Zager ZAD-50

My ZAD-50 was made in 2005, has 22 frets with a solid spruce top. It's got mahogany back and sides. It's got a thin neck and it comes with grover tuners. It has a gloss finish, and is a dreadnought style. Not sure what kind of bridge it is, but it is rosewood. It came with a wrench to adjust the neck, picks, and an extra set of Martin strings. Also got a cool T-shirt with Kurt Cobain on it.

I don't really have a style of music. I just wanted to be able to play some acoustic rhythm guitar. Strummin in my old age. Got a great tone. Not as deep an rich as some, but kinda louder bottom end with nice crisp sound.

This is where the guitar shines! I first saw this guitar on Ebay. I wanted to get back to playing, and have never owned a quality instrument. Of course I didn't want to spend $1500.00 on a Martin or Taylor if I was going to have to take it to a shop and have the intonation set and all that, especially if I was going to suck. I was leary of all the claims made about the custom Zager
EZ-play system, but I actually talked to Denny Zager and he put my mind at ease. I have to say the guitar came set up with a nice low action, no fret buzz. I did not order the case, didn't have an extra $100.00, but it was in tune out of the box! unreal. don't know guitars that well, but I am impressed.

I've only had the guitar for a month and I don't intend to play anywhere but my room, so I don't know about the live playing. It does have Grover tuners and the gloss finish holds up so far. Again I'm far from a pro, but it seems 10 times nicer than my sons Yamaha.

Got a Lifetime warranty, they pay for shipping both ways! cool! I haven't had to return it for any reason though. I also talked directly to Denny Zager. He was great. Helped me pick the guitar, and actually steered me away from buying the more expensive model. I'm disabled and instead of sending me a "B" stock or second, which was the guitar I could afford, Denny asked me which guitar I was interested in and sold me a ZAD-50 for the "B" stock price! They also got the guitar to me in less than a week. Have to say I'm happy about that!

Again, I am an amature ,and have only been playing for a month or so if there are questions I should have asked I may not know what they are. So far I would definately buy another Zager. I love the low action and the sound. I compared it to the Taylor and Martin guitars but to get the same quality in those instruments would have cost at least $1500.00 I just want to say I am prejudiced in that I prefer to deal with smaller family owned businesses rather than larger corporations, so that does alter my perception a little, but for an amature who wants a really nice guitar without paying an arm and a leg the Zager is a great optioin.

good features for price, you guys know the features.
finish ok.

thought the sound was good until compairing it to other good quality guitars. good first guitar, but you will grow out of it quickly if you keep playing. i dont understand how people are saying it is the best sounding guitar they ever heard, what are they listening to?

low action. extremely wide neck. too wide if you ask me. some notes i was muting top string to reach second string. this guitar is made in some overseas sweatshop, not in the usa as some people may think. denny makes the nut and saddle out of corian, that is the string science.

nothing went wrong with it in the 8 months i owned it. laminated sides makes for a very strong guitar. quickly outgrew and sold to a guy at work for 250. he says the tone sounds better than his low end ovation.

never had any problems, but questions were always answered by denny zager jr.

dont mean to bash this guys guitars, but these people who are saying this is the best sounding guitar must not really have much experience or a musical ear. you get what you pay for! always remember that. get this guitar to learn with, then upgrade to a good guitar. that way, if you dont stick with it, you are not stuck with a $1000+ stack of thin firewood. good luck

The following is copied from their web site, all I know is that I have a beautiful guitar that sounds amazing.
- 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 guarantee

This is an amazing sounding guitar. I have done a complete comparison shopping of guitars Martins, Taylors, Seagull, Blueridge etc. and you cannot beat this sound unless you want to spend thousands of dollars. The tones is crisp, base is clear, no buzzing of strings, and again for the money a great investment.

Came from the factory set up perfectly. The playability of this guitar is awesome, with nerve damage and weakness in my left hand, I can now play chords that I could not do on my other (expensive) guitars.

It appears to be structualy sound, I am not a luthier but I have played a number of guitars in my life and this one seems as good if not better than a Martin or Taylor.

Great shipping, awesome response to emails, and so far no complaints at all. The warranty is unlimited 30 money back, they even pay the shipping cost if you return it. Really how can you go wrong, buy it and if you dont like it - return it and get your money back. How simple is that???
Life time warranty for mechanical failures.

Great guitar, the only problem is that I do not want to put it down. For those of you who do not like this product all I can say is that there are always some people that you just cant please. Get your money back and go pay 10 times that for a custom guitar, but in the end, mine will sound better and I will take my savings and go on a great vacation with my Zager at hand.

My Zager electric/acoustic guitar is brand new and made in the U.S.A. It has 21 frets and is made of mahogony back and sides with a spruce sun burst front. The fret board and bridge are made from rosewood. It also has a digital tuner and equalizer built into the body to ensure quality sound at all times.

The guitar is specifically modified to make playing easier without comprimising the sound which is better than my Ovation.

My son who is just learning immediately felt the difference between the Zager and his Fender Stratacoustic.

Definately recommend this guitar for anyone-beginners and jammers.

This guitar actually compliments any style of play. We use it with a Fender Showman or without an amp at all.

The sound is full and pure and can be set to a variety of sound preferences.

It has quick crisp action and stays in tune.

This guitar is very reliable and durable. However, I would never do a gig without a backup. I have an Ovation Acoustic, a Gibson Les Paul a Fender Stratacoustic a Fender Stratocaster and an Epiphone. I would recommend all of them with the exception of the Epiphone.

It comes with 100% money back guarantee and a life time warranty. No one that I know offers this.

Overall this guitar compliments my guitar collection. Originally I had my doubts about the sound quality after the modifications were made. My doubts have been eliminated after playing the guitar. It has excellent action and sound.

Made 05/05
21 Frets
Solid Spruce top
Mahogany sides and back, Rosewood fret board and bridge
Finish Gloss Black
Dreadnought with Abalone inlay
Hand carved nut and saddle, hand filed frets (find this on another brand)
Grover Tuners
Included an extra set of strings and picks
Life time warranty and money back guarantee. So how can you beat that?

The sound is fantastic, rich full and bright. No buzzing, no rattles.
I have found nothing along this line to dislike. Really great

The set-up was nothing short of fantasic. Arrived in tune in less than 2 days.
I have gone over this guitar very closey and if there are any flaws I sure can't find them.

I've had this guitar less than a week and it hasn't been out of my hands. From what I can see it was made by a quality luthier. Denny Zager has his act together when it comes to guitars. The workmanship is excellent. I expect this guitar to last my life time and I'll pass in on to my grandchildren one day.

Customer support? The majority of the businesses I have delt with could stand to take a lesson from Denny Zager and his family. The friendly, prompt response to questions (less than 30 minutes)is unheard of these days. My phone call was handled promptly and the person I spoke with was more than helpful. No automated attendent and leave a message here. So far a really great company to deal with. Keep it up Denny! Pay attention corporate America...

I guess you could say I'm a beginner, again. I played some 30 years ago but fell away from it. I would not hesitate to buy another Zager. I own a Takamine G240 and owned a couple others years ago. My Zager surpasses them hands down. The Zager string science is something other companys should adopt. Unbeivable! I'm going to show it to my brother this weekend. He's be playing for 35-40 years and owns 2 Ovations and a Martin so I'll be interested in his feelings about it. All I can say is if you haven't held one of these in your hands and heard their sound you have no idea what you are missing. Get a ZAGER, ZAGERs are SWEET! I'll have no hesitation about submitting a follow-up review.

This ZAD-50/BK was made in 2005 in Indonesia. 20 frets, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fretboard, rosewood bridge, dreadnought and grover tuners. It has a hand carved custom saddle and nut. The frets are also hand filed. The finish is a beautiful high gloss black with abalone inlay rosette. It has a nice ivory color edging around the top and back that looks great.
I bought a hardshell case but it also shipped with a free T-Shirt, extra set of Martin strings an adjustment key and a few picks.

Couldn't find it in stores so bought it on line www.zager.com. I did buy a B stock and looked and looked and couldn't find anything wrong with it....love a good deal!

The sound is incredible! Now I'm just learning the guitar but I have worked in the music business for many decades. Professionals that have spent thousands on their guitars told me my Zager sounds just as good if not better than their's.
I'm learning fingerstyle and my Zager seems like a dream to learn on.

This is the main reason why I purchased the Zager guitar. My friend had a Zager. I never heard of it. So I played it and was curious. I did the reasearch and what Denny Zager is doing made sense to me. His string science is what ALL guitar makers should do. The spacing between the strings is wider and they are so low to the frets it makes playing easier. I can practice for hours and hours and I'm a beginner. I know of many newbies that have given up learning the guitar...if they only had a Zager!

Lifetime warranty...need I say more? No other company stands behind their products like the Zager's do. I feel it's well made and will last a lifetime. I have no fears. After all the man works on each gutiar personally and signs each one.

The customer support went above and beyond the call of a retailer! I had so many questions before buying. Every email was answered within 24 hours. Whenever I called the 800 number Dennis Zager Jr answered the phone and patiently answered all my questions.
After purchasing the guitar I couldn't find the capo they recommended and they sent one to me for FREE!
Then I wanted to know all about the online lessons. I was going to be on the road for 4 months and they offered to extend my time to make up for lost time.

I rate customer service a 20! It's almost impossible to find a honest caring company.

I'm a beginner and I have a Yamaha and a Martin classical guitars. If I lost the Zager I would RUN and get another...maybe two. I may sell my other guitars and get a travel Zager.
I looked at many entry level guitars before buying the Zager. None played as easily or sounded as good...Ibanez, Mitchell, Fender, Yamaha and the strings were so high off the fretboard that they really hurt my fingers.

I did read a few bad reviews before buying the Zager and it made me wonder is this just hype? Since they offer a 100% money back guarantee what could I loose? They even pay the shipping BOTH ways if you don't like it.....come on this guy is either crazy or he's onto something. Well I have my Zager and his string science is amazing and it works! It stays in tune, doesn't hurt my fingers and doesn't buzz or rattle.

All I can say is thank you Denny Zager for swimming upstream.

This is an under $500.00 2005 model spruce solid top/ mahogany sides and back acoustic guitar made by the Zager Guitar Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. the guitar has a very nice gloss finish, is a full size dreadnought, includes Grover tuners, abalone inlay rosette, Rosewood fret board and Bridge and most importantly has been personally modified by Dennis Zager Sr.to improve playability. Also included is a LIFETIME WARRANTY and 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (with return shipping included).

Unbelievable tone for this price range and would compare very favorably to higher priced guitars costing much, much more.

Action is a major "high point" and the primary reason for my purchase of this guitar. Zagers patented "EZ-Play" hand modified guitar and full return guarantee if not satisfied are what prompted me to place an order. One week earlier I returned, at significant expense, another highly praised and much reviewed, guitar from another manufacturer. And I will say that this was a very nice under $500 guitar as well. The strings, however were set much higher and closer spaced, and for me, a relative newcomer to playing the guitar, pretty hard to get to feel right. I could only play it for 15 minutes or so because of the pain. Not so with the Zager !!

This guitar seems to be very well built, especially for the cost range.
Time will tell how it holds up, but it looks like it is very well put together. With a "Lifetime Guarantee", I don't see how this will ever be a problem.

So far.....First Class customer support. Emails are answered within minutes and phone calls are directed to principals of the firm, namely Dennis Zager Sr. or Jr.

So far, I like everything about this guitar. I have not been playing very long and did try other guitars before purchasing this guitar. This guitar is so much easier it is hard to believe !!

2005 Model, Zager ZAD -50 accoustic electric cutaway in gloss ebony with an abalone rosette inlay. Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood bridge and fret board with hand filed 21 frets.Custom fitted saddle and nut. Grover tuners. Clear Wave 10 electronics with built in tuner and equalizer. Scalloped x-bracing.

The sound is amazing. Very rich and full with astonishing volume for an accoustic. Sounds great playing rock , country and folk. The action is smooth, quick, with no buzz. The pickups seem to be very sensitive, and controling the output is a breeze with the built in equalizer/tuner. It sounds great even on my cheap amp.

The finish is beautiful, gloss black with a shimmering abaolne rosette inlay. Very eye-catching. The gloss black finish, while beautiful, shows fingerprints readily. It will require alot of tlc to maintain. I was very impressed with the custom setup and action on this guitar. It rivals Martins I have played in the 2000.00 dollar range.

The guitar seems very solid in all aspects. No problems so far after several weeks of playing. It does not come with strap buttons, but installation advise is available on the website.

Denny Zager Jr. handled my order personally. I was very impressed with the proffesionalism and service provided. All questions were answered to my satisfaction. Shipping was fast. The guitar comes with a lifetime warranty.

I have been playing for 2 years. I also own a Yamaha F350, and an Epiphone/Les Paul Classic. If this guitar were lost or stolen, I would sell my others to purchase another Zager. The sound and playability are its best features. Keeping the finish clean is a task. For the price, it would be very difficult to find a better new guitar. An excellent guitar at a great price.

This is a 2005 ZAD-50 bought online through www.zagerguitar.com with solid spruce top,rosewood fretboard, mahogany back and sides with a beautiful satin finish personally autographed by distinguished performer and guitar luthier Denny Zager. I bought 2 of them in black and natural finish for $395 each. I was given a free hardshell case for one of them, Each guitar included several picks and extra set of Martin strings, certificate of authenticity, Adjustment key etc. Body is a full dreadnough 20 frets

It has a full deep bass and projects better than my Ovation CS257 and my Takamine. Its sound rivals my Gibson Hummingbird for a small fraction of the price. There is still nothing I dislike from this beauty.

it's the easiest action guitar I have since it was hand modified and set up by Denny Zager. My fingers do not hurt anymore. Bar chords are a lot easier! I stopped taking lessons since I wasn't able to find the right guitar before I found this one.

It really looks like a high quality guitar. I heard that Martin Sigma division makes these babies. I looks preety solid to me and I have a total of 9 guitars.

Denny Zager's son attended me personally. He's even the one that answers all emails and the phone too! It has a no risk guarantee money back policy including both ways shipping. Nobody does that.

Best bank for your buck period. The people doing bad reviews probably have never had one in their hands. I feel sorry for them =)You have no idea what you've been missing!

This guitar has the richest sound of any instrument I have owned in my many years of playing and that includes some of the real expensive names. I play basically old time country and the Zager-50 really suits that style of music.

The guitar was set up perfectly and is of excellent quality. It is the easiest guitar to play that I have experienced.

I do a Hank Williams, Sr. tribute show throughout central Florida and my Zager so far seems like an instrument I can rely on.

I felt like I was dealing with personal friends. The warranty will probably be in effect long after I am gone. It has required no repairs.

I have sold my other guitars. I would definitely buy another Zager if it were lost or stolen. I just love the sound of this guitar and it's ease of playing. Some chords that have been difficult for me now come a lot easier. Quite frankly I demoed some thousand dollar plus guitars and my friend's Zager and felt I was getting a better instrument for a lot less money.

ZAGER ZAD-50, Acoustic Dreadnought, Made in Indonesia, Specially modified - setup, Solid Spruce Top, No electronics, Gloss Finish, Saeled Grover Tuners, Rosewood bridge/fretboard, Martin Strings, Mahogany back/sides, Lifetime warranty, 100% guarantee(including shipping). Abalone rosette, hand carved nut, saddle and frets

Suits my flatpicking/fingerpicking style perfect.
Excellent sound, projects very good. Pick individual notes - very pronounced. Very easy to fret individual notes, bend notes and more importantly to play barre cords.
Dislikes: None. I have other expensive full dreadnoughts(new) which cannot compete with the ease of playing this guitar or projecting as this guitar does

Action - Perfect. I purchased this guitar based upon the advertized custom setup(hand carved nut, saddle and frets. Very satisfied, low(not too low) action, no buzzing strings, great intonation, very easy to fret.
Spruce top well matched, definitely solid top - NO VENEER!
I'm VERY picky - no signs flaws outside. Inside no excess glue, no pencil marks, no cracked/splintered bracing. Inside- well executed, good workmanship. Guitar quality as advertized

I don't gig. However, I wouldn't be afraid to take this guitar out. This is a well made guitar and not at the expense of being a heavy guitar. Easy guitar to handle, not cumbersome. Good finish, appears to be poly. Not too thick. I would definitely depend on it and not be afraid to use it.

This company has INTEGRITY. I returned the 1st guitar sent to me. NO hassle. Lifetime warranty. 100% warranty honored - no questions, very friendly. ALL shipping charges paid by ZAGER(including shipping charges to and from my home). 2nd guitar shipped before I returned 1st guitar. ZAGER guitar is now my primary guitar. I will definitely buy from this company and recommend them to others.

I've been playing about 4 years. I have acoustics/ electrics, Martin, Gibson, Fender, Tokai, Orville. I've been looking for perfectly set up guitar(from the factory) and have found it with this guitar. Some of my other guitars are still under warranty - to be fair I maybe need to return them to have them "set-up" to my style and preference.
If stolen I would not hesitate to purchase another
My favorite feature is the ease of picking notes, easy fretting(especially barre chords) and the great sound.
The Zagers are honest, honor their warranty and in my opinion have INTEGRITY. Wish all companies(not just guitar companies) were like this.

solid spruce top acoustic with sunburst finish, grover tuners, and ez play modified hand crafted in 2005 by Denny Zager with sunburst finish.

guitar fits me like a glove, i play country to classic rock. it has beautiful tone--not too bright and no buzz whatsoever. love the easy of playability.

set up perfect--low action with no buzz. no problems with anything.

yes, though i haven't yet. i don't forsee any problems with this guitars durability. would take as my only guitar.

excellent, answered questions within minutes not days. nothing wrong to repair. lifetime waranty.

been playing for 15 years everything from $200 washburn to a beautiful Gibson southern jumbo from the 50's. would buy and am buying another zager. ez play is the best feature. just a great instrument, buy one if you have the chance.

Made in 2005, Solid spruce top, mahogony back & sides, gloss finish, dreadnaught full size, Grover sealed machines

Full balanced sound, more then expected, no buzz, fast strings

The action is very low (the reasonI bought it)
Arrived in tune.
all wood properly bookmatched
The only apparent flaw is a unique small jog in the grain pattern (mother nature)

A 30 yr. pro musician friend of mine put it thru its' paces
and said that it was rock solid

Customer service is excellent.
Lifetime warrenty

I started playing over thirty years ago. I also own an Ovation
electric accoustic. I would buy another Zager if this was stolen.
I love the feeling that I got a guitar far more valuable then what I spent. It looks and plays like a guiter that would cost at leat 8 times as much. I hate that I bought other guitars before finding Zager. I compared to all the major brands before deciding to buy the Zager.
I choose the Zager because of the value for the buck.

made in 2005 rosewood fingerboard solid spruce top mahogany back and sides thin neck low action mahogany neck abalone rosette grover sealed tuners nice hard shell case

My style is old folk and parler blues. The zad50 is loud and strong with deep base and steller highs. The bottem end is piano like which I particulerly like

Action is excellant. Top and bridge are good. Hand cut nut. Hand dressed frets, very smooth up and down the neck.

As far as this catagory I don't know as iI haven't had it long enough to have an opinion

Customer service is excellant. Very friendly and helpful, after ordering my guitar it arrived in only 3 days and was packed very well

Iv'e been playing guitar for over forty years. Have owned just about everything and played some of the best and worst there is. My hands are both arthritic as I broke them in a motocycle accident years ago, so it's hard to play somtimes. That is the main reason I decided to try a ez play from Zager, the low action, thin neck and hand dressed frets. To be honest it plays smoother and with less effort than any other guitar I own. Not to mention quality sound.

Everyone that has played this ZAD50 Zager Guitar is very much impressed by the sound and the easiness it is to play.

This ZAD50 guitar was in perfect tune right out of the case. It is very easy to keep in tune.

Ill put it this way this guitar is always ready.

Denny Zager had devoted many years to the quality and craftsmanship to as he put it a good tool to get some work done with.

I just started in June of 2005 with the Zager guitar and online student lessons. It is now July 2005 and I have put in a lot of time on "Love Me Tender". At first it wasn't easy. A week later is was better. Now I play on reflex and memory. I began the song "Fur Elise" on July 1, 2005. In two days I was able to play the song. Bare in mind I just started playing in June of 2005. The gift to play guitar comes from a desire to play guitar how wonderful it is to have a system that makes guitar playing a joy.

The Zad-50 was made in2005. It has 20 frets. It has asolid spruce top, mahognay back and sides, and neck. It has asatin finishand is a dreadnought, it has Grover tuners.

It has a good sound. I reraly like the ZAD-50 and would purghase another one .

The guitar was set up perfectly, and the fit and finish are extremely fine.

I am just lesrning, and I have 2 other guitars.

Recently received my EZ-Play Zager ZAD-50 Acoustic Guitar, and after playing it for long hours at a time, I find that it lives up to its name. It is easier to play than my Gibson Epiphone, which I have been playing for about five years. The physical modifications made to the guitar have the effect of lowering the strings, and the tone of the instrument is superior to my Epiphone, even when the Gibson is used with an amplifier. I am not a professional musician, but I have played guitars of various makes and models for the past fifty years, and I am truly impressed with the Zager Guitar. Now that I am retired, I will have more time to practice and play the guitar for my own personal enjoyment, and I have no doubt that I have found the perfect instrument for this endeavor.

I play this guitar with no amps or effects, and the sound is quite superior to any other half a dozen guitars I own, including a Yamaha and a Gibson Epiphone.

No flaws were found, and the guitar is as well made, or better, than any guitar I have seen.

It is a well made, sturdy guitar that I expect to last me for a very long time. In fact, considering my age (65) this is probably the last guitar I will ever buy.;

My dealings with the company have been excellent thus far, but they have not been extensive up to this point.

As I mentioned before, I have been playing guitars for over fifty years, and I own quite a few other guitars. I feel that the Zager will probably become my favorite, merely owing to its ease of playing, without sore fingers! Yes, if it were stolen or lost, I would buy another guitar just like it.

2005 Dreadnought Body, Modified in USA by Denny Zager for EZ Play Setup. Tuners are by 'Gover', Top is Solid Spruce with Mahogany Back and Sides. Overall Gloss Finish Fine looking instrument. The modified Neck,Frets and Bridge/Nut make for a very comfortable action.

As a basic Acoustic Guitar the sound produced is very crisp and bright. Set up with extra light strings the body produces a full volume sound.

The Guitar arrives perfectly tuned and appears flawless. Mine was ordered with a guality hard case and was shipped inside the case. I have played Taylors, Guilds and Martins. I believe you get what you paid for and those guitars are worth every penny. So is the Zager and perhaps with the nice action and sound this guitar could be deemed a better value than what it costs.

The guitar seems well built and with the case ordered would survive a flight anywhere. I surf in foreign countries alot and I won't fear the ride next to my surfboard.

The Zager Corporation was very communicative and quick to respond on all matters. They have a customer satisfaction return policy.

I have been playing 30 years and have weeded my instruments down to this guitar, a Marimba, 3 Flutes and 1 wife.
If a catastrophic event should happen, (A friend fell into my Hummingbird while it was leaned against the wall) I would definitley replace the ZAD50.
One element which is not offered is the inclusion of a pickup installed in the Dreadnought Body style. I am having one installed after market.

- 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 guarantee

My Dad grew up in a family that played guitars and when he heard my ZAD50 for the first time, he said that he hadn't heard that kind of quality for many years.

Has a very nice, FULL SOUND.

Sound is absolutely beautiful.

No flaws. No imperfections.

Quality is impeccable. Strings are set low enough that it is a joy to play and does not hurt the fingers.

Very happy with all appearances.

I believe it will last a lifetime.

Best ever customer support. I asked alot of stupid queations and every one was answered within minutes. Every answer was friendly and extremely curteous.

LIFETIME WARRANTY!!! NEED I SAY MORE.

I would rate this category over 10+ if it was possible.

I did alot of research before I bought this guitar. The absolute thing that sold me was the testimony of a friend who already owned a ZAGAR. He had played it for quite awhile and had nothing but good things to say about it. Like I said before, the customer service was a +10. Plus I figured I could not go wrong no matter what with the 100% money back guarantee. I will order another ZAGAR when I am able to. I also ordered the case for my guitar and I am glad I did. It is a custom case that complements the ZAD50.

This is a great looking acoustic guitar with many nice features. The following is copied from the Zagerguitar.com web site.

- 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 guarantee

This is a straight acoustic guitar and has very nice rich, full tone. I play mainly country and western style music for my own enjoyment. I showed the guitar to a local professional musician and he was very impressed by it's tone and ease of play.

It would be hard to find a better set-up than these Zager guitars have. Each one is set up by Denny Zager Sr. himself using his special recipe for the bridge-nut-frett-string combination with goal of lowering the string height exceptionally low without introducing string buzz. This recipe greatly reduces playing effort while improving the tonal qualities of the guitar he is modifying. I havn't found any flaws and workmanship looks great.

As a hobbyist, I don't feel that I am qualified to answer this question. I do know that all Zager guitars come with a lifetime warranty.

I have only dealt with the company on purchase issues, but they seem very easy to communicate with and very interested having satisfied customers.

I am not an accomplished player, but I have owned other lower quality guitars for many years. I am now taking lessons to improve my playing skills. If this guitar were stolen today, I would probably order another one tomorrow. I wanted a guitar under $450 and I havn't found another one that matches this one on tone and ease of play, and price. I primarily looked at low end Martin's before deciding on this one.

- 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 guarantee


Ok, I cheated and pulled this off the web site, but hey it says it all. Also got a hard case, which was really nice.
Guitar looks great, feels good. Set up was perfect and it is easy to play. Much easier then the Fender and Martin we have in the house, my wife who plays the Martin was amazed.

I just started playing 3 months ago on my 55th birthday. In just the week I have had the guitar I have noticed an improvement in my playing. My teacher was also very impressed. He couldn't believe the sound it had with the action set that low. Showed it to the other teachers, everyone was impressed.

It was set up perfectly. Was almost in tune when I recieved it, just a few turns and it was ready to play. The woods look nice, no flaws that I have seen. Like the thinner neck, easier for me to play.

I believe this guitar will hold up very well. Can't treat it like Peter Townsend, but who does. But I'd put up agaisnt any guitar costing hundreds more. Since I don't plan on playing out, believe me you won't want to see that, but if I did, I'd have two of them, one for back up one for the gig, never play without a backup as my grand pop used to say, I think.

Questions were answered quickly and guiar arrived on time and in good shape. 100% money back warranty.

I have been playing only a few months but already in love with this guitar. Have a couple of cheap electrics I like to make loud noise with, ask the wife, but this is a player. Smooth action, easy to chord, can make that A chord now, usually, and barre chords, the few I've tried are a lot easier. For someone looking for a guitar to learn on, and keep for a lifetime, you can't go wrong. I was worried about buying a guitar untouched, but the money back policy made it easy, and the web site is full of info. I'll be back for more, eventually, when I can hit that A every time

My Zager ZAD-50 is a full size dreadnought with a solid spruce top, laminated mahogony back and sides, mahogony neck, rosewood fretboard and bridge, chrome Grover tuners, an abalone inlay rosette, tortoise shell pick guard, pearl dot fret markers, hand carved custom nut and saddle, hand filed frets, and a simply outstanding gloss finish.

My Zager ZAD 50 has a bright tone which I deeply enjoy.

Outstanding, sensational, and excellent are just some of the words that best describe my ZAD 50's action, fit, and finish. The gloss finish is wonderful. Denny Zager Sr.'s EZ-Play technology is super!

I've recently purchased this guitar so this question is a bit presumptuous. However, based upon the company's excellent customer service, I am confident that should a problem arise in the near future, the company will take care of me.

This is the company's greatest strength. The Zagers focus on relationship dialogue instead of the traditional sales rhetoric. Immediately, you feel like a valued customer.

This 46 year old has decided to play guitar once again after an absence of 29 years. I also own a Washburn D10S, Seagull S6, and Breedlove AD200/SM. I value my other acoustics but wish that I would have purchased my Zager ZAD 50 before them. Notwithstanding, I strongly urge the new/returning guitar student to purchase the Zager's online instruction. Overall, my experience with the Zager Guitar company has far surpassed my expectations.

Solid spruce top,laminated mahogany back and sides.Pure acoustic no electric componets.full Size deadnaught,grover tuners,bridge looks like rosewood,saddle looks like plastic as does the nut and bridge pins.

ZAD 50 sounds like a solid top dread with laminate back and sides,not bad but not like a solid all wood acoustic with after market nut and saddle of bone or tusq.Extra light gauge strings take away some of the potential of a full size dreadnaught.Maybe light gauge strings will give it a little more punch.

Set up was good no problem with buzzing or high strings,strings were about 3/32 at 12th fret which is nice for easy finger picking.E-Z play is what it's called and it was that very easy to play.I think the ZAD 50 would do well with a upgrade to bone nut and saddle and maybe ebony bridge pins and a light gauge string.I looked up web site for Zager guitars and see frets are also hand filed but you really can't tell same with nut and saddle the web page said they are hand carved but appear to be average stock parts about the same as Washburn D 10 but I can't say for sure if that is what the are or not.All parts fit well there were no problems in that area.

This is a beginners acoustic or average play at home guitar not a great sound but good enough,not much punch to it but that has a lot to do with strings and hardware.I bought it to take camping and play out at night by the fire and it should serve that purpose.

Bought used on e-bay so no warranty.

I own 2 Martins both all solid wood,the ZAD 50 does not compare to either in sound,fit or finish but it's not going to it's a back up travel guitar that I won't replace.I would recommennd it for a beginner because it is set up very good and is easy to play and does not sound bad.It has it's place just don't excpect it to sound like a martin D-18,more equal to a Washburn D 10 with a better set up than you get from a stock D 10.I don't know if it lives up to some of the feedback that's on there web site unless you are a new player and never have held or picked a Martin guitar before.

This is a twenty-one fret, fullsize dreadnought acoustic guitar. It has a solid spruce top, mahogany side and back and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The guitar has grover sealed tuning gears, non-locking. The guitar has a slightly thinner neck for eased playing. Guitar comes with an extra pack of strings. No case comes with guitar although they are available on the website. Also nice on this guitar is the EZ-Play system. Mr. Zager does custom work on all the guitars to lower the strings to the fretboard for eased playability. It does not however come with a top, strap-peg. It was easily installed by my local guitar shop however.

I play quite a bit at my church, leading the contemporary service. I also occasionally goof-off/jam with my friends. The guitar slides into both of these situations nicely. When playing for church, I have to use a mike of course since it is purely acoustic. This guitar has a rich sound, although it is more bright than deep. A 'refined with energy' sort of tone. I get an occasional buzz when playing hard, but it is not very noticible. Very nice sound over all.

As I mentioned above, Mr. Zager personally re-works all the guitars sold on their site (www.zagerguitar.com). This model features a hand-carved nut and saddle which are designed to keep the strings low on the fretboard for easy playability. Very nice to play. This guitar came with a wonderful finish. I have not changed the strings yet but as far as I can tell, the nut and saddle are well fit. I have had no problems. Very nice action and finish!

I have played it once live (at church this morning) and it did very well. The guitar's hardware seems that it will last. I have not had the guitar long enought to judge the finish's durability, but it at least does not look cheap. I always play with a back-up because of the possibility of a broken string, but I haven't had any problems with it so far.

The guitar comes with a life time warranty and 100% money-back garuntee. Although I have not needed to use any of these features, I have heard good things about their services.

Overall this guitar is wonderfull. My dad who majored in music and has played the guitar for well over 25 years is amazed at the tone. He claims that it equals that of a $1500 dollar guitar. I have been playing for just three years but I love everything about it. I love the playability of this guitar. The only drawback which I have found is some sparatic buzzing from the low, string setup. I would have preferred it came with both strap pegs installed but that was not too hard to fix. If you want to buy a Martin for the name, go ahead, but this model has the same tone and playability. Unsurpassable for it's price. I love it!!

I Have a Martin d15 mahogany, a Taylor 810 13 years old and mellow, and a Yamaha all dreadnauts....While the Zager recently purchased is not quite up to the Martin and the Taylor...It is still a fine guitar and very enjoyable to play...It is also beautiful to look at w/the vintage sunburst...very happy w/this guitar...Al Unger

I like to finger pick w/a little strumming on this guitar...Not a real boomer for sound...but the sound is more like a more expensive guitar

Fit and finish is excellent.. and it is beautiful...action very nice, can play in the upper registers w/ease..easy on fingers..very pleased w/this guitar and would buy it again in a second

can't predict durability or reliability...but I believe it is sturdy enough.. would use it at a small gathering, or buy a pickup and amp.

No need for repairs yet... In my emailing and conversations for questions I was well satisfied w/their responses...Would deal w/them again

Been playing 54 years... Rock, country, worship...own Taylor 810, Martind15, Yamaha d 413....I would buy this again if I was wihout it...It just handles great and has a good feel about it..very comfortable..very happy w/this purchase and would advise others esp.younger players getting started..Have a grandson I may help get one later...

I do not know the year, but I bought it in 2005 new. Solid spruce top. No controls. No pickup. No electronics. Mahogany back and sides. Natural gloss finish. Full size Dreadnought. Grover tuners. Rosewood fretboard. Hard case. Abalone inlays. This doesn't have any extra features. They offer models with features but I like a simple guitar no frills. I use my own pickup which I prefer to built in electronics.

This guitar suits my style better than any other guitar I have owned. This is number 4. I play modern praise and worship music. I am using it with my own pickup. This guitar sounds exactly like a Martin which is why I bought it. I figerpick usually but I just picked up some faster tempo strumming. I was very disapointed in my last guitar because fingerpicked it sounded great. But hard strumming sounded absolutely hideous. I played Martins at the store and fell in love, but money is an issue. I am so excited about the sound of this guitar. It sounds great both strummed and fingerpicked. Now I don't have to try and carry around two guitars. Very full sound. Its bright but whith allot of chime and not at all overly high pitched. I like the high end, its not to tin sounding like some. The high end is not whimpy either! And keep in mind I am using extra light strings. So that is amazing! I really can not think of anything that I do not like about the sound. The sound is really the best I have played so I am thrilled with that.

Ok, the set up is superb. I have owned 3 other guitars. Each one came with a terrible set up. I had to take them into my guitar shop to be set up which costs about 50-75. But....often it was not done right and I had to take them in for more work. I can not say that I have really ever been satisfied with my guitar set ups in the past. I have only been playing for almost 2 years and to be honest my fingers are usually killing me. This Zagar? No set up flaws. Came ready to play with very low easy action. It was even in tune when it got here. Packed nicely too. As far as finish goes I have seen better. Its plain. Nothing fancy or to get excited about. I just had a violin finish Ibanez which looked so killer you would not believe. But....you should not choose a guitar by how it looks. I learned that the hard way. The action is a 10 all the way. I give this a 9 because of the finish. They could improve the finish a little. I ordered one with just very minor blemishes, but it bugged me. So they replaced it immidiately no questions asked.

I think it can withstand live playing. I don't see anything on it that looks like it would break. But I have not played it long enough to really have an opinion. And I only play at home groups and church things so I don't really know.

I have never had such good customer support. Really, I was almost shocked because these days there are just so few companies who back up and deliver what they say they will. The nicest people. Very fast shipping, no hassle at all. I don't think you would have any risk involved here, they offer a 100% money back guarantee, even on shipping costs! I am most satisfied.

I have been playing only like a year and a half. The only thing I wish is that I would have bought this guitar at the beginning. I have very sensitive fingers and I almost wanted to stop playing because even after my first year playing daily, my fingers always hurt. I went through three guitars and just could not solve the problem. I would play Martin and Taylors at the store and wanted one so bad because of the good play, but I just could not spend that much. I was leary to buy a Zagar cause I had never heard of it, but I was so desperate, I gave it a shot. I am so happy I did. I now can play for about two hours solid with no finger pain. You know another thing is that I played it right away. I did not have to spend much time getting used to it. It is a nice fit. I am so thankful! I love this guitar because I strum the heck out of it and it sounds great. I also love the set up. I wish it looked like my Ibanez violin finish, he he. But I realize these are modeled after Martins and Martins are simple looking guitars. No frills. But great sound and play.

I purchased this guitar from Zager guitars around December of 2004. It came with the following features;
- Full size dreadnought box
- Solid 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

Great tone. Holds its tuning for very well. Very full sound. It compares with guitars costing 4 times as much.

Its purdy !!!

Solid construction. Excellent fit and finish.

The guitar is awesome for the price range. There's no dought in my mind about that, but where this company total blows the others away is in general attitude towards the customer. These folks are there to please!

Theres some features that really contribute to a guitar's overall rating. Zager guitars have those but it's really about the fine tuning of these features collectively that makes a guitar sing. Zager is a master at that. You can really tell the guitar has had hands on attention by someone looking for the overall performance rather than just throwing all the pieces together. It's about balance. Harmonic balance.

Full size dreadnought. Solid spruce top and mahogany body. Sealed Grover tuners. Rosewood fred board and bridge with 14 open frets and 20 frets in all. Beautiful glossy finish. Aabalone accents and tortoise shell pickguard. Shallow neck that is a bonus for me as I have small hands. Custom modified saddle and nut and hand filed frets, all being part of the Zager string science. Everything about the guitar has exceeded my expectations.

There is just one word -- AWESOME. The bass is full and the high notes are crisp and clear. A friend who has owned and played a Martin for 20 years was blown away by the sound. She felt it was comparable to her D-28.

Again, there is just one word for the action of this custom modified guitar - INCREDIBLE! I have struggled off and on over the years to try to learn to play my husband's 1941 Gibson, but have lost interest each time because of the pain and frustration I always encountered. The String Science that Denny Zager uses to modify these guitars indeed does make it unbelievable easy to play. I played it for 2 hours the first night I got it with very little discomfort and I had not played a guitar for nearly a year. In addition to the awesome sound and the incredible action, it is a beauty to behold. Again, my friend with the Martin D-28 could not believe how easy it was to play. She just smiled and nodded her head.

The guitar seems very solid and there is a lot of attention to details. It arrived in tune and remains so even after several days. Again, with a lifetime warranty, how can you say that it is anything but reliable.

I emailed Dennis Zager Jr. a couple times as I tried to wait patiently for the next shipment of guitars to arrive. On each occasion my email was answers within 30 minutes. When I received word that the guitars had arrived, I called Dennis this time and ordered my guitar and case. It has been a very positive experience and I know that if I need them, they are there to help me in any way they can.

I am a beginner, but my husband has played for more than 40 years and my friend has played for more than 30 years. They were both blown away by the sound quality and action of this guitar. The only modest thing about this guitar is the price. The single feature that sold me on the guitar was the promise of how easy it would be to play. Everything else, the sound, the beauty of the wood and friendly help from Dennis Jr. are all just added bonuses.

Full size dreadnaught.Spruce Top, Mahogany sides and back. Sealed Grover tuners. 21 frets total, 14 open. Purchased less than two weeks after receiving the Sigma Martin DM-1 B from www.zagerguitar.com that has the E-Z play set up done by Denny Zager.

Rich, full booming sound. Love it.

Set up by Denny Zager of Zager and Evans with the Zager E-Z play system. They don't call it E-Z play for nothing. Awesome!

Has Zager's 100% lifetime guarantee, can't beat that.

Customer service is second to none. Questions sent via email answered almost immediately, 30 minutes or so. Spoke to Denny Zager Jr. on the phone and he is very nice and helpful. Comes with a 100% lifetime warranty.

I have been trying to learn the guitar for about 10 yrs on and off. The Zager E-Z play system makes it much easier for people like me. If it were lost or stolen I would definately buy another. I also have a Sigma Martin DM 1B that I purchased from www.Zagerguitar.com which has the E-Z play setup. I love it also. The two guitar together cost me less than a "big name guitar" and they sound just as good if not better. In fact I sold a big name guitar to buy the ZAD-50. My favorite feature on the two guitars is without a doubt the E-Z play setup done by Denny Zager. LOVE IT! It would be hard to find a guitar for less than $1000.00 + that sounds as good or is anywhere near as easy to play than the ZAD-50. By the way ZAD stands for Zager Advanced Design.

Brand new guitar. Made in the same factory as Martin Sigma guitars.
Solid spruce top.
Really nice glossy finish.
Mahogany body.
Dreadnought style
Grover sealed tuners
Zager patented saddle and nut
It came with an extra set of Martin strings and a truss rod wrench

Really nice sound-almost exactly like a Martin kit a friend of mine built
Very nice bright sound-soft if strummed lightly-really booms out if you hit it hard
Unbelievably nice close action-like stuff costing over $1000

You won't find actions set up like this without spending 5 times as much!
Super nice bridge.
I could find no flaws of any kind-perfect. It was even in perfect tune when I pulled it out of the box when it was delivered.

Seems to be very well built.
Grover tuners should last a lifetime.
Beautiful finish
Good strap button
I have a friend who is a performing guitarist who couldn't believe this guitar. He said it should be the only acoustic I would need to buy even if I got to the point of performing publicly.

Awesome customer support! They answer the phone! Emails are responed to very quickly.
Great warranty-lifetime. Not to many lifetime warranties out there on guitars

New player
I also have a Squire Strat.
I researched Zagers website before buying and checked out all their testimonials and ebay feedback before purchase. They seem to have an impeccable reputation.
If it were stolen or lost I would buy another one just like it.
I also looked at Seagulls, Fender, Ibanez, and Washburn.
I would recommend a Zager to any one.

I won a Zager ZAD-50 on the Gritz Magazine website. I found it because I was unhappy with my first guitar-hurt my fingers like crazy and would not stay in tune. I had read about Zager guitars-saw them on ebay.The guitars have a solid spruce top, Natural gloss finish, Mahogany back and sides. Rosewood Fret Board and Bridge. Abalone inlay, tortoise shell pick guard. The thing that makes it really great is Zager himself modifies the nut and saddle on the guitar to spread out the strings and lower them close to the fret board. Thus, you do not have to push the strings down very far. About the thickness of a piece of paper! The ease of playing this is AMAZING! I am a beginner and my fingers are not nearly as sore as with my old guitar. This is a great guitar and company. Check them out!
Jerry Barnes

I am a beginner, so haven't achieved 'style'. The sound is really great, full and rich, a note resonates for a VERY long time. It has sealed Grover tuners that work very well. Due to Zager's modifications of the nut and bridge, it is very easy to press down the strings, thus saving you LOTS of pain!

It arrived in near perfect tune. The guitar appears to be flawless, looks great with it's Abalone inlay, spruce top and rosewood bridge and fret board. The hard case it come in is top notch also. All around good value.

I'm a beginner, so not fully qualified for this section. It does have sealed Grover tuners and the Zager modificed hand carved nut and saddle. Seems like a quality unit with great factory backup.

Every email I sent was answered right away, and I mean within an hour. I had a string break so called and talked to Dennis Zager Jr. He was very helpful and concerned and directed me to the part of the web site that covers re-stringing, which was very clear and concise at how to do it. Dennis Zager Jr. is a very friendly person. The guitar has a lifetime warranty and 100% money back guarantee. You can't beat that!

I've been playing less than a year. I sold my old guitar, since it sucked. This guitar has really great quality and sound. You can't go wrong with it, if it were stolen or lost I'd definitly call them and buy a nw one. It's ease of play is what makes it stand out over all the others, but it also stands above because of it's great sound. Read the reviews at Gritz Magazine and look at all the testimonials on the Zager Guitar web site. I signed up for their online lessons also, based on the testimonials and the recommendation of Gritz's guitar reviewer.

Brand new acoustic guitar which I believe was made in Korea. It has 20 frets and a solid spruce top. The back and body are made from Mahogany and it has a rosewood fretboard. Gloss finish. Dreadnight. Grover tuners. Rounded neck that is perfect for smallish hands and quite comfortable to play. It's an acoustic guitar without a huge amount of bells and whistles, but that's not really what I'm looking for in an acoustic guitar.

It appears to fit my pop rock w/overtones of blues/jazz/and Dave Matthews-ish funk just fine. It has a big, full sound full of warmth, similar to a Martin. I've owned 2 Martins and find it compares favorably. When fingerpicking the individual notes articulate clearly. The volume projects plenty loud, and I find the sound to be crisp, never murky or muddy. Some may find it a little too bass heavy, but I find it compliments my baritone voice and percussive riffs perfectly. I think this guitar would be suitable for anything from folk to blues to pop.

The set up is where this guitar shines; it comes set up with Zager's EZ play system. The action is nice and low, and string spacing is generous enough to make flat and fingerpicking equally easy. The neck is a joy to play, especially for smallish hands like mine. Not a problem to speak of with the nut or bridge. It may be the easiest acoustic to play I've ever encountered. The gloss finish is handsome as are the abalone accents and body binding. There is a slight bleed over of the wood stain onto part of the binding on the neck, but it is a very minor blemish. The tortoise shell pickguard has a very slight imperfection in the coloring about the size of a pinprick. The work in the interior of the guitar (bracing, etc) appears to be very clean.

I would have not have any concerns about playing this guitar live at a gig. The guitar is well constructed, which is evident from the moment you put it in your hands. The Grover tuners are very smooth and sure. The binding and finish seem to be applied with skill. The strap button (there is only one) seems to be secure. I would take this to a gig and not have any fear about not having a back-up. This is a well-made, solid, durable guitar that figures to age gracefully.

I've never, ever encountered such outstanding customer service in any industry. These guys want their customers to be happy, and will bend over backwards to make sure they are happy. I emailed with some questions and recieved a reply from Denny Jr. within 15 minutes. I later found it necessary to call and ask a few questions. Denny Jr. was out, but I was told he would call when he returned. I recieved the phone call within 20 minutes. These guys are not scared to stand behind their product. They offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Who else does that? These guys are friendly, informative, and accomadating. The best.

I've been playing guitar for about 14 years; I also own a Fernandes TE-3 (supped up with Bill Lawrence pups, 4 way switching, and copper and silver wiring) but I've left it in it's case since I recieved my Zager. If this guitar were stolen I would first weep and then, a moment later, I would call and order another one. I've owned a Martin dreadnought and Martin Concert OOO, and I can honestly say the Zager has much more bang for the buck. The Zager sounds as big and clear as a mid-priced Martin, and also has some nice cosmetic touches. Mostly I love the set-up of this guitar; it's a pleasure to play. The low action (the strings do not buzz against the frets) and generous string spacing make for a very enjoyable playing experience. I can't say that I hate anything about the guitar, tho I do wish it was available with a cutaway. They have an electrified model with a cutaway, but I don't care much for the sound of piezo pickups. A cutaway would obviously make upper fret access easier. Hey, this a a tremendous guitar and a great value. My close friend played it and promptly resolved to buy one for himself; his guitar student also is buying one. Zager guitar is big enough to care for all your customer service needs, but still small enough to pay attention to detail and take pride in what they do.

The ZAD-50 is a full size dreadnought acoustic, with a solid spruce top, mahogany back & sides, rosewood fret board and bridge, and grover tuners. Made in the USA, signed by Denny Zager and dated January 2005.

Sounds great. Beautiful warm tone, with crisp highs. Not the loudest guitar I've ever played, but that's what pickups are for. It has a very even, well balanced sound. If you are used to banging away at a guitar, you will have problems with buzzing. Same is true for heavy gauge strings. However, if you know what you are doing, you should have no problem whatsoever. For the price, unmatched. I give it an 8 only because you don't have the freedom to use whatever strings you like. I happen to use light strings anyways, so for me it's perfect. On normal guitars, lowering the action reduces the tone dramatically, but more than that has been done to this guitar in order to make it the easist acoutic guitar to play, and it retains all of the tone of a guitar with horrible action.

This is a custom made guitar. That said, it can't be comapred to cookie cutter big name guitars, a half dozen of which I have owned and been either completely unsatisfied with, or just simply tolerant of. The frets are hand filed, the bridge, nut and saddle are customized. All done extremely well, by a true craftsman. This guitar is an acoustic with the action of an electric. Anyone who can't understand why a 3000 dollar Martin still isn't playable needs to try out a Zager. This guitar was obviously very carefully constructed. Again, for the price, it's totally unbelievable.

This is again a very well made guitar with attention to all of the right details. I would trust this guitar in any environment , and plan to use it in the studio as well. It stays in tune after hours of playing. Very solid guitar with a nice finish, though I admit in my opinion, things like the finish are attractive only to people who can't really play and want to look the part. I realized that by reading glowing reviews of the Artcore hollowbodys appearance, and then trying to actually use one. This is a real guitar. Zager seems confident enough to back that up with a lifetime warranty.

This is a family owned company. Makes my Fender seem like it came from Wal-Mart, or any other massive faceless conglomerate with no real interest in the quality of their product beyond the point which you throw down money for it. They respond to my emails within 24 hours, and are direct and down to earth people. No automated phone systems or arrogant jerks.

I have been playing for around 15 years, mostly in studio settings. In addition to the Zager I still own a custom Esp vintage plus, both of which I will never part with. Custom guitars like these don't compare to factory mass produced instruments. Have owned 2 Std strats (got rid of both), an Ibanez Artcore --retuned it, and a fender dreadnought acoustic. Which I sold after buying my Zager. Also own A fender JP-90 bass, and various keyboards. This Zager guitar will stay with me as long as I can play. I will definitely buy another in the next year or two. I don't believe anyone who says this guitar isn't an amazing value.

I have the Zad 50 CE version, which has a cutway body and a pick up on board. Solid wood top, sides and back. Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Several little things that really make this guitar look good. The electronics are solid, with a three band EQ and a tuner built in. Grover tuners that work perfectly. The neck is thinner than most guitars which is good for players with smaller hands.

Wow! I have played for over 25 years and have played all the "real" guitars out there. This guitar can hold its own against any at three times its price. No exaggeration. I had a friend try it out without telling him the price. He has played for over 30 years and has played with some very big names. He played for five minutes then said, "Beautiful, must be at least $1000." The sound is clear, clean, and bright. All in all, this guitar sounds better than any guitar in its price range and in ranges twice as high

Perfect. Read about Zager guitars to get more info. But, in a word, the set up, action, and finish are perfect.

Everything, so far, is or seems solid. The guitar is a little lighter than my others (Ovation 12, Garrison, Fender, etc) With the lifetime warranty, I really have no worries.

Amazing. Denny Zagger and his son are wonderful. Not one problem

Great guitar, with great sound and amazing action. After 25 years of playing, I have finally found THE guitar!

2004 ZAD 50 ZAGER, 20 filed down frets. no electronics, solid spruce top, plywood mahoghany sides and back, very heavy gloss finish, thin neck, grover tuners,no case

Sound is tinny, poor intonation, hard to keep in tune, Darco strings came on guitar, maybe better strings would make guitar sound better, hard to get clear notes when playing single notes.

Set Up is strange, frets filed flat, high plastic saddle, nice looking guitar, very light, very loose grain spruce top, though aesthetically pleasing because of high gloss finish. Saddle ,instead of normal slant, goes up from bass to high in middle and back down low at treble. Denny Zager signs each guitar on back.

Personally, I could not play it, could not get it in tune and poor intonation

Customer support very good until They started hemming and hawing about return of guitar which they guarentee return and postage both ways, took three days to get guitar picked up.

25 years of playing, have owned Gibsons,Fenders and a Martin. I can not recommend this guitar, if you are a beginner, just get a name brand guitar and get it set up for lo action with light strings, this is overkill, it kills the sound quality and intonation, I will not rule out the possibility I got a lemon, but they never contacted me after they got it back saying there was anything wrong with it.

Zager ZAD 50 from Denny Zager of Zager guitars.This acoustic features the Zager string science and has a solid spruce top laminated mahogany back and sides,rosewood fretboard.Other features are hand filed frets,custom hand carved and modified saddle and nut.Both the nut and saddle are in the process of being awarded a patent.The ZAD 50 is a full size dreadnaught the width at the nut is 1 3/4.The neck of the ZAD 50 is shallow and very easy for novice or pro to move about with ease.The string science Denny incorperates on his acoustics lowers the string height at the nut so little finger pressure is used to form the hardest chords.The saddle is adjusted to the nut to bring the acoustic in harmony and string height at the 12th fret is 3/32.the frets are hand filed to reduce string buzz and string bite.These modifactions cannot be found on any acoustic in this price range and you may not get this type of action on an acoustic costing 4x the price of $345 the Zagers ask for this remarkable acoustic unless you have it done by a luthier after purchase.

To be able to play finger style on a dreadnaught as well as you can the ZAD50 eliminates the need for an OM style for this type of play and a dread to play with a pick.you do not lose any volune or sustain with the string science set up of Denny Zager.The bass is deep and the highs ring beautifully on the ZAD50 I still after 2 months of playing daily cannot believe how good the ZAD50 sounds and the $345 I paid for it.Even with the low set up there is no string buzz and palying for hours at a time your fingers are not cramped or sore.Any novice should try a ZAD 50 and don't worry about the tons of advice you get saying play it first because if you are not happy with the ZAD 50 Dennis Zager jr will refund 100% of the purchase price or you can try a different model.There is no gamble purchasing a Zager acoustic.

Denny Zager works on each acoustic so any with flaws are rejected so you get a Acoustic that is hand signed by Denny and if it does not pass his inspection it is rejected.The ZAD50 is set up and adjusted to be played out of the box it's perfect and you keep asking is it really $345 I have had some real dogs by big names under $500 the ZAD50 is a real find.

Oh yeah this is made to be played and played and is backed up by the Zager lifetime warranty.

The ZAD 50 comes with the best customer support I have ever come across in the acoustic guitar industry.Lifetime warranty and nothin is complicated either call or e-mail and that day all questions are answered.It is as good or better than buying local,try it and see.

For the price it's a 10 for double the price it's a ten.Over the years I have owned 20 plus acoustics this rates as one of the best right there with $1500 acoustics.The next acoustic I buy will be the ZAD80 from Zager guitar.This is a awesome acoustic and for the price and warranty you will not beat the ZAD50 for all the custom work put into,ease of play,tone,sustain,inotation all options you would pay much more for and still not get the personal customer service you get from Zager guitatr.You have to try one and if your just starting out this is the best move you can make.

2004 Dreadnought style made overseas, sealed grover tuners, Spruce Solid top, Mahogany laminate sides/back and not sure of the neck but looks like 3 piece and very thin with rosewood fret board, frets are low, strings spaced for fingerstyle, Tortoise Shell Pick Guard, martin draco strings included with a nice low setup called e-z play from zager guitar.

I play anything from gospel to blues and some old time rock and roll on the acoustics.
The tone is bright with a wonderful sound all the way down the fretboard. The guitar came setup with ultra-light strings which I assume add's to the brightness and added hours of playing. To compare I have two other guitars in the same price range (I don't want to set a $500 guitar up against a $2000 guitar) with Light strings installed. A Martin-Sigma Dm-5 (25+ years old and losing its frets) which sounds deeper and louder and about same action height, A Yamaha Fg-335 (20+ years old and holding its own, its a tank!) which sounds Deeper and much louder although much higher action. Each I would say has it's own sound and one of personal choice.

This is where I think the zager's I had and have failed in my opinion. The first one shipped to me had sanding marks all over the outside edges of the top, plus glue runs on the neck bindings and I asked for another one. The second one had mis-matched sides on the top as far as color and grain is concerned and what looks slightly like a knot hole to me right through the bridge plus it also had glue runs on the neck binding around the 11th through the 14th fret but not as bad as the first. I also have a wood shaving in the finish around the soundhole. I must admit customer service is excellent in returns but I guess after shipping me two guitars they felt are good, I only had the choice of returning them instead of having them pick one out that looks as good as their advertisement. (Customer service later told me all the woods have their own character but I don't think they really looked at mine or would have seen it was sanding not character that ruined that otherwise good top)Seeing it was a gift I kept the second one with the knot and mismatched solid top. I also kept it for the sound which is it's own and the setup with Ultra-light strings. The guitar plays very well and I can play for hours on it and keep smiling. If not for the cosmetic short commings this would be one heck of a guitar. I can feel the strings hang during tuning but not enough to hurt the sound, just a little more time to set it up.

This is the lightest guitar I own, It feels like air and I do not know if it will hold up to bumping around or not. (Handle with care or time will tell) The guitar has a natural gloss finish and I guess will withstand stains. I would have another around to be safe if I was to gig with it which I will not be doing. Keep it in the house out of reach of little hands and some big ones and it might last forever.

I think they have a great money back guarantee which includes shipping. I used it and it was smooth with them even sending the truck to pick up the return. Dennis Jr. Replys to emails quickly although I think they push more about their guitar then listen to what the customer is saying and in the end I think they feel their product is not at fault although they still will honor the guarantee. Hats off there.. but if I was them I would have shipped the third guitar hand picked for the customer to match the quality of the one in their advertisement, or at least double check the problems with the returned guitar to see what the customer is talking about. They get an 8 for the guarantee and politeness in any case.

I been playing guitars off and on as a hobby for 30 years and have had an assortment of them. I currently have about 6 electrics from epiphones to fenders and now 4 acoustics from martins to yamaha's . If I was to ask one thing before the purchasing which I didn't do to begin with (gift) it would be... are the tops in good order or very distracting cosmeticly and is QC at zagers up to keeping these looking good with no questions asked. I like the action as it is low like my Martin-Sigma (which a luthier setup) which allows me to play much longer and the sound is sweet. Neck wise it is the thinest acoustic I have played with the Martin slightly thicker and the Yamaha Fg-335 like a baseball bat in comparison in size. (although the Yamaha seems like a much better guitar built to last and still sounding good IMHO)
I was hoping these Zagers would be good and from the website and all the positive feedback I thought they would be. I like it for what it is but would not replace it.

Zager ZAD 50 solid spruce top,mahogany back and sides(laminated) rosewood fretboard,sealed Grover tuning gears,abalone rosette,tortoise pick gaurd,high gloss finish.Thr ZAD 50 features custom hand filed fret work,custom nut and saddle.The nut and saddle material are being patend at this time.Width at the nut 1 3/4 and a shallow neck.These are features which you do not find on any acoustic in this price range.The ZAD 50 is set up and hand tuned by Denny Zager who had the #1 hit record In the Year 2525 in 1969.Denny is a Master Luthier and well known teacher and has a on-line instruction site also.

I paid $345 for the ZAD 50 and cannot find an acoustic in my collection of more expensive guitars to match the sound of the ZAD 50.I played this side by side against Martin and Alvarez acoustics in the $800 to $1400 price range and the ZAD 50 blows them all away.I have tried a varity of strings and gauges Martin SP light,custom light and extra light also Elixir lights and custom lights and the sound,inotation and sustain are remarkable for a guitar that cost $345.

WOW is all can say the ZAD 50 is set up out of the box from Denny Zager for smooth easy play with the patened Zager String Science.String height at the first fret has the bass e string about touching the fret down to a string height of 3/32 at the 12th fret for perfect volume and tone.This makes freting any type chord very easy with no string bite or string buzz.This is a fine tuned hand finished acoustic that does not leave Zager's hands with any loose ends or set up bugs.

The ZAD 50 has a lifetime warranty from Zager Guitar and will only get better with age.

I never dealt with any one as helpful as the people at Zager Guitar.there on top of every e-mail and question no matter what it is.There 100% complete satisfaction warranty speaks for itself.

I own and family members play 2 other Zager acoustics plus the ZAD 50.This is the best acoustic I have played the neck is very easy to play on the nut width is perfect for my style of play(mostly fingers) the String Science set up is the best I can't imagine playing anything else except the ZAD 80 in the future.You do not need to upgrade the nut or saddle on the ZAD 50 since they are hand carved and custom fit to each acoustic and are under patend.If you have never played start with a Zager if you play and keep searching for something better try the ZAD 50 don't let the low price misguide you this is a custom acoustic with a beatiful sound that is very easy to play it looks and sounds like it cost 3 or 4 times the price.

This guitar is as mentioned earlier a dreadnought acoustic 6 string. She is a nice looking instrument featuring, a solid spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard and bridge, Chrome Grover tuners, fully bound body and neck, an abalone rosette, custom fret work, tortoise pickguard, pearl dot fret markers, and a beautiful high gloss finish. The binding is a beautiful aged creme and black color. The headstock sports the ZAGER logo in gold that matches the overall look of the guitar nicely. I should mention that Zager?s nut, and saddle material, string science, and its lamination process are all patent pending. The case is a very nice and durable high impact Zager case. At this price level, this is a guitar that far exceeds expectations on features alone.

Wow! Is that a good way to start the sound part of the review? This guitar has amazing tone. I decided to do something a bit different this time in the ?sound? category. I tested it side by side with a couple of my own guitars, using two of my friends, who are also guitarists, as judges. I played three guitars to my blindfolded buddies. I must say they were good sports and came into this knowing the price of the guitar I was testing. I wanted them to be a bit biased to start with!

I played the same chord progressions and riffs on all three. I can?t mention the name of the other two guitars used in my test, (I don?t have the companies permission or I would), but I can tell you that one of them retails for $3000.00 and the other is 25 year old guitar that has always been my ?tone tester? when doing any comparison for these reviews or for my own purchases. The 25 year old guitar is priceless to me. The Zager sounded better than the two other instruments to one of my guinea pig?s ears. The other guy called it a tie with my $3000.00 guitar and said it beat the 25 year old guitar I play daily, hands down. I was a bit skeptical of the results. I?m stubborn that way. I repeated the test with the same guitars miked at the sound hole and at the 12th fret directly into my little 16 track home studio recorder. I laid down three identical tracks using the three guitars, using the same microphone position and repeating as closely as I possibly could the circumstances on all three. I had my wife play them back to me randomly, so that I would not know the guitar used on each track. Again I used the same chord progressions and riffs. I was able to tell the difference between the Zager and the $3000.00 guitar but could not pick my own 25 year old friend out of the mix. What does all of this mean to you? Zager HAS something here that is astounding. I am amazed! Not amazed, blown away! This guitar actually rivals instruments that should have no rival under the 3 to 4 grand price range but it does! It does it at a price point just under 5 hundred bucks!

This is another area that Zager shines in. The guitar came to me in great shape. It was in tune and intonated to a tee! The frets are custom dressed by Denny and are crowned and finished nicely. The finish on the guitar is beautiful and flawless. The action is in a word amazing. This is what makes a Zager a Zager more than any other attribute, in my opinion. Putting aside the astounding tone for a moment these guitars play effortlessly. The spacing between the strings is wider than any other standard guitar. Denny sets up each of these instruments and you can tell that it is a passion for him. The strings are so low to the frets that a normal piece of computer paper has trouble slipping between the two. It is amazing to play and probably something you need to see and feel to believe. I could play this guitar all day and never get that left hand cramping that you can sometimes get from long sessions. As mentioned in previous reviews on Zagers, I think this is a revolution in guitar playing. This innovation will make new players stick with guitar playing longer. The ease of fretting the strings and sounding good right from the get go is such a positive for newer players. I am all about spreading guitar playing and to Denny Zager I say, ?Thank you for making it much easier to get new players to stick with it! Thanks for making guitar playing easier for us all!? The world could use many more guitar players. The spacing between the strings is wider than any other standard guitar. Denny sets up each of these instruments and you can tell that it is a passion for him. The strings are so low to the frets that a normal piece of computer paper has trouble slipping between the two. It is amazing to play and probably something you need to see and feel to believe. I could play this guitar all day and never get that left hand cramping that you can sometimes get from long sessions. As mentioned in previous reviews on Zagers, I think this is a revolution in guitar playing. This innovation will make new players stick with guitar playing longer. The ease of fretting the strings and sounding good right from the get go is such a positive for newer players. I am all about spreading guitar playing and to Denny Zager I say, ?Thank you for making it much easier to get new players to stick with it! Thanks for making guitar playing easier for us all!? The world could use many more guitar players.

This is always a tricky category with a new instrument from a new company, but having had numerous conversation with Dennis Zager Jr. and talking to others who have Zager guitars, or guitars Denny has applied the string science to, I think I can safely say that when Denny hand signs each guitar, he means that his reputation rides on each instrument. The guitar seems well built with an attention to detail that you just don?t find at this price point. With good care and proper maintenance; I can say you?ll be playing this guitar for many, many years to come with no problems.

Usually with a newer company and a new model I won?t comment much on this category as it is a non tested area. I must say again, that through talking with the folks at Zager, and the fact that Denny hand signs each guitar are pretty good indicators that they will stand behind the product. I see no problem in this area.

This guitar gets a solid 5 stars... The sliding scale we use is from 1 to 5 stars! That is, a score of 1 is BAD a score of 5 is something special. At this price point,I honestly don?t see how you could not consider the Zager EZ Play ZAD-50. In fact the difference between this guitar?s tone and a guitar that costs 3-4 grand is almost non existent to the ear. I can tell the difference between this guitar?s tone and my $3000.00 guitar but it makes me deeply question if that money was well spent. Old RedTail is telling you folks in no uncertain terms that if you are in the market for a great looking, great sounding guitar give Zager a shot. You won?t be disappointed. Of course that?s my opinion, and as always; I urge you to play many guitars before making a purchase. Read reviews and other people?s opinions if you must! LOL! The point is you will know the guitar that?s for you when you play it.

Thanks to the good people at Zager Guitars for the ZAD-50, and good luck to all entrants to the contest. I also look forward to reviewing more Zager guitars in the future as they are continuing to expand the line with acoustic/electrics, cutaways, and maybe some more surprises in the works. Stay tuned!

Keep on pluckin the plank we love, Brothers and Sisters! Till next time, take good care of each other, and may your days be blessed.

Drop me a line and tell me what you think. I appreciate the e-mails that have come in on past reviews and look forward to discussing any aspect of the guitar world with yall!

Michael ?RedTail Wolf? Nystrom