Zager ZAD-50

Beautiful, well made dreadnought features the Zager String Science. Lowered strings, slimmer neck and smaller frets. Solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, sealed Grover tuners, tortoise shell pick guard, abalone inlays. A lot of guiter for under $400. Came with Martin strings and a t-shirt!

Sound is rich and full. Sounds like a much more expensive guitar.

Guitar seems to made well. My guitar had a small cosmetic blemish, which allowed me to get the guitar for even less.

Haven't had the guitar too long, but so far it has stayed in tune. Absolutely could use this live and it will sound as good as just about anything you hear.

Only had to by the guitar. Haven't had any problems to date, but in my converstions with them, I have no doubt that any problem I may have will be handled promptly. Don't expect to have any, though.

Amazing value for the money. Guitar plays sounds beautifully.

1. Made in 2006 and set up by Denny Zager in February.
2. Made in same place Martin Sigma Guitars are manufactured but to
Zager specifications.
3. Full size Dreadnought Acoustic with frets 14/20
4. Solid Spruce top, Magohany back and sides, rosewood fret board,
rosewood bridge, scaloped X-bracing, Sunburst pattern with gloss
finish, tortoise pick guard
5. Sealed Grover chrome tuners
6. Thin neck with reduced dimension front to back
7. Case is not supplied. Truss rod wrench supplied, An extra set of
strings is provided along with two picks and maintenance
information on their website.

Being an acoustic, the sound is great for the folk, gospel, country music our group plays.

I have a much more expensive Crafters of Tennessee guitar. The sound of the ZAD-50 is very comparable. The Crafters is a bit more mellow, but it has maple wood in it. The sound is bright and clear. I have no dislikes for the guitar.

The guitar was set up superb. it has hand filed frets and a custom carved nut and saddle. There was no buzzing of frets, and the action was low for ease of playing. The finish was without any flaws.

Right out of the box , I used an intellitouch PT-2 tuner to tune. Tuning was easy, and the same evening, we played it for nearly three hours without any loss of tune other than one arrow on the tuner scale on a a couple of strings. The guitar stays in tune remarkably well. It stays in tune as well or better than the more expensive guitar I have. The hardware all appears solid....Sealed Grover tuners are present. One strap button is present, but I doubt I will put one at the neck. Finish appears to be very well done and capable of holding up. I see no reason why this will not be dependable, and it does have a lifetime guarantee. Two of my friends, who have played for 15+ years, played it and they said it had incredible sound for the price.

Honestly, I could not have walked in a store and gathered more information than what is on their website. Also, questions were answered via E-mail within hours. Answers are given in a very friendly manner. In addition, a toll free number is provided. Warranty is lifetime.

I have only been playing since early January, however I have been able to progress well. I can play most regular full chords (no full bars yet ), and I can keep up with the group, (on most runs) I have started meeting with. I won't pretend I hit every chord at exactly the right time, but I got more complements when I brought the ZAD-50 than ever. My fingers did not throb after almost three hours of the last session. I have a Crafters of Tennessee sunburst pattern guitar for which I paid $1100 used (retails over $1900), and the sound is comparable...the Crafters is a bit more mellow, but for the price neither I or my friends found much difference. I love the low action and ease of playability. I tried a similar priced (local store) guitar and there was no comparison...high action with tinty sound, and it killed my fingers. I chose this guitar after reading, reading and more reading at the Zager website and other areas where testimonials were given. I also asked some questions which were answered quickly. There is also a large FAQ area in the website.

If this guitar were lost or stolen, I would definitely buy it back.

The main reason I wanted a second guitar is because I am moving, and I needed another to keep in the area where the group meets and the other will be kept at home. I cannot take one to work and leave it in the car like I do golf clubs. Speaking of Golf clubs, since I am a beginner at guitar, I can use them to relate. I am a scratch golfer at age 52. Golf clubs come in all price ranges and some are easier to hit and some are definitely better after they have been custom fitted. Still, no matter how well the club is made or how expensive it is, you still have to make the swing to make it work. This guitar has been set up by someone who is a performer (Denny Zager)and who knows how to set it up. I can definitely say this guitar is easier to play for me than my Crafters and a couple of Martins that my friends have. The Martins have more richness in the tone, but they are $3000. The guys playing them have years of experience. They were impressed with the ZAD-50 and even more so when I told them the price.

WHY I BOUGHT A ZAGER ZAD-50

I am one of the supposed misguided ones who purchased a Zager ZAD-50. After reading many critical comments about Zager on the Acoustic Forum I feel compelled to respond. Since my comments exceed the character limit on posts I have prepared this lengthy memorandum. Be forewarned it is long. And I am placing in the User Reviews. I previously reviewed the ZAD-50 shortly after I received it.

I read the Acoustic Forum regularly to learn about the guitar. I have appreciated all of the advice everyone, particularly the more experienced and accomplished players, so kindly give on a wide range of topics. But there is one topic which seems to draw from many very emotional and often mean spirited comments, to wit: Zager.

As I read the Zager comments I often feel embarrassed I was one of the ?suckers? who purchased the ZAD-50. But the more I thought about my purchase decision, however, the more comfortable I am I made the right decision, at the right time, given my circumstances. I want in this message to give others considering purchasing any guitar some counter-point of view to the Acoustic Forum?s usual dismissal of the Zager option.

I am not Denny Zager or a member of his family. I am not employed by his company. I have never directly talked with any member of the Zager company (only email communications) and nobody requested I write this message.

I am a 50 year old professional living in an urban area. I think of myself of well informed on current events. I have had the advantage of higher education and most would objectively concede I am well educated. I can read and write beyond a functional literacy level.

But I am not a musician. I owned a guitar as a teenager and sold it to help pay expenses in college. While I learned more than a few open chords back in my youth I was not then accomplished as a guitarist. Nonetheless as my 50th birthday approached I started a bit of ?middle age crazy? and decided I wanted to learn guitar. I suppose this urge was in large part to re-capture my youth and perhaps to finish something I started when I first picked a guitar more then 36 years ago. My search for a new guitar began.

The last time I shopped for a guitar (late 60s) there were no super-store music shops. There was no internet and I do not think Taylor, PRS, Larrivee, Breedlove, Tacoma, and host of current now name manufacturers even existed. I recall of course Martin, Gibson, Guild, and Fender and a start up company called Ovation from my youth. I also recalled that these were generally ?high priced? guitars for ?serious musicians?. So I began my quest for a guitar without any expectations of what to buy, where to buy it, and how much to spend.

I began my search with a visit to a super-store music shop in my city. Frankly this initial experience was intimating to someone in my position. First, the store was overwhelming with its selection. Guitars, amps, keyboards, horns, drums and accessories were everywhere. Second there were a number of wails coming through many low volume amps from the next Eddie Van Halens who were testing guitars. In the acoustic section some very competent players were having a jam session as they tried out new guitars. The store was full of customers who looked like they knew what they were doing and who moved directly to specific guitars and removed them authoritatively from their hooks and began playing them in a meaningful way. The store personnel were all young, hip, and apparently aspiring metal band members. I, in my suit slacks, starched shirt and tie with reading glasses perched low on my nose, was truly out of my element. I looked like someone?s grandfather trying to select a holiday present for a grandchild. Frankly, I wandered around the store briefly, and dared not even to remove one of the hundreds of guitars from the wall to see if I remembered how to strike an open D chord. Blame it on my lack of self confidence but I was too imitated in that environment to try to gain information about a purchase decision and most certainly too intimidated to try to play a guitar.

I turned then to eBay which was a friendly home to me to find products and product information. From eBay I found a mind numbing host of options I never knew existed. (try typing ?acoustic guitar? in the search function and see how many responses are given). Each guitar ad indicated the best sounding, mint condition guitar you could hope for was for sale and each seller hated to part with the guitar. I felt bad that so many people were forced to sell guitars they loved so much and was stunned that so many guitars from such a broad price range had ?unbelievable tone?. The ads were not much help to someone in my position.

But from eBay I did find names of current ?hot? manufacturers. And on eBay I saw the ads for Zager. The Zager ad directed me to a web site which revealed to me something I did not know which is that a guitar can be ?set up? to make it easier to play for a beginner. I never knew this was possible. I was interested.

I returned to the super store and talked to a clerk about a guitar and asked if the store did set ups. He advised yes--one within the first 30 days following the purchase. I asked how the set up was done and he simply advised that I should tell them how I wanted the guitar set it up and they would do it. Frankly I knew so little about how to set up a guitar I could offer nothing in response. And this second visit provided no real information to help me learn what as a beginner I needed in a guitar. I left.

I then wrote to several manufacturers and also to Zager and explained my situation and asked for recommendations as to guitar that a 50 year beginner could learn to play. Not a single email sent to the customer support department of 6 guitar manufacturers was even answered. I suppose since I was not a current owner the manufacturer did not have time to respond to only a potential customer. The only response I received was from Denny Zager?s son and he responded within hours. I followed up with many questions to him and received a reply always within hours which was polite, informative and had no overt sales pitch in it all. Whether most on this site think I was getting good information is something reasonable people can debate. But it was the only real information I received following two trips to a superstore and 6 inquiries to manufacturers. (I confess that at this point I was unaware of this site and its user review section or similar websites to this one).

I ordered from eBay the ZAD-50. It arrived promptly. It was indeed easy to play. I thought it looked beautiful. It had extra light strings on it and therefore lacked a strong bass response but the trebles were clear and bright. I loved picking the ZAD-50 up and have done so daily for months. It is a guitar which makes itself accessible to a beginning player, like me. I did find that whatever skill I previously had came back to me rather quickly and because of my obsessive nature practiced a lot and soon started to be a better player than I remembered. I have stuck with the guitar, practice daily, and take weekly lessons. I will never be a performing musician but I will for years to come find joy in noodling on a guitar. In retrospect I believe if I had not found Zager I would have abandoned my urge to play the guitar and not purchased any instrument. In retrospect had the guitar I bought not been so easy to play I doubt I would have stuck with it.

Since my purchase I have returned many times to the super stores. I have often dared to pull guitars from the wall. I certainly recognize now differences in guitars. Do I prefer light gauge strings to extra-light gauge strings now--yes. Do I prefer the sound of a solid rosewood box to laminated mahogany--yes. Does a $1500 Martin sound better than my ZAD-5--yes. Do I love the way the Larrivees sound--yes. Am I impressed with the Guild GAD model--yes. Will I likely buy a more expensive guitar in the future--yes.

But in my specific case and given my demographic I would not now be playing any guitar without the pleasant and prompt advice and information I received from Zager and had the Zager ZAD-50 not been truly easy to play. I am delighted the ZAD-50 was my re-introduction to the guitar. I will always look at it fondly and it will not long be an only child as I will purchase (and likely thereafter sale or trade which seems to be a common practice among guitar players?and a big part of the fun of this hobby) other guitars.

I write this only because I think many of the criticisms of Zager on the Acoustic Forum come from accomplished players who already own high end instruments, who know exactly what they are looking for and how to ask the right questions. These players may have forgotten, or perhaps never knew, the trepidation a beginner (particularly a middle aged one) feels in trying to choice an instrument. But in the end isn?t the interest of most of us here in guitar about having fun. My Zager started me on the path of having a great time and is providing me a lot of fun. While it may not be ultimate instrument for everyone (and judging by the number of guitars owned by many individuals--see the signatures on the posts--who so kindly contribute to the Acoustic Forum I have concluded the ultimate guitar does not exist) the ZAD-50 is an attractive, easy to play guitar sold with a focus on customer education, and satisfaction. I remain well satisfied with my initial purchase.

Now about those high end Martins and Larrivees??..

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solid spruce top, laminated mahogoany sides and back...lower action, rosewood neck,bridge, very nice...good pick-up don't know the model

how does it sound? well my amp isn't in yet... so I can't comment on the plugged in sound, but acoustically ...fantastic! yeah it's got laminated back and sides ... unless your a rich rock star or just plain snobbish you can't tell the difference... I've played nice taylor's and martins--guild's all of them but hey...we're talking a $500 vs. a $2500 guitar and it's pretty slim in all aspects.good sound

perfect.

yep.--don't play alot of shows..but can bang the hell out of a guitar mine is black so it does show dings and scratches more...but that's well.. playing. tough guitar...no worries.

man...I could go for days...just sent denny jr. an e-mail and within 5 min he sent one back...call and ask for mr. taylor??? hold please forever.

well I haven't had it long...but have had an american strat..washburn..taylor 310 for a bit and have played numerous other brands at all prices.. this is a great guitar and a great company, if it were stolen..I'd just upgrade and get the zad-80..that's the truth... all I can say is for $500 your getting at least double that in set-up and sound and triple in customer satisfaction

Great features for a 20 fret accoustical guitar. Great fit and finish. I went with the black model and the looks and finish are beyond my wildest dreams.

It fits my sound requirements to a tee. Not just the best sounding guitar I've played but I have received great remarks from my guitar teacher on the fit, sound and value.

The guitar looks as good as it plays. Every guitar is played and the final tuning prior to shipment is done by Denny Zager himself. He makes all the final modifications to the guitars. I like that it's coming from a small family owned company.

After playing this guitar for awhile and letting friends play it, I've been so happy with their comments. Like it sounds 200% better than their guitar. How did I find out about the Zager etc. were the comments.

I had several questions about the Zager prior to my purchase. I communicated via e-mail in order to keep a complete file on the purchase. I have to say that each e-mail was answered within an hour in most cases and the answers were complete and to the point of my quiry. The lifetime warrenty and guarentee with two of the reasons I bought my Zager. Spending a lifetime as a retail buyer with a very large retailer, I know what customer support is and what it means to the end user and the Zagers have it all together. Keep up the great work.

I bought the Zager for the sound quality and ease of play. I have fat fingers and the little more room between the strings really makes it easier to play. The setup of the strings closer to the frets makes the fingering so much easier on the fingers.

I would recommend this guitar to any player. Don't get stuck on a old guitar name, I'm glad I didn't pay thousands for a guitar I might not be able to play.

This Zager Z-50 was made in 2005
21 Fret
Solid spruce top
Grover sealed tuners

I like to play a little pure prairie league licks A little jazz

I thought the guitar was set up great

This guitar will stand up to any accoustic guitar out there! I've had a few.
The strap button is solid.
The finish is beautiful to say the least.
I play at least an hour a day for my own enjoyment...I totally enjoy the rich tone and ease of playability!

If I have any problem such as string buzz etc. I have been given an answer via e-mail within an hour and the answer has always solved my minor problem...Great after service!

I have been playing on and off for 45 years.
Before I purchased the guitar I completely researched the web.
If it were stolen I would definately by the same, with electronics.
I love the tone and ease of playing, as I play faster music.
I have played many guitars in and above its price range and have found nothing that comes close.
I wish I would have got accoustic/ elec model instead.

Full size dreadnaught acoustic guitar.
Purchased from Zager Guitar in Feb. 2006.
Solid spruce top (natural) with gloss finish.
Mahogany back & sides, 20 fret Rosewood fretboard.
Rosewood bridge, abalone inlay rosette & tortise pick-guard.
Sealed "Grover" Tuning Gears.
Zager EZ-Play design. Slim (front to back) neck, fine tuned nut & saddle with a low/wide string stance.

I prefer bluegrass finger-picking. This guitar has a clean crisp sound quality, and can really take a hammering with no buzzing or vibration of any kind. I chose this guitar for it's playability, but never expected the sound quality to be so good. It has the sound of a guitar I could never hope to afford, and I'm very impressed.

When the arrived it only needed minor tuning. The "Grover" tuners do a great job of fine tuning, and the guitar seems to stay in tune very well. I can't say enough about the action of the guitar. It's the best I've ever played. The Zager EZ-Play design neck and string setup makes this guitar a joy to play. The strings are so low to the frets that it takes minimal effort to produce clean clear tones with no buzz. I'm afflicted with short stubby fingers, and the slightly wider string stance is really nice. The solid spruce top has a very nice tight grain, and I can find no flaws in the high gloss finish. This is not a flashy guitar with lots of inlay and such. What it does have is very nicely done though. As for myself I prefer funtion over flashyness, and this guitar has that.

Although I haven't played this guitar long enough to know forsure, I've done some pretty hard picking on it and it seems to be pretty solid. In my opinion, I see no reason why this guitar would last a lifetime. Besides that, Zager offers a lifetime warranty & 100% money back guarantee. They'll even pay the shipping both ways. That says alot in my book.

Denny Zager personally inspects and sets up every huitar he sells, and stands behind them with a lifetime warranty and a 100% money back guarantee.

I'd have to give this guitar an overall rating of 10. The playability is the best I've ever played, and the sound quality is that of a guitar costing much more.

well this is a little more detail than i expected all i can say is i personally think my zad-50 is beautiful.the wood is great,the neck is thin so it makes it easy to get my hand around,and im finding that compared to some cheap guitars ive had in the past,it stays in tune orjust a simple adj.to get it there. im no expert in fact just the opp.a,rookie, but i like the way it stays in tune!

here again iam a beginner so right now im sure it is not what u would call beautiful music by no means,but it is not the guitars fault. it sounds wonderful 2 me.

my zad-50 was ready 2 play right out of the box.like i stated earlier it is absolutely beautiful!

as a beginner i can not answere this question so i will say it ias off to a great start.

here is where my ZAGER shines .the co. has been grade a all the way through . every question ive had has been answered quickly.and service AFTER THE SALE has been great.GRADE A ALL THE WAY!

beginner------everything ineed-------no--------ABSOLUTELY-----it really is easier to play------nothing----all of it----yes---just felt like the right 1------a few more yrs of experience----love my new ZAD-50

This guitar is a standard, full bodied drednaught configuration, 20 frets. Year and place of manufacture is undetermined (likely overseas), but it was closely inspected for any workmanship flaws and then given the Zager "String Science" treatment on October '05 here in the USA by Denny Zager (nut, bridge, saddle and frets all either replaced or reworked to lower the action substantially). According to the Zager website, the woods are solid spruce top (natural finish on this example), mahogany back & sides, sealed Grover tuners, attractive abalone rosette, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, gloss finish, tortoise shell pickguard, scalloped bracing. All the basic essentials, and more. Comes with a truss rod tool, a set of strings, a few picks, and details about the adjustments it underwent. I ordered a Martin hardwood case for it, and that is fine as well. The guitar is a bit lighter weight than either of my other two guitars (see below). So why not a "10"? I have to reserve something for guitars that are repleat with intricate inlays, fancy detailing, more exotic woods, gold hardware. Gingerbread for sure, but that does add to a guitar's snob appeal. We're all vain, right?

Guitars, like spouses, cars and music itself, all have unique personalities. Different folks may want different things. I happen to have two other acoustic guitars in the house, a newer Martin D-35 and a 25+ year old Guild D-35NT. Blindfold me and put either one in my hand and I'll tell you in a strum which one I'm holding because they all have their own voice and action. There's things I prefer about each one: the Martin's deep base timbre, the Guild's easygoing quarter-century-worn-in action. Speaking of action, the Martin's factory setup was too high for me, so I had to spend another C-note to have it adjusted, and it still doesn't play as easily as the Guild. And neither one plays as effortlessly as the Zager. And that's no joke. However Denny Zager does his thing, it works. If you can find an easier playing axe, it's probably electric. (My 1968 Gibson L5 CES is even easier, but is that fair?) As for the sound, again, I've played guitars far more expensive that don't sound any better. (The Martin is known for its throaty base, and even other Martin models don't necessarily sound like it). You will find the Zager sound surprisingly pleasing and bright, and up to the task--whatever it is. The intonation and true fretting are first rate and I would gladly use this instrument anywhere. Is it for everyone? Is Lindsay Lohan is better looking than Catherine Zeta Jones? Are Porches nicer than Jaguars? You decide. But with the Zager, your wallet will be happier than it might be otherwise. I know one thing: sound and cost are not related on a 1:1 basis.

Here's where the Zager enters a class by itself. Let's be straight here, kids: when you first pick up an acoustic guitar you're not familiar with, the first thing you notice is the action. It either impresses you, or you pick up the next one. Sound, while important, can't overcome a hard-to-play instrument. As I said above, I had to pay extra to have my Martin's action lowered, its wonderful sound not withstanding. Zager guitars will not have that issue, period. If they do anything right with the product itself (and they do a lot right), this leads the way. The body fit and finish are without flaw, as far as I could tell, inside and out. No glue drips, fit looks fine...what can I say? The frets, having been filed down, are a bit scratchy when bending a note, but I expect that will smooth out with use. ( I don't use string bends in my style, but I did notice that). There's no buzz, and I mean NO BUZZ. The Zager inspection didn't turn up problems, and neither did I.

I have no reason to doubt that this guitar will stand up to the use it will be put to. If it doesn't, it's got a lifetime warranty (see below). I'll probaly wear out before this axe does, especially since it's a bit lighter weight. I'd use it anywhere, alone or otherwise.

Lifetime warranty. My only contact with the Zager company (besides ordering the guitar) was to inquire about something beforehand. My email was answered within hours. I can only refer you to those who have had reason to use their customer service. And they UNIVERSALLY REPORT the best customer service you'll see. And this counts for so much. We all know what lousy customer support feels like (got a computer, a car, a bill that doesn't make sense? It's a standing joke anymore. 'Nuff said). This place, if you beleive the reports, is run as if every customer's total satisfaction dictates the very furure of the company. I guess that's what "customer service" was supposed to be about, huh? Finally, someone is taking that seriously.

Playing since about 1961; own Martin D-35, Guild D-35NT, Gibson L5 CES; have had Gretsch and Fender as well. Would happily buy another Zager. Bought it primarily due to customer reviews, both private parties and magazine articles. Best feature is the action, no doubt about it. Sound is good and perky, not deep and ominous. Did not try other makes since this was a purchase made with limited (and donated) funds for a gift to another party, but I feel I got the most I could for the money. I'm proud to give this instrument to the recipient, and I'm confident they will get years of use from it. I'd like to buy one for myself, but my wife would wonder why I needed yet another guitar. (I guess I could always point to her shoe closet, though, right? Maybe I'll try that approach...)

The ZAD-50 is basically a good quality, conventional steel-strung guitar with several critical design features intended to improve playability. My guitar came with a spare set of strings and a truss-rod wrench. The top is solid spruce with X-bracing. The tuners are sealed Grovers.

I'm a brand-new player - at age 64. I bought the Zager because I thought the very low action and neck design would help me play and learn. This guitar is a dreadnaught with a big sound. I love the sound. At this point, I don't have a music style. I give it a 9 because it sounds great to me.

Very well set up at the factory. Fit and finish are amazing. This thing is a work of art. I love the action. Although the strings are spaced more widely than on a typical plectrum guitar, another 2mm between strings might be nice. However, zillions of people play narrower necks without difficulty. I give it a 9 simply because I'm not qualified to recognize a 10!

Most of the questions in this section I can't answer very well.
Would I use it on a gig? If I ever GET a gig, I'll let you know.

All Zagers come with a lifetime warranty. In my case, that would be about 37 years. I have the impression that Zager is very serious about customer support. I checked "no opinion," but I suspect they rate a 9 or 10.

I'm a new player - few months. Tried to teach myself - guess I had a lousy teacher. Now I have a real teacher - much better. My other guitar is an inexpensive classical. Would I buy another ZAD-50 if this one were stolen? Yes. Too bad Zager doesn't offer some kind of theft guarantee. Given my limited experience, I can't nit-pick too finely, but I give it a 9 here, too, based on its obvious quality and beautiful sound. (I don't think I'm qualified to give a 1 or a 2 or a 10 to anything.)

This Guitar was made in 2005 and I presume in Korea. Others have said it is made in the US, but I don't know how they know that. I think it is made overseas and set-up here.
21 frets
Solid Spruce top
Mahogany back and sides
rosewood fret- board
gloss finish
dreadnought
rosewood bridge
sealed grover tuners
Smaller frets, nice, thin, wide-ish neck
Came with a T-shirt, strings, picks and picture of Zager.

In this price range it has very solid features.

Very nice deep sound. I have been playing 20 years, but usually electric and after reading the Web site, I was enthusiastic about having an "EZ playing" acoustic. Good, boomy sound, definately more than you'd expect in this price range. I mosly strum and use a pick on the acoustic and it really projects.

Well, after what I said above, you're thinking I am an a big fan of the guitar. In fact, I am returning it. After all of the hoopla on the website about low action, EZ playability (50%) easier than a high-end Martin, I found the playability to be just average. The action was in fact high above the 5th fret, much higher than my Ibanez or Ovation. I found this kind of hard to believe after all of the web-site blather about playability and low action. I just can't believe that this is the part of the guitar they stress, and then they deliver it with high string action. Very disappointing and seemingly inexcusable considering what the niche for this guitar is supposed to be. What are they thinking? The Action should have been practically on the frets with no buzzing based on their web prouncements. It was twice as high as my mid-70s ibanez, which I've never had professionally set-up. I have to say though, that for the price it is beautifully made and very attractive.

It seemed very sold and reliable. I wish it had the action they said it would and I would have kept it. I would definitely use it at a gig without a backup.

They were great on the phone about returning it. But they do make you call. You can't email them or just arrange a pick-up. I was afraid I would be challenged or argued with on the phone, but the guy was very nice and supportive. I haven't returned it yet though. We'll see how it actually goes and if I do get back my shipping costs and a full refund.

These are very nice guitars, and probably the best on the market for the money. But I didn't need just another guitar. I really had high expectations for this thing after spending more than two hours reading their web site. And I really wanted to love it. In fact I was predisposed to having it be the last time I would need to look for an easy to play, good sounding acoustic guitar. I'm always looking for the holy-grail of playability, and I was nearly convinced that this was going to be it. Alas, it's just another guitar. A very nice one, but really nothing special. If it had come with great action, I probably would have kept it.

ZAD-50 Dreadnought, Solid Spruce Top, Mahoghany sides and back. Grover sealed tuners with Chrome finish. Came with lightweight Martin strings installed plus an extra set. While we are beginning guitar players, and can't offer tremendous insight into detailed features, the neck is very easy to get your hand around and the EZ-Play strings are just as advertised; very easy to press, and they do not hurt your finger tips after prolonged practice. The appearance of the guitar is beyond other guitars in this price range, with the inlay and tortoise shell pickguard. We purchased the guitar for the sound after comparing it to others in the Zager videos. It sounds just as advertised in person. While I actually preferred the richer,deeper sound of the ZAD-80, my son liked the "brighter" sound of the ZAD-50. I'm rating it a 10 for the features and "bang for the buck".

This was purchased for a beginner who prefers the "brighter" sound of the ZAD-50 compared the the deeper sound of the ZAD-80. Compared to other guitars in this price range, it has a much nicer, richer sound.

The guitar came tuned and ready to go. As far as my unprofessional eye can tell, the guitar/strings/wood are all in perfect shape with the exception of some minor damage that occurred during shipping (see below). I purchased a blemished guitar and so received a discount. I can find no blemish on it!

Haven't owned it long enough, but it seems to be a solid guitar with a spotless finish. Since there is a lifetime guarantee, it's not much of a worry.

I conversed a few times via email and phone with the company prior to my purchase. All emails were answered promptly (usually within 30 min.) I ordered Friday and received the guitar on Tuesday in SC. My guitar sustained a scratch in the finish during shipping. When I called to ask if the scratch was the "blemish" (I ordered a blemished model) they honestly told me "no" and that they would either send out a replacement immediately, or I could have an additional amount deducted from the purchase price - no questions asked. Since we are obviously beginners, they could have passed it off as the blemish and we wouldn't have been the wiser. As it is, we were very happy with their customer service attitude and decided to keep it as is. (My children will probably add their own "blemishes" over time!) These guys did not "talk down" to us as beginners and answered ALL of our many questions!

Because my son is a beginning guitar player, ease of playability was the main reason I purchased this guitar. (Not to mention the apparent good value in comparison to other equally constructed guitars) I wanted something that he would persevere with as a beginning instrument (not the disappointing tough beginner strings that I had as a kid), but didn't want junk that I'd have to replace if he became more interested over time. I was very nervous about the "buzzing" possibilities that I had read about with low action guitars, and have not experienced that problem. Zager sends you a video (that appears to be easy to follow) to fix that problem should it occur. They really follow up and answer your questions honestly - not looking for a bigger sale or trying to sell you more than you need. They were very personable on the phone and did not get impatient with questions that were clearly things most guitar players would know. In short, a beginner should not be afraid to deal with these guys even though they mostly sell to fairly accomplished players! My guitar has a lifetime warranty so I felt little risk in this online purchase. (especially after seeing 800+ positive reviews on ebay.) From a vanity perspective, it was nice to have a good looking guitar in this price range. The most positive feature of all is the EZ-Play system. It really makes it easier to practice for a beginner with sensitive fingers!

- Full size dreadnought
- Solid spruce top
- Mahogany back & sides
- Sealed "Grover" Tuning Gears
- Abalone inlay rosette
- Tortoise shell pick guard
- Gloss finish
- Hand carved custom nut
- Hand carved custom saddle
- Hand filed frets
- Scalloped X-bracing
- Rosewood fret-board
- Rosewood bridge
- Genuine "Martin" strings
- Zager EZ-Play Modified
- Lifetime warranty
- 100% money back

This guitar is a very easy guitar to play! It has the lightest action for an acoustic. I can play it for a couple of hours without my fingers dying. Its sound is comparable if not better than guitars priced 2-3 times as much.

Denny is very precise with his set-ups He han makes the nut and the bridge to get the strings down low and spaced a little furhter apart than a normal guitar. This has help me very much as I have short fatter fingers. I can play my cords a lot cleaner. As for the finish. WOW in every regards. QUALITY QUALITY and More QUALITY. I had previously shopped at the local guitar super store and could not find a guitar that had as much quality for the price

Again, this guitar is made to last. Built with quality materials and personally gone over by Denny Zager himself. The Guitar arrived from UPS with a perfect tune still going. What can I say!!!!

Best customer support I have ever had buying anything. They are always at your beck and call. Call or E-mail it dosent matter they will respond very quickly. They truly bleive in Customer Service and strive to make any situation right. No questions asked-Very easy. 100% money back guarantee and lifetime warranty. Who can beat that... Please

I have been playing off and on for 10 years. My previos guitar was a Takamine. It was a good guitar. Now I can say I have a GREAT guitar. I researched this guitar for well over a month and came to the choice of What do I have to loose? Nother!-but everything to gain!!!
Check it out, you wont be sorry!

Features:
Year was it made: I don't know. Most likely in 2005.
Where it was made: I think it was made in Indonesia and I think it was made in the same factory that makes the Martin Sigma guitars.
How many frets: 20 (13 are free of the body.)
Top: Solid spruce with a tortoise shell pickguard and an abalone inlaid rosette.
Other wood: Body sides, back, and neck are Mahogany, the fret board and bridge are rosewood.
Bidings: White bindings around the top and bottom edges of the sides and around the fretboard.
Finish: The finish is a highly polished, blemish free, clear lacquer (probably nitro-cellulose lacquer.) Top color is the natural spruce seen through the clear finish.
Body style: Acoustic dreadnought
Bridge style: Accostic type bridge with a white removable saddle of unknown material.
Tuners: Sealed Grovers.
Neck: Thin neck, thin Frets. The neck, the heel and the headstock are a glued up 3 piece assembly with very unobtrusive joinery.
Included accessories: Truss rod wrench, an extra set of Darco/Martin guitar strings, and a tee shirt with a silk screened Zager logo.
Overall, I think the judicious choice of details and materials is superior to anything anywhere near its price range, but of course won't quite equal a high end Martin or Gibson, and I for one, am happy to give up a little to save a lot.

Sound:
This guitar suits my style well. I play amateur finger style, mostly blues.It is set up for light guage strings and that, plus the low action makes it easier for me to play than any other guitar I have ever owned. Barre chords are even easy. It's sound is rich and full and it sustains notes or chords for a longer time than any other guitar I have ever owned. I like the way you can feel the guitar vibrate on your belly.
With the light strings and low action, you aren't going to blow a bluegrass banjo off the stage, but it is plenty loud to hold it's own in a living room jam

Action, Fit & Finish:
The set up is superb. Intonation is right on the money. The nut and saddle are custom dressed and fitted. The frets are perfectly levelled. The action is unusually low but not a hint of a buzz. The top is flawlessly book matched and flawlessly finished. I'm no expert in finishes, but the glossy lacquer finish appears to me to be thin enough so as not to dampen vibrations but thick enough to last a long time.

Reliability/Durability:
I wouldn't use it on a gig simply because I'm not good enough to be invited, but I would if I could. This guitar gives off a feeling of being tough and dependable. I expect that one of my grandchildren will be playing it some day.

The warranty is for a lifetime, and they mean it. They will also take it back a guitar if asked without any explanation. I did send them back a three/quarter size guitar for full credit after I had played it for two months simply because I did'nt think it was growly enough. All they said was, "Fine. We want you to be happy," How can you beat that?

Overall Rating:
I've been playing guitar for 60 years. I used to have a 1930's Martin D10 but I gave it to my son. I've also owned a fantastic pre-war Gibson which got stolen. For myself, I would now buy another Zager ZAD 15 without hesitation, because it seems to me to be an instrument which gives up a few unnecessary qualities to achieve the absolute maximum of playability for the money I can afford. And it still looks pretty good.

Zager ZAD-50 Dreadnought Acoustic
It was made and hand modified in October of 2005
Awesome!
It has spruce top with mahogany back and sides
Typical acoustic with 20 frets; 15 easily accesible
Not so typical: hand filed frets, spaced strings, and super low action for your not so typical acoustic.
Comes with Martin Light Gauge acoustic strings; I switched them to medium with not a problem; also great binding etc.. list goes on..
Nice hardware: Grover Tuners, Rosewood bridge to match the fretboard and attention to DETAIL for under 500.00!!!!!!!!

My music ranges from delta blues all the way to jazz (extra spacing on strings really shows through when finger picking) I concentrate a lot on Diatonic scales or extended scales and the sound is remarkable! It simply punches through when needed. The lows are particularly sweet; being a former bass player as well I didn't want that heavy bass sound in my acoustic. The ZAD-50 is extremely "alive and alert". It is very responsive to what your strumming hand is doing (Loud to soft) Also hammer-ons and pull-offs are a blur for the first time on an acoustic (WWOOOWWW) I have played music for 15+ years; playing a many acoustics in my day, from your P.O.S. to your 2,500 dollar Martin's and Taylors. This ZAD-50 is right there with the big boys!! Why do they charge 3 or 4 times more; Look at the head-stock!! Sound has nothing to do with the name on the head-stock, sound simply reflects how the instrument was built. In that respect I have no complaints.

Holy Snikes!!! Dreadnought body is very comfortable!!
The neck is great, a little thinner making your fretting thumb come from no where, that is great!!
It is simple, 15 years of playing, never ever played an acoustic with such great action, no buzzing, no binding on frets (Hand filed frets from factory!!!! Hello!!) Smooth playability, it takes a minute to adjust to the set-up, but you have my word as a fellow musician; "You will not find a better playing, better finished; you will not find a better acoustic for under 500 bucks. Period"!!

This is a well built instrument, hand modified and inspected by a fellow musician before shipping!!!! (You there, why!! Go to Zager)
Can't fore-see any problems with this beauty. This is now my only acoustic; it will be the only one I have from this day forth, unless I purchase another Zager which is possible. It is an acoustic though, and it has the weaknesses of an acoustic, that is the only reason I gave it a 9.

I have not had any reason to contact support, except to say a big THANKS! There email response is uncanny though!! Within 12 hours I had answers to my questions and concerns.

Overall...Awesome, damn fine instrument, baffled as to why the "big makers" are so greedy!!
YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER ACOUSTIC GUITAR FOR UNDER 500.00.
Have been playing for 15 years and I can't beleive it took this long to find Dennis Zager and his family of guitar lovers!!!!
A BIG THANKS TO DENNIS AND HIS CREW!!!
This is truly a great country, when a family business is able to stomp the competition at a fraction of the cost!! I only wish I had bought the ZAD-80!!!!

I just bought a Zager acoustic ZAD-50 guitar. This guitar has a solid spruce top with laminated sides and back made out of mahogany. The fretboard is solid rosewood and this is a nice looking dreadnought. The tuners are quality grovers. This guitar has a shallow easy play neck with dressed frets by Denny Zagar himself. The guitar came with an extra set of Martin light guage strings and a couple of picks. I also received a t-shirt with the Zager logo on it of nice quality.

I play all types of music and flatpick as well as fingerpick and this guiotar has a nice sound to it. The bass is rich and full and the highs are bright with lots of sustain. This guitar sounds as good or better then other guitars I have played and the price of the other guitars was much more. I have no dislikes.

The guitar arrived at my house in almost perfect pitch, I had to slightly tune the guitar and was off playing it within minutes of its arrival. The action was very low and easy to play with no fret buzz anywhere on the guitar. The guitar had no flaws of any kind. This is the first company I have dealt with that advertises EXACTLY what you will get. I have dealt with other big name mail order houses and I have received many guitars that were dinged up or has a set of corroded strings on them. I would rate the Zager company very highly.

This guitar will withstand many years of playing and should be very durable. The guitar is well constructed and has quality hardware thoughout by Grover. The finish is well applied and so far seems to last. The guitar only comes with one strap ped in the end of the guitar. I can see how this guitar could be used everyday without fail.

I have personnaly dealt with the Zagar company and they have been outstanding. They answer the phone in a timely manner and address any question or concern you may have. I find it refreshing to deal with a human who takes the time to answer all questions and concerns one might have. Other businesses should take a lesson from this family owned company and have customer service like this one does.

I have been playing for 28 years and own other acoustic guitars including a Martin D-15 and Ovation custom balladeer, A CA composite graphite guitar, a Carvin, Blueridge BR60 and a Washburn32SW. I also own a Gibson Les Paul Custom. If this Zagar ZAD-50 were lost or stolen I would buy another one without question. The best feature of this guityar is the ease of playability and sound. The only thing I hate is the fact that it did not come with a strap button on the front of the guitar. I have compared this guitar to all my other guitars and quite honestly this one for the price cannot be beat, as it sounds as good or better than all the rest except for my Les Paul.

6-string dreadnought acoustic, mohagany back and solid top, sunburst finish, included a set of strings, picks, autographed picture, certificate of authenticity, and a t-shirt

Cross Canadian Ragweed and country is what I play - perfect for that style. Has a bright, clear sound.

Low action with no buzz - easy to play. Professionally set up. No flaws at all - ready to play when I received it with no alterations.

I can definitely play it lived. Seems durable - all hardware looks nice - has Grover tuning keys. Could use it playing live without worrying about having a backup. Stays in tune excellent. This is the 2nd one of these guitars I have purchased because I liked the first one so well. The first guitar was a black lacquer finish and I wanted a sunburst as well. They are both excellent.

Always extremely friendly and helpful. Couldn't ask for better customer service, whether over the phone, internet, etc.

Have 2 Zager guitars and haven't been playing for long. Would definitely buy another one if something happened to the ones I have. I did compare it to other guitars and found the Zager had a much clearer, more resonating sound and very low action for ease of playing.

Brand new 2005 model, I believe everyone has already addressed all the features of this model.

Nice and warm lows with some sparkle in the highs. Intoned almost perfectly. I've never seen a guitar in this price range with such a nice balanced sound. I've played it live using both a soundhole pickup thru a Baggs DI and also using only a close-mic. Both times it has sounded great on stage.

Set up by Mr. Zager is superb, as usual. This guitar is set up much better than guitars costing 5 times more.

I see no reason to doubt the durability of this guitar, it is a solid, dependable axe.

None better. if you have any problem whatsoever, just give a call and it is taken care of. There is nothing to lose by at least trying one of these, if you aren't satisfied, just return it for refund.

I've been playing for 30+ years and own two Martin OM style acoustics and a couple of high end Yamahas. The sound and quality that Zager achieves for under $400 is amazing. I was already familiar with the Zager fingerstyle method of playing (also superb!!) so I had to give one of these a try. So far everyone I show it to and let play, love it, whether they own/play Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, etc. Of course, if you are planning on mostly playing on stage, you might want to go with one of the CE models. This Zager stacks up to guitars costing many times more. I'm already planning on getting a ZAD 80CE next.

Nicely appointed guitar with all the features I expect from a guitar at any price. I chose the black finish and in a word - STUNNING. In my music room next to the piano black baby grand - oh-la-la!

Wow. Beautiful, full sound. I'm hearing harmonics, overtones, and other sound nuances that I've never heard in a guitar. Simply amazing. Mr. Zager has a rare combination of "golden" ears and the knowlege and craftsmanship to act upon what he hears and doesn't hear.

I figured I had nothing to lose trying one of these Zagers. If it played 1/2 as good as people claimed, it would be a bargain. Well, it plays at least TWICE as good. Zager's claim of "50% easier to play" is far too modest in my opinion. I've owned several guitars that I had professionally "modified" to improve the action, all 3-4 times the cost of the Zager, and they're not even in the same book, yet alone on the same page as the Zager. My playing skill has improved instantly and considerably. I think it's just a matter of time before all the better guitar brands adopt Zager's REVOLUTIONARY "easy play" process.

Unknown, it's only a day old. But see "Customer Support"

With a lifetime warranty, money-back satisfaction with shipping included both ways, that is all-telling. Now I know Zager ain't crazy - he offers these services because he CAN. I wouldn't be surprised if he never was asked to honor the money-back guarantee. The guitar is THAT GOOD. It came with a free t-shirt, extra Martin strings, two Zager picks, allen wrench and pouch, guarantee, and other paperwork. I bought a "bargain" guitar, supposedly "blemished" - I still can't find that blemish. There's Zager's conservative approach again by not over-inflating claims.

I've been playing for 37 years. I sold my 27 year-old Gibson acoustic that I bought in Kalamazoo when the Gibson factory was still located there. I was actually considering switching to an electric for easier play, then I auditioned a $3000 Taylor acoustic ($4500 list) and was impressed with the sound and action. Then I found out about Zager guitars surfing ebay for used Taylors. Man, Am I glad! No need to spend more than $500!

Made in 2005 in the USA. Check out the Zager website to see the specs on this guitar. It's georgeous, sounds awesome and is extremely well-made.

This guitar is a GREAT -- it's a true quality instrument!

Working with the folks at Zager to find the right guitar for me was impressive. The questions I had before I made my purchase were answered quickly with lots of careful explaination. The instrument I purchased is beautiful and made with excellent craftsmanship and materials. The sound coming out of this guitar is incredible and playing this guitar isso easy. Playing it is an enjoyable experience. I recommend this company and these guitars to everyone who wants to invest in a well-crafted instrument they'll have for a very long time.

This guitar was very well made. There are no flaws on it. It's a quality piece that I'll have for many many years.

Again, this guitar is a quality instrument. (see my comments above) It's well crafted, from great materials and is, simply, a great investment. I couldn't be more pleased with the company, the people who make this product and the product itself. The folks at Zager are true professionals. From my experience, they seem to really care for the end user and take pride in making sure the consumer gets what they need and expect from their purchase.

Again, this guitar is a quality instrument. (see my comments above) It's well crafted, from great materials and is, simply, a great investment. I couldn't be more pleased with the company, the people who make this product and the product itself. The folks at Zager are true professionals. From my experience, they seem to really care for the end user and take pride in making sure the consumer gets what they need and expect from their purchase and they obviously take pride in producing a quality instrument -- check them out for yourself. I couldn't have asked for a better purchasing experience and been more pleased with the product. (www.zagerguitar.com)

I've been playing for less than a year. I'm a beginner. To deal with such a great company who cares about the product they producer and making sure the purchaser is completely satisfied with their product, is refreshing. When I asked questions about the products I was interested in, I received the quickest response you could imagine with detailed info that was very helpful in making a purchasing decision over the internet. I've compared this guitar with just about every other guitar on the market that it competes with. The Zager ZAD-50 EZ-Play just holds up strong, very strong, against the more "well-know" competition.

The Zager ZAD-50 is an acoustic guitar made by Denny Zager. The feature that makes it special is that the strings have been lowered closer to the body of the guitar and spaced slightly further apart making it easier to play that a regular acoustic. I am not a guitar player (I've been playing the mandolin up until now) so I'm honestly sure how to rate the features but based on the special features that this guitar has (the easier playing)I would rate it a 10.

The ZAD-50 has a richer/fuller sound than I had expected which greatly pleased me.

The ZAD-50 is especially beautiful with some lovely custom features such as the ladder running down the back. The guitar was very easy to tune and holds the tune well.

The guitar and all of its fittings appear to be absolutely top-notch! I think it will last a good long time.

Customer service has been outstanding! I've e-mailed with them several times and have received immediate responses. Once I decided to purchase I received my guitar in just a few days. Plus, they only charge a flat $45 for shipping even though I ordered a hard case as well.

I'm new to the guitar so I am not a seasoned judge. However, I could have bought any guitar I wanted in the $400 to $500 range and, after a lot of research I chose the ZAD-50 and I am extremely happy with the guitar I got.

Zager ZAD 50 from Denny Zager of Zager guitars. Features the Zager string science and has a solid spruce top laminated mahogany back and sides,rosewood fretboard, hand filed frets,custom hand carved and modified saddle and nut. Full size dreadnaught.The neck of the ZAD 50 is shallow and very easy for novice or pro. The string science they use on their acoustics lowers the string height at the nut so little finger pressure is used to form the chords. The saddle is adjusted to the nut to bring the acoustic in harmony. The frets are hand filed to reduce string buzz and bite. These modifactions cannot be found on any acoustic guitar I saw in this price range.

You do not lose any volume or sustain with the string science set up on these guitars. The bass is deep and the highs ring beautifully. I cannot believe how good it sounds. Even with the low set up there is no string buzz, and playing for hours at a time doesn't leave you with your fingers cramped or sore. I quit using a pick, because the sound rings so true with just my fingers.

AMAZING. The ZAD 50 is set up out of the box from Denny Zager for easy play with his Zager String Science. This makes freting any chord very easy with no string bite or string buzz. This is a fine tuned hand finished acoustic that does not leave their hands with any loose ends or set up problems.

The ZAD 50 has a lifetime warranty from Zager Guitar, and will no doubt get better with age.

An extra set of strings. A tee shirt, and an autographed pic of Zager and Evans in show business prime. Are these guys trying to give internet business a credibility boost, or is this the way they treat all of their customers? I am absolutely amazed that they have been in business so long, kept their standards so high in customer service and quality, and chose NOT to jump on the fast train to "Get-Rich-and-Run." They provide a superior product,unbelievable customer service, a down-to-earth presentation, and all for a price that cannot be matched on the internet or in the store. I am thoroughly impressed.



I appreciate the several emails that you patiently and quickly answered as I
researched your guitars over these several weeks. Once I made my purchase,
I could not wait to see if all of the testimonials were true. I received my
new guitar, and have only put it down to go to work, or the occasional meal.
The sound it produces only compares to the most expensive guitars I have
played. The touch to the strings has the lowest action I have ever played.
I admit I was skeptical at best. Maybe 16 years of practicing law has done
that to me, but I just could not imagine that an internet-based business
could turn out to be the "real deal." You have certainly earned my trust
and business, and apparently the business of hundreds or thousands of others
before me.

I been playing guitars off and on as a hobby for 15 years and have had an assortment of low end guitars. I like the action as it is low which allows me to play much longer and the sound is so sweet. Neck wise it is the thinest acoustic I have played. This is an awesome acoustic, and for the price and warranty you will not beat the ZAD50 for all of the custom work put into each one, their ease of play, tone, sustain, intonation, etc. You cannot get the personal customer service you get from Zager anywhere else. If something happened to this one, I would replace it in a heartbeat!

Zager Accoustic, custom made guitar.

This guitar has a bright, rich sound and ring to it. I am not exaggerating when I say it sounds as good or better than a Martin.

Custom fit and adjusted. strings very close to frets for easy play without any noticeable string rubbing on the frets. Guitar was nicely set up before shipping and ready to play after a slight tuning. Very nice look and finish

Very solid and beautiful finish.

Very responsive and helpful on telephone.

I have been playing for 8 years

This is an American made guitar, manufactured in May of 2005. It is a full size dreadnought acoustic guitar with no electronics. The guitar has 20 frets and is made entirely of wood. NO LAMINATES. The body has a solid Spruce top, a rosewood fretboard and the sides and back are made of Mahogany. It has the inlay design and a tortoise pick guard. The top is a natural color with a gloss finish. The tuners are sealed Grover tuners. The guitar came with a couple pics and a stand and it came strung with genuine Martin strings and an additional set of Martin strings.

The guitar is excellent for my style. I am a beginner and was looking for a great sounding guitar, one that sounds full and resonates well. I wanted to make sure the guitar sounded great so I could concentrate on my abilities. This Zager fits the bill. And because I am a beginner, an acoustic was the least expensive way to go. The sound is full bodied and has impressed a all of my frends that have been playing lots of other guitars for many years.

The guitar was ready to play right out of the box(it was shipped through UPS). It only needed a couple minor adjustments to bring it into tune. Nothing that was not expected. This guitar is a Zager E-Z play guitar wich means that it has been hand made to have a very low string action and the strings have been spread to help improve the ability to play. It is exactly as described on the website. I did actually purchase mine as a "second" (at a discount) and I was told there was a mare in the finish on the back. When I opened the box up, it was just like it was stated to me.

As an acoustic guitar it is well made. It has the cross members and is entirely made of wood, which allows it to breathe, expand and contract with the enviroment it is in. The all wood design and the great Grover tuners are above what I was expecting to get as my first guitar. I expectd to end up getting a guitar that was barely finished and felt like a thin piece of unfinished balsm wood for my beginner price range, but I found this guitar on the web and decide to spend a little bit more than a "starter" guitar would cost me at my local shop and got a well made, extremely well finished(this thing has a lot of coats on it)with excellent sound that I will be able to play and enjoy for a lifetime without looking to upgrade to a better guitar in a few years! The strap button is the only thing I would change, because there is only the one on the bottom of the body. The other will have to be added by a shop(at my expense) or by myself(which they do provide a video on their website to walk you through the process). The guitar is solid and very light!

I had many interactions with the Zager Guitar Company, through e-mail, before I purchased the guitar and each and everyone was answered in a very quick time line and the responses were not "pre-fabed" answers. They were complete answers to my question and not just a response by a salesman. Since I am a beginner, I was very concerned about investing in a guitar that I may not be abe to play or wouldn't want to play for very long. I was asured by The Zager Guitar Company that I would be satified with the guitar and that it was not only a great guitar for long time guitar players but it was also the best guitar for a beginner. They assured me that if I did not agree after I received the guitar they would take it back and they would pay the shipping of it(no cost to me). That says a lot about a company. The guitar also offers a lifetime warranty. I have not had any reason to take advantage of this warranty.

I have been playing for a short time and this is the only guitar I own. I asked ALL the questions I needed to ask(Zager, guitar shops and my friends) before I purchased, probably more than I needed to. If this guitar was stolen or lost I would buy another Zager E-Z Play guitar, although I would invest in the electric acoustic model. I did not buy the electric acoustic to begin because of the additional cost and the fear that I may not be able to play the guitar or stick with it, but after just a short period of playing this E-Z play guitar, I am sure I will be playing the rest of my life. It really is easy to play and the sound is what you want to hear coming from something you are investing your time and energy into. I was not able to do a one on one comparison due to the fact that Zager's are only available on-line, but I did look at a lot of starter guitars and some solid wood guitars from Takamine, Taylor, Yamaha and Washburn and all of the solid wood models were in the same price range but were not designed as an "E-Z Play" guitar. That is what drew me to the Zager and it was the right decision. This guitar looks good, sounds great, plays great, my friends are impressed and I don't have to look for an upgrade now that I will be playing for a long time to come!

This Guitar was made in 2005 in the US.
21 frets
Solid Spruce top
Mahogany back and sides
rosewood fret- board
gloss finish
dreadnought
rosewood bridge
sealed grover tuners
neck/scale is slim, smaller frets
tools, humidifier

I'm a player who's been playing on and off for 20 years. I play fingerpicking blues. Iv'e owned a Guild D-40 and this guitar fits the bill much better.
Rich full sound
love the feel of this guitar but wished the base strings sounded deeper

Set up is exceptional. These guitars are hand modified by the owner for easy playability.
sorry guys not one flaw in this beauty.

As far as reliability and durability are concerned as far as I can see
it would hold up nicely to live playing. A very dependable guitar with hardware and all other concerns top notch.
I don't play gigs so I can't answer that question

I've delt with the owners son who was very helpful in answering questions I had before making my purchase. Very friendly and very quick to respond to my questions.
New guitar so I haven't had any repair situations.
Lifetime warranty

Iv'e been playing for 20 years. I also own an AGILE AS-820 Prestige
No questions werent asked or answered to my liking
If this guitar was lost or stolen I probably would replace it with the Zad- 80 which I almost bought but Christmas put me back a bit.
I love the look and easy playability. I love that this guitar stays in tune so much longer than others Ive had.
I compared it to Martins and Gibsons. I chose this guitar because I felt the others were overpriced for what I wanted and also for the fact that I would deal with the owners of the company if I ever needed help with something as opposed to dealing with a guitar shop who is really just the middleman.
Satisfied with all the features.
I know you guys don't like glowing reviews with no negatives, but lets be honest here. Ive read reviews in guitar player magazine that if a product shines or doesnt its there in B& W. Here is a guitar maker that is taking the time and effort to set things right in creating a fine guitar. With so much junk being sold out there lets praise the work of an American guitar maker as we did when Fender and Gibson were made here in the states without the high price tag.

This is a 2005 model and I feel the features are fine. This is a dreadnought and the finish is Black and it appears to be very well done. I was looking for a guitar with a warrenty and this company provides a money back (shipping included) guarentee. I have no reason to return it but buying online made this an important feature to me. One of the most important points to me was the custom setup. This may not be for everyone, however I wanted/needed a guitar that was as easy to play (on the fingers) as possible. I have sensitive skin and small hands so the narrow neck, and lowered string setup was an important feature. The guitar arrived with a free extra set of strings (I am not sure that they always do that), as well as a warrenty signed by the company owner D. Zager (a professional singer songwriter).

I have limited experience for the sake of comparision, however it is a nice sounding instrument as far as I am concerened. On this point I based my investigation on other posts by more experinced players that gave the overall sound of the guitar a very high rating. The guitar arrived in tune and I felt the sound was full and somewhat bright but just fine to me.

As far as I can see the guitar fit and finish is good. I purchased a second with cosmetic problems but I could see none on the instrument. The guitar recieved a custum setup by the company founder D. Zager, and this was a big selling point to me.

I hav enot had the instrument long enough to comment on durabilty, they do provide a warrenty which I believe tells allot about it. With grover tuners and a gloss finish I think the guitar sould hold up fairly well. At $345 this is not a high end guitar so I can not expect it to be as durable as a $3000 guitar. That does not mean it will not be, I just have to be realistic. I could by 9 of these for $3000 so I should not expect it to hold up quite as well.

The company is outstanding to deal with. This is a 10 plus rated catagory in my mind. I run a small company and I realize how hard it is to provide personal help to customers. This company in my mind is doing a very good job in this area. The owner appears to have a real passion for music and is attempting (in my mind) to bring his knowledge and love of music to the public through his company and these instruments.

I began to play 25 years ago but have not played in years. I wanted to get a new guitar with as easy playing setup as reasonable. My favorite feature is the setup with the lowered strings. With this setup I was able to practice for a couple hours with out any discomfort, that is what I was paying for. I would love to give this instrument a 10 for every catagory but I don't won enough instruments in this price range to compare. I will say that for the cost and with the warrenty and gaurantee that this is an above average value if you are looking for an instrument that is above average in ease to play and is well under $1000.00.

You can read the features from the many other reviews posted about the ZAD50. This one has a natural finish on the solid spruce top. Other than that they are all constucted the same. This guitar has no frills, its set up to play. I bought it as a gift for a friend. The case was extra. Both the guitar and the case were blems or 2nds, but I couldn't find anything wrong with either.

I own an all koa Taylor and a spruce with rosewood back and sides Tacoma and this guitar has its own sweet tone. Its set up with extra light stings so you can't expect it to have a deep or strong sound, but if thats what you want you can amplify it. The sound is crisp and very warm.

The guitar came set up by Danny Zager himself, and every thing fit very well and didn't have any problems anywhere. I purchased a 2nd or blem guitar and I couldn't see anything wrong with it other than there were some miner things in the grain of the spruce top which I think added character to the guitar.

I just bought the guitar for christmas for my friend so I can't answer that question as its brand new. It does seem to be built just fine by me.

This is one of the things that sold me the most about this guitar. I had never played one previously and was uncomfortable about buying it until I learned of there money back guarantee that included shipping back. It gave me the confidence to buy and I wasn't dissapointed. They were very helpful about giving me any information I requested. They seem like a small family owned business that takes pride in what they do and seem to understand the importance of service and friendliness. It was a real pleasure doing buisness with them.

I have been playing about 30 years but only play when I have the time or get motivated. I play in church for praise and worship and just in my own home. I own a Taylor and a Tacoma guitar and this guitar plays easier than either of them. All three have there own tone but the Zager has a very pleasent sound. I bought this guitar for a friend and I will be recomending it to others. I think for the money I couldn't buy anything else new that compares for less than a Grand, probably more. I love my Taylor and my Tacoma and I could never sell either one of them but this guitar has features that they don't and that's the easy play feature. You can play this guitar much longer without fatique or blood and thats what I love about this guitar.

Purchased new in September 2005
Acoustic
Drednought
Solid Spruce top Mahogany back and sides
Sunburst finish
Grover Tuners

This is an excellent basic full-sized acoustic guitar. This guitar truly has the sound of a $1,500+ Taylor or Martin. Amazing, really.

Unsurpassed set-up. I can't afford a big brand guitar with this nice of an action. Nice grain in the cedar top shows through the tobacco-burst finish. Binding and finish are perfect. Terrific overall finish quality. Outstanding set-up and action.

This guitar is only a few months old. It seems to be solidly constructed. It's a basic, set-neck dreadnought. I have no reason to think that it will not last a life-time.

Zager customer service seems to me to be the gold-standard. I think being a small, family owned and operated company helps them in this area. All of my emails have been answered within hours. No repairs have been necessary. Life-time warranty (hard to beat that).

I've been playing seriously for a little over a year. I play with friends that are professional musicians and they love my Zager! One of my friends plays a $2,000+ Taylor and now he always asks if he can play my Zager. I can't imagine a better sounding guitar for twice, or three times the price. It's hard to imagine a better playing guitar at any price. I will purchase an acoustic/electric version of the ZAD-50 in the near future.

2005, USA. 20 frets, soild top, Dreadnought design acoustic only. Grover tuners, Thin neck Rosewood fretboard

It has a rich full bright sound.
Like it very much.
No dislikes

It has strings low to the fretboard for easy playing with no buzz.
Have not noticed any flaws,

Seems like a very good quality guitar.
I can depend on it

Customer support very friendly and helpful.
The warranty is lifetime, free replacement

Three years
Yes, I would buy the same guitar, again
Love the tone.
Favorite feature is the low set strings for easy playablity

This dreadnought model was made this year, 2005. It has 20 frets, a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides with an abalone inlay rosette, a tortoise shell pick guard. Construction method includes scalloped X-bracing. No electronics. It has a beautiful gloss finish and a rosewood fret-board. It came with genuine Martin Extra Light strings tuned by sealed "Grover" tuning gears. The neck is modified by Denny Zager's design - it's thinner and the strings slightly farther apart, the neck is a little wider. This feature is extremely valuable and is certainly appreciated by anyone who plays it. Also, this feature is a result of Denny Zager's reasearch into the physics of guitar acoustics and playability. However, it certainly makes it easier to play. The frets are hand-filed to achieve optimal dynamics on the strings. It has a hand-carved custom nut and saddle also tuned to perfection. This combination of features suggest an upscale instrument in the $1800 and up range.

My playing is mostly finger-style, no picks. The tone quality is ideal for my music. This guitar is only acoustic, I don't use amplification. There is no buzzing or noise of any kind. I've been playing for a month now and cannot find any flaws or deficiencies that need attention. It's capable of a terrific range of volume with no distortions or noise anywhere. I love this guitar because it needs nothing else.

The goal and focus of Denny Zager is to do the best set-up possible on every guitar he sells. When I first got it, it was perfectly in tune. Zager guitars appear to have a great reputation for an extrelemly low action and still not buzz strings. It takes half the effort to press strings in a chord than it does on much more expensive guitars that I have tried out in stores.

I've only owned this guitar for about a month so I attest to it's long-term durability but it certainly appears to be constructed well with excellent features. I'm not a professional.

The guitar has a lifetime warranty and. I haven't had to report any problems but my contact with them was extremely pleasant and rewarding. Delivery was quicker than I expected. All questions were answered and all my emails were promptly responded. They're very nice people.

I've been playing a year and own an Ovation and a Yamaha classical. I have insured this guitar for loss and would replace it with the same model. I love the sound. It's awsome. I don't hate anything about it. My favorite feature is the thin neck and low action with the extra light strings from Martin. I chose this based on testimonials of their customers and the information from the company itself.... and it was all true. This is a wonderful guitar and a terrific value.

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

See comments above

Absolutely NO BUZZ!

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

See comments above

See Comments Above

See Comments Above

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.

Zager ZAD-50.

Made in Indonesia. May, 2005.

Full size dreadnought.

Solid Spruce top. Laminated mahogany (looks like african sapele mahogany to me) body and sides, and neck with high gloss finish (really is beautiful. Rosewood bridge and fretboard.

Abalone rosette.

Sealed Grover tuners.

Tortoise-shell pickguard.

Extra thin neck. (for short, fat hands like mine)Hand filed frets. Lowered and spaced out Martin strings.

Martin Professional Hard Shell Wood case. Some picks, certificate of authenticity, extra set of strings, allen wrench, Zager t-shirt.

I originally purchased a Martin Sigma D-1 from Zager. Guitar was still beautiful, but did not like the tone much at all (muddy.) I emailed the company, Dennis Zager Jr. wrote back the same day, and recommended a solid top ZAD-50 for tonality instead. They told me to keep the D-1 until I got the ZAD-50, to play it and see if I liked it. Tonal difference was mammoth.

Played EVERY guitar they had at Guitarworld, in Cincinatti. The tone of this instrument is similar to the Ramirez, Martins, Gibsons well in excess of $1000.00. NO guitar they had at $500.00 or less was close.

Tone is, to my ear, very full, rich on bass notes. Tone is most important aspect of a guitar to me. It is perhaps a little too bright on upper end.

Some tendency for buzzing, I believe partly because strings are so low.

Guitar came fully tuned. Has hand-filed frets, widened strings.

No flaws, misalignments, or loose controls.

Requires light touch due to low strings, may buzz a little easy.

Unable to give much info here.

Guitar is too new, though I do have 3 boys under 10, and so far, guitar has held up. No wearing of finish. Seems to withstand minor bumps and scrapes pretty well.

This may be about the best part of buying this instrument.

VERY responsive. Received emails back the same day. Didn't like tone of original instrument. Sent me an upgrade while I still had the original, to compare, at their cost. Picked up old guitar, told me to keep the extras, strings, picks, allen wrench, etc.

Made me feel very valued as a customer, even though had no previous business with them. I felt like they really cared about their products and customers. Truly outstanding customer service. I am hunting hard for ANY airline with service even close to this company's.

Have played an electric Gibson hardbody with a small Peavey amp off and on for a couple of years. I'm basically a beginner with an acoustic.

I should have done a little more looking into what factors truly affect tone before purchasing the DM-1, but they did correct this for me with excellent communication and customer service.

I would certainly buy this guitar again, if I lost it. I definitely will do business with them again for either gifts or upgrades.

The very rich tone and the playability are by far the best features, and dealing with the owners is an actual pleasure in my experience. Excellent and user-friendly website.

I love being able to play longer with less sore fingers. The finish is almost a little too glossy for my taste, and it does buzz a little easy (the price for lowered strings, I guess.) I would like to hear one of these with a mahogany top, to see what the tone difference would be.

I compared to other guitars in this price range (some Ibanez, Takamines, Washburns.) The finish was maybe more to my liking in some other instruments, but the tone, which was much more important to me, was a no-brainer decision. I was unbable to find an instrument with comparable tone until about 2x the price paid. Very happy with this purchase.

This is a ZAD-50 specially modified acoustic guitar utlizing the EZ-Play techonolgy of Denny Zager. It has 20 frets, a solid spruce top, mahogany sides and body, a rosewood neck, Groover sealed tuners, and abalone inlays. Mine is the blond natural finish with very high gloss in dreadnought style. It came with a certificate of autheticity, a extra set of Martin strings, two Zager picks and a surprise T-Shirt.

I am a returning recreational musician. I am now 50 years old and played in small garage bands in the 60s and 70s. I have not touched a guitar since 1978. I recently became interested in picking back up the guitar and found Zager guitars. I was immediately attracted to the guitar due to its use of EZ Play technology. Having received the guitar I note that it is set up very well for a player of my level (and likely any level.)It is easy to chord, including barre chords, and the spacing of the strings avoids congestion by my clumsy fingers. It is amazing to me that at this price point the guitar was set up expertly and exactly as someone in my position and skill level needs and appreciates. The tone of the instrument is bright and full. It sounds really very good and as good or better than higher priced name brand guitars I tested in music centers.

The action is low to the neck. The set up was simply outstanding right out of the box. Very easy of my tender fingers. I played the day it arrived for three hours straight (Every Beatle's tune I could recall about 100 times each) and my fingers were barely sensitive. The fit and finish of the instrument are impressive. It is evident that only high quality materials were used and they were expertly assembled. The Groover sealed tuners were really impressive to me as I had never noticed them before. The craftsmanship is evident in all aspects of this guitar.

While I have not traveled with the guitar and will treat it with care it is certainly evident that this guitar is as "tough" as you would expect for a fine quality acoustic guitar. The harware is first class to my eye. The finish is lavish. Since I am only a recreational player I have no ability to rate its public performance durability but I have no reason to expect that it would be less durable than any other high quality instrument.

The customer support meets and exceeds the high standard which this guitar sets for Zager. Dennis Zager received from me many emails in connection with my purchase. Each one was answered the day it was sent (including weekends) usually within an hour. Dennis was patient and informative in answering a non-musician's questions and yet always avoid any condensention and aloofness. The customer support is in a word OUTSTANDING.

This review is not from a professional musician or even an advanced hobbiest. In the 60s I had a Gibson SG Special and played in little neighborhood and college bands. I sold the Gibson in 1978 for post-graduate tuition (I have kicked myself many times for that decision) and have not played for more than 25 years. My goal in purchasing this guitar was to get something which I could enjoy playing and pick back up a hobby easily. In the short time I have had this guitar I must say the easy playability of this instrument makes me sound like I was a better player than I recalled. It just looks and sounds great, is very easy to play, was sold with great customer service and I would replace in a heart beat. I already have my sites set on the acoustic electric model! I did look at Ovation, Ibanez, Taylor, and Epiphone guitars before choosing this one. This guitar seemed to be better constructed and easier to play than similiar models at the same price point. I am thrilled with my choice.

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

Bluegrass. The guitar is loud and bright which is perfect for bluegrass. Will be a 10 when it ages for 25 years.

Set-up is custom modified by Mr. Z himself. I raised the strings a little when I got because of my heavy handedness, but it beats my martin DX-K2 set-up. Finish is gloss all over. Finish is 99.5% perfect.

With normal common sense care and handling this guitar will last a few lifetimes and never go out of style. It's new and I can't know future so I have to reserve the 10 rating for a few decades.

During the sale they were very attentive, which is understandable. It is 100% guaranteed for life. I have had no problems with the guitar yet. Again, have to reserve the 10 until I have some "after sale experience" but I have no reason to believe there will be any problems. So far, everything they have said has either been right on, or an understatement of the quality, service, etc.

6 years seriousely. Martin 6 string, Epiphone Mandolin, Harmonicas, Sound system, home recording studio
I am probably going to buy a ZAD-80 as soon as I save a little $$$
Love the set-up and how my left hand is relaxed while playing. Allows me to move more naturally. I immediately noticed a big improvement in my technique.
I shopped local stores for weeks and became discouraged. Every guitar I really liked was at least $1500. This guitar is as good or better than every one I played with the exception of an old D-28.

Made in 2005 in Indonesia, 20 fret, Solid spruce top.
Body and sides are mahogany, neck is laminated mahogany.
Finish is stained with a shiny gloss top coat.
Body is a Dreadnought style. Tuners are Grover. Neck is thin with rosewood inserts.

I play rhythums and play for the fun of it. Guitar has a nice bright sound to it. Instrument is too new to have dislikes.

Setup is really good. Tight action, fret work is excellent, filed to fit. Saddle is hand shaped to match the fretboard nicely.
Did find a piece of paper left over from the factory in side but that is minor. Overall very happy with the finish.

Seems like it. Finish seems like it will last for years.

Excellent support. I contacted them and they responed almost immediately. 800 number!!! I did have an issue and we got it resolved quickly and easily.

I have played years ago and quit because my fingers got so bent up on my Yamaha. I went to the local guitar center checked out Yamaha, and Guild. I also played my neighbor's Ovation and Alvarez for a week or so. The Zager has a much brighter sound and is easier to play.
Bottom line is I love it!

This guitar was purchased recently. It is made in Indonesia. It has 14 frets with a solid spruce top and laminated Mahogony back and sides. It is a dreadnought with no electronics. The fretboard and bridge are solid rosewood. The finish is a very nice gloss with almost no imperfections which is unexpected for the price. The tuners are sealed grover tuners in silver finish. The neck is wide enough from top to bottom for easy play yet from front to back it is very thin making it easy to reach around the neck and form cords. The guitar does not come with a case or strap.

I was looking for a guitar with a nice bright sound and found it in this guitar. The sound is full like you would expect in a dreadnought. It also has a nice deep bass although I bought it more for the bright sound.

The action is simply amazing. This guitar incorporates the Zager string science which actually does make a huge difference in playability. This guitar is much easier to play then my $3,000 Taylor 814CE. The top has a nice clean grain pattern with very few natural wood imperfections. The back is made of 2 pieces and is nicely done. Overall the fit and finish are more than I expected in this price range ($395)

I haven't owned it long enough to give it a durability rating. But upon a close look it appears that it will last a long time as it is well constructed so I will not rate this section.

I've not had to contact Zager Guitar since I bought the guitar but I did contact them several times before I made my purchase and they were very prompt. They responded to each of my emails within a few hours and when I called I actually talked to someone at the company with real guitar knowledge who was very willing to answer my many questions.

I've been playing for less then 2 years. I also own a Taylor 814CE which I also love. I would buy another Zager if this one were stolen. Basically my favorite feature of this guitar is the overall value I received for my money. This guitar is honestly as good or better than guitars at much higher prices.

Has solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides with a sunburst finish.

This guitar will fit any music styl. It guitar has a rich and bright sound that resonates.

Guitar was adjusted to give it a low action. It is easy and fun to play. The guitar looks beautiful. I have friends who have spent alot more money on their guitars, but they always end up playing mine. That is a high compliment to a guitar.

Haven't noticed any problems to date.

The company is top notch. Second to none. They are helpful and courteous. More importantly, they respond rapidly. You will be hard pressed to ever get better service than Zager.

I have been playing for about 4 years. I would definitely buy this guitar again if it was stolen. I looked at Taylors and Martins before I got the Zager. You get the quality and sound of the other guitars in the Zager for less money and great service.

20 frets, solid-top acoustic guitar specially fitted by the good folks at Zager guitar for the easiest playing guitar I've ever owned. Mine is a beautiful sunburst finish - one slight dimple in the finish, but the concentration at Zager is on an affordable, easy to play instrument and that is what they have achieved.

Shipped promptly and included an extra set of strings, allen wrench to adjust the neck, 2 picks, a tee shirt, and a signed photo of Zager and Evans (they had the hit song "In the Year 2525" back in the 70s).

I'm an absolute beginner, having made several starts and stops over the years. I like bluegrass, country, and light rock. It has a good sound, although I plan on adding a Fishman pickup to increase the volume.

This is where the Zager really excels. Denny Zager markets his guitars based on his claims of easy playability, and he is not kidding! I started and stopped playing several times over the past 20 years and have owned several low-quality guitars over the years. Even when I spent much more for a Martin DM, I still got tired of practicing because my fingers got too sore. That problem is completely GONE with my Zager! Out of the box it was perfect. No buzz, strings super close to the fret and set up with Martin Marquis ultra-light strings. Everything about it was in perfect playing condition. Denny Zager, Sr. signs the back of each guitar he finishes, but includes instructions on how to remove the signature easily (mine will stay right where it is!)

Everything about the guitar seems solid to me.

I've had a few emails from the company and they were very professional, friendly and did what they said they would do. When I first tried to order online, there was a glitch and the charge didn't go through. I sent an email to Zager and they called me that afternoon and left a message saying that their order processing center was having problems and asked me to call them to re-order. I was able to go online the next day and place the order, which arrived within days and was in excellent shape.

Overall this is an excellent guitar and I plan to buy others in the future (they make a slightly larger guitar with electronics that I am interested in). I also encourage anyone I meet who has an interest in playing the guitar to check out the Zagers.

This guitar fits me perfect. Feels like a guitar worth thousands.

What a rich wonderful sound. Try it once and you will be hooked. My wife who does not play even noticed how wonderful it sounded over my other acustics.

The Zager system lowers the stings and makes the action smoke. It feels as fast as my les Paul but all the class of an acustic.

Looks strong and well made. I am going to treat it with kit-gloves so it will last a long time. I have no doubt I will be passing this on to my kids.

One of the best parts is the wonderful, one on one customer support. No matter what you buy in your lifetime, from cars to guitars to anything in between you will not find customer service like this. The Zager family cares about their guitars. Their loves shows in the guitar and in the customer service. I am sure the name is going to be as big as Martin but with the quality and price to match. They say you pay for what you get but this time you get more then you pay for.

If you are thinging about it, check the reviews (the honest ones that is, not the jealous competition) and you will not regret your choice of a Zager. I sure am not.

Features on this guitar, are a solid spruce top, with mahogany sides. Also sealed " Grover Tuners ", and hand carved nut and bridge saddle.
Guitar also came with Martin strings. The neck is rosewood, as well as the bridge.The neck is fairly wide, but also very thin. I got the black
finish, with abalone inlay.

This ZAD50 has a very dynamic sound, with especially crisp high end, and
sustain that is amazing. The strings sit very low, however, there is absolutely no buzz on any of them. I play acoustic, but I like to strum
very hard, some of my past acoustics distorted some at high volume, but the ZAD50 does not. Playing softly, again the upper notes, harmonics, and sustain are amazing.

When the guitar arrived, it was in perfect tune, the high gloss black finish looked as though it had just been polished. I spent a good half hour going over every inch, and found no flaws at all. What I thought was a scratch near the bridge was a little polish that had not been buffed quite enough, but it was very small, and I only found it on close inspection.

My first thoughts on this guitar are that it seems very well built,
all the hardware, looks to me to be high quality. The black finish
is gorgeous, I have had black guitars in the past, and some finishes seem to dull rapidly. I would not be afraid to gig with it without a backup.

I've only had the guitar a short while, and have not had any warranty issues with it. That being said, I E-Mailed the company several times prior to purchase with questions, and all E-Mails were answered promptly. I spoke via phone a couple of times too, and the staff was couteous, and helpful. The guitar carries a lifetime warranty.

I have played guitar for over 40 years, and currently own 2 Fender Stratocasters ( 1 Japanese ), a Fender Telecaster, a Gibson Hummingbird,
a Framus 12 string acoustic, and a Fender JG12CE 12 string acoustic/electric. In my opinion, the Zager ZAD50 is loaded with value for the dollar, and I honestly cannot find one bad thing to say about it. It is easy to play, has a full, rich sound, and does not cost a fortune..I would recommend it to novices as well as well seasoned players.

WWW.Zager.com for the list of features.

I like the singer songwriters of the 60's and 70's. This guitar is perfect for that.

This guitar is not made in the US. I am not saying that as a negative. I really think the fit and finish of the guitar is superior to that of a US made Martin, Ovation, or Gibson. I own Gibson and Ovation acoustic guitars now. Using the 1-10 scale for the Gibson and Ovation I own, they get a 7. They will be going on the auction block.

Zager guitars are a 10.

The Zager EZ Play system is just as advertised. I also own a ZAD 80CE and I can tell you both guitars are 10's.

Too Relative a question........

For my playing it is rock solid. Pete Townsend might disagree.

Brand Recognition Defined by quality and service. Wow what a concept, and Zager Guitar delivers both at exceptional value. These guys (Denny Sr and Jr.) Live for this. This is their passion. You will not find better customer service and support in any industry.

I will always own and play a Zager. This will be my primary guitar. I wish I had started with a Zager.