Best Donner Ukulele
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If you are reading this, it’s because you are interested in knowing what it takes to buy a good ukulele. If that is the case, you have come to the right place. While we are going to be reviewing best Donner ukuleles in the musical instrument market, as produced by Donner, we shall also touch on the various factors you will need to consider when shopping for your ukulele. These include;
The model
Yes, the model is always something you will have to consider. There are lots of ukulele models in the market, and all are not alike in quality and in make.
For instance, you have the extremely cheap plastic models, which are mostly inferior in quality and performance, compared to other models. The models of ukulele that feature wooden construction are usually better, stronger and reliable in producing better tone.
So think about that.
The Shape
Ukuleles come in a variety of shapes. We have the guitar shape design, which is the most common of all the ukuleles. The pineapple shape features a round profile body and back. Lastly, the cutaway shape ukulele is the type in which the shoulder on the right-hand side has been cut back so it becomes easier to play the top frets of the instrument.
What is your ukulele level of interest?
Consider why you are buying the ukulele in the first place—your motive. This is important as it will help you to determine how much you are willing to spend on the instrument. For instance, if you’re just starting out, you would want to invest in something that is not too costly. But if you are a professional and you are looking to play more for a very long time, a quality investment would suffice.
The good thing with most ukuleles is that you can find quality ones at a very affordable price range.
The strings
Without the strings, your ukulele is practically useless as a toothless bulldog. So when you’re out to buy a good quality ukulele, the type of strings it carries should always play a major role in deciding whether to buy the instrument or not. Majority of the best quality ukuleles usually comes with premium quality strings.
However, even if the ukulele comes with poor quality strings like carbon nylon strings, you can easily upgrade the strings and get better ones like the Italian made Aquila Nylgut strings. That’s the beauty of the ukulele.
Now, here are the best Donner Ukuleles in the market.
4 Best Donner Ukulele Reviews
1) Donner DUC-1 23-Inch Concert Ukulele Mahogany
Just like the DUS-3 Soprano, this is a similar model from Donner. The only difference here is that this one is designed to be 23 inches long, just two inches different from the DUS-3.
The DUC-1 is a typical concert ukulele. It has a body that features the popular mahogany wood design which is the hallmark of a rich and excellent tone. The neck part of it also features a mahogany wood construction.
Whether you’re out on the outdoors, relaxing in a hammock; the DUC-1 is the ukulele you can strum and play to the joy and glory of nature. The size is just perfect and the sound is great and encouraging. It is the right type of ukulele that encourages your ability to play.
While the strings are comfortable, the quality could have been better—preferably Aquila origin. We love the handle for its smooth and suitable feel. The frets glide amazingly, and the most perfect aspect of it is the precise distance between the fingerboard and the spring. It’s just perfect.
2) Donner DUS-3 21-Inch Soprano Ukulele Spruce
Donner ukuleles have been among the best brands in the market. The DUS-3 just is another reliable soprano ukulele from a manufacturer that has a reputation for producing quality.
At the top, the DUS-3 features a spruce material design. The back and sides of the instrument feature the renowned mahogany wood construction. All of these combine effectively to produce a rich and brighter tone.
As for the fingerboard and bridge, both feature rosewood material design, which is known for its comfortable feel during play. The neck and entire body aspect of the DUS-3 also feature mahogany wood design—a hive of abundantly rich tone.
Most musicians will like the chrome-patented tuners that mimic a real guitar. They are smooth and accurate enough to keep your ukulele in perfect tune.
Donner also incorporates high-quality brass fret markings on this instrument—18 frets in total—both on the neck and top of the fingerboard. The sound is very clear and the resonance from the various wood material constructions performs excellently.
The strings that come with this model are made of four carbon nylon strings which are not the best in the market but just good for a limited time. With accessories like a carrying case, a strap, and top quality DT-2 tuner, with battery included, makes this ukulele a good consideration.
3) Donner DUB-1 300Inch Electric Bass Ukulele
Take this to the stage and your musical group will stare at you in disbelief. For such a small size instrument, it has immense power and vibe when plugged in. The Donner DUB-1 is a 30-inch, compact bass ukulele that uses electricity. From the body to the setup, everything is just top quality.
The reason behind the DUB-1construction was to enable it to play like a standard bass guitar. While the mahogany body and neck provides excellent rich and brighter tone, the fretboard gives unbeatable comfort. Well, there are 18 brass frets on this one, and each fret marking son the neck and fingerboard top performs excellently.
As an electronic ukulele, it’s natural to expect it to come with some form of EQ settings, and it does. The DUB-1 has 3 band control settings: the Bass, Middle and Treble control features which work flawlessly.
A chromatic tuner that features an LCD backlight screen allows you to see what tune you are setting. The great thing about this model is that it features the famous Aquila Nylgut strings which originate from Italy. Their strength and durability are never in question. Batteries are also included in this model.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you can as well enjoy this wonderful ukulele. A heavy duty casing with adequate padding gives you the best in storage, security, and mobility wherever you are.
4) Donner Zebrawood DUC-2 Concert Ukulele
Have you before now heard of zebrawood? Well, just like a real life “zebra,” the zebrawood is very beautiful, and the fact that it was used in designing this wonderful ukulele, makes it even more charming. While the Rosewood Bridge and fingerboard provides an excellent feel to touch, the zebrawood body design inculcates brighter and richer sound in the playing process.
Again, Donner includes tuners with highly patented chrome designs. This gives you an accurate and smooth tuning of the instrument, while also ensuring you stay within range of the instrument.
As usual, there is 16 brass fret with markings depicting each position at 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th fret located on the neck and top of the fingerboard.
There is a carrying deluxe ukulele bag you can use to ferry the instrument to anywhere you like. Secure the ukulele in place with a strap while playing or moving about. The only thing we don’t like in this model is the carbon nylon strings which come with it. An Aquila line of strings would have performed better, unlike carbon nylon strings that are not too perfect in intonation.
Whatever, the ukulele does what it is supposed to do, and it’s a classic beginners’ choice.
Choosing the Best Donner Ukulele
No one brand runs a monopoly when it comes to manufacturing the best ukulele in the market. However, Donner is just one of the few brands that create quality ukuleles. Any of the above mentioned ukuleles are capable of making you a great player.
Whether you are just starting to play for the first time or you have been strumming for years, there is always and ukulele for you out there in the market and these from Donner can be the child with the golden spoon. So go ahead and see for yourself.
As a dedicated instrumentals site, we try as much as possible to be fair and objective in our reviews of the best instruments, and that includes the ukulele.