Donner has a long list of affordable musical instruments, and from time to time, they come out with well received ones like the DST-102.
This is a Strat style guitar that swaps out the usual bridge position pickup with a humbucker to form the HSS (humbucker-singlecoil-singlecoil) pickup configuration. This is considered by many as more versatile, allowing Strats to better produce high-gain tones by simply using the bridge pickup.
The manufacturer lists the body as being crafted from basswood, but retailers say that the sunburst model has a poplar body, while the sapphire blue one has a maple body.
This body is joined to a C shape maple neck with laurel fingerboard.
As a bonus, it comes bundled with a desktop friendly rechargeable guitar amp with two channels.
Other accessories that are included in the bundle are picks, gig bag, guitar strap, cable, capo, strings and a digital tuner.
Features
- Body: Basswood, Poplar (Sunburst), Maple (Sapphire Blue)
- Finish: Black, Yellow, Sunburst, Sapphire Blue
- Bridge: 6-Saddle Hard Tail
- Pickups: HSS (Humbucker Bridge, Singlecoil Middle, Singlecoil Neck)
- Neck: Maple
- Scale Length: Not Specified
- Fingerboard: Laurel
- Fingerboard Radius: Not Specified
- Number of Frets: 22
- Nut Width: Not Specified
- Controls: Volume, Tone, Tone
- Pickup Selector: 5-Position Blade
Pros
With its HSS spec and rechargeable amp, many consider this as a great value starter guitar bundle for beginners, owners are pleased with what they received for the money. Although not mentioned as stellar, the guitar is considered satisfactory in terms of playability and sound.
Cons
Not everyone is impressed with the quality of the included amp and accessories. There are a few who report tuning issues which they alleviated by changing the strings. We’ve also seen some reports of finish imperfections.
Overall
If you’re looking for a great value electric guitar starter kit then check out the Donner DST-102.