Zager ZAD-20CE

This guitar was made in 2004. it is an acoustic electric, and has volume and tone controls. Although this part is mostly no frills, it does work well. The neck and tuning pegs works quite well, and the playability cannot be matched for this priced quitar. I found this guitar used, but bought a case from Zager's website. The case came with all sorts of extras that just made me smile.

This guitar aids my folk style, as I have carpal tunnel, I have found with only playing two songs i already noticed a difference. My hands were ok, and the strings were not buzzing like my expensive ovation does. it has a bright full sound, quite impressed.

since I bought the guitar used, considering this fact it is quite clean, and shows what an impression a new one must make. No compliants here.

I will use this guitar in live gigs. the finish is wonderful..I even enjoy having Zager autograph the back. I might still bring my ovation, but this would now be my primary acoustic guitar.

the company is the best...please visit their website and see!!

Benn playing over 20 years. I also have banjoes and mandolins, bass and electric guitars. But going to folk music, I needed something I can depend on and play well with my hand troubles. I had wanted a martin, and since this guitar is developed from a martin, it's the next best thing.
Might seem cheap while buying used, but the store knew nothing of the brand, not even knowing who Zager is!! (yes, I had the single as a wee lad) keep up the fine work, Zager!! maybe I'll buy another sometime.

Built by a well known guitar company and modified by Denny Zager in 2004, this dreadnought cutaway acoustic/electric is first rate.

I have picked up my old Ovation just once since the arrival of this new Zager and that was to compare the sound. NO CONTEST. The tone of the Zager ZAD 20CE is so much richer, sweeter.

The set up was a custom Denny Zager job and is FIRST RATE! I can gauge my reaction in just one word, WOW! The action is the best of ANY acoustic guitar I have ever played and I have been playing for over 35 years. The only negative for me is the unexpected resurgence of some slightly sore fingers, NOT because Zager's "String Science" does not function exactly as promised, (it does), but because after playing for HOURS non-stop, I guess any body's fingers might get a little sore...:)

The guitar definately appears well made and I have no doubt I will be playing it for years to come.

The one on one customer support I received during the purchase was impressive. With the lifetime warrenty promised by the Denny Zager family, I expect any required support will be equally outstanding.

I have been playing over 35 years. This Zager guitar has the best action of any acoustic guitar I have ever picked up, period! Anybody wanna buy my old Ovation? I don't expect I will be needing it any longer.

Details, my ZAD-20CE is a full sized dreadnought cutaway accustic-electric. It has mahogany sides and back and a beautiful spruce top. It has abalony inlayed around the whole and rosewood bridge and fretboard. The electronics are passive with tone and volume sliders. It has chrome closed tuning gears. It's a polished gloss finish. It came with an allen wrench, picks, Martin strings. I got a hard case from Zager for 100 bucks

I love the sound of this guitar. It's bright with or without a pick. When I plug it in it's awesome. Like I said before, it sounds like an expensive Martin or Taylor.

The best thing is the set up that Denny Zager does, the strings are closer than any other guitar I tried in my price range. It arrived in perfect tune and only needs minimal tuning. It's flawless. They go over each guitar with a fine tooth comb, everything's perfect.

I'm just a beginner. I plan on keeping this guitar forever. It's seems rock solid but who really knows?

Dealing with the Zager family was very enjoyable, they were actually as excited to sell me a guitar as I was to get a new guitar. Nice people selling superior products at a fair price-what's not to love about that.

I recently purchased a Zager ZAD-20CE to repalce a Sigma Martin that was stolen. I did tons of research, went to all the national chains and local stores in Cincinnati. I wanted to spend less than $500 on my selection because I was starting over after 30 years of not playing. My Zager is the finest guitar for the money, It's so easy to play and is made to high standards(at least for me). It's tone is as fine as guitars costing five times as much.
Denny Zager's EZ-Play modification is simply superb, I've played every night for two weeks for at least a half hour and my fingers are fine. Now, I rolled the dice and took a chance on buying without playing, but the thinking behind Zager's EX-Play is what interested me. To have a expensive guitar that is painful to play is a total waste of money. I got way more than I paid for and I love playing this guitar. I highly recommend the Zager Guitars to any serious beginner or anyone.

The model is a ZAD20CE left over from 2004. It is basically the equivalent of the current ZAD50CE. It has a solid spruce top and a mahogany body. The frets are rosewood. It has a highly embossed finish.

The sound is very full and rich. I can play it aggressively or softly with equally satisfying results.

The action was excellent and the tuning perfect when it arrived. I have seen no flaws at all.

It is new so it is hard to tell at this point. It does appear to be very high quality but it is still relatively new.

Customer support was fantastic. I bought the guitar online and it was delivered immediately. The company immediately answered several questions considering their various models and features. The guitar arrived in perfect condition with amenities that had not been promised (extra strings, a t-shirt, promotional gifts, etc.).

I am a beginner who had been practicing on other guitars trying to decide what I wanted to buy. The Zager is so much easier to play than those other guitars and the tone is beautiful. Having the strings closer to the frets and the skinnier neck are both extremely helpful. It is a beautiful guitar and plays wonderfully. I highly recommend it.

Solid wood top/back/sides. Cutaway body. Features are pretty much the same as mentioned in other reviews (No need to be redundant). Built November 2004.

Quality is pretty decent. No glue globs, rough edges or blemishes to be seen. That's a little surprising considering this guitar wasn't very expensive. Came with an extra set of Martin Darco's and a t-shirt. One thing that really amazed me is the tuners. Very easy to fine tune and get it back into pitch after its long trip to NC from Nebraska.

Dreadnought body, so it does everything well. Top is solid spruce and resonates nicely. I like this better for fingerpicking than my Martin 000CXE; it rings out very nicely.

This model comes with a very basic generic-brand preamp. Only controls were volume and tone, so my expectations weren't very high. I plugged it into my acoustic amp, played a little and I wasn't very impressed.

Being the total skeptic that I am, after getting the Zager I went down to the local "big-box" music store and played 10-12 guitars in the $300-$1000 price range. I was pleasantly surprised that this guitar could hang with the best of them (unplugged).

The string science setup is applied to every guitar sold by Zager, and that was the main reason I bought one. I've struggled with barre chords and from other reviews I gathered that one of these might help. I was extremely skeptical but with the Zager's guarantee I figured it would be worth taking a look.

I'm pleased to say that barres are much easier with this guitar. The biggest thing I've had to change about my playing style with this axe is reducing the amount of pressure I'm placing on the strings. A feather touch is all that's needed, and I do find I can play for longer periods of time with less finger soreness. The strings are also a little farther apart (as mentioned in other reviews) and that does help a little with fingerpicking. In terms of strumming, I've put some pretty good strums on this one and have heard no buzzing.
The top has a few tiny blemishes but they don't bother me too much; I'm more interested in the sound and the playability. I could send it back but probably won't. As mentioned above, the Zager surpassed the models at my local guitar store in terms of build quality. It's amazing how many pricey guitars look really good and sound really bad.

Hardware and finish seem to be solid. Generic tuners, but they are a dream. Easy to keep and maintain tune. No strap button on the neck, but Denny does a video explaining where to put one and why. Really good stuff actually.

I haven't played live (except to family and friends--does that count?) so I won't make representations about durability in that venue.

E-mails returned at light speed and products shipped faster than advertised. The Zagers are very helpful and willing to answer questions. I believe their "merchandise returns" policy is par none in the business. Once you order they direct you to a website where there are a number of streaming videos about basics like how to string your axe, etc. I have found this to be very helpful.

Not exactly the type of support you would expect from a company whose most expensive guitar is around $750.

I've been playing about two years. I hit a wall with fingerpicking and barre chords and was looking for something that might help me get over that plateau. I truly believe this will make a huge difference for me. This is definitely a nice axe than the Martin I own, the other acoustics I played at the store (Martin, Seagull, Fender, Epi) and I wonder how they do it.

Beautiful dreadnought acoustic electric, Venetian cutaway box, Select spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, Rosewood fretboard & bridge,Abalone inlay rosette,Scalloped X-bracing,Chrome "sealed" tuning gears,Passive EQ, and best of all..a Lifetime warranty(includes return S&H)

Very clean sound. No fret buzz. I play mostly finger-style and use extra light strings. Tone is excellent. If i need volume I use my 15W practice amp, and it sound great. Good bass response even with x-light strings.

This action is this guitar's biggest feature, and the reason that I bought one. Each guitar comes with a complete custom set-up. Bridge and saddle are individually hand carved custom to each instrument. Frets are hand filed. Lowest string height I have seen on any guitar, BAR NONE. This still without buzz even when you lay into it. Guitar stays in tune an incredible long time. I am able to play much longer on this guitar due to its wonderful setup. Can't say enough.

Very reliable. I have had it for 6 months and have accidently left it within reach of my two-year old. I will just say that this is a very solid guitar.

I have not dealt with any company with customer service/support as good as this. If you call their 800 number you will reach one of the two owners. They really go out of their way to answer any questions, before and more importantly, after, the sale. They have an incredible warranty, and they pay return shipping. If possible they even send an advance replacement if you are sending your guitar back with an issue. I would rate this an 11 if I could. Not kidding. Check their EBAy rating and testimonials on their site. I am very glad that I found this company.

I have been playing about 5 years, and this is my third guitar. I wish that it had been my first. I would buy from this company again. I can't wait until I can buy guitars for my children.