Donner Guitar Review – DAG-1C Acoustic Full-Size 41″ Cutaway Dreadnought Guitar & Beginners Bundle

Donner DAG-1C guitar bundle

Brand/Model: Donner DAG-1C

Number of Strings: 6

Hand Orientation: Right

Body Material: Mahogany/Spruce top

Neck Material: Mahogany

Fretboard Material: Ebony

Price Range: Under $200

Our Rating: 9/10

Donner DAG-1C Acoustic Guitar Review

Donner may be a young company, but they sure do know their stuff.  Their selective guitar range may not be considerable, but what they do have is set to impress and be affordable at the same time.  The DAG guitars are the guitar of the day for the brand, so let’s get into what makes the DAG-1C a guitar worth buying!

Donner DAG-1C guitar

First off, this full-size acoustic guitar is a not a solo buy.  You’re getting a great deal with this complete beginner’s bundle for an incredibly low price.  It literally comes with everything you need to start lessons right away as well as to transport and protect your guitar.

The guitar itself is laminate made.  While Donner does have a very extensive aging process for the tonewoods used for their instruments, unfortunately, the solid wood isn’t extended to the DAG-1C guitar.

Laminate mahogany wraps the back and sides of the guitar while laminate spruce tops the face.  The mahogany C-shape neck connects to a gorgeously-stained but simple headstock with die-cast steel tuners.  Black bridge pins with white dots mount the wood bridge and pearloid dot inlays adorn the 20-brass fret fingerboard.

This is a 41″ full-size dreadnought acoustic guitar with a cutaway.  The cutaway not only adds style, but it will increase playing time and comfort for those long practice sessions easily done in eagerness.

Jamming alone will invoke bright, and yet, warm tones.  The laminate construction may not produce as much resonance and projection as a solid top guitar, but for the price, the guitar is an excellent performer for private strum sessions, practice, and perhaps a street corner or bonfire performance with the gang.

Pros
  • Price
  • Full-size
  • Cutaway
  • Entry-level
  • Beginner’s bundle
Cons
  • Bad stock strings

Donner Acoustic Guitar Reviews

Donner 41” Acoustic Guitar Bundle for Beginners Adults with Online Lesson, 4/4 Full Size Steel...
  • 【Well Made Craftsmanship】: Boasts a spruce top complemented by a mahogany back and sides, reinforced with X bracing for durability and sound quality; The fretboard features 20 brass frets with...
  • 【Rich Warm Clear Sound】: The combination of a spruce top and mahogany body offers a rich, warm, and clear sound with a balanced tone and full mid-frequency; This construction enhances the...

Many players admit that the guitar should look good to attract their attention, and the DAG-1C does it for most buyers – it has a natural and authentic appeal about it.  Buyers said the sound was decent, and it met their expectations for the price. 

But, what blew buyers away were the essential factors that you first look for in a guitar: dressed and smooth frets, sealed tuners, and two strap buttons to name a few.  The Donner guitar passes all these requirements!

However, if there’s a legitimate complaint, it’s the stock strings.  The replacement strings aren’t that much better either.  It may be best to get the guitar set up and a new upgrade in strings for the best sound, quality, and comfort level.

Alternative Acoustic Guitars to Consider

Headstock of Donner DAG-1C 41 guitar

This is an unbelievable buy, so how do you top a guitar in this price range with all the included accessories while still being fair?  You can’t. 

The Donner git is a solid choice.  But, to broaden your options without scaling down in guitar size, you might have to forfeit the accessories.  The Epiphone DR-100 acoustic guitar is full-size, laminate, and it packs a sound punch.

Although it doesn’t have a cutaway like the Donner, it does have a SlimTaper neck done Gibson style!

Without jumping up too much in budget, you could consider the Fender FA-115 guitar.  Again, this one doesn’t come with any accessories, but it’s about as cheap as you can get to afford a solid top guitar.

Make sure you read the full review to get in on where the quality cuts were made to justify putting a solid top onto this crazy, low-priced acoustic!

Donner DAG-1C FAQ

Dreadnought VS Cutaway?

The Donner guitar sports a cutaway body shape.  In terms of sound, the difference will be insignificant.  The cutaway allows for access to frets higher than the 15th fret for more experienced players, but really, it’s about comfort and personal preference.

You might like the style it offers and the extra comfort it allows for a beginner player.

What is in the Beginner’s Bundle Included with the Donner Guitar?

The guitar comes with a fantastic bundle.   It’s a kit complete with a gig bag, guitar strap, attachable pickguard, and clip-on tuner.  It also comes with a capo, picks, polishing cloth, and an extra set of strings.

What Brand is the Clip-on Tuner?

The tuner that comes with the guitar is a Donner DT-2 digital tuner.  It also comes with the required battery.

Side view of Donner DAG-1C guitar

How do you put the Pickguard on the DAG-1C Guitar?

The pickguard has an adhesive back that can be placed around the soundhole.

Is this a Children’s Guitar?

The DAG-1C guitar is a full-size guitar.  As an entry-level and beginner guitar, it’s suitable for adults and older youth.

Short or small kids aged 8-10 should start out with a 3/4-size guitar for the best playing comfort and introduction to a steel string guitar.

Does this Acoustic Guitar have an Output to Plug in?

This is strictly an acoustic guitar.  It can’t be plugged into an amp or stereo nor can headphones be plugged into the guitar.

What is the Donner Warranty?

This guitar has a very specific 30-day return policy.  Exchanges and refunds can be offered if the guitar is returned within this 30-day window.

However, the guitar must be unused, in the same condition in which it was sent, and in the original packaging to be eligible for a return.

Hardware/Electronics You’ll Need

Rear view of Donner DAG-1C cutaway guitar

Everything in the beginner’s bundle is aimed to giving a starter guitar player a break financially.  You don’t have to purchase extra necessities unless you want to.  But, with all the essentials included in the kit, what else could you need?

Well, you don’t need to have the following items, but you may find them helpful as you start out!

Standout Features on the Donner DAG-1C

  • Cutaway
  • Extremely affordable
  • Complete beginner’s bundle

Our Verdict on the DAG-1C Guitar

To strum it up, the Donner DAG-1C should be a beginner’s first-choice guitar.  It has all the right stuff to help turn a newb into a true music artist.

With the right amount of quality and constructional integrity with better than average sound, the DAG-1C has the potential to be a long-lasting instrument that may very well be your go-to from here on out!

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