ZAger ZAD-80 OM guitar review by

Purchased From:

Zager Guitars

Features:

Solid cedar top with rosewood back and sides. Rosewood bridge and fret board. Extensive use of abalone inlay around all edges of the face, soundhole and fret board. Gold plated Grover sealed tuning gears. High gloss finish. Orchestra model, with a narrower waist than dreadnought. 15% smaller than dreadnought. The neck is a little thinner than my old guitar, which is great since I have freakishly small hands. No case was included, but I purchased a very nice wood case with a humidity sensor for a reasonable price.

Action, Fit, & Finish:

Oh my God! The action on this guitar is incredible. This is from a woman who as a teenager would put nylon strings on her acoustic guitar because her fingers hurt so much. It was in tune when I got it, as Denny Zager tunes and stretches the strings three times before shipping. I purposely bought a discounted model that had a small chip in the finish on the binding at the bottom of the neck. Saved $150 off the sale price! There is not another mark on that baby!

Sound Quality:

I am a novice player that stopped playing 20 years ago because my fingers would just ache so when I played. I am taking lessons again, but generally play folk/country/bluegrass. This guitar is perfectly suited for those styles of music. Very little string buzzing! About 15% less volume that a full size model. Very rich and full sounding.

Reliability/Durability:

The hardware looks great and the finish does not look like it will wear off - ever! What's more, Zagers come with a lifetime guarantee, so I'm not all the worried about it. No strap button on the neck.

Customer Support:

The Zagers have answered every email I've ever sent them within minutes. This is a family owned business and customer service is key to them. Very, very impressive! Warranty is for life and I am sure I could ship the guitar back to them at any time and they'd make good on it.

Overall Rating:

I did about a year of research before choosing the Zager. I was somewhat skeptical about the playability, but figured that I couldn't go wrong with the warranty. This guitar lives up to their claims. I have a 40 year old Gibson I inherited from my uncle after his death, and can't play it because it hurts my fingers so much. I would definitely buy another Zager Guitar if something happened to this one. It is a beautiful instrument.

Zager Guitar Review By Twoims

Product: Zager ZAD 50CE

Features : 10

This guitar was produced in 2010. Following is a partial list of features; Style; Dreadnought, Closed grove keys; hand fitted saddle;hand fitted frets; abalone inlay rosette; mahogany sides and back; spruce top; sunburst finsih; Electronics are active and include, high/mid/low/volume/and presence controls, and a built in tuner.

Sound : 9
The guitar has a full bright sound without sounding tinny. The advantage of this sound is it carries well without being amplified and is very good when being played with non amplified instruments such as banjos, etc.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Construction and action are the keynotes of Zager guitars. This is one catagory that rates a full 10 of both Zager guitars I have purchased.

Reliability/Durability : 10
This is one catagory that I cannot speak of from persona experience as I have just purchased the guitar. I can only state what appears to be and what I believe except for the first item. I have used the guitar on two gigs with no problems, albiet connecting the strap on the neck with leather ties. Can I depend on it? Yes, I believe so.

Customer Support : 9
I can only say that in my experience, Zager is the best guitar company I have ever delt with. Qualifying that with, in the past I have only delt with authorized dealers. And everyone knows that any warranty on anything is only as good as the dealer.
However, dealing with Zager eliminates that problem.
The warranty is life time. P. S. When dealing with Zager Guitar, you do not deal with telephone menues, but a real person.

Overall Rating : 9
I have been playing for over thirty years, bass guitar, a little lead guitar and some keyboard, country and old rock and roll. Recently, I've been moving into bluegrass. I. E. the reason for a new box guitar. I looked and compared quality and price with Gibson/Martin/Fender for three months before I purchased. The selling feature was Zager Modification. The strings on this guitar are almost as close to the frets as my Tele and it has no string buzz.

Email: twoims at aolcom

Zager

Zager ZAD 50 Review By Fred Ross

Features : 10

Solid Spruce top, Mahagany back & sides.Rosewood fingerboard and bridge.Grover seales tuners.BEAUTIFUL two-color sunburst on top (even though the website shows three color).

Sound : 10

Rich, full and bright sound. Not quite as loud as other dreadnoughts, due to extra light strings. The average player will probobly not even notice this. Beleive ir not, this guitar really does compare with guitars in the $1500-$2000 price range. You have to hear it yourself...

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10

I admit to being a guitar snob. I generally only buy USA made instruments made prior to 1970 (with the exception of Fender Custom Shop guitars- Well done Fender!)The set-up is better than ANY acoustic guitar I have owned or played. No, the action is not as low as my original '57 Strat, or my Custom Shop '62 reissue Strat, but the transition is very easy. I have examined this guitar with a magnifying glass and can find no flaws. Binding, rosette, bracing, frets, all perfect. I only wish it has a front strap ped, & will add one.


Reliability/Durability : 10
I've only owned this guitar for a week, but I'm confident that this guitar will be as durable and dependable as any fine acoustic. These are not solidbody guitars, folks, and require a little extra care and protection.After 35+ years of playing, I avoid Mr. Murphy by always having a back-up. (Now you understand why a guitar snob would buy a $600 guitar). But my ZAD-50 will NOT only be used as a back-up!


Customer Support : 10
Dennis Jr. answered all questions promptly. Try that with other companies and be prepared to grow a long, white beard.


Overall Rating : 10
I do not know the Zager's personally. I have no financial interest in their business. I primarily bought this guitar because transporting, insuring, and mothering more than one vintage Gibson or Martin kinda takes the fun out of a gig. Get a SM57, a good sound guy, and you're in the money. My next guitar purchase WILL be a ZAD80-CE.

Zager ZAD 80 Guitar Review By Robert Wood

Features :

This model has rosewood back and sides, with solid cedar top and
Grover keys. Dreadnought body with absolutely perfect finish! The
most beautiful instrument I have ever seen!!

Sound :
My zad80 has a sound a player always dreamed of. Great volume and
sustain, with a rich mellow tone which literally sparkles from bass
to treble. Outstanding !!

Action, Fit, & Finish :
I know when a guitar is set up properly and this one is on the mark!
Correct relief on the neck, nut set with .018 nut height at first fret, .105 at the 12th fret. Intonation is very good. The frets are
all set perfectly. There is not one single flaw in workmanship nor
finish which I can detect.

Reliability/Durability :
Needless ti say, I have not owned this instrument ling enough to say
how long it will last. But it appears solidly built. Zager must have
confidence in it or they would not give a lifetime guarantee with free shipping both ways, or your money back. Try beating that anywhere!!

Customer Support : 10
This company is helpful beyond belief. I chipped the saddle while changing strings and Zager had me ship it back for repair free including shipping both ways. I had it back in five working days. And
they did it all with a smile. Even sent me a new set of strings and
a handful of picks.. ONLY AT ZAGER GUITARS!!!!

Overall Rating :
I have been playing for at least 45 yrs. and have owned several guitars including Gibsons, Seaguls and several others.I love everything about this guitar. I have compared it to guitars costing $ 3,ooo and none can beat it overall, Only one high end Martin could
equal it all things considered. If I ever buy another guitar, it would just be for the sake of variety, not quality.
I have one complaint, I wish it had a strap button at the neck. I will be very disappointed if my evaluation does not get published. I will be watching !!!!!

Zager ZAD-50 Acoustic Guitar Review by laurie beckman

Product: Zager ZAD 50

Submitted at 01:20pm by laurie beckman

Features : 9
2010 Professionally modified, full size dreadnought. Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides. Sealed Grover tuning gears. Abalone inlay rosette, tortise shell pick guard. Gloss finish. Hand carved custom nut and saddle. Hand filed frets. Scalloped x-bracing. Rosewood fret board (14). Rosewood bridge. Came with Martin strings. 2 picks, Also purchased Zager custom case w/ digital humidifier, locking. Great case.

Sound : 10
This guitar will stand up against any $2000-$3000 guitar. I haven't played for years (raising children i gave it up). But my husband who has a top line Gibson was totally inpressed with the beautiful clear sound and quality of tone that came from this guitar he had never heard of. He was skeptical when i purchased it but then I couldn't get it out of his hands!!!

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
This guitar came with out one flaw or blemish. Has a beautiful gloss finish. Was pre-tuned and the action is perfect. I was amazed at the ease of which I could start out after so many years with clear easy chords. My husband says the finger board and action are better than his $3000.00 Gibson. The fit is perfect!!

Reliability/Durability : 10
This guitar is going to be with me for years. No Doubt! My husband will be playing it live.

Customer Support : 10
Customer support. GREAT RESPONSE within hours. Complete lifetime warranty.

Overall Rating : 10
Yes, I comparison shopped and this was the one. I would never part with, if stolen, would purchase again for sure. Not one feature I don't like. Played 25 yr ago and starting over but hubby is a semi-pro and loves it. He has Martin, Gibson, Takamani, dobro, banjo. Plays with band, country, bluegrass. This one stands up. Couldn't believe the quality for the price.

Zager ZAD 80CE Review By Jerry Hudgins

Features : 10

I bought my ZAD80CE on the 10th of January, 2009 This is a full sized dreadnought with Fishman Electronics, It is a cutaway with Mahogany neck,Gold sealed Grover tuners,solid rosewood back and sides with solid Cedear Top. What a beauty this guitar is!! I also bought the Zager hard shell molded case. I have owned guitars and played off and on for some 40 odd years now. The very best guitar I ever owned until now was a Martin D-28. This ZAD80CE is bilt as good as the Martin and even more beautiful when it comes to looks.

Sound : 10
I play a lot of old Country clasics and Gospel. It is great for finger picking or hard picking. I bought a cheap amp for now . It is an Epiphone Value special, but for playing around the house it is a great setup. It has unbleaveable sound. The only thing that might sound better would be the Martin D-45V, but the sound would be close. However, if I could put the fishman Aura system in the ZAD, I think it would beat even the D-45V!

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
The guitar came ready to play. It has the lowest action I have ever seen and it is so easy to play. The Fishman pickup is perfect for this guitar. I could not find one flaw on this guitar. It looks like someone spent hours and hours just polishing the wood on this guitar. It is like looking into a mirror!!The only other guitar that I have seen that comes close, as for as looks, is the Martin, D-100.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I would love to take this guitar on stage. This guitar is the best built guitar that I have ever seen! I know Grover tuners are among the very best and I know they will stand up under the worst conditions, The finish is the best that I have ever seen. I know it will out last me! know that I can depend on this guitar as long as I do not abuse it. No I would not go to a gig with out back up. You' never know when you are going to break a string and there is not time to restring during a show!!!

Customer Support : 10
The Zager, family knows how to run a business. They are very honest people!!! I thought that I had a Problem the first day received my guitar, The cover paper that is glued to the pick gard had came loose and had worked it's way up under the strings by the saddle. I did not see it and when I strummed it, it sounded very bad. I called Zager guitar and talked to Dennis Jr. He was ready and willing to send me another guitar even before sending mine back. What a nice bunch of people they are. I just happen to notice the paper while I was talking to him. I removed the paper and everything was fine. I would sure like to see other businesses run like Denny Zager, runs his!!Denny Zagger, has something that you' don't see much any more and that is Integrity! Something he has taught his whole family. Also the Zager, guitar has a life time warranty. That is something that not even CF Martin has. Martin, only has a limited life time warranty.

Overall Rating : 10
I have been Playing off and on for over 40 years. If this guitar was stolen I would replace it with one just like it! I love everything about this guitar! I can not find anything that I don't like about the guitar. My favorite thing about the guitar is first the sound and then it's looks!! I compare this wit a good Martin, but I think my Zad looks much Better. I would trade straight across for a D-45V, but nothin else. I chose the Zager because what Denny, said about it made sense and I wanted to give it a try!! If anyone would like to talk to me about this guitar, You' can call me, Jerry Hudgins, e-mail me at j_hud@hotmail.com or write me at 1380 North Foothills Dr, Ronan, Montana 59864. I am not affiliated with the Zagers Guitar an anyway, but I know that they are honest people and I won't to share my knowledge of this guitar with anyone who wont's to know about Zager guitars!!!