The Donner Hush 1 Pro Travel Guitar Review: An Affordable Class Act For Any Traveling Artist

Donnor puts forward two affordable instruments that are great for beginners and intermediate players, with cool tech and reasonable pricing. 

For those unfamiliar with Donner, they are a direct-to-consumer brand from Hong Kong that manufactures a variety of instruments, from electric pianos to drum machines. We got ahold of two of their latest pieces of gear, the Hush 1 Pro Travel Guitar; here are some of my thoughts on the guitar that should help you decide if it might suit you. 

Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Hush I Pro Guitar – ($499)

I’m a drummer, but I’ve always noodled with string instruments from Ukes to Bass, and occasionally, I’ll pick up a guitar to round it out. I’ve never had the time or dedication to stick with one and see it through, but that’s about to change! The Donner Hush 1 Pro is the perfect guitar for both beginners and more experienced players; it brings incredible portability, playability, and functionality into one instrument that folds into a bag that looks more suitable for a clarinet than a guitar. This guitar might be the gadget I needed to take that final plunge. This instrument is also unique and well thought out, so I’m giving it an Editor’s Choice Award.

I messed around with the Hush 1 Pro for a few weeks, let some of my more seasoned friends play it, and give feedback to round out the review of this incredible, portable guitar. 

Here is a great video review that I also found that shows some great perspectives from seasoned guitar players. 

Build Quality and Design

At first glance out of the bag, you might be second-guessing the device that is inside, as it looks nothing like a traditional guitar. Once you slap on the small frame pieces, things make more sense, and you have a mini futuristic guitar in your hands. 

The Hush 1 Pro is an innovative design pushing the boundaries, boasting a headless, travel-friendly design that’s as practical as sleek. The removable skeleton frame clicks into place effortlessly, and you can assemble it in under 30 seconds—a feature that screams convenience for the traveling musician. This guitar can go anywhere with you and is so small it will easily fit in the overhead bin on your next flight. 

The Hush 1 Pro travels anywhere, but you can play it anywhere, whether practicing in a quiet corner or plugging in for a gig. What sets this guitar apart is its hybrid nature—it’s silent when unplugged, even quieter than many electric guitars, but plug it into an amp or slip on some headphones, and it transforms. 

The steel strings offer the feel of an acoustic, while the sound is rooted in the rich tonal heritage of acoustic guitars. With eight acoustic “body types” to choose from on the easy-to-use control panel, you can subtly tweak your tone to suit your style. Oh, to make things even a bit more awesome, let’s not forget the onboard effects—18 of them, including the most important, like reverb, delay, flange, chorus, overdrive, and compression, all adjustable via knobs and a tiny LED screen. Imagine jamming with your band, and your sound is exactly as it was when you practiced at home—no need to lug around a pedalboard. 

Pro Tip: Pedals are clutch, so as you get better and dial in your sound, they are worth diving into. The point here is that you get some popular effects built right in!

Specs and Features

• Body Types: Available in all-white or natural finishes
• Pickups: Piezo pickup for authentic acoustic sound reproduction
• Effects: 18 adjustable effects, including reverb, delay, flange, chorus, overdrive, and compression
• Connectivity: Bluetooth for jamming along with tracks on your phone or PC, headphone jack, and 1/4″ line out
• Additional Features: Built-in tuner, metronome, 18 empty presets for custom sounds, OLED display, and internal lithium battery providing up to 8 hours of play

Who Is This For?

The Hush 1 Pro isn’t just a novelty; it’s a serious instrument designed for the guitarist who values versatility and convenience without compromising on sound quality. Whether you’re an intermediate player looking to experiment with different tones or a seasoned musician who needs a reliable travel guitar, the Hush 1 Pro delivers.

For beginners, the package includes everything you need to get started—case, earphones, picks, and a tool for neck adjustments. But with a price tag of $499 (at the time of writing), it’s not the most budget-friendly option for those just starting, but it is a guitar that can grow with you, making it worth considering if you are serious about learning.

Summary

The Donner Hush 1 Pro is a groundbreaking instrument that’s as versatile as it is innovative. It’s perfect for the guitarist who needs a reliable, travel-friendly option that keeps sound quality high. While it may not replace every guitar in your collection, it’s likely to become your go-to for practice, travel, and even live performances.

It could be nearly perfect with a few tweaks, but as it stands, the Hush 1 Pro is a worthy addition to any guitarist’s arsenal.

Features:

• HUSH I PRO Guitar offers 18 effects, eight classic guitar body tone simulations, and 20 IR slots
• Includes five modulation, five delay, five reverb, overdrive, compressor, booster
• HUSH Acoustic Guitar Pickup Structure ensures realistic and dynamic sound feedback
• Activate Air Boost and Tone Boost for enhanced airiness and clarity, and easily fine-tune your tone with the dynamic 5-band EQ adjustment module
• Silent Practice
• The guitar features an effects algorithm system, supporting headphone practice and wireless BGM accompaniment
• Mini Size & Long Use Time, Designed for Travel
• The HUSH-I PRO comes with a mini gig bag and weighs just 2.1kg. It also has an 8-hour life battery and a new USB-C fast-charging interface to ensure long-term use.