY much worth the price for learning to work and play on guitar. It also came with a tuner, a set of strings, gig bag, allen keys, set of picks, cord, and a surprisingly good sounding amp that looks like a mini me Marshall combo amp. All of this for under 85$ US. Beautiful guitar!
I would like to see one of these review channels do a side-by-side with the guitar they get free to demo and one they buy blind. Good way to confirm or debunk whether or not the guitar they are being sent to demo is on par with a guitar the average person would receive.
This!
Free guitars probably come with a condition that says you can't do that
Darrell just made your wish come true
Have you noticed that some of the UA-camrs who specialize in doing guitar reviews/demos are all getting the same guitars at the same time? Phil McNight, Music is Win, 60 Cycle Hum, Darrell Braun Guitar, etc.
Maybe there's something big in the making
Should be a marketing effort of Donner to get a place in the market using influwncers. A good mové.
Donner reaches out to everyone who wants to demo them! They even sent me one for my channel to review and I plan on contacting to see if they will send me this one as well to test!
Maybe it's cheaper to send out a bunch at once. Still, for me it's a good thing, as each of these channels provide a different point of view and watching all of them demo the 'same' instrument gives a broader view of the various aspects these instruments have.
Yeah it's painfully obvious
The two main advantages of buying this strat' copy. Is bringing this to a gig and not worrying bringing your real $1000+ stratocaster/other guitar. The second is with the S/S/H pickup configuration, you can play a list of cover songs that use either single coil or humbuckers with one guitar.. so you don't have bring more than one. Years back I had a strat' copy like this and used it in a cover band.. played a lot of places.. As long as you can do a basic setup on it and there is no big physical defects like a warped neck it can be a great for the price. My 2 cents.
@ianscanlon2418 There is a lot more options for guitars now then there was in the good old 1980s, that for certain. Cheers.
Just got mine delivered and it is so beautiful! The beginner kit came with way more than expected! I'm really shocked at how cheap it is!
What i really enjoy about Darrell's channel is that he doesn't shy away from "cheap" guitars or gear. It may be easy for UA-camrs to make content about things persons can't usually afford because, they can now afford them. Nothing's wrong with doing that as well but while it's not always a guarantee, I really think it speaks true to his character. ✨
'Donner' is German for 'Thunder' 😄 Just like 'Donner und Blitzen' / 'Thunder and Lightning' 🙂
From this video I learnt that you don't need a super high end guitar but you definitely need a high end amp. That guitar sounds awsome
There's something so special about cheap guitars. Keep 'em coming Darrell! We love it! Cheers from PL
That something is greedy westerners. Chinese people are treated horribly. Forced organ harvesting. Terrible human suffering by the CCP. Truth.
I live my life vicariously through his dude.
Yeah I usually seem to trust what he says
Without a doubt one of the best reviews I've seen on an under $200 Strat Daryl. And definitely one of the cleanest inside the cavities. Definitely interested might have to pick me up one of these.
Awesome video, I like the way you do the reviews, low end or high end guitars, it doesn't matter, you treat them the same. Congrats and many thanks.
I have a 2007 USA Standard Stratocaster and I have to say that the cavities on that are no cleaner than that. Looks like you could have a lot of fun upgrading and would end up with a really nice looking, sounding and playing instrument. Another great video, thanks.
Love your channel mate, particular your unboxing videos. Great stuff, cheers from Australia.
I love the smell of new guitars in the morning.
"Beginners don't tear their guitars apart" - Yeah, I didn't do that to my Strat copy either at first ... and then I somehow obtained a couple of old Höfner humbuckers, and Eddie Van Halen was the cover story of the latest edition of the musicians' magazine I was reading at that time ('83), and you can imagine the rest 😄
I recently purchased the Donner Circle Looper Pedal. I had never heard of them either but saw a couple of reviews and took the chance. So far so good imo. Would love to see you review one of those. Great vid as always 🤘🏼
6:48 I really thought he was going into 035 there and panicked for a second...
why would you panic on the thought of hearing a great riff?
@@szatanovsky you have clearly never been in a guitar store. As someone that has worked in a guitar store, I never want to hear 035 ever again...
You do know that is NOT how you play it right?
Lol me too
Great and cheap is a very great combination! Always appreciate the work!
At what cost to other human beings? CCP is a terribly brutal regime. We shouldn’t support it by buying their products.
Awesome review video again Darrell...thank you these are so pleasent to watch🙏
Donner is a Chinese effects pedal manufacturer primarily. Their pedals are super small, tiny little things, but appear to be well made and are very cheap, but great sounding. It seems they have progressed into the guitar manufacturing world, so I presume they will be very moderately priced, like their fx pedals. I'm pretty sure that considering the clean, precise build that you highlighted, and with some twiddling, fine tuning and a good set up, (plus a set of decent strings!) they would be a fine "first" electric guitar, competing with the likes of cheaper Squier models, etc.
Good job. I really enjoy watching your videos and have been doing so for a lil more than 2 years. You inspired me to get a string butler lol and probably one of these affordable guitars. Next time you do a video like this id like to see you show the action on the guitars from the factory.
Darrell, I recently bought a Michael Kelly custom (most of their guitars are custom) guitar that looks and sounds amazing. I have been watching your videos for a good while and don’t remember seeing you review one. If you get the opportunity, I would recommend it. I think it would be something your viewers would like. Their guitars have a bunch of styles with many options.
Darrell you are one of the best guitar reviewers on YT. Thanks!
i love every video Darrell, especially those "affordable equipment" types of videos. it's soooo detailed and honest,
maybe the only one who's really doing an honest review. you're doing a great job my friend. much love from Germany
Yeah he's pretty honest
Thanks for the thorough review. Amazing what so few dollars can buy now! Go Donner! :D
Donner? I don’t even know her! Nice tones. As always super helpful detailed description for this blind guitarist. Keep up the great work.
Got endorsed by them a while back and they sent a DTC 100 tele style guitar. Absolutely great instrument!
this guitar as a starter is getting alot of love especially for being in the150 ramge
Nice review Darrell. I had already bought one for my granddaughter, swapped out the loaded pickguard, strings and nut. It plays well. My one came with some decent case candy, which I assume they all do. The only issue is that the body is too thin to take a Free-way switch, but so it goes.
Take it easy.
your demos have been extra killer lately
"That screams yellow!" was my first comment. I play acoustic, but I subscribe to you because I want to an idea of what's our there if I get the urge. Another area is upgrade components on budget guitars. Keep up the good work. Love it.
Just got that exact guitar! Liking it! Nice neck. No sharp frets. Set up low action. Sounds and plays awesome 👌
Gets the job done, nothing more for me. Good series Darren!
I have that guitar. I got it about a year ago. It has some of the best cheap pickups and they get good sustain and plays awesomely acoustic (not plugged in). It was on sale when I got it for $104.99 and I had $65 in Amazon Gift cards so I only spent like $40 + Tax.
Whats not to like on a Donnor guitar! Cheap, and read to smash and crash! Rock on man, Lol
These are great gifts ideas for young bucks and buckets getting into music! Nice job, Darrell! Great review!!!
"Beginners don;'t normally tear their guitars apart"
Probably--but I did with my first electric--and didn't always put it back together right.
After much research of various brands & options, I bought this for my grandson (age 10) after watching your UA-cam review. After receiving it, it truly was just as you described it. In short, I was blown away by the quality & tone (rivaling my Fender Player Strat) and all of the accessories. I know one boy who will have a very memorable Christmas this year. Thanks Darrell!
Awesome! Gotta keep bringing new players into the fold. I hope he loves it!! I know you will love watching him get his hands on it and start the magic!
I have two young kids who are not quite big enough yet for a full size guitar. I wish donner made a 3/4 electric. Still, I got them both Mitchell 3/4 electrics which are surprisingly good as well. I'm glad all these kids will have the chance to get into music! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Awesome. I have been wondering about these. See them on Amazon all the time.
Cool new Intro! It's really been a while since I clicked on one of your videos.
I've got one of these, and I love it. It's a great guitar. Can't say enough good things about it. In fact, I liked it so much, I bought a second one for my Daughter. She digs her's too. I got the Lighter Lake Blue - just a real subtle metallic finish to it. It's gorgeous, and the thing plays unbelievably. Both of em' do. Now - I want one in this butter-cream finish too.
I have one too. Love it.
The factory & cc is based in the USA. It was so easy to get someone on the phone. My package didn't come with the ''bag'' and the guy ups one to me in 3 days! Awesome service & American CEO!
So glad to see he uploaded another cheap strat vid
Nobody does tear downs like you do. IMO, that is what really makes your reviews great. Tone is subjective, but build quality is something that we can actually asses over video.
Looks like a solid guitar that one could upgrade as parts needed to be replaced and come away with a decent daily player. Looks a lot like the Monoprice, Huntington, Sawtooth or Glarry guitars, more than likely the same factory pumping out Chinese value brands and putting any label & graphics on the headstock.
Everybody take a shot every time DB says “I gotta say...” haha JK. Good work amigo. Man, beginner/entry level guitars have a come a looooong way since when I started playing in the early 90s.
Damn they've come a long way since I started playing in like 2003 even. The Squier I got when I first started was no where near this nice nor did it sound as good.
You're an awesome player. Love this channel.
I have some of their pedals. All are excellent. Love the cream yellow. Good company. Thanks!
Nice.
The heastock remimds me of Yamaha's Pacifica brand, which is a stellar guitar for the prices.
Again, nice.
Just bought a lefty dark night. Done with cheap. One Gibson one USA fender and a Guild all solid wood acoustic. I'm 63 and had many guitars. At my age no more messing around. 🎸👍
An acoustic with three pickups? Or did you just lose count, being a coffin dodger?
My birthday is 3 days away and I’ve been trying to figure out a great gift for myself. I just remembered how much I wanted a guitar since I was maybe 14/15. I love the color and range of sound from this one.
Sweet Kershaw Leek
My go to for opening packages also
Wow ! I love the heavy doom sounds!
I bought my Donner a year ago in the exact same color. Though mine must have missed a few stops in the quality control dept. I easily corrected the issues and now have a good-looking, fun-to-play guitar. I paid a tad under $100. In addition, double boxing provided great protection. Along with the perfectly adequate gig bag, I find this guitar to be well worth the money.
What issues did you have to fix?
Both you and music is win doing videos on donners today 😂
The same guitar tooooo 😂😂😂😂
I know right
Can't be camera/lighting again... That's a yellow guitar (even he is saying this is yellow cream body) not off white
I thought I was having a stroke reading this.
@@LuthiersApprentice turns out I had a stroke writing it
Love that color! Fret ends look a LOT better than many I've seen, and overall, construction looks better-than-average (clean cuts, clean cavities). Satin neck, decent tone, well built, inexpensive… what's not to like?
Have you noticed how bad the fret ends are in the fenders? I never see people talking about it but they are sharp and not smooth at all.
The fret ends on mine were great (got it New Year's Eve) at first, however, I live in a dry area and my condo is very dry which resulted in pretty bad fret sprout. Bad enough to cut fingers. Had to sand the ends a bit. Just something to keep in mind
Nice unboxing vid!! :)
At first I wasnt sure about the banana yellow color but honestly it looks pretty cool
A Donner strat was my first guitar. It's a good guitar to play. I play a Squier Classic 60s Jazzmaster now.
surprised..first Donner Ive seen..Just bought a Squier Affinity..Love it!! The Donner is impressive...Thanks...
Darrell had a real donner party in this video. Leaves you with a strange craving for more
This is gold lol
I hope to review one of these. I'd love to put it against the bullet series and others I've reviewed. Guitars are getting better in the affordable range. The distance between affordable and high end is a closing gap when it comes to actual playability out of box. Thats saying alot. Thank CNC!! Hahahah
adjust height and tilt of the humbucker and be ready to raise the D polepiece a turn or 2 and maybe the A and bass Es. The G,B, or treble E usually has one string too 'piercing' so lower its polepiece a turn or so to tame it. And put a tiny jumper on the switch to let the forward tone pot control the neck and bridge pickup as well (they are not on together!).
It is nicer than I would expect for a $150 guitar for sure. The humbucker sounded muddy to me, but still looks like a great deal for the money.
So, they hit up you and Tyler Larson on the same day, eh? "Hey, guys, want a butter-colored HSS Strat copy? We've got a bunch."
Like a whole bunch
Why not call it "banana coloured" if you've got a bunch?
I mean nothing wrong with it thats what "influencers" do when someone is trying to promote a Brand pretty sure tyler and darrell got a pretty penny also before accepting
Not claiming there's anything wrong with it. Not even tacitly.
The issue is that darrel didn't even say he'd obviously been paid which is just embarrassing
At least the bridge is aligned properly on this one. The one they sent Dave was WAY off.
Same question I was going to ask!
Me too.
One of the characteristics of a very inexpensive guitar is the ratio of good to poor examples. You can still find good 'uns but you may have to sample more to get one. Neck pocket looks shallow to me though. Interesting that some routing is done pre- finish and some post! Or is it the neck pocket was masked during finish?
I've had an excellent portable usb rechargeable Donner practice amp for a couple of years. Might have to get one of these to go along with it. Nice cheap axe.
lol.. It's the same one they sent to Tyler @ Music is Win. Yesterday's episode... same colour too. Somehow, I knew it would be the yellow version. Maybe tomorrow it will be featured @ Guitar MAX.😆 Well played, Donner... well played!
I recommend Elegee and Riverhead guitars, they are affordable yet good in quality and build!
Looks good this Donner model and individual piece. I bought a same price range other brand HSS beginner guitar and found those small issues clearly worse than you noted here in this Donner. Basically the same guitar but for instance the frets are awful in that of mine. I cut my fingers if I touch the neck tougher. Some of the frets are not in level...notes buzz or are dead. Tremolo is loose and twisted. Similar nut is not in line with the neck...I almost was to return it but changed my mind in order just to practice of modding and having a fixing project instead of easy practice tool.
I guess there are only so many videos like this you can watch without falling asleep. I made it to near the end, but the most exciting thing I saw was what looked like the shim lying on the bench. Thanks anyway.
Last few days, I've been torn between getting this and the Harley Beton CST-24T as a starter guitar; I wanted to get the roasted Fusion II but stock is gone; this amazing review has left me even more torn between the two, they're both such good budget choices!
The HB's have been at it longer plus get some basic QC from Thomann. I have a ST20 in Candy Apple Red on order with maple fingerboard. It is going to get an EMG DG20 installed - will be posting on my channel.
One of my favourite basses is a HB p450fl. With a setup and decent strings it is super nice. BUT for budget and quality I tend to like the SX guitars. Rondo sell them in US and until recently they we easy to get hold of in UK from EU. I have various of their basses and guitars (reviewed on channel).
I do have a Donner noise killer pedal that is good. So they can make good products. I dont need to go for absolute cheapest product - the reason I go for cheaper guitars is 1) I am not such a good player and 2) I watched too much Darrel and Daves World of Fun Stuff so like setting up and customising guitars and kit.
Darrell - You forgot about the neck shim. Great project guitar.
Yeah, Saw that fall out, but I don't think that Darrell did.
It looks and sounds pretty good to me . Perfect if you're just starting out
If your neck wood isn't seasoned/roasted it will be softer and smaller diameter screws might tear out.
The body is also basswood so smaller screws will also tear out easier as well.
But more likely they just settled on a common set of hardware for a lot of different instruments - it might be that the bass has the exact same screws which one might feel are adequate or a bit underwhelming unless they're giving us a 6 bolt neck.
The one they sent to the Dave’s world of fun stuff channel had the tremolo/bridge a couple mm’s off causing the e string to almost fall off the fingerboard.
I have the red one and it's great... strings changed straight after a few goes but would recommend highly 🎸🎶
Mighty fine guitar sir. Very impressive
Surprisingly this guitars fit n finish looks quite good! 🤟
Darrell, I really appreciate the work you do. I liked the tone in position #3 on the clean demos. Could you please tell use what amp/s you used for this demo?
Music is Win aka Tyler Larson also recently posted a video on this exact guitar! Coincidence 🤔 or is it? Lol great video as always Darrell
This really makes me wanna build a custom super strat.
Hey Darrell, new subscriber and loving your videos! I've been an all Acoustic player for 20+ years. Tried to take up electric a few years back with a strat style and gibson copy, but couldn't get past the lighter feel of the strings and the way the guitar pulled out of tune (it drives me bananas). Your series of videos on solid guitars for low price points has got me thinking I might want to give electrics a try again. So if I am wanting something that is 1) closer to an acoustic size/feel 2) Above average tuning stability 3) cheap in case I don't succeed, where you would lead me? Maybe semi-hollow Grote, Firefly or Harley Benton? Other thoughts?
I will received mine in fews days ... so excited to received it .... first guitar ever, I'M a totally newbie and I hope that review is totally honest.
Looks a very nice strat style guitar, Darrell.
The fret ends on the Donner I bought were sharp enough to cut my hand. It was easily remedied with some luthier tools but a beginner would have trouble with that. Otherwise it was much as this one. You get what you pay for.
Another honest review. I love inexpensive and decent quality!
imo
Good vid.
I really like the attention on affordable guitars.
I wish you'd feature fewer tele, strat, lp, 335 usual suspect types and more unusual designs.
imo
That fingerboard looks like techwood maybe. Tagima did it, I believe it's a synthetic, plays fantastic in my opinion!
Nice review mate..
Hard to complain about anything on this for just $150. And for another $100-150, you could easily throw in a nice set of pickups and some better tuners (and new strings of course) and have a very solid instrument that will last a good while.
Just checked the website, and already they're sold out of red and dark blue. I didn't see yellow in the listing either but they have white available. Always love your videos big D. Thanks.😉
It's listed as ivory white, confusing I know. Ivory ages to yellow, but this pastel yellow should have been called butternut or something.
Saw that,and figured as much.😉
The head stock reminds me a lot of a Yamaha Pacifica. No complains, It's a good looking design.
Just got the Donner Tele, this is probably my next one