Orangewood Dana Review: Is This Mini Acoustic Worth It?

Are you shopping for a budget travel guitar? In today’s Orangewood Dana review, we are going to have a look at Dana – an inexpensive mini-concert acoustic guitar from Orangewood.

In the review, we’ll look at what makes Orangewood Dana a great choice for beginners and those who want to carry their guitars around on travel. We’ll also have a brief look at the Orangewood brand as a whole.

Orangewood Dana Guitar Review

Let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of the Orangewood Dana guitar. This little gem comes in two flavors: the Orangewood Dana Mahogany and the Dana Spruce Mini Guitar.

Overview of Orangewood Dana Guitar

Here’s a quick rundown of the key specifications of the Orangewood mini guitar:

• Shape: Mini Grand Concert
• Body Top: Layered mahogany or layered spruce
• Back & Sides: Layered mahogany
• Neck: Standard mahogany
• Fretboard and Bridge: Hybrid wood (Purple Heart)
• Number of Fret: 20
• Overall Size: 36.25 inches
• Body Size: 17.13 inches
• Scale Length: 23.50 inches
• Electronics: No

Who’s this guitar for? Beginners, traveling musicians, and children, primarily. If you’re just starting, the Dana guitar’s affordability and ease of play make it a perfect match.

Its compact size makes it perfect for younger players and those with smaller hands, but it’s also great for experienced players who want a travel-friendly option.

Build Quality and Design

The highlight and the primary reason for buying Orangewood Dana is its super-compact mini design. Dana is a great choice for a travel guitar since it’s much more compact (3/4 size guitar) than concert-style acoustic guitars that this instrument is modeled after.

Aesthetically, the Dana is a looker. The mahogany variant I chose has a beautiful open-pore finish that highlights the wood’s natural grain. The size is perfect for travel, being slightly larger than the Martin LX1 but smaller than the Taylor GS Mini.

The materials in the Orangewood Dana mini travel guitar are nice but nothing exceptional – the body is entirely made of layered mahogany, the neck of standard mahogany, while the fretboard and bridge are made of hybrid wood. There is also a spruce variant – the only difference here is that the top is layered spruce.

The fit and finish are impressive, especially considering the Dana’s affordable price point. The satin neck feels smooth and fast, making it a joy to play. The enclosed tuners, bone nut and saddle, and mother-of-pearl-like inlay on the headstock are nice touches that you typically find on more expensive guitars.

Unlike the Baby Taylor and Little Martin, the Dana offers a fantastic balance of quality and affordability despite less brand recognition. While solid wood guitars may offer a richer and fuller tone, the laminate build makes the Dana less susceptible to cracking and warping due to humidity and temperature changes.

This makes it an ideal choice for traveling musicians who want a reliable, durable instrument.

Sound Quality

The warmth and clarity of the sound are impressive for a mini guitar. While it may not rival solid wood guitars, its laminate construction provides durability without sacrificing tone. Many users noted that it sounds better than expected for its price point.

The spruce is going to make the overall sound of the guitar lighter and smoother. In contrast, if you like a richer, more punchy sound, then the mahogany variant would be a better choice.

Both versions have decent projection, making them suitable for various playing environments and musical styles, from folk to light rock.

The wood in Dana isn’t solid, so the guitar isn’t going to mature and deliver better sound as you continue to play it. Not only that, but due to the smaller size, the guitar is going to deliver a less full sound, but that’s inherent to any mini guitar.

Playability

When it comes to playability, this Dana acoustic guitar provides a better experience than expected. The slim, fast neck profile with a comfortable C-shape contour allows for effortless movement up and down the fretboard.

For a mini guitar, 43mm nut width is also generous enough to allow better finger spacing and separation between the strings. The action height is set optimally—low enough for beginners to press the strings easily, yet high enough to avoid any annoying buzz.

What’s also very nice about Orangewood Dana is that it comes fully set up and tuned out of the box. Orangewood instruments get professionally set up in Los Angeles before shipping, so there is minimal work you need to do to get started with Dana.

With that said, the hardships of shipping often knock guitars out of tune. Although most past buyers have been pleased with the minimum setup requirements of the Dana guitar, be ready to do some initial tuning because shipping doesn’t always go smoothly.

Included Accessories

For the price, you’re also getting an amazing gig bag. It has really good quality and certainly won’t be falling apart any time soon after purchase. With that said, it’s only good for keeping dust away from your guitar – there is little to no padding in it for protection.

Aside from the gig bag, Dana comes with a pickguard and adjustment tools. Keep in mind that once you attach the pickguard to your guitar, returning it to the company will no longer be an option.

Optionally, you may also get Dana with an accessory pack. The accessory pack includes a few useful items such as a tuner, strap, guitar picks, a string winder, a chord chart, a polishing cloth, and a capo.

The quality of these accessories is fairly nice, though if you were to buy them separately, you would probably be able to get better craftsmanship and durability.

Value for Money

First up, Orangewood Dana is super-inexpensive for what it offers for less than $150. Needless to say, the quality of the components reflects the pocket-friendly price of this guitar – if you’ve ever played a high-end acoustic guitar, you’ll notice that this instrument isn’t as well-built or polished.

Many users express satisfaction with its sound quality and durability, especially when compared to other budget options. However, for the price, the quality is excellent, and Dana certainly doesn’t feel like it’s going to collapse after one tough session.

Orangewood’s customer service is also noteworthy. They offer a one-year warranty, which adds peace of mind to the purchase. Although I didn’t need to contact the support team, but feedback indicates that their support team is responsive and helpful, enhancing the overall ownership experience.

Check this video review of Dana Mini (Spruce Version) :

Alternative of Orangewood Dana

While I love my Orangewood Dana, I know some folks might be looking for other options in the mini guitar world. Let’s chat about a couple of budget-friendly alternatives that caught my eye.

First up, there’s the Fender Sonoran Mini Acoustic Guitar. It’s a bit pricier than the Dana, but hey, it’s got that Fender name backing it up. With a spruce or mahogany top and a ¾ body size, it’s another solid choice for travel or smaller hands. The slim-taper “C”-shaped neck could be comfy for some players.

Another interesting pick is the Donner Hush-I Acoustic-Electric Silent Guitar. Now, this one’s a real head-turner with its headless design and removable frame. It’s great for silent practice, but it’ll set you back about twice what the Dana costs.

If you’re interested, check out our full review of the Donner Hush-I travel guitar.

Honestly, though? For the price, it’s tough to beat the Orangewood Dana. It’s my go-to recommendation for anyone hunting for the best mini guitar or looking into Orangewood acoustic guitars. But hey, everyone’s different, so try ’em out if you can!

Orangewood Guitars Review: FAQ

Are Orangewood guitars any good?

Yes, Orangewood guitars are generally well-regarded, especially for their price point. They offer great sound and playability, especially considering their affordable prices. Many models, like the Dana and Oliver Jr., are highly praised for their build and setup.

While Orangewood may not compete with high-end brands like Martin or Taylor, it provides excellent value for those seeking an affordable, durable option. Overall, many find it to be a fantastic entry-level guitar brand that meets their needs well.

Where are Orangewood guitars made?

Orangewood guitars appear to be made in China, where they are crafted to high standards. After production, each guitar is sent to Los Angeles, California, where Orangewood’s expert technicians perform thorough setup and quality checks before shipping them to buyers, ensuring top-notch playability and performance.

Who owns Orangewood guitars?

Orangewood is owned and was founded by brothers Eddie and Sooj Park. The original idea behind the brand was to offer quality at an affordable price. Aside from that, Orangewood pursues a direct-to-consumer approach and offers excellent customer support.

Final Words

All in all, Orangewood Dana is very inexpensive, and remarkably, it delivers excellent quality for the buck. User reviews consistently highlight its durability and performance, especially in outdoor settings, which is a significant advantage for travelers.

While it may not match the sound quality of high-end models like Martin or Taylor, it delivers a surprisingly enjoyable playing experience that is perfectly suitable for beginners, students, and budget-conscious guitarists alike.

With responsive customer service and a one-year warranty, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable, easy-to-play guitar that can be left out for casual practice without fear of harming a more expensive instrument.