Zager ZAD-80CE

Cutaway, acoustic electric guitar with a solid spruce top, rosewood back, sides, and fretboard. Abalone inlays around soundhole and top edge. Sealed, easy to operate tuners, and Fishman "Clear Wave 50" pickup. High gloss, exquisite finish. Appearance indicates superior craftsmanship and affordable price is surprising!

Whether played with or without an amp, the sound is rich, mellow, and very resonant. I play mostly pop and folk and the sound is absolutely perfect to complement my style of music. Using special features on an amplifier would allow this guitar to be used for any kind of music. I purchased the ZAD 80-CE because of the solid cedar top---the sound is more mellow and seems to amplify the bass notes a bit more than the spruce top. The rosewood sides and back add to the mellow sound.

The EZ-Play setup characteristic of the Zager guitars makes playing fun again for me. The lower string set means no more painful fingertips, and the slightly wider distance between strings means less buzzing and finger cramping trying to get even pressure on the frets. The EZ-play string setup is perfect for both amateurs and professionals, and for women and children who may not have strong fingers and wrists. It is truly a guitar made and set up by people who play regularly and know the difficulties in fingering chords. After not playing for many years, I took this guitar out of the box and played for over two hours without pain or characteristic "finger ruts!"

This guitar appears to have a very solid, thick, gloss finish, so should last a lifetime. The Zager company offers a lifetime guarantee on their guitars, so there must be a track record of longevity in their instruments. The tuning hardware is sealed and operates smoothly, so does not appear to be susceptible to damage from dirt or dryness. Tuning pegs are metal and a beautiful gold-toned finish. The strap button shares the pickup cord, but seems long enough to support the strap and not put pressure on the cord.

From my limited dealings with the company I would speculate that they stand behind their products 100%. My husband surprised me with this guitar as an anniversary gift but didn't order the case. I called to see if I could get the case for the same price as when included in the package deal of case and guitar. They shipped the case immediately, and even paid the shipping costs. They offer a lifetime warranty and a no risk guarantee if you buy a guitar---they will arrange pickup, refund the total price of the instrument, and pay shipping BOTH ways. It's hard to beat that kind of service. When I had questions about the on-line lessons, my email was answered within an hour. I would rate them tops in customer support, service, and even customer care. In the box with the guitar were a stand, extra strings, picks, a T-shirt, and a polaroid photo of Denny Zager holding "my" guitar! As a family business they produce an outstanding guitar at an affordable price, and stand behind what they sell. Much of their success is due not only to the quality and affordability of their products, but to the customer support which they are willing to provide.

I am 63 years old and started playing when I was 7 on the old "Stella." I quit taking lessons and taught myself chords and songs. When I was 18 I received a Martin 00-18 and played it for years, but my fingertips hurt after every session. I inherited a vintage Gibson LG-2 from my great uncle and that was my guitar of choice because it was easier to play. A few years ago I purchased another Martin---a DM Dreadnought (by mail because it looked good, something no one should ever do!). But that was not easy for me to play. I stumbled upon the Zager website by accident and was intrigued by the claim of the EZ-Play setup. My husband surprised me with one and it has renewed my interest in playing. I will be selling both Martins and the Gibson, as I will not be playing them anymore. I would recommend this guitar to anyone---amateur, hobbyist, or professional. The Zager guitars are proof that you can buy a top-quality guitar at an affordable price. If my 80-CE were ever lost or stolen I would buy another one just like it in a heartbeat.

Georgous Solid Cedar top, Rosewood back and sides, very deep high gloss finish. I was amazed at the appearance of this guitar from the moment I opened the case. Has a Fishman equalizer with a great tuner built in. I have been fortunate to attend the NAAM show in Anaheim,CA for the last 4 years and have played, fondeled, carressed and drooled over many fine guitars form Martin, Gibson, Guild, Taylor, Breedlove, Laravie, Takamine, Ovation and others whose nanes escape me. But I have never seen a better finish or atention to detail as is on this guitar. The inlay and binding are incredible to look at and close examination has not revealed any flaws or problems. I ordered the wooden case with the humidity gauge built in. It is better than my other cases with the exception of the Ovation moulded cases. It will protedt my Zager veery well.

I waited for a few hours after opening the case to allow the guitar to equalize in temperature and humidity. I found the onboard tuner easy to use and it was surprised at the volume of the sound at first strum. I A/B'ed it back and forth with my Ovation Adamas and was surprised to find that volume at least as loud as the Ovation if not more. As I moved down the fretboard to the higher notes I was plesently surprised that my barre chords were as bright and clear as the open chords on the first three frets. What a great sound. The intonation was true all the way down past the 14th fret. I plugged it into my Crate AD30 and was really impressed with the amplified sound. Again I A/B'ed it back and forth with my Adamas and it was just as good if not better.

Having played guitar for the last 45 years, I was skeptical of the claims of "easy play". I have small and fat fingers and have had problems over the years with string buzzing but the additional spacing between the strings really works. I have no buzzing even on songs I know buzzed while playing my Ovations and Martins of other players. The action is very close to my elctrics and is quite easy on the fingers. The finish is incredible. Being a wood worker, I am super critical and always looking for flaws in wood products. I have found none in this guitar.

The guitar arrived without a strap peg on the neck area. I contacted Dennis Zager to ask about peg placement and he advised me to look at the videos Denny Zager has posted on the Zager web site. I was skeptical about his placement suggestions until I noticed my Ovation Adamas has the peg in relatively the same place. Dennis sent me a strap peg at no charge and I installed according to the directions. It really makes a difference. Placement the way Denny suggested allows the guitar to hang well balanced and tilted slightly inward so there is no effort in holding the guitar to your side when playing in a standing position. I realize I have only had my Zager for a few weeks but I know it will last a very long time and serve me well. Can't wait to show it off to my buddies in California.

Customer support has been great. As I mentioned, I talked with Dennis Zager about the guitar and placement of the strap peg. The fact that he sent me a strap peg without me asking says a lot about thier desire to have happy customers. I will not hesitate to call on them if I have any questions or problems.

I have been playing for over 45 years and do mostly country and southern rock. I played the Folk seen during my college years with my Alvarez Classic and helped "Michael row the boat ashore" more times than I care to remember. I own an Ovation Legend bought new in '84, an '01 Ovation Adamas, a Takamine F349 Lawsuit copy of the Martin D 17, several J Turser electrics, a James Burton Signature Tele, and a new Gibson ES 339. My amps are the Crate AD30, a Trace Elliot Super Tramp, a Fender G-Dec, A Line 6 Spyder III practice amp and a new Epiphone Mini Half Stack. If my Zager were lost or stolen, I would not hesitate to order another one.

Excellent finish. Woodwork is incredible. Hand waxed and not one flaw. Dreadnought cutaway. Gold Grover tuners. Fast neck with hand filed frets. Extra set of strings, truss rod wrench, picks and instructions included. Case comes with humidity/temp gauge. Made in 2007, origin, not sure. Solid wood throughout with onboard tuner and Fishman preamp.

I play rock and country, not professionally. This is one of the easiest playing guitars I have ever owned. It can sound rich, full and bright all at the same time. The only thing I dislike about this guitar is that it took me so long to find it.

Guitar is professionally modified and set up by Master Luthier Denny Zager Sr. before being shipped. Arrived in perfect tune without even a finerprint on the finish. The wood is beautiful, everthing fits properly and plays like a dream.

I have played guitar for over 40 years, mostly for my own enjoyment. I have owned many different acoustic and electric guitars and spent many hours visiting guitar dealers and playing guitars I can't afford. Without a doubt, the Zager products are the easiest playing and best quality instruments I have seen and at about 1/2 the price of better known name brands. After seeing the quality of the ZAD 80-CE, I bought a ZAD 50-OM for my daughter and a ZAD 15 for my grandaughter to learn on. They are all solid wood, great quality instruments with top class hardware and craftsmanship. I do not play professionally, but I have no doubt that these guitars will withstand years of punishment and only get better.

I had major issues with the shipping company. Zager customer service was the best I have ever dealt with. Denny Jr. responded immediatley. It didn't matter if it was late at night or early in the morning. This is a company that is definitely focused on customer service and will do whatever it takes to support their products and satify their customers

I have played for over 40 years. I currently own 3 Zagers, and an Epiphone Jumbo Acoustic, a Terada Acoustic, Alverez Acoustic and Les Paul Studio Electric. I would definitely replace any of the Zagers with the same model if it was stolen. All of the Zagers, I own the 80CE, 50OM and the 15 (baby zager), are the best sounding, easiest playing guitars I have ever picked up. The ZAD 15 plays much better than the Baby Taylor and the Baby Martin. The 80 and the 50 are very comparable to the Taylors and Martins that cost 2-3 times as much. There is nothing I can say bad about any of the 3 models.

Spruce Top Mahogany sides - wonderful full sound. Easy play system - strings are close to the frets and the strings slightly widened. A delight to play. Fishman electronics. This is a cutaway making the upper frets easy to get to. Locking tuners - rosewood neck - with a great molded hard case.

I play 60's music with a need for electric and accoustic. This really fits the bill and your fingers are not tired after a long gig. It has an amzingly rich sound and it is brand new.

Perfect

I have not had it long but it has performed admirably with no worry about needing a backup. Stays in tune very well. I can depend on this guitar.

The support is amazing. They will literally talk to you at any time day or night. Shipping is incredible. They do it all.

I have been playing for 45 years - I own a Stratocaster and a LP Jr. The one thing that will attract you to this guitar is the amazing ease on your fingers. You will not find this in any other stock accoustic out there. You can absolutely buy with confidence because if you don't like it they will take it back (no questions asked). They will even pay shipping both ways. How can you beat that...

Beautiful dreadnought cutaway. Rosewood back and sides and solid cedar top with gorgeous abalone inlay. Mahogony neck with rosewood fingerboard.Made by the same factory that makes the Martin Sigma and then personaly customized nut,saddle and 20 hand filed frets and set up by Denny Zager Sr.Gold Grover tuners, Fishman electronics with built in tuner

I write and record Country music and Gospel music and the sound is rich and pure with thumb and fingers, brighter with pick.

Guitar is set up personaly by Denny Zager Sr. Have never seen a better action on a guitar of any price.
The finsh, woods, fit, abalone inlays are all flawless.
This instument is a "MASTERPIECE"! A work of art. A feast for the eyes and ears.

I just received this guitar on Feb. 19th 2008 but by reputation and the quality of the product, I precict my grandson will be enjoying it after I'm long gone.
Don't need a backup with this guitar.

I had numerous questions before and after receipt of the guitar. I never have had to wait over an hour for a positive response. Other companies need to take a que from this excellent companies customer service by Denny Zager Jr.
The warranty is for life.

I've been playing for about 30 years. I own a Tascam 4 trk, a DBX 166 Compressor/Limiter/Gate, a DBX 231 EQ, an Alesis MidiVerb4 signal processor for making home demos. A Carvin PA620 Amp and Speakers for performing in small churches.
If this guitar were stolen, I would immediately replace it with the same model.
I love everything about it and dislike nothing. I find myself opening the case sometimes hust to admire it's beauty. I have retirede my other guitars since receiving this one.My favorite feature is it's easy playability. I considered a Martin, Takamine, Gibson,and Taylor. I bought this because of all the raving reviews and testimonials and the price factor and am most happy with my choice.

Acoustic dreadnaught with venetian cutaway.Three piece back. Fishman onboard tuner and equalizer.Cedar top, rosewood sides and back.Gold sealed Grover tuners. Abolone inlay around the edges of the guitar face and sound hole.Tapered neck built to Denny Zager specs.

The sound is very rich and full.The cedar top and rosewood back and sides really produces a mellow full bodied sound.

The Zager setup is the best I have played.I had several of my fellow guitar players play the Zad 80 CE and all were very taken by the ease
and playability of the guitar.None had heard of Zager before, so there were no preceived opinions.The action was effortless. I have played for hours and my hand did not tire.The guitar has a very fine finish.The fit of the neck to the body flows nicely.

I believe the guitar will last for many years. I would take it to a gig without backup.The finish looks as if it would last with normal care.Only time will be the real test to reliability and durability. I haven't owned the guitar vety long, but the overall construction and finish leads me to believe it will last a very long time.

The company support is second to none.I own a small business and wish I had a team of professionals like Zager Guitar.Dennis Zager who handles all online questions was just remarkable.I always had an answer to my inquiries within a half hour, even after normal business hours.When I made phone inquiries the staff was very friendly and helpful.If some could not answer a question they made sure someone got back to me that could.The no cost to you 100% money back guarantee was a first on me, with no cost to return the guitar for any reason.

I have been playing guitar on and off for over 30 years.I have owned a Yamaha 160, several Carvins,Silvertone and Gibson guitars.The Zager right out of the box played easier than any of the other guitars I own.If the Zager were lost I certainly would buy another. In fact while at my local big box guitar store this afternoon I scored another Zager off the used guitar area.I bought the ZAD 50 CE
they had for sale.The overall appearance of the Zad 80 CE is very impressive.The gold hardware , cedar top and rosewood really presents itself well.The only minor thing I wished the guitar came with is a front strap mount.The rear strap mount is trick, it's also the connector for the amp cord.Fantastic value for the money.

In 1972, I bought a Tama guitar (not very well known). It had excellent intonation and really good action which made it easy to play. I tried many other guitars but never found a reason to upgrade until I played a Zager that a friend of mine bought. That did it! After playing the same guitar for more than 35 years, I had to upgrade. My friend had a ZAD 50CE, but I figured this would be the last acoustic guitar I would ever buy, I went for the ZAD 80CE. I couldn't be happier. It's wonderful.

What is so amazing about this guitar is the tonal quality and the volume it produces. It allows a person to strum and add emphasis where you want them and then go quiet in other spots allowing you to add emphasis and far more feeling to your music.

The Tama guitar I had was very easy to play. I had played Martins and Gibsons which didn't match the playability. The Zager was the first guitar I've played that surpassed my Tama.

I've only owned the ZAD 80CE for a few days, so it's hard for me to comment on this. The only thing I wish they would do is install the strap button near the heal of the guitar. However their customer support and video showing how to mount the strap button were very good.

I can't believe the customer support. I have never bought a product from anyone anywhere, even Walmart that support their product the way that Denny Zager supports his product. You can email or phone them almost any time of the day and you'll get a response within 2 hours. Unbelievable.

Although I've only owned this product for a few days, I couldn't be more impressed. I have never run across a company that is more customer oriented, but even more important, they produce a quality product at a price about 1/4 the price of a similar quality product. I have always wanted to own a Martin guitar. Now I own a guitar produced in a Martin factory, fine tuned to make it more playable and I got it for about 1/4 of the price.

ZAGER 80-CE GUITAR..MADE IN 2008, PURCHASED IN 2008
This is an acoustic/electric guitar manufactured by Zager.
Features solid cedar top, locking tuners, fishman electronics, rosewood back & sides, rosewood bridge, and rosewood fretboard.
( all specs available on Zager website ).

I bought this as I play a lot of acoustic gigs, yet need the capability of amplification for some larger gigs. With my acoustics
( I have 3 others as well, a Fender, an Alvarez, and a Zager ZAD50 ) I play in praise band at church, as well as duets in which we do everything from Neil Young to Alan Jackson. The first gig I played with this ZAD-80CE was a Valentines Day death by chocolate thing, where it performed flawlessly.
I use a Fender Princeton amp to complement the guitar, and they seem to go together well. I never cranked the amp or guitar up super loud as I didn't want to blow eardrums out, however, at a nice medium volume no hum or noise present at all, and the on-board tuner is a great feature.
The Fishman electronics have a brightness setting, as well as bass, mid, treble and volume, consequently a great variety is available to you.

Anyone who owns a Zager will vouch for this..The factory set-up is PERFECT !!! This is my second Zager, and each has been flawless.
This ZAD-80CE has lots of inlay work, and it is gorgeous, and it is obvious a great deal of work has gone in to making this fit right.
Without trying to sound like a factory rep, I don't think you could find a flaw with a magnifying glass.

This guitar is extremely well built, the finish is high gloss, everything is rock solid. If it is anything like my ZAGER ZAD50 purchased in 8-05 and played hundreds of hours, both gigging and practicing, I would definitely say that YES...you can depend on it !
I never gig without a backup, not because the quality of the guitar, but say, even if a string breaks you can pick up your backup guitar and play without having to stop the show and re-string.

This guitar comes with a lifetime warranty. I have not had any trouble with it. MY ZAD 50 had a slight problem once and I sent it to ZAGER for repair...they paid freight both ways, fixed the problem, while they had it they re-polished it, and I received it back in two days. Talking with them on the phone they were nothing but extremely courteous and helpful, in fact I was so impreesed I sent them a thank you ( something I have never done with any other company )

I have been playing for over 40 years, and have quite a menagerie of guitars, both electric, and acoustic. Including 2 Fender Strats, a Fender Telecaster, a Les Paul, and a Carvin Bolt, a Fender 12 string acoustic/electric, a Fender 6 string acoustic, a Zager ZAD 50, and now the Zager ZAD-80CE
Were this stolen or lost I would buy another one before the ink on the police report was dry. The ease of playability is the biggest plus feature of the Zager. I have owned a Gibson Hummingbird, as well as played a lot of my colleagues Taylors and Martins, and other high end guitars..they are great guitars too, however, in all honesty, I can say the Zager can hold its own to any of them, surpassing many that cost double or more what the Zager cost.
Already owning a Zager ZAD50, I was already familiar with the quality, so I had absolutely no qualms about buying the ZAD-80CE.
In closing I would encourage anyone considering an acoustic, or acoustic/electric to give Zager a try..you won't be dissapointed.

top components.solid body
easy to play
one of the best guitar s i ever came accross.

sound awsome bright and rich
you can play anything with it

great workmanship,
top finish

i have played several gigs using the zager and it is as good as i bought it

top notch!!

this guitar provided me with top combination of quality,value for mone and service-highly recomended

very attractive guitar, nice custom appointments and woods.

this guitar stays in tune forever. if it's in the case for a few days, it's still in tune when i pull it out.

high quality construction and appointments.

The first guitar i received from them was destroyed by ups with a fork lift through box case and guitar neck. zager guitar had me select another guitar and even offered to upgrade my case at no extra charge for my inconvenience and expedited the shipping of new guitar prior to receiving the damaged unit.

wish i had started with this guitar, i'd have made rapid progress learning to play. very easy to play, great tone and i look forward to picking it up everyday.