Zager ZAD-50

Incredible action with low ultra Easy Playing Strings (no buzz), Thin neck, Brand New Six string Acoustic Drednought Guitar, Solid Spruce Top, Mahagony Sides & Back, Deep Gloss Finish, Thin Neck. However storage case and shipping are extra. Comes with Martin light strings. Lifetime Warranty and 100% money back guarantee including shipping. Came with a neck adjustment tool.

Sounds great and on a par with many more expensive guitars and better than most in its price range. I had ordered an Alvarez MD80 originally and was pleased with it except I was going to send it back anyway due to minor freight damage. So I ordered a Zager ZAD50 to compare to it before sending it back.(Zager doesn't charge return freight so I knew I wouldn't loose trying it). Much to my surprise the playability of the Zager was heads above the Alvarez. Sound wise, the Zager has a crisp, bright, woody rich sound without sounding dark or tin like - very similar to the Alvarez to me. The Zager's hallmark though is its playability!

I am not saying this to promote Zager, but to let people know that a guitar with the highest level of professional playability is out there at budget prices (I quit playing guitar once due to a poor playing guitar that made my fingers bleed). My skill level jumped up a notch automatically with the Zager because it is so easy to play! (Cross my heart and hope to die if I'm lying). I recommend this guitar to advanced players and especially to beginners who may well quit or advance slowly unless they have a guitar of this playability. The sound overall to me was on a par with the Alvarez - although the Alvarez did seem to project a little better at first until I put regular diameter strings on the Zager which then projected as well to me as the Alvarez did but was still easier to play.

We need a new catagory for the high level of play of the action the Zager guitar. The Action is the best I have ever encountered and I have spent hours in music stores comparing guitars. The neck is thin and the strings low for easy amazingly easy play yet with no buzzing!

As far as finish goes, some of the cosmetics of the Alvarez appealed to me a little more over the Zager (costing more it should - the Zager is also very beautiful however). I give the Alvarez an edge over the Zager in the general cosmetics area. For instance, the Alvarez has a matching deep grain wood veneer on the outer guitar head face and some abalone inlay that looked better than the Zager's head. I outlined some things I would like the Zager to have under overall rating.

However, I found the quality of construction and beautiful wood grain and overall appearance of the solid Sruce top and Mahogany sides on the Zager was virtually identical to the Alvarez (I put them side by side. They both had beautiful wood grain showing through a deep gloss.

Fit wise, much to my suprise since I paid less I found the Zager to be superior. For instance the Alvarez came with a rough spot on the top of the neck right where you hold it and some noticable glue where the neck joined the body. However, the Zager had no significant noticable flaws. The Zager Fit and finish were excellent and playability again is the best there is anywhere - period. I really wanted the Alvarez to play as well as the Zager so I could keep it because to me it is a little more attractive with a few more features. However the Zager (also beautiful) was noticably superior to the Alvarez in ease of playability/action to the Alvarez MD80. I found no Martin under $2000 that had the action of the Zager.

I have no regrets sending my fare faced Alvarez back and keeping my Zager - now made much much more attractive to me than the Alvarez because of its playability and incredible action. The Zager is a keeper and I am a very very happy with it.

The hardware seems top notch and the gloss finish is deep. Everything is solid. I am stating no opinion though because it is brand new to me. With a lifetime warranty I'm fairly sure it was built to last.

Incredible responsive support. Lifetime warranty with 100% money back guarantee including freight both ways.

The Zager ZAD50 is the easiest guitar I have ever played - including expensive demos ($1000+ Martins/Taylors) at a large Guitar store. The action and professional set up of the guitar is exceptional and the sound is on a par with more expensive guitars and better than most in its price range. You will not find a guitar with a better action anywhere. I did find one $2,000+ Martin that had similar playability but not better. As mentioned, I compared the Zager to a MD80 Alvarez (known for its playability) and prefer the Zager hands down. Both guitars are beautiful - but the Alvarez for my tastes has a slight edge cosmetically due to a few added features mentioned.

I wish the Zager had slightly thinner piping around the guitar edges and neck with less contrast and a curved head top with matching mahagony veneer face like the Alvarez. I also think the Zager name on the guitar would be more attractive if the letters were a little less blocky and a little thinner and more script like. As mentioned, the quality of the mahagony and spurce grain on top and sides as well as the depth of the gloss was identical to the more expensive Alvarez MD80. At $395 plus shipping and additional for a case the Zager ZAD50 is starting to get within a few hundred dollars of some more expensively made guitars but the custom setup and ease of action and playability and comparable sound make it well worth every penny spent to me. Although beautiful also, I just wish it had some of the additional cosmetic features offered by the Alvarez.

In the sound department it is on a par with many more expensive guitars and better than most in its price range.

Experience wise, I played guitar for a year in high school and then quit out of frustration because I was playing with a cheap guitar with poor action that made my fingers bleed. I have started again with ease with the Zager. My only other musical skill is having played drum in a band for several years.

I heartily recommend the Zager guitar and their company. The Alvarez MD80 was an easy player too but not as good in this department as the Zager. The best guitar anywhere is the one you love to play and for me it is a Zager.

I know what I have said here sounds hard to believe and perhaps overdone but for me it is true - and I am a very particular and hard to please person. I don't think the superior action could be disputed by any honest person. I am writing this simply to let others know about a very very good thing. Great work Zager family. Keep it up!

I just received this guitar from the maker yesterday. It has a beautiful bright sound, and is a joy to play. I got it with the black finish and it looks beautiful.

I like to play a lot of pop/folk. Things like blackbird, tears in heaven. It has a bright sound. It's wonderful for the price.

This is the best par of the guitar. Very easy to play.

I can't comment on durability as I have only owned it for a day. I think it will last a long time. It feels solid.

They were simply wonderful. I am writing this as a favor to them.

This is my only guitar right now. I gave up my old guitar in response to a personal tragedy. I've been playing for decades, but haven't played consistently. I would definately buy another one.

The guitar is new 2005 manufactured. Solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The finish is transparent (natural wood) and is quite beautiful. It is an dreadnought acoustic guitar with grover sealed tuners and looks like a Martin. The neck is quite thin and exceptionally easy to play. The neck has 20 frets. It is the Zager EZ string science. IT WORKS. Custom nut and bridge with hand filed frets.

Very mellow full rich bass notes and bright treble. I play a little folk rock and some blues. I dislike nothing about this guitar.

The fit and finish of this guitar is exceptional. Considering its relatively low price, I was amazed at the fit and finish. It is a pretty guitar. The guitar was setup and in tune when I received it.

I see no reason that barring accident that this guitar will last the rest of my life.

It has a lifetime warranty and it is new so that has not been an issue.

I've been dabbling at the guitar for 30 years. If it was stolen I would buy another ZAD-50. It is a beautiful instrument and has wonderful tonal qualities. It is EASY to play. Anyone who badmouths this guitar hasn't played one. I recommend this guitar to anyone who likes to play. Especially if you don't DEEP pockets!!

I've seen some slanderous things about the Zager Guitars and I just want to set the record straight....both the Guitars and the Customer Service are phenominal!!! They are right there to answer questions and want to do EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING to please their customers. The guitars are quality and the EZ-Play-ability is amazing!! I purposely turned down a Seagull and a Marting for the ZAD-80 and have absolutely no regrets! Here is my recent email to them:
Dennis,
No, No, No!! I don't want to return the guitar, I love it! I just wanted to make sure that the string action was set correctly and didn't shift during shipping. The guitar case had a crack upon delivery (which we spoke to Tony about and he's sending us a replacement), and I just wanted to make sure the guitar was not affected. The ZAD-80 has a beautiful sound and looks gorgeous. I just have to build up my playing stamina again.
Funny story about the sore fingers.... while I was playing the guitar and mentioned to my husband that my fingers were beginning to hurt, he asked me why I don't try using less pressure on the strings. I came back with "Because if I do, it will sound like this..." and I played a "C" chord lightly. My husband said that the look on my face was "PRICELESS" when the chord came out perfectly! So, I guess I've got to learn to lessen up on the pressure when I play.

I don't know if you remember us but my husband, Scott McDonald spoke to you last week, late at night about a ZAD-50 CE for me and you found him a ZAD-80 Acoustic Blem that you discounted for us and I decided to go Acoustic instead of waiting for January for the 50CE. So, this is the guitar we are talking about.

As soon as I get a used to playing for an hour or so at a time again, I will be signing up for your on-line guitar instruction. I'm excited about the prospect of not only picking up where I left off, but far surpassing that point shortly.

Thank you for all your help and patience!

Sincerely,
Ronna McDonald

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Absolutely NO BUZZ!

Solid Cedar Top
Rosewood Back & Sides
Rich/Full & Warm & Sweet Sounding Guitar

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Above & beyond!

Here is a fabulous quality guitar that anyone can afford! I played for 10 years and took a break, now I'm back in. I tried Seagulls, Martins, Takamines and the ZAD-80 topped them all. I love the way Denny sets up the strings for ez-play. Much less pressure required on the strings. Easier for a beginner and easier for a gig! The guitars look gorgeous and play phenominally!

My Guitar was made someother county. Has a solid spruce top, dreadnought body style, "Black Beuty" It came with Grover tuners and the neck was a thinner than the 1st crappy guitar i owned. It also had the Zager EZ-Play. I also bought a hard case that came with a temp and humidity gauge. The guitar came with a free set of strings and a shirt. This seems to be a lot of features for a low cost guitar.

I amd have been playing for about 3-4 mos. Sound was good to me, much better than my first guitar. I had my music teacher play it and he told me it sounded good. My wife likes the sound better. I noticed a little string buzz but usually happens when i get lazy and do not chord right.

Everything seemed good out of the case. I just played it without tuning. My music teacher played it just tuning very little. I have looked my guitar over for flaws b/c of the low cost, but it is in great condition.

I have had the guitar only since Thanksgiving, but it seems to be a solid guitar. The tuners are Grover so i assume they'll hold up. the finish is shiny and looks to be there for a while.

This is the part that sold me on another. I was trying to order the guitar over the net,but could not get it to work. I called Zager and placed the order over the phone, easy and friendly. The website said I could send it back 100% warranty so I bought the guitar. I got an email telling me the when to expect it, my address was wrong so i called back-Zager corrected the address and sent another email to confirm. I emailed them questions and within 30 min.or so the emailed me back. Very helpful and friendly.

I have only played for about 3-4mos.all the practice hurt my fingers i owned an alpine cheep guitar. I was looking for something to help searching on google. i came up on Zager's website. I read all i could on them, then compared cost. I almost bought a $1,200 Martin but since I was new i Went with cost. Zager advertised easy play and it was true. MY FINGERS NO LONGER HURT after playing. now i play longer which leads to better playing. I feel when i get better I still may get Martin but just to own one more than anything. So far Zager has been good. If my wife picks up some guitar it will be the maker i am going with for her.

The Zager ZAD 50 is a solid spruce top, acoustic guitar with mahogany body and rosewood fret board and bridge. It has been modified with a custom nut and saddle, and has hand filed filets. It's a full size dreadnought with a gloss finish. With the EZ Play modifications is has very good action and allows for easier play than the other guitar that I have owned for many years. It has sealed tuning peg gears that I like the look of with 21 frets that I would say are standard size. It has a white trim around the neck and body that makes it look very classy. It is a beautiful instrument.

I would describe the sound as rich and bright - a classic acoustic sound. I like a classical, picking style of play that I am trying to learn from the Zager method of teaching. The notes are clear and clean sounding.

The guitar looked perfect out of the box. It needed just a slight tuning adjustment but it had just traveled across the USA to reach me in St. Petersburg, Florida. I can't find any flaws in the wood or detail of the finsh and I looked pretty hard to find some. The strings are set very close to the fret board requiring little pressure to make the notes ring clear.

I am not an experience player or ever plan to perform but it looks like a very solid, reliable guitar that I am comfortable will last me a lifetime and hopefully my son's lifetime who will own it some day (hopefully a long time from now).

The guitar comes with a life time warranty. I just received it recently but so far my experience dealing with the Zager company has been very positive. I placed my order on-line late on a Friday night and received the guitar the following Thursday.

I chose this guitar for the EZ Play modifications. I wanted a good action guitar that I could afford. I have played around with guitars for many years but only recently wanted to really learn to play for my own enjoyment and wanted a better tool to work with. It is not magic, but it truly is easier to play than other guitars I have tried in my price range. I also have an Aspen acoustic, a Hohner banjo and my son has an electric Epiphone. If I lost my Zager, I would definitely consider getting another one.

I am a beginning guitarist and just purchased a Zager. Company was 1st class from the get-go.The guitar arrived in 3 bays w/a stand and extra strings in the box-was not expecting them. I forgot to order a case-too cheap at the time, but I am still being offered free shipping since I bought the guitar. I took it to work the 1st day to get my co-workers approval-major guitar player and critic, 30-35 yrs experience. He was late for his meeting because he didn't want to stop playing. 1st thing mentioned was the tone, neck const. grover tuners and finish. Took it home to the wife after work (35 years playing. Same result-couldn't believe I paid sub-$500 for such a piece of work. Everyone who has seen it and played it-nothing but praise.

Wife is classical player and co-worker is blues/picker style. Both were impressed w/ the rich/full sound. Both player made it sound beautiful within 10 seconds of holding it. No getting used to it or feeling it out.

Action is superb, strings are very low to the frets due to the mods of Mr Zager. All features have been detailed very nicely.

Have only had it a few days. My co-worker commented I bought a nice guitar that I should enjoy for a long time. He loved it has been playing the same gibson acoustic since the early 80's. I am pretty pleased with the purchase after seeing and hearing everybody's response.

Most guitar shops wouldnt take the time to email back and ask how it all is going-this one did. This company has a lifetime warranty and judging by the customer service I have seen so far, I am not worried. They are a small company and actually do seem to care.

Beginning guitarist just finishing what I started 30 yrs ago. My son and wife have acoustics, electrics and bass guitars-they both love it. I did my research and was impressed with the re-tooling Mr Zager does to the guitars. Very impressed start to finish.

This is an acoustic electric with a cutaway and 20 frets. I don't know where it was made but was modified in the US by zager guitars.It has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides.The fret board is rosewood. It has grover tuners and a built in preamp with onboard tuner and equalizer and volume controls.I bought a zager case separately (really nice case!)

I play rock and folk and it sounds great for both. I play it through a fender princeton chorus at home and a modified peavey deuce amp with celestion speakers on stage. I can get alot of gain before feedback with the 120 watt deuces. I run it through a line 6 pod and it is not noisy at all. The only thing that would be better would be if the preamp had blender pickups. This feature alone would easily be worth another 100.00 on this guitar. I have no dislikes about this guitar. Everytime I play it....it is a pleasure. I have been playing and recording music for 30 years and this guitar sounds as good on recordings as some of the 3000.00 guitars I have recorded. The bass player in my band has a D28 Martin and we did a comparison and the Zager whipped it hands down. I give it a 9 for not having a blender pick-up. I would have paid extra in a heartbeat!

The action was great on the guitar when it arrived.The pickups sounded good but I prefer the blender type sound as the other fellow said in his review. The bridge and nut were modified and the guitar is perfect for my fingers. When I go to a chord it is like every string is exactly where it should be.The finish on my guitar was flawless. It is truly a beautiful giuitar to look at and a better guitar to play. I will be buying the ZAD 80 version in the next year or so.

I have had the guitar since May and have probably played 15 gigs with it and I use it for giving guitar lessons every Saturday for 4 hours. I have not had any problems. After about a month I did have to tweak the truss rod 1/4 turn to eliminate a fret buzz. It has been perfect every since then. The hardware seems to be very durable.and I think the finish will last for many years to come.It didn't have a strap button on the front when I bought it but I put one on it. It would have been nice if they would have put one on it for you. I depend on this guitar for gigging but I always have an extra guitar for gigging because you never know what could happen. I learned this many years ago.

These guys are as good as it gets when it comes to customer supprt! They get back to you very quickly and spend time answering your questions.If I ever have to make a repair on this guitar I am sure it would be a quality repair in a timely fashion.

I have been playing for 30 years and have had a project recording studio as well. I have 1000's of dollars worth of equipment now and over the years have spent many thousands on equipment much of which I only kept a month or so including numerous expensive guitars. Simply put... if it doesn't sound good I don't want it. The zager guitar is AWESOME! I can honestly say that when I am gone my kids will wind up with my zager guitars because I will never sell them. It is a pleasure to play this guitar because of playability and the tone and overtones are beautiful to listen to. If it were lost or stolen I would order another one then kill the b*****d that stole it. As I said before...the only 2 things that would be better are putting on a front strap button before shipping and make a blender pickup available at an added cost. In ending...this guitar is an incredible value. You will be hard pressed to find a better sounding and playing guitar for under $2500.00 The guy that put on the bad revue must have been listening to a different guitar on his review or having a really bad day. I love my zager guitars!

2005, 42" Dreadnought Acoustic, no pickups, Solid Spruce Top, Mahogony sides and back, Grover tuners, Abalony inlays, Gloss finish top body and neck.

Sounds beautifully loud and clear. I am still new at learning the guitar and I like that this guitar almost "hides" my mistakes because the sound resonates so full.

This guitar was set up using Denny Zager's specifications and EZ Play system. It is exactly what it says it is-very easy to play. No flaws whatsoever.

I can't wait to play this guitar live. With it's beatiful sound, I wouldn't choose anything else.

They were so helpful when I purchased this guitar. They are very informational and I know if I have any questions any time, I can call them and they will be more than happy to help.

Denny Zager signs his guitars and I wish his name was sealed on the back of so it won't wash off. I've compared this guitar to a Taylor and a Martin and this one had far better sound quality and was easier to play. As soon as I have the money, I will be buying the same guitar in a different finish just for a different look. When I received it, I actually thought, "I need to stock up on these!"

My E-Z Play Zagar ZAD-50 Acoustic guitar was made in the USA,May 2005. It has 21 frets, a solid spruce top and mahogony back and sides with a transparent finish. The Zagar's, a family business, style their dreadnought guitars along the lines of a high-end Martin. The neck is reduced in thickness for easier playing, and the nut,saddle, bridge and neck are modified, enhancing the over-all sound. In addition, the strings are brought closer to the Rosewood neck, all of which makes the Zagar easier to play. The Zagar has sealed Grover tuners. An extra set of Martin strings was included, and an allen wrench is provided for neck adjustments. A temp/humidity guage was included with the case that I bought.

I've been playing a Goya classical guitar for about 35 years, and wanted a guitar that had the same feel and fullness of sound, but with a bit more crispness. The Zagar Acoustic is as easy to play as the Goya and gives me the sharp professional sound I was looking for, and then some.

I took the guitar and case out of the shipping carton 4 days after I had placed my order, had to tune the 1st string just a nudge, and she was perfect for the night's gig. I can't say enough about the Zagar "string science". He's really made a unique contribution to the craftmanship of guitars. You got to experience the action to believe it.

Like the high-end Martin guitars, the Zagar is designed for the long haul, top of the line woods and hardware, and a solid finish. Totally dependable craftmanship with an obvious caring to detail. I'll be using it with no back-up for all my gigs.

I e-mailed ZAGAR off of their internet website http://www.zagerguitar.com/index.cfm and got a response the next day. I responded by phone at their 800 number and had a nice chat, and then ordered my ZAD-50 Acoustic the next day, and it was delivered 4 days later. Zagar gives you a 100% money-back guarantee, and a warranty for the life of the guitar.

I began playing in the early 60's as a member of a folk-singing trio. My first guitar was a 4-string Harmony, and I've since owned my Goya classical and a Fender Stratocastor. Between talking with Mr. Zagar and the info on his website all my questions were answered, so there was no buyer remorse, and yes, I'd definitely call on the Zagar's again to buy the ZAD-50 Acoustic if this one gets lost or stolen. This guitar has all the features I've looked for in a guitar, and more. It's ease of playing is hard to believe. I'd put it this way: The E-Z Play ZAGAR is a custom, hand-crafted Martin at one-fifth the cost.