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max 2414 [at] gmail [dot] com
Product: Zager ZAD 50
Purchased at www.zagerguitar.com
Features:
The ZAD-50 guitar is the standard dreadnought body using solid spruce tops, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood neck, fretboard and bridge. It is a solidly built guitar with scalloped bracing that is built to accommodate extra light strings and still achieve a full and rich projection. These guitars are set up using Denny Zager's "String Science Method" which is a customization of the bridge, saddle, and hand filed frets. The action is great. I have owned more expensive and less playable guitars in the past.
I really like the look. It's got a great fit and feel. I'm really quite happy with this guitar.
The Zager guitar line are made in Lincoln, Nebraska in the USA. That usually means you're going to pay at least a grand. I opted for no pickups. They do, however, offer electronics on both of their main models. The neck is thin, the frets are generous, and the strings are well spaced with Denny's "String Science". I like the gloss finish. It seems to be very well applied - we'll have to wait to see how it holds up over time, but I'm quite pleased. They included a guitar stand, t-shirt, extra strings, and some picks. I use a digital hygrometer in my case though I chose an after market case because I have a preference for a particular company. Zager Guitars offers cases for their guitars but they do not assume that everyone needs another case - so they are not included in the price of the guitar.
Sound:
My ZAD-50 guitar was made this year... I believe it was even made this month. It sounds great - very even and balanced between bass, mids and treble. I could go for a little more bass, but it's got way more than my Dean or Washburn ever had. I like the projection. I like that I do not feel a need to add a pickup to it. It really projects well enough without it. I was a bit skeptical when I read about these guitars, but I do agree that they play as rich and full as Martins. The sound is bright, but not without balance. I haven't put any bluegrass strings on it yet, though I believe it will work quite well for bluegrass. I have used it for U2, Tom Petty, and old country (like Johnny Cash) songs. It really has a great resonant sound that fills up the body without sounding like it's stuck in or muffled by the body. Again, I wouldn't mine a little more pop to the bass, but it certainly has a balanced amount of bass. I'm really interested in trying the cedar body model after playing this one a while.
Action, Fit, & Finish:
I addressed this already, but I'm quite amazed at how close and smooth the action is. I hadn't played for a number of years, but I was able to play for 2 1/2 hours the first night I had this guitar. The setup was perfect! Denny Zager puts some real time and work into these guitars. The tuning pegs are excellent, the saddle has been adjusted to optimal height, the strings are so close to the frets that it's a joy and ease to play. I haven't had much buzzing and I have been away from playing for 8 years! That's amazing. My model has no pickups, so that's not an issue.
Reliability/Durability:
I don't know what the durability is. I have read other people's comments, but I don't play out on guitar. I do an open mic night here and there, but I'm primarily a saxophonist. So, I don't take my guitar out gigging. I do, however, like to take it to parties with friends and sit out and play and sing. It's more than sufficient for that.
Customer Support:
The Zager Guitar customer service has been amazing. Even just the speed of their response to my e-mail questions is remarkable. Denny Zager Jr. is in charge their customer service and he really does his job well. I work in customer service, so to get someone who is competent and quick in their response is just mind boggling. How many companies take their customers seriously enough to print out their letters and put them on the president of the company's desk!?! That's the kind of thing you can expect with these guys. I think that's the most impressive thing to me. I am in the process of opening a business and I am really edified to see other small businesses taking business and their customers seriously.
Overall Rating:
I have been playing for 23 years. I began as a kid. I have had many guitars over the years - including some custom made classical guitars from Mexico. I've owned Gibson, Guild, Martin, Washburn, Fender, and Dean acoustics. I've sold them all over the years - mostly to pay off college loans, car insurance and bills when I was unemployed. This is the only guitar I would bother to buy again if it were damaged or stolen. I am really impressed with the whole package. The sound is rich and professional, the action is easy and smooth, and it looks beautiful. I like that it's lightweight but built well. I wish I had a showroom to go to to try out their other models. I would really like to try the Cedar bodied and Orchestra Model guitars. Eventually, I do plan to purchase another guitar from them.
Questions? Contact me at
max 2414 [at] gmail [dot] com
Product: Zager ZAD 80
Submitted 12/02/2009 at 03:07pm by Robert Wood
Features : 10
This model has rosewood back and sides, with solid cedar top and
Grover keys. Dreadnaught body with absolutely perfect finish! The
most beautiful instrument I have ever seen!!
Sound : 10
My zad80 has a sound a player always dreaned of. Great volume and
sustain, with a rich mellow tone which literally sparkles from bass
to treble. Outstanding !!
Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
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 : No Opinion
Needless ti sayy, I have not owned this instrument ling enough to say
how long it will last. But it appears solodly 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 chiped 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 : No Opinion
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 verry disappointed if my evaluation does not get published. I will be watching !!!!!
So in a moment of weakness, I splurged $2400 on a mint D-35 Martin on E-bay. One day after that I saw a ZAGER guitar in E-bay. Never heard of it. I was directed to their website....started to get curious. Saw the photos and testimonials. More curious. Saw the reviews, got so curious I called...they had ONE left. I ordered it. Am I nuts, or what? The Martin had not even arrived yet!
As far as sound, the Martin sounds good, but is almost muffled compared to the Zager which has a sound I have never heard in a guitar before, both full, but bright sounding...a sound that was very pleasing.