Zager ZAD 80CE OM

I have an '07 model ZAD-80 OMCE. This is the easiest playing guitar of my 3 total. It's abslutely beautiful, of rosewood with opal inlays, rosewood neck, gold plated locking tuners, string thru body, cut away, active electronics. Came with extra strings, picks, a T-shirt for my wife.

Perfect deep sweet voice with plenty of hold and ring to it, actually sounds beter than my DM-1.

I have no comlaints at all with my guitar, it's just wonderfull to look at and was chosen out of a wide variety by my wife who has a very discerning eye.

Yes to all the above. I play it hard and there are no wear marks showing yet.

Zager is great with answers or help, whatever I need they jump right on it. My guitar has a lifetime warranty and I can send it to Zager for any repairs it may need. I love that!

I've been picking for 3 years now. I would buy another one in a heartbeat!. I love everything about it, color, shape, playability, sturdiness, and most of all I love it's oh so sweet voice. I have another guitar by Zager, a Martin DM-1 that's just as fine as the ZAD80 only non-electric. A very bright and sweet sounding guitar.
I am a life long customer of Zager Guitar. Not to the exclusion of all others but it stands on it's own and I love it.

from the Martin factory, absolutely beautiful guitar, primarily of rosewood

mostly folk, some 50,60's rock and roll. This guitar "sings" as an acoustic. Best sound I have ever had from a guitar, including Martina an Taylor.
Great amped up as well.

beautiful low action with great feel; open chording very easy; bar chording just as easy and fast action for strumming and finger picking.

put together very well, feels solid and dependable. I bought another Zager threee years ago--stands up well.

lifetime warranty; questions are answered promptly; and in a personal and very open way. I am speaking to a real human being who not only plays music but is open to listening.

see above--as i said this is one of the best if not the best sounding and looking guitar I have played in the past 30 years.

Finish: Glossy
Body: OM cutaway
Bridge: Rosewood
Tuners: Grover sealed
Neck: more toward the thin flat side of the spectrum
Extras" Case, temp and humidity guage, extra strings, T-shirt
When made: Dec. 2005
Frets: 20
Solid Cedar Top
Tuner/EQ built in Fishman
Pickup under saddle
Rosewood Body
Lacks for nothing
Everything works as it should
Their website gives very accurate specs.

I play entirely acoustically so can't comment on the pick-up or equalizer.
I play mostly fingerpicking, some brazilian and some rhythmn chord/melody accompaniment.

The on board Tuner is really handy. I use it all the time to keep my ear pitch right on. Over time it seems to have helped the intonation of the guitar to strengthen. I now find the guitar rings stronger when the pitch is precisely on, and flattens and sustain decreases when the pitch is off.

I'd describe her sound as gravitating toward warm and full. I can get more bitterness if I push it a bit, and she can be bright with a more aggresive attack. The dynamic range is quite large.

When pushing for maximal volume and guttural feeling I will encounter some buzz. (sometimes desired)

Others who are much better players than I have commented on the excellent tone and the surprisingly large volume, especially for an OM size.

Set up was perfect
Action low and , as per the name, very "EZ" to play.
I'm not qualified to say about the pickup
I'm not that experienced a player, but I am an experienced woodworker, and the woodwork on this instrument is to an extremely high standard.
No flaws.

The only thing I have had done, aside from changing strings a few times, is I had a local luthier do a bit of polishing of the frets to smooth some rough edges left by filing.

I've been playing this guitar since Jan 2006, and my only other guitars are travel guitars. She's probably seen 400-600 hours of play, maybe even a bit more.
Everything still works just like the day she arrived, except she sounds better with time.
Finish hasn't changed a bit. No hardware or electronic failures.
Dependability has been 100%.

Lifetime warranty which I haven't had to use in any way.
Phone and email contact with the company has been quick and fun and helpful.

This guitar is not the first Zager I bought. I first purchased a ZAD 50 OM CE. When it arrived it sounded a bit too bright for my taste. I called and spoke with them about this and what to do. Denis Jr. volunteered to send me the ZAD 80 OM CE and AT NO CHARGE to play and compare. So a week later I have two guitars for the price of one. I played both, and took both to my lesson. My teacher who is a full time performer/teacher and records extensively played both. He thought both were excellent guitars, sounded great, and were excellent values. I kept the ZAD 80 OM CE and sent back the ZAD 50 OM CE. Zager guitar paid for the return shipping too! I thought this was above and beyond but seems to match the experiences others have had with Zager to judge by the reviews.

I've been playing about 2.5 years.
I also own a Soloette Humingbird travel guitar, and a Travelpro Traveller guitar. I had a Soloette nylon string travel guitar for a while but sold it when I got the Humingbird.
No regrets about the Zager at all.
I'd buy the same guitar again if this one were stolen.
The whole package is great for me. The onboard tuner is a great little extra.
I played a mid level Yamaha dreadnought before this for about 4 months. The OM size is better for me, and this guitar sounds much better.
I tried an all mahogany Martin that was about 10 years old. This sounds better than that.
I tried four other guitars in the $2000-$2700 range, 3 Martins and one other high end brand. I'd say the Zager sounds as good as any of them, and playability is as good as or better than any of them.

As a beginner it was really, REALLY, nice to be able to try out a guitar at home with no one watching or listening. At the time I was shopping for a guitar I was just getting started and really couldn't do much, especially not with someone watching me! To be able to play at home, and with my teacher while trying out the guitar was such an advantage. The guarantee makes it a risk free proposition, so especially for those who are getting started or those who are self conscious, I highly recommend giving a Zager a try in the privacy of your own home. They really do honor the free return promise if you choose to return the guitar.

Gloss finish, venetian cutaway, sealed Grover tuners, rosewood bridge, rosewood fretboard, 21 frets, solid cedar top, rosewood back and sides, hand filed frets, onboard equalizer, onboard tuner, Fishman electronics, abalone inlay on binding, abalone inlay rosette. This guitar is orchestral size which means it is approximately 15% smaller than a regular guitar. This guitar was built in 11/06.

It has a rich, full and mellow sound, with no distortion even when the volume is maxed. Because of the hand filed frets it has a very light touch that equals more expensive Martin guitars. I love everything about this guitar.

Guitar came in perfect condition and was nearly in tune right out of the box. The action is excellent.

I believe that this guitar will withstand live playing and it is solidly put together. I would bring it without a backup guitar for gigs. It also comes with a 100% money back guaranty and a lifetime warranty.

This is my second Zager guitar. Zager.com is excellent to deal with. They respond to emails within a few hours. I had one problem with my other Zager when the saddle broke. Zager.com not only fixed it for free, they sent a second one as a back up. They are just awesome to deal with and back their products 100%.

I play a number of different instruments including keyboard and guitars. I have had 4-5 other brands of guitars and struggled with sore fingers. Since buying my Zager I will never again buy another brand. The action is light and I can play longer without sore fingers and the sound of these guitars is excellent. If I had unlimited money to spend I would still go with the Zager.

Made in 2006. Single cut-away, solid cedar top, solid rosewood back and sides, fret-board, and bridge. Glossy finish, with abalone inlay adjacent to binding, and on sound-hole rosette. Gold Grover tuners. Fishman under-saddle piezo-pickup with Volume, 3-band EQ, Brilliance, and tuner. Hand carved nut and saddle, 20 hand-filed frets. The OM is 15% smaller than a standard Dreadnaught body.

Used for a variety of styles from finger-style folk to unplugged pop-rcok it is full sounding, with good bass/treble balance and reasonable volume. It is not quite as loud as a standard D-style body. The cedar top mellows the sound, but overall it is still crisp. Great sustain, and easy to pull harmonics. Rated as equivalent in sound to mid-range Taylors and Martins by a friend when he heard it for the first time. The Fishman electronics allow complete control over tone and attack when plugged in.

Zager sets up each guitar at the factory by hand before shipping. This guitar came out of the case ready to play - two strings were slightly flat after shipping from Nebraska to Washington state in December, otherwise it was good to go. Action is low, and consistently so up the neck, allowing easy chording in any position even on the higher frets. Intonation is very good. String spacing is comfortable for my medium-sized fingers. The neck shape and action make it almost as effortless to play as a quality electric guitar. The electronics work correctly and sound good. Finish was very good - no flaws were found. Close inspection shows the pickguard was not quite properly aligned, and was placed partially over the outer ring of abalone inlay - a relativly minor cosmetic flaw.

This is a new instrument, and it appears to be solid and well made. The components are of good to superior quality, so it should last. After two weeks of use I'm happy, so my expectation is for a long musical relationship.

Zager has a lifetime warranty on the instrument, and 100% satisfaction, money-back guarantee, for 30-days after purchase. Telephone and email contacts have been quick, friendly, and thorough.

I've been playing guitar for over 40 years, and overall this guitar gets high marks. It is affordable, and competes in playability, sound, and build-quality, with 'name' instruments that are 2-3 times the price. It won't match a $4000 Martin, Gibson, Taylor, or custom luthier-built instrument, but for everyday playing, gigging, and road use this is the perfect fit. Low-cost and great sound, easy to play and a lifetime warranty.

2006 OM model
20frets
Solid ceder top w/ rosewood sides & back signed by Mr. Denny Zager
Grover tuners
Glossy finish
Abalone inlay is absolutly gorgeous
Case purchased seperately w/ humidity sensor is beautiful (extra set of Martin strings

WOW, For fianacial reasons I had to sell my high end ($3000.00)acoustic Taylor and it was the best thing I ever did!! because I purchased the Zager OM80 and payed bills with the difference. The OM80 is simply the best, you will not find better playability and tonal qualities any where even the 4k models. One thing I changed was the bridge pins with Tusq 4mm and it really put me in 7th heaven sound wise!!! I CAN NOT PUT THIS GUITAR DOWN, I play for hours and do NOT get any finger tip burns what so ever. Pleas do take their pro advise and use Darco d2100 extra light strings on this instrument do not waist your money on reinventing the wheel, I a string freak and tied different ones from the very expensive silk ones to the Martins Eric Clapton, THIS GUITAR IS ABSOLUTLY THE BEST WITH THE STRING MR. ZAGER RECOMENDS DARCO D2100 X LIGHTS!!!

set up is perfect
finnsih is great
The head stock and woods are just stunning the 3 piece Rose wood back is the best I have ever seen. Will beat any custom guitar out there!

Thsi guitar will withstand any playing, count on it!!!

The best Famely run ,less then 24 hour answers on e-mail and live person on the phone!

Ok here is the kikker all this for $595.00
YOU DO NOT NEED THE SPEND $3000.00 + ON A BRAND NAME BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY YOU BE DOING, DO NOT LINE THESE GUYS'S POCKETS BUY A ZAGER THEY ARTE THE BEST!!!!!

This "Orchestra Model" guitar is about 15% smaller than the full sized dreadnaught and is in indeed a pleasure to play sitting down. It is a 20 fret instrument. The top has a nicely grained cedar top with rosewood sides and a three piece back ( as on the Martin D 35). The abalone inlay is very well done as is the finish. It has solid Grover tuners. This is a fully acoustic guitar with no electronice on it. I plan on adding a Martin Gold Plus II acoustic pickup on this guitar at some point. Mr Zager has these guitars (shells) made to his own specifications at the same plant in Singapore that The Martin Sigmas are built. However Mr. Zager then does his magic on each instrument by lowering the strings to the fret board so one does not have to press so hard. He also widens the stance of the strings for more space for your fingers while keeping the neck shallow for all hand sixes. He then modifys the saddle, bridge and neck, nut and bracing in harmony to amplify the tone and resonance. This makes for a very easy to play guitar that sounds as good as any guitar I have ever played at a fraction of the cost of the "name brands" and I have had them.

As I am a fingerpicker this guitar is perfect in its size and yet only being 15% smaller than the Dreadnaught the sound is full and rich. As mentined I prefer the full acoustic sound "as is" but may be adding an acoustic pickup at some point. I would put this guitar up against any Martin, Taylor, Huss and Dalton etc. This makes playing a guitar an enjoyable experience not a painful one. The easy play system is for real and it works !

I could not believe how well this guitar stays in tune. I have never had a guitar, especially with new string (Martin lites), that stays in tune so well. Even when the guitar arrived from Nebraska where Zager has his offices and plant this guitar was 100% in tune. I examined the guitar for any flaws and could find none. This is hard to believe in a guitar that costs $595.00. It is a bargain.

This guitar is as well built as any I have ever played. I am very proud to show it off to my friends who have "name" brand guitars and when they play it they are shocked when they see how easy it is to play and what a beautiful guitar it is. Then when I tell them how much I paid for it they cannot believe it. At this point they want to buy mine right then an there !
Only time will tell but I can only tell, if I do my part in maintaing this guitar well it will only get richer and more mellow in the coming years. It is a win, win situation.

This is an area in which this small family owned business does an incdible job. Prior to my purchasing this guitar I must have emailed Dennis Jr. or Dennis Sr. 50 times or more to answer questions etc. They were polite, friendly and extremely prompt with their responses. They went out of their way to be real, honest and the kind of folks you know you can trust not only during the sale but for as long and you own your Zager. They want you to be 100% satisfied. Period. What a blessing these men are. They have an incredible busines ethic that has paid off for them in spades and it is very well deserved.

Having waited for a long time before I bought my Zager ( I wanted to see one for myself and play it) I spent much time finding out as much as I could. I was lucky in locating a woman near me who had purchased two Zagers and I was able to see and play her guitar. It was at that point that I realized that this is all true and this is so easy to play and yet it is a very well made guitar with much customw work for a price that very reasonalbe. I would buy this guitar over again in a heart beat. I used to own a Martin D-28 which I bought new in 1968. It had an incredible sound but it tore my fingers up and so I had the bridge worked on, replaced, lowered, the neck worked on, tha nut and saddle had to be worked on. All of this was to no avail. I finally sold it back in the 80's for which I could kick myself as that instrument would command allot of money today. I am very happy to have this great guitar knowing it is backed by a company that "cares".

If you want to know about these things I suggest you visit the Zager site and read about it yourself. My OM is sild top Spruce and Mahogany back and sides. Very pleased with construction and finish.

My style is easy countrt, folk and I prefer finger picking. My Zager excels in all those areas

I haven't found any flwas. The setup is professional. The action is easy and what they (Zager) say about the playability iis a fact.

Well built. I can't comment on pickups etc. After all, it's an acoustic. I will definetely do solo work with it.

The Zagers back their guitars with a 100% money bac or exchange guarntee. After 35 years in business, it's believable.

Been playing for over 50 years. I've had a bunch of guitars in that time. The Zager is on a par with any of them in all areas. I'm particularly impresswd with the overall fit and finish and yes I'd replace it in kind if it were stolen... Provided I'm not in jail for punchimg the sob with that kind of gall.

Finish Gloss
Body Style Cutaway OM
Bridge style Rosewood
Tuners Sealed Grover
Neck/Scale 20 frets
Included accessories 2 Zager picks, Martin extra light
strings, neck adjustment allen wrench,
certificate of authenticity
year made 2006
Frets 20 frets
Solid Top Cedar
Transducer Fishman Clear Wave 50
Controls Bass, treble, middle, brillance & volume
Body & neck woods Rosewood back & sides

I play mostly oldie and country style music and the Zager 80CE OM is ideal. The sound is crisp and full, from the highest high to the lowest base. I would recommend a Zager guitar with Denny's string science to anyone. YOU WILL BE AS IMPRESSED AS I AM.

Denny Zager is a true guitar players friend, his set-up is superb. The action produces a smooth even sound all along the fret board.
The 80CE OM is a top of the line guitar. I have no flaws, or imperfections anywhere, it is as if Denny really does inspect every guitar before he sends it to his customers. Beautiful Guitar!!

I have not had the Zager 80CE OM for very long, but I can tell you, once you tune this guitar it holds it for a long time. One of the added features of the 80CE OM is an on board tuner, so I have been able to easily check the tuning and let me tell you it is holding the tuning.

Again, I have not had the Zager 80CE OM for very long, But all Zager guitars have a LIFE TIME WARRANTY. And everytime I have had a question it has been answered in less than 24 hours.

I have been been playing for two years, I own a Martin DM1 (Zager guitar) and a Samik LW-044 GCEQ, and I have been to many guitar stores trying different brands from Crafter to Taylor. But I have to say it was the quality and ease of playing of the DM1 that sold me on the Zager 80CE OM. I felt I was ready for a high quality OM guitar and I feel I have receive that and more in the Zager 80CE OM.

Purchased February 2006 with the Zager Pro Wood Cased which has a built in humidity sensor. Cedar top, cutaway, Gover tuners and Fishman electronics. A orchestra model so is a bit smaller than full size dreadnaught making it much more comfortable and easier to sit and play, even if not in the "proper playing position".

Very nice mellow sound with the cedar top which I prefer over spruce top guitars I have tried. Have not purchased an amplifier for it yet but have hooked to friends Fender Frontman 25 amp, it will blow you away. I haven't been playing long, but have two friends that have played for over 40 years. Both were very impressed with what can be done with this guitar, which is saying alot, being they were both quite skeptical about me purchasing it over the internet without ever seeing or playing it.

Absolutely nothing negative to say. This guitar came ready to play and was simply beautiful. Everyone I have showed this guitar to have inspected it like they were purchasing it themselves and could not find any blemishes.

Haven't had the guitar long enough to determine the durability, but first impression (and that of others who have played it) can't come up with anything that would make me or them doubt any facet of this Zager. I see no reason to doubt that this instrument will last me the rest of my life. The top rating is based more on others statements than my own personal experience or knowledge.

The customer service was truly unexpected. I received email responses almost immediately from any question I sent them. They have a great website with play lists and lessons available. The lifetime guaranty plus the full 100% refund on initial purchase was more than I could find anywhere else. I feel confident that if at any time in the future there were to be any sort of problem, Zager would handle it promptly and courteously.

Only been playing a couple of years, but as mentioned before, friends of mine have played for over 40 years and my rating reflect there comments and my own novice perception. I would not hesitate for a moment to replace this guitar with the exact same model and style should something dreadful happen to it. It would have been nice to have some information shipped with the guitar about the Fishman electronics. The only other thing I can think of that would help me is to have a short list of various amplifiers or some guideline on what to look for in an amplifier to match the guitars capability.