Zager ZAD-50CE OM

My "ZAGER" GUITAR came standard with Fishman Electronics. That includes the Tuner, Pick-ups and EQ. The equipment has held up great and I have owned the guitar for just shy of 5 years.

It's the Orchestra Model and about 15% smaller than the standard acoustic everyone seems to make. I have other far more expensive guitars both electric and acoustic but I don't even pick them up much since buying my ZAGER 50 OM.

I am very one sided when it comes to my Zager Guitar. Though most of my playing is "Unplugged" it sounds great either way. I really don't have any dislikes at all and I have had 5 years to find one! I am very picky and a true "Type A" Perfectionist that wants things to work right. For this Zager Guitar to make me satisfied enough to write this e-mail says tons!

Set-up is Awesome right out of the Box! I will say my good friend has a 30 year old "Big Dollar" Martin Guitar and my Zager 50 "That only cost me $550.00 hangs right with his $4,000 plus Martin.

As for flaws. There seems to be a little blemish in the clear coat on the backside of the guitar. It may have come from rubbing against my belt.

This things is still good to go like the day I bought it almost 5 years ago. I would and do recommend this Zager Guitar to anyone who is looking to purchase. If your just starting to play, I wouldnt even consider anything else. It's just to easy on your fingers to go with something other than the Zager!

The Guys @ Zager have always been on the money! I am a very hard customer to please and they made it easy.

No complaints. Couldn't ask for anything more! It fits my price point, style, ease of play and size just perfect!

See features on Zagerguitar.com

I've had this guitar for a while now and have found nothing to dislike yet. Sounds fantastic, nice and bright , full sustain. When plugged in it's usually played with an Ibanez amp.

Excellent set-up and adjustments. I can find no flaws in the craftmanship of this instrument.

This guitar has held up thus far and there isn't a blemish on it. I'd use it on a gig without a backup in a split minute.

Lifetime warranty. Awesome customer service. All emails I've sent have been answered within minutes.

I own two guitars, this Zager and a Fender acoustic, as well as a trumpet. I've been playing music altogether for about 34 years. If it was stolen or lost I would buy this same guitar again and would consider no other. I have played guitars costing up to $3-4000 made by Martin, Taylor, Takamine, Fender, Ibanez, Gibson and I like the sound and playability of the Zager much better (and the cost). In my opinion the only way this guitar could be better is maybe if it gave milk.

smaller body mahogany cutaway with spruce top, sealed Grover tuners, gloss finish, built in electronics system w/equalizer and electronic tuner, abalone inlay around sound hole

The smaller body doesn't have the booming bass of a dreadnought, but the natural overall sound is surprisingly rich and full. Highs are crisp and clean, great for fingerpicking. Through a simple cube amplifier with light effects, the guitar sounds great, very lyrical and melodious.

Finish is beautiful, guitar looks flawless. They really paid attention to detail and it shows. Action is amazingly easy without the buzzing that can occur when strings are lowered too far.

The ZAD has held up very well after a year and a half of owning the guitar and of constant playing. The craftsmanship is of such high quality, I'm sure it will continue to get better with age. One hardware issue to mention (see customer support section).

The electronics system malfunctioned recently, causing a crackling noise and eventually cutting out altogether. Guitar repairman recommended contacting Zager company to find out the brand so I could buy a new one. Zager's customer service is the best; not only do they have a 100% money back guarantee if you're not happy with the instrument, they replaced the whole electronics system for me after a year at no cost. If there were an 11 rating on your scale, I would definitely give it.

I also own a beautiful rich-voiced Taylor 810 dreadnought which I've had for nearly twenty years. After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis five years ago, I found it more and more difficult to play my Taylor for very long without difficulty. My ZAD is so easy to play because of the low action, I often play for 2-3 hours at a time with no stiffness or hand fatigue. I have to confess, I hardly touch my Taylor any more! I couldn't be happier with my guitar. Not only is it a beauty; it has a wonderful tone, sound even better amplified, and you won't find better customer service anywhere. I tell all my friends about it.

This guitar has a beautiful finish and made with the finest of woods. The neck is thin and so easy to play. No sore fingers or indents in your fingers from having to press so hard. It has a built in tuner and an electric pickup.

I love the sound of this guitar! I haven't used it with an amp yet. There is really no need because the sound is loud enough for me and so crisp with no buzzing!

No other guitar on the market compares to a Zager! Go ahead and try to find one, spend $4000.00. It won't be a Zager!

I have never played a gig and probably never will. But it comes with a lifetime warranty so what is there to worry about. I definately think it would. I have a friend that wanted to use it live and I said noooooo, no one touches her but me. I am very protective of my baby.

The best comapny I have ever dealt with! They are truly all class! I won't shop anywhere else for a guitar.

This baby has everything you need. I have owned many guitars from Martins to Ibanez. I have played for 20 yrs on and off, more off than on because my guitar kept defeating me. I am sooo happy to finally have found a guitar that sounds great and is easy to play. It stays in tune and no buzzing. If it were ever lost I would buy another in a minute. If it were ever stolen, god help the person if I found them. I would still buy another. I want a house full of these guitars! You haven't played a guitar until you have played a Zager! I have since donated my other guitars because they are yuk compared to my Zager.

New guitar, made last year. "OM" sized guitars are 15% smaller than their full size guitars. They have a narrower waist which makes them sit lower in your lap and are easier to hold and get your arm around. Solid Spruce/Mahogany, Abalone Inlay Rosette, Chrome Hardware, Grover Tuners, 20 frets

Sounds crispy & full of tone

I only had to retune it when it came out of it's case. It plays so easy , the best as far as my experience with ac.guitars goes. And it has a beautifull finish! Made with love.

Don't know yet.This weekend will be it's first gig.

The people there are very friendly and their warranty is great!!

I've been playing for 30 years now. I play all different styles and for my acoustic work I usualy took my Taylor. This Zager is a little smaller and lighter and plays easier. The sound comes close to expensive Martin guitars. The only thing I'd wish to add is the strapbutton on the nek.

Gloss Finish, Cutaway, OM size (15% smaller), Grover Tuners, Spruce top, Mahogany back/sides, Rosewood fretboard with binding, Fishman Electronics w/EQ. Purchased a very nice Martin case with it.

I am a beginner, but I find the sound bright and full. Not as much volume as a Dreadnought, but that is OK and to be expected. Let's just say it sounds sweet to me.

Action is custom adjusted and is perfect for my hands. Low enough to make chords esier to play, but w/o buzz. Finish is beautiful for a guitar in this price range. One extremely small flaw on the back, but I had to use my glasses to see it. Frets are smooth. Nut and saddle are custom filed and smooth.

Not enough experience with guitars to make a valid judgement here.

Lifetime warranty on this instrument. I have corresponded with the company by both email and phone and received nothing but top notch service.

I am a beginner, as I said, but I own a couple other guitars, and this is by far the best in my opinion. Taking the quality of the instrument and the service I have had from the company, I have to give this experience, thus far, a 10 rating. If this guitar were lost or stolen, I would buy another one. I chose this model first because of the easy action, and second because of the design of the electronic package. Add to that the reputation of the Zager name.

See features at zagerguitar.com
Included accesories were a T-shirt, Martin strings, 1 pack of Zager picks and a picture of Denny with my guitar. A nice touch.

I play both gospel and country using a flatpick. As yet I do not fingerpick. When using an amp I use an Ibanez IBZ10B. This guitar is not noisy but does produce a full bright and crisp sound. As yet I haven't found anything to dislike about this guitars sound.

This is the good part. This guitars action, fit, and finish are as near to perfect as I've ever seen. Absolutely no flaws in the finish that I can find. The action is super low and easy on the fingertips. Just a touch is really all it takes. I have played Martin, Fender and Ibanez acoustics and haven't seen a guitar with better action for less than $3,000. Absolutely nothing in this category to complain about.

I believe this guitar will stand up to live playing. The hardware is built last (Grover tuning gears) and the finish appears to be quite durable. The strap button is solid. I would use this guitar without a backup on a gig in a heartbeat.

the folks at Zager are extremely helpful and friendly. All emails were answered within minutes and the phone was answered by a real person. The warranty is lifetime but haven't needed it yet.

I have been playing for about 6 months and I also own a Fender acoustic and a couple of amps. If this guitar were stolen I would definately buy another Zager of the same model. I love the setup and the string science. My favorite feature is the neck design and the string spacing. I did compare this one to other guitars, Fender, Martin, Ibanez, and Takamine. This one had all the features I wanted with a money back guarantee including shipping Both ways. No way I could go wrong. The only thing I wish this guitar had but doesn't is a front strap button.

This Orchestra model is about 15% smaller than the Zager full size. The volume is slightly less, but it is exactly what I was looking for. This guitar sits well in my lap and it play's easy. The frets and strings are set closer than any other I've seen. Since I haven't played in a while, this was very helpful to me.

The guitar was built in 2007. The acoustic electric comes with a built in transducer, with an electronic package that allows me to quickly tune the guitar and I will someday get a amp to use it electrically. It has a cutaway body, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides. The gloss finish is unbelievable for the price. It has a rosewood bridge and rosewood fret board.
the case is just great also, it is plush and it measures the humidity.

This guitar is great for me, I want to recapture my playing ability for my own pleasure right now.

The sound is great for a guitar this size, the range is good, just the bass is a little weak, but that was to be expected.

The strings are close to the frets and have had no problems with buzzing.

What I really like about this guitar is the comfort and ease of hold in my lap along with the ease of playing. It is hard to put this guitar down.

Denny Zager personally set this guitar up. as I said before, the ease of playing makes the action great.

This guitar was perfect, I couldn't find any flaws what so ever.

I was crazy about the appearance of the transducer location, but I knew it going in and I'm used to it now, and the tuner makes quick tuning easy. I haven't yet used it as an acoustic electric.

While I won't be playing in front of a live group I can't see any indications that the guitar would not perform flawlessly.

The hardware has sealed tuners and looks like the are heavy duty.

The guitar has scalloped x-bracing for added stability.

The gloss finish is deep and flawless. The spruce top and mahogany sides are just beautiful. The top has a tortise shell pick guard.

I expect to depend on this guitar for years.

I have emailed the Zagers many times and they have always emialed me back with helpful advice and answers.

There has been no reason for repairs.

It came with a 100% money back guarantee.

It has a lifetime warranty, in writing.

I haen't played since the seventies and wanted to get back into an acoustic. I played an acoustic and a Hangstrom. I was just looking for some mellow pleasure, and have been very satisfied with the purchase of the Zager OM.

I had a hard time deciding on the size, and went for the smaller one. I hope to purchase a full size in a cuople of years, as long as it would be a Zager.

I love the guitar and the ease of play. There is nothing I hate about it.

I looked at a similar sized Martin, but chose the Zager and I glad I did. this is alot of Guitar at a graet price and graet service.

I would and probably will buy another, but it will be a full size.

I believe Guitar was made in far east but info package did not say. Look on Zager website for specs. As for the guitar this is the orchestra model which is about the sise of a folk guitar. The sound is full (not like the baby martins or taylors or other orchestra models I have played). The finish is glossy without looking plasticcy. The colors on the side and neck is a rich honey color, Edges are banded with hard creme colored shell that should take a beating. Guitar is expertly set up. Do not believe reviewers who say Danny's set up has ruined this guitar. I noticed the following. All frets have been filed beneath strings 6,5,2 and 1. Guitar has silver enclosed grover tuners. Gutar has inlayed dots on fingerboard

Sound is rich and bright with good sustain. Sounds a lot better when my friend plays it who actually knows what he is doing. Played other guitars and found that the Takamine GS430S has a similar sized body, a low luster finish ( which I prefer) and a very nice sound. Being a cheapskate, I would have bought the Takamine (on sale at Guitar center for $250 )except the string spacing was closer than the Zager and I couldn't play an F cord without a buzz unless I pressed down really hard. I decided to buy the Zager guitar thinking I wouldn't have to fight with it. That has definitely been the case.

Set up at factory is perfect. Guitar has slender braces, cut away at ends and the snakelike wooden reinforcing strips ( which glues front and back to sides ) is cut so that the sound board gets maximum surface. Strings are martin lights. My guitar does not stay in tune forever like some reviewers claim. It needs tuning. It is not a miracle guitar. It is wood and steel. The zagers are not Lutherer Gods nor customer service Icons. They are a family business who happen to know their work extremely well and must love the hell out of what they are doing. The attention to detail provided in their videos to owners is a class by itself even for this nerdy engineer. As for the term "string science" I guess Denny watched too many commercials for ginzu knives, the pocket fisherman, and miracle food choppers. Let's give him a break. He was born in the 70s and is to some extent a product of his times. I believe the guitar is however set up by an outstanding technician with an ear for music and a heart for what he does. That's really what I was looking for.

This guitar will stay at home and entertain the ladies and it's owner unless I go to a friend's house. Do not know how it will hold up so no rating

I emailed the zagers a couple of times and called them once. Sure is nice to get a person instead of a menu. Thanks guys. Only issue I had was that I asked questions via E-mail about string spacing etc and instead of an answer I got a testimonial of other guitar players. No problem - Denny Jr answered quickly on phone.
Looked up web site for owners. It is unbelievable. Video on changing strings is completely detailed with all the right information. This guitar comes with "support" out of the wazoo !!!!

No opinion as my only other guitar is a classical with very wide spacing and am not a sufficienly talented guitar player such that my rating would mean anything. Check with someone who has played for years to get their rating.

Acoustic/Electric with cutaway. Solid spruce top with mahogany sides and back. Grover tuners. ClearWave 10 electronics with bass, mid, trebble and presence adjustments, volume and built-in elctronic tuner function. Purchased optional Zager hard case.

I play exclusively for my own enjoyment and relaxation, mostly finger-pick. I purchased the "OM" size (15% smaller) for its ease of playing while sitting in an easy chair. This guitar works vary well for me and is both easy and a joy to play. It plays clean and makes me sound like a better player.

I can't find a flaw on the instrument. The wood and gloss finish are georgeous, all surfaces are perfectly mated and the level of detail is what I would expect from a guitar costing much, much more. The setup was great, ready to play with good sound as soon as shipping box opened.

After several weeks of playing daily, I don't see anything with this guitar that makes me think it won't be as solid years from now as it is today.

Excellent!! Responded to my pre-purchase inquiries more quickly and thoroughly than I ever expected. Gave me confidence that I made the right choice. Mail order process was painless. Guitar arrived in perfect condition within 48 hours of ordering.

I've been an intermittent guitar player for 40 years. Although I've played several different styles and models of guitars over the years, I have primarily played the same Fender acoustic for over 20 years. I don't want to discount an old friend, but I think this Zager is going to be a good one. My only possible regret with this Zager is that I think I would have liked to upgrade to the ZAD-80 with the cedar and rosewood construction combination.