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

Solid cedar top with rosewood back and sides. Rosewood bridge and fret board. Extensive use of abalone inlay around all edges of the face, soundhole and fret board. Gold plated Grover sealed tuning gears. High gloss finish. Orchestra model, with a narrower waist than dreadnought. 15% smaller than dreadnought. The neck is a little thinner than my old guitar, which is great since I have freakishly small hands. No case was included, but I purchased a very nice wood case with a humidity sensor for a reasonable price.

I am a novice player that stopped playing 20 years ago because my fingers would just ache so when I played. I am taking lessons again, but generally play folk/country/bluegrass. This guitar is perfectly suited for those styles of music. Very little string buzzing! About 15% less volume that a full size model. Very rich and full sounding.

Oh my God! The action on this guitar is incredible. This is from a woman who as a teenager would put nylon strings on her acoustic guitar because her fingers hurt so much. It was in tune when I got it, as Denny Zager tunes and stretches the strings three times before shipping. I purposely bought a discounted model that had a small chip in the finish on the binding at the bottom of the neck. Saved $150 off the sale price! There is not another mark on that baby!

The hardware looks great and the finish does not look like it will wear off - ever! What's more, Zagers come with a lifetime guarantee, so I'm not all the worried about it. No strap button on the neck.

The Zagers have answered every email I've ever sent them within minutes. This is a family owned business and customer service is key to them. Very, very impressive! Warranty is for life and I am sure I could ship the guitar back to them at any time and they'd make good on it.

I did about a year of research before choosing the Zager. I was somewhat skeptical about the playability, but figured that I couldn't go wrong with the warranty. This guitar lives up to their claims. I have a 40 year old Gibson I inherited from my uncle after his death, and can't play it because it hurts my fingers so much. I would definitely buy another Zager if something happened to this one. It is a beautiful instrument.

I cannot express enough the excellance in craftmanship and sound this guitar has. The finish far surpasses any other acoustical guitar I have tried and seen. The wood they use along with Denny's easy string system ranks these guitars far above what is out their today. And the affordablity is beyond measure. I have a Martin that can't even come close to this guitar. The sound is beyond description. You really cannot do justice to try and get across how awesome the sound really is until you pick one up and experience it for yourself. It has a sound unlike any other guitar I have tried.
So many people out their dream to learn to play this instrument. It is not an easy accomplishment. And so many are discouraged becasue of sore fingers. Really sore fingers. The way Denny designs these guitars and the easy string system is nothing short of outstanding. It offers the new players the ability to play for hours and come away with your fingertips still intact. And for the seasoned players, you could play for days and still not want to stop.
For the life of me I cannot think of one negative aspect of owning a Zager.
As if the guitars aren't great enough, the Zager co. is so fantastic to work with that at first its hard to believe that their are such accomadating people out there. They go beyond that. They back up their product 100%. They are committed to making their customers happy and satisfied. If I lived near them I would work for them, I am that pleased with all they have to offer and the wonderful postive way they treat their customers.
I can only hope someone out their who reads this and is "on the fence" about buying a Zager.................will take that final step. You will not be sorry.
Maureen Crotty

The sound of the Zager Zad80-OM is rich and full. I have a Maring now that sounds kind of "tin like" compared to my Zager. The size fits like a glove and sounds like a dream.

This guitar was all set up, and when it was delivered it was even still in tune. It is great!!!

I've owned three Zagers. All have stood up to a lot of abuse and I have knocked this guitar into furniture accidently so many times and still NOT A SCRATCH. i DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DO IT.

the warrenty on the ZAGERS is LIFE LONG. The company is so friendly and accomadating I wish I worked for them. They offer support, answer any guestions and their lessons are awesome.

I have been playing very steadly for two years now. Take lessons every week by a professtional player and also take online lessons from Denny Zager.
I honestly cannot come up with one negative aspect of my expereince with their guitars or their company. Top notch.
I would not own any other guitar but a Zager. Why else would I have three of them? Can't go wrong with price, workmanship, support, features, quality or sound.

Tranparent gloss finish on Solid Cedar top and Rosewood body
Orchestra Model Acoustic
Custom Bridge by Zager
Gold Gotoh Tuners
Hand set and hand filed frets, steel rod tension, thin neck
Case extra, exact fit not one size fits all
Made in 2006
23 frets, solid top

Sound is nice and mellow with clear full bass to bright treble

Set-up was supurb and tuned when recieved, did not need any "tweeking"
I could find no flaws in manufacture or finish
X bracing and cross bracing appears to be fine
Cedar top and Rosewood body with three panel back finley made

The Guitar is very well made and could see no reason it will not last under heavy and long term use

The company is very easy to converse with and responds immediately to questions fully, both before and after sale, on the phone and Email.

It has a lifetime warrenty and will ship free another guitar if something fails and pays for return shipping on returning instrument

I am a novice and play mostly for my own enjoyment

I own two other guitars and tossed them in the rafters

I compared the Zager to $2000 Martins and liked the sound of the Zager better and the cost was less than 1/3

2006 OM model
20frets
Solid ceder top w/ rosewood sides & back
Grover tuners
No electronics (the way I like it)
Glossy finish (best I have ever seen)
Abalone inlay is gorgeous, not tacky like some I've seen.
OM model (I am an average size woman who LOVES this size, along w/ my larger teenage guitar playing son. Very liitle loss of volume w/ OM size))
Case purchased seperately w/ humidity sensor is beautiful (extra set of Martin strings & great pics were included)

First of all, the "string science" improvisions are the BEST thing that happened since I started playing 30 yrs. ago. It enables me to pick it up after months of not playing, & play again like I had calluses (which I don't anymore). I play for my own/family/friend entertainment. I love finger picking, which this guitar makes easy. BEST of all is the sound...so full, rich, & sweet. It is by far, the BEST sounding I have ever played. I could go on forever about the compliments I have gotten about the "looks" & "sound" of this guitar...not as many though about my playing...oh well.

The ceder is so pretty, but the natural grain leaves a liitle room for imperfections. As from where I see it though,it is really OK because the sound is so awesome...and the price was so "right".

I'm trying to find some fault knowing 'nothing is perfect' but I really can't with this guitar. I am very proud to own it, and esp. proud to show-it-off.

Have you ever imagined your phone calls & emails being answered promptly? Well this company/family not only answers promptly, but REAL promptly. I actually had 3 guitars at my home at once, (being an indecisive consumer) and NEVER detected any frustration on Zager's part in dealing w/ a cautious 'woman'. They went far beyond what I would have expected from anyone. Customer service at it's BEST.

Playing on/off 30 yrs.
Yamaha/Gibson/Guild
Zad80-OM is my #1 pick
Would purchase again & again & again
I hate nothing, & love everything
Sorry to disappoint you if you were looking for critisims

Zager 80-OM. Year made, 12/05. 20 Frets. Solid Ceader Top. Rosewood Back and Sides. Gloss Finish. OM Model. Grover Gold Closed Tuners. Thin Neck. Case sold separately.

This Guitar with it's Cedar Top and Rosewood Back and sides gives a rich base and crisp clear highs, perfect for freestyle playing. Sound projection is amazing and the sustain goes on for ever. There is no electronics with this model, I installed a Fishman Humbucking Soundhole Pickup, and this Guitar sounds beautiful through an amp. As far as sound quality goes, I will rate this model with the best of the high dollar brands.

This Guitar came to my door with the action of an electric, amazing! The Cedar Top was 100% quality and perfectly matched. Flaws to the body? Any nit-picker can find a flaw on a $5000.00 Guitar, so for the price I paid, $595.00 the one small finish flaw I did find, was minute and was of no concern to me.

I think this Guitar will perform well under any conditions, and will last for years of enjoyment. Quality Finish and Craftsmanship. I would have no problem saying that I could depend on this Guitar, and I would not hesitate to use it as a primary Guitar for a gig without a backup.

Answers calls and responds to emails promptly. Warranty is Lifetime. Don't think this Guitar will ever need repair, but if it does, Zagers will stand behind their Guitars 100%, no questions asked.

Playing on and off for over 30 years. I plan to order another ZAD-80-OM at the end of this month, just in case something would happen to this guitar...I want to make sure I have two of everything I like. I can't find one thing that I don't like about this Guitar. I own a Taylor 314CE-L2 Maple, and I rate this Zager 80-OM equal to, or better than the Taylor. Electronics would be a nice feature on this model. Don't hesitate to buy a Zager Guitar, you will be impressed and happy with your purchase for years to come.

Solid Cedar top, Grover Tuners,Custom nut and saddle.Case came with temp and humidity sensor.Rosewood back and sides, abalone inlay on rosette and body. white edge banding, the most beautiful polished gloss finish I have ever seen on any! guitar!! Fabulous action, custom filed frets.

Absolutely magic sound!Rich and warm with great sustain and volume yet delicate and lyrical when lightly touched.

Fabulous action.Guitar was shipped via UPS and was packaged beautifully. It was virtually bullet proof. Guitar was tuned in the case Perfectly and has stayed in tune!!! The finish is hand polished and is the best finish I have ever seen on ANY guitar. Stunning!!

This guitar will do well on the road. It is solidly built and comes with a lifetime warrenty. Grover tunners are excellent. I would and will use this guitar over any other for ANY venue!!

Great customer support. I asked many questions via Email and they answered all within minutes and made it clear I was welcome to call to talk personally to Mr. Zager. I didn't find a phone call was needed as the Email was fast and took care of my needs.

I have been playing constantly for over 30 years. I know what I like about guitars and I really like everthing about this guitar!! If it were lost or stolen I would buy from Zager Guitars again period. I would do so just as fast as I could. I love the sound, the apperance, the neck, the action, the case, EVERYTHING! If you love top quality guitars (Martin for example) then check these Zagers out. I was determined to make a 4 figure Martin my next guitar. Partly because of the name. But mostly because of the sound and quality that I found in that line of guitar. I happened on the Zager website and read all the testimonials and saw the 100% money back guarantee and decided I had nothing to lose. I tried it and am totaly blown away. This is by far the most excellent guitar I have played including 3-4 thousand dollar Martins. It truly is!!! The only thing it dosn't have that I was looking forward to getting with my next guitar purchase is the Martin name. But I am very proud, now, to own this Zager guitar. It is the love of my life. I cannot imagine being more in love with any guitar!! I really can't say enough!

My Zager Zad 80 om (orchestra model) Its a small body. Was made 12/05.
It has 20 frets. Solid cedar top. The body and back are rosewood.
Rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge.
The neck seems thinner than std to me. This guitar is not electric. It has all the features I need.

I really like this guitar. It fits me really well. Its a small body so its not quite as loud as a full size.
I play fingerstyle blues on it. Robert Johnson,Jorma Kaukonen,Missisippi John Hurt,Rev Davis.Roy Bookbinder,Brownie McGee

I don't think the action can be any better on any guitar.The saddle the nut are hand made by Zager. He also hand files the frets.
I purchased a blem model. Theres a flaw in the finish somewhere. It looks good to me. Its a very pretty guitar it has abalone rosette.Also abalone all around the edges. Check out the pics at Zager guitar.

It has sealed grovers gold plated. Not worried about it lasting. Its got a lifetime warr. I think they just replace the whole guitar if you have a problem. It has a nice gloss finish.
Yes I would use it without a backup.
It comes with 1 strap button. If you want to use a strap,he shows
you online where to locate the other one for the best balance.
It seems solid to me.

They are very nice online. They get back to me quick. I can ask some trivial questions.
Like I said I read testimonials of a few people who had a problem. Mr Zager just sends them another one. Then pays shipping to get the 1st one back.
If you put any strings other than extra lights you will void the warr.

I've been playing thirty years. I also own a Martin J-40, Gibson dobro, Fender 52 reissue tele Epi Les Paul,Danelectro single pickup,Ovation balladeer,Aria Pro 2 Strat style.
I would purchase again,in a second.Don't hate anything I woulda sent it back if I did. They pay shipping both ways.
I wanted a Gibson L-1 they are $2199.00 at Musicians Friend .
I really thought it was a crazy idea to order something I'd never played. So I read some ebay feedback no negatives out of 498 sales. one neutral. Then I started reading these testimonials at Zager guitar.Most if not all have the persons email address. So I emailed the Zagers they were very helpful.
The first night I really sat down with it I couldn't put it down.I ended up playing it for 5 hrs. No muscle pain at all. I wasn't used to a small body,by the end of the night I was very comfortable with it. My Martin J-40 is 11yrs old I've worn the frets down. the sound board has a crack in it. I always used Martin lights . I dont know if thats why it cracked or not, but I know it cost $1600.00 used. No warr. The Zager is made overseas at the same factory they make the Sigma Martins. He also sells modified Sigma's. I think the Zager model is a better deal. He has them make it to his specs.
If you buy a guitar you also get free video online lessons. THey are cool! I would like to have a full sized one too.
Before you lay down some serious bucks Give Zager a try. Lenny Purnell purnell2001@hotmail.com