Zager EZ-Play ZAD-50 OM

Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fretboard. The EZ play system includes custom nut and bridge to bring the strings closer to the fretboard. The frets are dressed to remove any buzzing. Very nice satin finish. Glossy shine over natural wood. Also available in black. Grover tuners. I am very satisfied with the guitar overall. I wanted a guitar that was easy to play without spending a fortune. This is the smaller OM model. Advertised as 15% smaller than full size. The guitar is still very loud and crisp for the smaller model. It sounds and plays like a much more expensive guitar. I have the straight acoustic model but they offer an acoustic/electric.

The guitar has tons of sustain and the individual strings "ring" with a lots of overtones. The sound is very rich and crisp and surprisingly loud for a smaller model. I am fairly heavy handed and play mostly electric but if you strum this guitar with a light pick and easy touch it is a very pleasant instrument that is bright and clean for easy listening sounds. I play some rock type stuff ala Steve Stevens doing the Billy Idol hits and it sounds like the Storytellers DVD that Idol has out.

I think the guitar is very well made and I have no complaints about the fit and finish. I have never owned or played a high end acoustic, but I have played the American made PRS electrics and I think the quality of this instrument will impress anyone. For the price it is very well made. I have played it for several months and it plays and looks like it did out of the case on the first day.

I don't play with a live band so I take care of my guitars and never "abuse" them as a gigging player would. I can't say how it would last on the road. Zager offers a lifetime warranty on all of their guitars so they must have confidence that they will last even if put through the ringer.

I have never had to use the company for warranty repair but the customer service I did experience was exceptional. I emailed Mr Zager several times with questions about the guitar and about ordering through ebay and I always got a reply within an hour or less. Very friendly and helpful. The warranty is lifetime but I have not had any problems so far.

I have been playing about ten years but I only play for my own enjoyment. If I could afford a more expensive guitar I would definitely like to try some of the upper level Martins or Taylors but for the price this is a very nice product. I have listened to many guitar players with these and other instruments and I don't think they sound any better. I play mostly electric and this is the only acoustic I own. I play Fender Strats and PRS SE models. I would definitely recommend this guitar as a quality instrument for a very reasonable price. The website has assorted videos demonstrating each model and you can get a pretty good idea of what they sound like before you buy. I priced many guitars and none were anywhere near this one unless they were much more expensive. I was of the mind that I wanted to spend my money on the guitar-not the name.

This OM sized (smaller than dreadnaught, larger than or equal to parlor) guitar has a natural finish. Spruce top, stained Mahogany or Sapele or possibly even Oak sides and back, with Maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and Rosewood or hardwood bridge. A nice, lightweight, comfortably-sized guitar, different in feel from dreadnaughts and larger bodied guitars having longer necks.
This guitar has a Special neck for those with smaller hands, would be a good choice for children or petite women.
Chromed, closed-back Grover tuners are a plus and work well.
A case is supplied; sturdy, but only three latches and all on the same side (not the most secure arrangement.)

Unimpressive and dull at first, but has improved and developed depth with a change of strings from Medium gauge Martin bronze to Medium gauge Martin Silk 'N Steel. I tried lighter gauge strings, but for some reason they simply didn't work, perhaps due to the short scale length.
This guitar has a very woody sound; it is not open and airy like a well-aged Martin (I have an old D35 that has the most amazing tone, clarity, and sustain. It sounds like - MUSIC - not like a wooden instrument), but the Zager is also a relatively inexpensive guitar that needs time to age and improve. It has shown some improvement already in its adjustment to the temperature and humidity.
It sounds okay... It is not wonderful, but it is not embarrassingly poor as so many lower priced guitars can be, and it sounds better if you play it well. The intonation over the entire fretboard seems perfect, which indicates the bridge was placed correctly and the frets were spaced as they should be. I have accepted its voice as is; I've grown accustomed to this little gem, and there are other things to consider besides sound.

When I ordered this, I did so as a relatively inexpensive introduction to smaller bodied guitars, and because I thought I could avoid having to do a lot of work to get acceptable action. Zager is reknowned for having "Easy Play" guitars, but someone goofed on this one. When it arrived, the neck was out of adjustment, the saddle was way high despite signs it had been modified, and the strings at the 12th fret were higher than on any other guitar I've ever owned or played! To be blunt, the action was HORRIBLE!
I immediately contacted Zager, because I thought they'd missed a step or three in their reknowned "set up", and I was told that they primarily make adjustment at the nut so beginning players can form basic chords. Well, I think EVERY player ought to be able to play the length of the fretboard, not just press the strings near the nut. Zager was insistent that they want no unhappy customers, and practically begged me to send the guitar back to them. I was hesitant to do this, indicating that I'd try a few things first, adjust the truss rod, change the strings, see if I could improve the guitar before I sent it back and had to go shopping for another.
I haven't written back to Zager yet, but I expect I will. I did NOT like their set up, but they are selling a good guitar, and good for a unique reason - the size of the guitar and the ultra small circumference of the neck.
The neck is so narrow at the nut that I can get my thumb over the bass E and A strings while playing a chord. I have strong, but small hands, with shorter fingers. The narrow neck is not the easiest for me to play overall, as it crowds my fingers somewhat at the nut, but I have no doubt that a child or a very petite woman would find this neck ideal! Once you adjust the action via truss rod and sanding or replacement of the saddle (I did both - the original actually crumbled in my hands...), you'll find that this can be quite the player's guitar.
So Zager had the right idea, but his execution left something to be desired.
As to origin of this guitar, I expect that if I pull the Zager label off the inside I'll find a mark indicating that it was manufactured in China. Actually, it bears a lot of resemblance to a Guild GAD 30R that I purchased a week ago, except for the neck and tone woods, and the Zager is a half-inch deeper in body width.
It wouldn't surprise me to learn that the manufacturing firm was the same for both guitars.

Regarding Finish comments, well, it is a nice looking guitar, but the mahogany really does have the look of Oak, as it is not dark and rather than a reddish tone it is more tan or maple colored.
The headstock appears to have been laminated to the neck, possibly to satisfy Zager's specification to make it narrow at the nut.
Overall, the finish is quite pleasing, although there is a spot on the side of the left bout which can only be described as a blotch of stain; I suspect that someone at the factory probably splashed a little and didn't clean it off before the guitar was sprayed.

As a positive comment, the guitar was packed exceptionally well, in a plastic bag inside of the case, with bubble wrap on the top and bottom of the outside of the case, within a nice, thick box.
If you order from Zager, you can expect the guitar to arrive undamaged.

This ZAD-50 OM looks to be well made. The joints are tight, the finish is nice (overall), the tuners are of decent quality, the intonation is correct, and it's a lightweight guitar. Zager offers a Lifetime warranty, but warranties are only as good as the people who back them and the "fine print" that denies claims if a "condition" is not met.
Since I had to modify my Zager to get decent action, I doubt any warranty would be honored, but Zager wants to maintain a good reputation, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, and if the guitar suddenly implodes, I'll contact Zager and see what "Lifetime Warranty" actually means. I've kept the pickguard cover on, just in case (THAT seems to be a "condition" for return.)

Would I play this guitar in public? Well...
As a less costly, carry-along guitar, this is a good choice if carried in the case, perhaps with a belt or strap added to better secure it. I don???t think it would impress many knowledgeable musicians, but it should be durable enough, and the construction looks as though it could handle a few dings without coming apart - important in a guitar intended for youngsters.

I don't know. When I first contacted Zager regarding the horrible action on my guitar, they wanted me to send it back, as they want NO unhappy customers. Well, Zager, get it right the first time and you won't have any unhappy customers!
In fairness, I am a very particular person; action is of prime importance in my satisfaction with any guitar.
I also take people at their word.
When I read "Easy Play" and "Great Set Up", that is EXACTLY what I expect. I cut no slack regarding playability, action, materials, or tone. I don't want to be told to send it back; I want it to be RIGHT when I receive it. I expect that if the guitar mutates into a climbing vine, Zager would insist that I return it, after all, in the year 2525 one might want to clone everything!
Having complained enough, I'll say that for most of its customers, Zager has been just what they wanted it to be. There are hundreds of reviews and reports regaling Zager.
Folks, Zager is a business. I'm sure they do some things very well and some things not so well - they're human beings.
I hope they would honor their warranty if it should become necessary to request it.

I'll give it a 7, as I had to do set up work that I didn't expect to do, the finish, while nice overall, is not perfect, the tuners are very good for a guitar in this price range (I wish the Guild GAD 30R I just bought had these tuners), the sound was nothing to write home about at first, but has been improving, and the very narrow neck is probably the perfect neck for those with very small hands.
The intonation is correct, the guitar is lightweight, and the case seems sturdy and serviceable, although there are only THREE latches and all are on one side (not the best idea.)
This guitar is also overpriced when you buy the case and pay for shipping. It was nearly the price of the Guild GAD 30R that I bought a week ago.

Is this a keeper? Well, if you're not just a player but also an enthusiast, a collector, someone who is drawn to the differences between guitars, you'll probably find this an interesting guitar and want to hold onto it, or gift it to a youngster who has small hands and is eager to learn to play. Once you lower the action, the small handed beginner will find this guitar a joy on which to learn.
The sound of "Red River Valley" will echo through the kid's house before you know it.

I've been critical of Zager and this guitar in my review, but had I been given this guitar, PROPERLY set up, when I was an elementary school child I would still have it today. I've already inquired of my many nieces whether their kids are interested in learning to play. If any of those kids are serious and enthusiastic, I may buy more of the same model; I just expect that I'll have to set up each guitar myself.

I just received this guitar, made in the US by Zager. It is their OM model, dreadnought style, but 15% smaller which, as I had hoped, exactly fits me. It's solid spruce and mahogony, with abalone inlays around the medallion. It is absolutely flawless, and far better looking in person than I was prepared for. It uses their EZ-Play system, and I can certainly attest to it's effectiveness. They included a digital tuner,a humidifier, a few picks and and extra set of strings which I wasn't expected and appreciated. The case was higher quality than I expected, and fits the smaller body perfectly. As one of the reasons for chosing this size guitar was for travel, I was more than pleased that the case is as sturdy as it is, again, a great surprise. I only rated is "8" as it lacks the full abalone inlays and gold on the metal fittings the "better" guitar would have, but hasn't bothered me a bit...but I can see someone wanting "more bells and whistles". It's hard to imagine a nicer sound, but I am willing to believe them when they say their model with rosewood and cedar is richer in tone.

Again...if this is their "lesser" guitar, I can't imagine how good the next level up would be. It's full and bright, and despite it's smaller size, seems a big a sound as many full size models I've heard. As for my music style, I had given up playing many years ago, and concentrated on singing (I'm an old backup/session singer), so I am starting at square one, hopefully having forgotten any old bad habits. What I wanted was a guitar that would for both flat and finger picking, and so far, so good. I just hope I can live up to the level of craftsmanship that was clearly put into making this guitar, I sure intend to try. Sadly, my limited skill level doesn't allow me to be much more specific as for what kind of sounds it can make...

I can't find a single thing "off"...much as I tried. The action is great, and as someone who would howl in pain and frustration after only a few minutes of playing (and this was on very, very high end instruments belonging to professional musicians), I can attest that it works. Yeah, my fingers got a little sore, but nowhere near what I've experienced in the past. It's certainly not enough to make me put the guitar down and get the band-aids, which is what had always happened in the past! As a potter, I face the added issue that wet hands, constantly abraded by the clay on the wheel, will always be soft and tender, so I really, really appreciate the improved action. They aren't kidding about the EZ play business.

Ok...this doesn't really apply to my situation, at least right now. All I can do is compare my guitar to those I've been around, and handled in the past...as I said, all top end instruments worth frightening amounts of money, and this seems a solidly made as any of those. Time is always the best judge of this and therefore I can't really give more than my initial impression.
It's also beautifully balanced.

This is where they really shine. I sent enough pestering emails to collapse their server...and every tiny niggling question was answered with patience, kindness, and humor. They weren't just trying to sell me a guitar (actually, with their limited supply due to Mr. Zagar's impending retirement, if anything, it was the exact opposite..they don't need to push), they were trying to match make, if you will. The best comparison I can make is the difference between trying to buy a computer or laptop at your standard "everything electric" store, and going into an Apple Store, where the people not only love their product, but want you to as well, and know that a clear, concise answer, rather than bored or impatient dismissal, is what is needed, and what works. Buying a guitar for myself was a big deal...and I was nervous about making the right choice, and called and emailed and generally was a pain, but you would not have known that from their gracious treatment. Every person I dealt with behaved in the same way...detailed and clear information, with no pressure to "buy up" into a higher model. If only they could give lessons on how to treat customers to some of the car dealers I've encountered! Although I wasn't spending a great deal of money, especially as guitar prices go, you never would have known it from their attitude.

I played many many years ago, and am just taking it up again. I own audio gear, and percussion instruments only. If I missed a question, it didn't exist. If anything happened to it, I would not only replace it, I would try and buy two, if my budget allowed. I might go up to the "higher end" model, if I could. I don't hate anything about it except that I couldn't have bought one years ago. As for comparing it to other guitars, again, I've been around a lot of really great instruments, I would not be embarrassed to pull this out of it's case in front of my "professional" musician friends. I looked, before I found out about the EZ Play, at baby Martins and Taylors, and while I liked them, they felt and looked like the "entry" model...a little flimsy, without the craftsmanship clearly present in my Zager, certainly no where need the sound quality. And these were models that were much more expensive than what I got. As for wanting to share anything, I have already called and emailed a lot of my friends, some of which have multiple guitars, and encouraged them to check out the website. I can't wait to show them what I now treasure and am proud to own.