The affordable entry-level instruments shone in the spotlight as they played a starring role for Private Policy’s showcase
(Image credit: Guanyu Liu)
It’s a well-known fact that fashion and music go hand-in-hand, and that fact rings especially true for the world of guitars. After all, when you think of a Gibson Les Paul or a Jackson Soloist, chances are you also think of Slash’s top hat or Mick Thomson’s Slipknot mask.
Never before, though, has the relationship between fashion and electric guitars been made more clear than at this year’s New York Fashion Week show, which saw Donner’s Seeker Series DST models share the spotlight on one of the world’s biggest runways.
It was an event that saw the high-end outfits of fashion brand Private Policy take the stage alongside the high-end tones of Donner’s affordable Seeker Series Stratocaster-style six-string, which were united to bring the theme of “Peace & Love” back to its roots.
With the Donner DST-400 and Donner DST-152 guitars in hand, the Private Policy models took to the runway for an exhibition titled “Noah’s Ark”, bringing with them classic Strat aesthetics that hark back to the golden era of electric guitars.
While the outfits themselves were part of the event, the guitars themselves were also playing a part in proceedings. The cream-white DST-152 – not too dissimilar to Jimi Hendrix’s own guitar – added a retro flair to one outfit, while the Eric Clapton-esque black-and-white DST-400 brought a sleek vintage visual to another.
In its bid to support young and independent artists, Donner guitars are all about complementing and enhancing identity, while making sure aspiring guitarists are also sounding the best they possibly can.
(Image credit: Guanyu Liu)
All instruments in the DST Seeker Series were crafted to deliver both vintage aesthetics and versatile tones. The DST-152 is available in Polar Blue, White, Black with a tortoiseshell pickguard and Sunburst, while the DST-400 is available in Black and Green. There’s an option for all emerging artists, who can pair their own unique sound with a Donner Seeker Series model that visually reflects their style.
Donner guitars aren’t just about knock-out looks, though: they are also about supreme tone and playability. For a fraction of the price, guitarists can harness Strat-inspired feel and tones from the Donner Seeker instruments.
For the DST-400, premium build components include an alder body and an AAA Canadian maple neck, complete with a satin finish. A two-point tremolo bridge is present for whammy bar action, with vintage-style tuning machines further harking back to its vintage inspiration. Tones are supplied through an HSS configuration, which comprises two Donner Seeker Series Pro Single-Coils and a Donner Seeker Series Pro humbucking bridge pickup.
Thanks to the five-way switch and ultra-powerful coil-splitting tone pot, there are a wealth of tonal options available, ranging from thick ‘60s-esque neck pickup blues tones to more contemporary, full-throttle bridge humbucker sounds.
It’s a similar story for the DST-152, which is loaded with a poplar body, maple neck and either a maple or Indian laurel fretboard. An HSS configuration also makes the cut, delivering that same set of versatile tones that are further enhanced by the powerful coil-splitting tone control.
(Image credit: Guanyu Liu)
Other high-end functional appointments that make the Donner Seeker Series guitars a force to be reckoned with include the 9.5” radius fretboard, C-shape neck profile and classic control layout comprising two tone knobs and a master volume parameter.
Not only do the Donner Seeker Series guitars provide the perfect platform for young and independent artists looking to take their musical journey to the next level, each iteration also caters to numerous different visual and artistic styles.
As an added bonus, each guitar arrives with a raft of accessories that will easily put budding players on the right path to pursue their musical careers. For the DST-152, those accessories include a guitar capo, mini guitar amp, extra guitar strings, a clip-on tuner, a gig bag and guitar cable.
Since 1980, Guitar World has been the ultimate resource for guitarists. Whether you want to learn the techniques employed by your guitar heroes, read about their latest projects or simply need to know which guitar is the right one to buy, Guitar World is the place to look.
