Zager ZAD-80 OM

This is what first attacted me to this guitar. It has a deep warm sound that exceeds $3000 like guitars

With small fingers the fret action is perfect

I take this guitar everywhere I go. I just lived 2 years in Italy and people just couldn't believe the sound from this guitar

It was great buying experience and a few years later Zager was still there and cared deeply about my guitar

I'm 51 and played since i was 13. All 3 of my boys play...better than Dad They have other name brands, but they argue over my Zager

FYI, note that reviews of this guitar appear under several model descriptions, including "ZAD 80 OM", "ZAD-80 OM", and "ZAD80-OM".:

Martin OM shape; solid cedar top; laminated Indian Rosewood back and sides; neck wood unknown (sapelle? bubinka?); lacquer finish; rosewood fretboard and bridge; thin oval neck, gold Grover tuners; soundhole and top edged with abalone inlay; fretboard inlays in a tasteful kind of maltese-cross shape; no electronics. Really quite an elegant and beautiful guitar. Very light weight. Price paid included Martin hardshell case.

Like Martin OM except nut is 1-3/4" rather than 1-11/16"; frets are filed down a bit shorter than usual and guitar is set up for extra-light gauge strings.

The relatively low initial cost of the OM-80 (considering the appointments which are closest in the Martin line to the four-thousand dollar OM-41) is, I'm guessing, achieved by a combination of (a) Asian manufacture, (b) laminated back and sides, (c) cheaper-than-mahogany neck wood, and (d) cheaper-than-ebony fretboard and bridge. The tuners, so important, are excellent. I find the cost-v.-quality design decisions to have been excellent in this guitar. I'd like to have had a choice of solid rosewood for the back and sides to see if it would have been worth the price difference. It might well not have been. Don't know.

Produces abundant volume, probably due at least in part to the thinness of the woods which reverberates well even with the extra-light gauge strings.

A bit on the bright side, and extra-light strings of course bend easily so you have to exercise care not to go sharp unintentionally. However, this problem is mitigated by the fact that the guitar produces excellent volume with a light touch.

My Taylors (GS8 and 610), my Takamine (EAN10C), and my sister's '69 Brazilian Rosewood Martin D35 all have a fuller, mellower sound, but the Zager's sound is very nice, and is growing on me. It's also a very new guitar - I've had it a month now - so the tone will round out with time.

Zager markets the playability of its guitars above all other features, to the point that it seems like hype, but I have found their claims in this regard to be 100% justified. The use of extra-light gauge strings on a guitar that is in every respect set up for extra-light gauge strings produces the most forgiving touch I've ever experienced on an acoustic guitar. Since I bought the Zager it's gotten 90% of my play time because it's so comfortable and because my fingers can handle hours a day on it. Much of this can be explained by the extra-light-gauge v. the medium or medium-light gauge strings on my other guitars, but that's the simple genius of the Zager. Denny Zager set out to make a guitar that was easy to finger, so he started with extra-light strings and made everything work around that. It's not rocket science, really: it just works!

The finish on my OM80 is excellent. There is one tiny spot of missed lacquer on the top that you have to look hard for, but other than that the guitar is solid and beautifully constructed, down to the details.

It's a new guitar, but appears to be very well built. As I've mentioned it is light in weight, so I'm guessing the woods on the sound box are thinner than on, say, my Taylors. So probably if you stepped on the guitar it would give way a little sooner than the Taylors. However, I don't recommend that for either manufacturer's guitars. 8-)

Denny Zager Jr. (the luthier's son) answered all of my emailed pre- and post-sale questions about the guitar very quickly, and altogether satisfactorily. Zager Guitar has a sterling reputation for customer support and service, and nothing about my limited experience with them has given me any reason to doubt its justification.

I've mentioned my other guitars; I've been playing nearly 50 years, with a few breaks in there. Something I wished I had asked? Well, it wasn't obvious about the laminated (rather than solid) wood used in the back and sides, though I did find out about it before purchasing (from reviews here) and decided I was okay with it, given the guitar???s price and reviews.

Overall, I'm very, very happy I bought this guitar - which was, unfortunately, one of the last OM80's in the Zager inventory. It has made it possible for me to play all the hours I want to play, and as such, will contribute immeasurably to my progress on the difficult fingerstyle pieces I favor these days. After noticing this phenomenon I thought "Well, I'll practice on this and then use my other guitars for recording and performance," but I'm slowly getting to like the Zager so much I have a feeling it won't get left out in the cold for those uses, either.

The Zager is unique among acoustic guitars for the unusual, interesting, and exceedingly relevant design priorities that produced it. Now that Denny Zager is retiring from the guitar sales business, I hope a few other manufacturers pay attention to the incredibly good reviews of these guitars here on Harmony Central and adopt Denny Zager's priorities in some of their models. Otherwise, Zager's exit leaves a gaping hole. If you're lucky enough to find one used, buy it.

WOW !!! - Denny Zager sure knows what he is doing!!!

My Zager ZAD-80 OM is a steel string acoustic, a little smaller than the full-size guitars. The body is 19" long - lower bout is 15.5" across, upper bout is 11.5". It has a 25.5" scale, 14 frets clear of the body, 20 altogether. Its face is solid cedar, I believe its gorgeous back and sides are a laminate rosewood. The sound-hole and the outer facing edging are gorgeous abalone, with white binding on the sides. The fingerboard is rosewood. Gold Grover Tuners. Martin style rosewood saddle. I purchased the excellent Zager hard-shell Case for $95 extra.

Visually it is most attractive. Everyone comments on that.

Mine says"6-8" on the inside label, so I guess it was dialed-in by Denny Zager in June of '08.

I have been learning guitar playing for about two-and-a-half years now. I'm learning standard rock'n'roll strumming, as well as utilizing all four fingers and thumb for finger-picking, trying to develop the fullest possible range of styles.

I've searched through much written material, especially via the internet, scoping out from many reviews, what seemed best for me.

I've tried a few and own some. I own a Schecter Ultracure, a Taylor T-5 (cocobolo), a Taylor 714ce, a Gretsch 6120TM, a Gretsch 6120JR, a Rogue Dreadnought "ce," a Wechter 1735 acoustic/electric, a Baby Taylor, and a Jack Lowe Classic. I've tried (and didn't like) the Cordoba 55RCE, the Wechter 1730, the Wechter 3135, and the Gretsch G5120.

Of all of these, the little Zager "ZAD-80 OM" has got the sweetest sound!!! I'd say the Schecter Ultracure is close to it in quality of sound, but it's a whole 'nother animal, being hardcore electric - like comparing medium-rare steak with chocolate souffle.

Acoustically, my Taylor 714ce has been my beloved friend. I've not heard a Taylor 814 or a 914, nor other high-end acoustic Taylors, nor Martins. But the 714ce ain't half bad. And I dearly loved it and figured it would carry me well into the future in my playing development, until someday I might be worthy of something even finer.

But comparing my Taylor 714ce chord to chord with the diminutive Zager ZAD-80 OM was an education in itself. You should make a similar comparison to see what I'm talking about! The 714ce was hopelessly and decisively outclassed! I even felt a twinge of regret for my beloved Taylor, but that was instantly overcome by my delight at finding something so superior!

First, each note and chord will please you massively. To hear these chords so pure, so sweet, and full, like you may have never heard them before. It has been vividly clear from the first time I struck the first chord on my Zager, that the Taylor had been totally surpassed.

Not only does each note and chord sound sweeter and richer than I've heard before, but the Zager's sustain just keeps on singing along while the Taylor 714ce fades away.

It is obvious why. Denny Zager has developed a more efficient "string science" system that does not use needlessly heavy strings. Apparently no one thought enough on this before. Zager guitars utilize a different set of guitar parameters which include, lighter gauge strings, thinner braces, less tension on the truss-rod, neck, strings, and everything.

This results in a sweeter, yet richer sound, that is easier to play and yet produces at least as much volume. This is not theoretical any more. The proof is in the playing of his guitars. I am happy to own one, so I know what I am saying.

This quality sound extends throughout the octaves, from the highs to the basses.

I cannot think of anything negative about it. I only regret that Denny Zager is retiring this year!

I am planning to sell my Taylor 714ce and have already ordered a Zager ZAD-80 as well!!

The guitar came PERFECTLY set-up!! That's what Denny Zager Excels at!

Plus his system of "Zager String Science" ensures a much easier instrument to play. This is dramatically noticeable when you press the strings down on the fingerboard, but is is also plainly clear in strumming the strings.

It is pure joy to finger-pick the strings when they are easier to pick!!

My Zager ZAD-80 OM is pure quality. It is quite gorgeous. Visually as well as audibly.

Indeed it is most properly "bookmatched," -- not only on the top, but also on the back and sides. A real pleasure to behold, without being at all "gonzo."

There is a very small spot of thin finish on the face of the guitar, near the edge of the lower bout. It looks as though the wet finish was bumped and a little came off, leaving it a little thin in one spot. This is the only "imperfection."

The company was quite willing to ship it back and replace the guitar with another, free of charge (including shipping), but I decided not to bother. I just plain love the guitar I have far too much. It is barely noticeable anyway.

The physical parameters that make this guitar so astounding is essentially an overall lightness. Because the strings are a lighter gauge, they require less tension on them to keep them in pitch. The lessened tension on the strings requires a corresponding lighter or thinner bracing, so the face resonates more easily. Likewise, not as much tension on the truss-rod is required. All of this makes for a significantly easier guitar to play.

This may take some getting used to, but only in a pleasant way.

Although a heavy-handed player may be hard on the guitar and wear it faster than he would on a more robust instrument, the robustness of the stronger instrument is only required for the heavier-handedness.

I fully believe that the Zager is fully robust enough for one who plays it the way it is designed to play. One out of sync with his instrument would not be an a great guitarist anyway!

Zager instruments come with a lifetime warranty. The Best in the business.

If this guitar was lost or stolen, I definitely would try to replace it.

As it is, I have already ordered another Zager, the ZAD-80.

I expect that eventually I will be able to afford (and will then get) the Zager ZAD-80ce.

And I would like to get the Zager 3/4 size travel model to replace my Wechter 1735.

And I could see getting other models, possibly.

As you can see, I am very fond of Zager Guitars!!!

The best features it has, are: Its incredible beautiful voice. Its incredible ease of playing! Its incredible looks! And its incredible company support! NO KIDDING!!

Current model ZAD-80 OM. Solid cedar top with rosewood back and sides. 3 piece back, abalone inlay around all edges of the face, sound hole, and fret board, gold plated "Grover" sealed tuning gears etc etc

This guitar sounds absolutely fantastic. The sound is very natural (sweet, mellow) and very musical.

The ZAD-80 OM guitar came perfectly setup, without any flaws. Fit and finish are flawless. It is a work of art!

With Zager's warranty, I am not too worried about the future. However with the quality of construction that is visible immediately, I can estimate that my guitar will have a long and happy life :)

Customer support is second to none. Every question is answered in minutes (via email), everyone I have talked to in this company knows guitars very well.

Real people with real products. A personal touch and pride is visible in all of their products and actions. A family business in the best sense of the word.

Zager's top of the line OM body style. Solid cedar top. Abalone inlay around body. Laminated rosewood back and sides. Gold Grover tuners. High Gloss finish. Nice looking guitar. Custom action set up by Zager.This company claims they have a magic set up to make your guitar play easier. It is really just a good set up that anyone should have done once they buy a guitar. Strings are extra light Martins.

I love the sound of this guitar played with my fingers. I also play it with a pick. The extra light strings make it easier to play but detract from the sound some. The sound is warm and round with only the occassional buzz from the strings if you pick too hard.

The set up and action on this guitar are first rate. Intonation is dead on. Nut slots are evenly spaced and properly cut. No string binding anywhere. Like I said, the only buzz you will here is from the light strings becasue you are picking to hard. Either put on heavier strings or play lighter.

So far, so good. Everything looks top class for a guitar made in Indonesia. The quality of this guitar is really spectacular.

Best support in the business. Not sure I believe everything they say. Warranty is for the life of the guitar. Emialed the compnay and each time received a reply within an hour.

I paid $745 for this guitar, which I think is overpriced for a guitar made in Indonesia. It should really be about $400 compared to other guitars of similar quality and build. That said, I really like the quality and sound of this guitar. I even like the extra light string gauge that came standard on it. Bottom line is that it is a good guitar with a goood set up. There is no magic science. I wish Zager would just be honest and let the guitar speak for itself, instead of trying to say it has all this patented custom work done to it. I took the chance - tried it -and liked it - so I am keeping it.

I purchased a Zager ZAD80-OM about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Since then, I have played my 1993 Paul Reed Smith Single cut only once. This acoustic guitar is unbelievable. The ease of playing is better than my PRS. The sustain is long, the action is low. This guitar came with a cedar top, rosewood sides, back, fretboard and bridge. Boy did I get a wonderful guitar. This also came with sealed Grover tuners... this guy makes a most beautiful looking and sounding guitar.

The sound on this instrument is marvelous. The sustain is long and the tone is rich and balanced. There is nothing yet from this player of 17 years that I have noticed about this piece of art.

The action is smooth and low... with no buzzing at all. Harmonics are sweet. I have to say, this is my first acoustic after having in my ownership, a first year Strat Plus, Tenth anniversary PRS and a 1993 PRS single cut (still have all) - but this is my favorite guitar to play.

Top of the line all the way through.

No fixin' yet and it comes with a LIFE TIME warrenty. So, I know it is a great instrument.

I have played 17 years and without a doubt this is my favorite guitar. It looks beautiful with all of the abolony fancy work and rosewood fret board. Again, this rate above my 2 PRS's and my strat-plus. I just wish I would have bought the acoustic-electric version.

This guitar was made in 2008 3 piece rosewood back and rosewood sides. Solid Cedar top high gloss durable finish. Nice gold Grover tuners that hold the strings in tune very well. The guitar is a smaller size which I like for finger picking and ease to play. Has a rosewood fretboard and rosewood bridge. Scalloped X bracing. Abalone inlay on binding and rosette.

This is the part I really like. This guitar is really easy to play because of the way it is set up from Zager. I prefer finger-style playing and this is a easy to play as any steel string guitar I have played. I use light strings and yet this guitar has a nice rich and full sound. This is acoustic only so no electronics just nice clean sound.

Quality through out I cannot find any flaws and as I stated before this was set up perfectly when I got it.

Finish seems very durable and should last. The quality of the guitar and hardware makes me believe this guitar will be in my collection for a long time. I would never play a gig without a backup but this is one I would have a lot of confidence in along with a couple of my Yairi's.

I have dealt with the company and I am impressed.. Not only did they answer my questions they answered immediately. This is the best I have dealt with Comes with a lifetime warranty

Been playing several years and have owned more guitars that I can remember. Currently own Breedlove Revival 000M, Yairi CYM95, Yairi Cy140 and several others. This guitar has a place in my collection and gets play time. If it were stolen or lost I would replace it. Not anything to dislike about this guitar. It is definitely a players guitar. If you are looking at guitars in this price range contact Zager and ask questions and look over the web site. I wish when I had started playing guitar I a guitar like this to learn on.

Cedar top and Rosewood body

Really enjoy the sound of the guitar.

Guitar was wonderfully set up! Denny Zager worked his magic on the strings and it is considerably easier to play than my Martin and Taylor.

Tuning pegs work very smoothly and the finish is first class. Guitar was very well put together and I expect it to last a long time.

Customer support has been absolutely top notch. Emails have been answered within minutes and it is obvious these people care about their customers and products. Zager Guitar has probably been the best outfit I have ever dealt with. Denny Zager also provides lifetime access to many of his videos which provide a wealth of information on the care and use of his instruments.

My other guitars include a Taylor 114 and a Martin 000 RGTE 16 aura.
I prefer using the Zager because of it's size and sound quality. God forbid, if the Zager were stolen, I would replace it in a heartbeat.

It has a gloss finsih, smaller orchestra size body, rosewood bridge, sealed grover tuning gears, rosewood fret-board, the neck is a little wider but thinner for good finger style picking, it included a very good hard case, 20 frets that are hand filed, it was made in 9/11/07 right here in the good old USA, it has a solid cedar top, rosewood back & sides.

I play mainly finger style with some light struming, so for my style of playing it is a very good fit. I play the guitar without amps, it has good volume for the way in which I play.

Zagers string science E-Z play guitars are just that, very easy to play. The strings are set up close to the neck with no string buzz, great action. The fit and finsih is as good as I've seen on guitars costing four to five times. I can say this because I own two Taylors which I love a 614ce and a 814ce. The guitar did have one small crack in the finish which was resolved very quickly by the Zager Co. 100% guarantee and they made good on that.

This guitar is a great guitar and will worth the money, I believe it will hold up to many years of use.

Like I said earlyer it did have one small flaw and Zager made good on their guarantee, no complaints. It also comes with a life time warranty, and the Zager staff are very good to deal with.

I started out playing the banjo for about three years and decided to also learn the guitar, I've been playing the guitar for about two years and love it. All the questions I had about the guitar were all ansewred on the Zager web sight, it gives all the info about the guitars, what they are made of and for the most how they are made. I can say that I love the guitar, the ZAD-80 OM is as close as you can get to a Martin OM-8 Eric Clapton model without buying one. The Martin is a $3000.00 guitar and the Zager, I paid $745.00 for it.

I received my Zag 80 OM yesterday and all I can say is............WOW! I have been playing gitar for the past 50 years and own or have owned Martin's, Guild, Gurian, Washburn and Gibson. My present guitar, a Gibson J200 Special Edition is worth more than $3000. It cannot compare to the sound and ease of playing that I have experienced with the Zag 80. I suffer from tendinitis and at times trigger finger which makes any fingering (especially bar chords) difficult. When I attempted this on my new Zager guitar, I was amazed at the ease of playing as well as the incredible quality of the sound. Crisp and clean without the hint of a buzz. I am saving the box it came in so that I can put one of my others up for sale on ebay. After playing this for one day, it is fairly clear that I will not want to waste time fooling around with guitars that can't compare.

Superb!!

Absolutely beautiful

No way of knowing

Just got it but have heard they are beyond compare

Been palaying for 50 years