Zager ZAD-50 Dreadnought

I recently purchased a new ZAD 50 from Zager guitar and I honestly feel that in my 30+ years of playing music that this is one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I wish that I had done it sooner. A dreadnought with a glossy finish, mahogany back and sides, Grover style tuners, lightweight, and the wonder of Zagers string science makes this instrument a joy to play. And the sound is awesome! I have played a lot of guitars in my life, some of the bigger names and in my honest opinon, this one will rank right up there with the best of them. And it will only get better with time as any musician knows. Quality instruments are like fine wine and women, they get better with age. A quality product at an affordable price coupled with personal service and a 100% money back guarantee if you are not COMPLETELY satisfied with your purchase. No questions asked, and they will even refund the shipping fees. On top of that they offer a LIFETIME warranty. How many companies do you know that will do all of that? So far Zager guitar is the only one that I know of. Have a problem? Send them an email and you WILL get a reply. The first email that I sent to them was answered very promptly, as in a total time of 4 minutes! They may not have all of the answers or solutions, but they will at least put forth an effort to help you out. Trust me-I know! So as far as I am concerned I have no need to look any further for my guitar company because I've found it. It's Zager Guitar. Period!

The sound is bright, clear and crisp. Very resonant, I like everything about the guitar. No complaints. None!

The guitar was ready to play right out of the box. I didn't even have to tune it. Just took it out and started playing. This was after being in transit for three days. Unbelievable.

As far as reliability I wouldn't hesitate to use it on stage. It can hold its own and do what you need it to. The Grover tuners are tight and smooth. Very precise tuning with very little effort.

Customer support from Zager is beyond description. They truly believe in service after the sale. Lots of companies preach it but very few practice it. To me Zager is the leader in this category. I've put them to the test and they came through without hesitation. I have a Martin Sigma DR41 which I purchased from an individual that had bought it orignally from them. The first string had a small amount of buzz to it. I emailed Zager and informed them of the situation. They replied quickly with suggestions to correct the problem. Having already tried those solutions and making no progress I wound up sending the guitar back to them, at their suggestion, and they fixed it FREE. They even paid half of the shipping charges.

I have enjoyed playing music for the last 30 plus years. I also own an Alvarez Denver Belle 5 string banjo, 3 other guitars and 4 fiddles. One of which is a Jacob Stainer 1663. As far as my ZAD 50 is concerned, if something were to happen to it I would buy another one in a heartbeat. I love everything about it. There is no one feature that stands out about it. The finish is superb, feel is incredible, the action is perfect, and the sound is unbelievable. I have compared it to my Blueridge BR70 which has quite a sound, and the Zager is above and beyond.

Solid Spruce top with high gloss finish
Full-size Dreadnought
Sealed Grover tuners
Acoustic model - no electronics
Sides and back mahogany
Bought a Pro Wood case with humidity sensor.

Folk, strumming but mostly fingerstyle. Suits my style, but want to get the smaller OM body on my next purchase.

No amplification, yet. Waiting on a Martin ThinLine Gold Plus 332+ to come in to add to this model.

Warm, rich sound.

Guitar was setup perfectly. Needed minor tuning upon arrival. Action is like no other in the price range. No flaws visible. The guitar has custom filed frets, custom saddle and nut work.

I play only at home, no live performances. I plan to play with my church's praise and worship group very soon. I will be on stage with my Zager after I get the acoustic pickup installed.

All the workmanship and materials look superb and of high quality. Many of years of service and use seem reasonable to expect.

I do not know if I would consider another guitar as a backup or not. I do not play for an audience often enough to fully answer this question.

I previously owned a ZAD-50, and returned it for an exchange. There was a minor blemish in the finish on the back of the guitar. I only returned out of my own selfish vanity. The guitar was just as impressive in quality, sound and playability as the one that replaced it.

The waranty is lifetime, no questions asked. They did not hesitate to make me happy with my purchase. They even paid for the shipping of both the new and return of the old guitar. Outstanding customer sevrice that I would say would be hard to be challenged by the larger and more known guitar makers.

All correspondence is professional and extremely coordial. They are available by email, chat or a phone call. I used the email option as I am an introvert and hate the phone. Dennis Zager Jr. responded to my email inquiry concerning my request for replacement within 15minutes. I do not know that this time is common, but I was very pleased that he replied to quickly, and continues to do so when I write to them.

I have been trying to learn guitar for years and years. I had a job related injury that caused serious nerve and motor damage to my left index finger. The previous guitar that I owned was an older Yamaha folk guitar. Purchased many many years ago at a local music store for $300. I also tried a Taylor 414 that I purchase thinking that the guitar would be easier to play. I did enjoy the Taylor. This guitar was superb in craftmanship, look and finish and the sound was just so impressive. I just could not play it for any length of time. I got the Zager after a friend of mine had heard of them. He is not a customer, but thought that they might be a good fit for me.

I purchased the ZAD-50, with nothing to lose since they offer a 100% guarantee. I bought it, in 3 days it arrived at my door, with perfect setup along with a minimal amount of tuning needed. I have since played this guitar and only this guitar. I sold my Taylor to a friend for a fraction of what I paid for it. Didn't phase me a bit because I knew that for the rest of my life, I will play a Zager guitar. My skill level and confidence has soared with the ease of this guitar. Denny states in one of his online videos that the guitar doesn't play itself, but it is pretty close. I will have to say that I can second that statement. I am not a gifted or overly talented player... by any stretch of the imagination. But, I have a joy and passion for playing that I thought I would never have. And, I have the good folks at Zager guitar to thank for giving me that.

The Zager ZAD-50 is a work of art. I bought it over the web from Zager Guitar in Lincoln Nebraska. The extensive web site included dozens of pictures showing the guitar from all angles. The guitar features a solid spruce top, mahogany sides and back, rosewood fret board and bridge, Grover tuners and is outfitted with Martin springs. Each gutiar is hand modified and signed by Master luthier Dennis Zager. It came exactly as promised and is the nicest guitar I've ever played.

Others have said that the sound of this guitar compares favorably to $2000-$3000 guitars. I'll have to take their word for it as I've never played a guitar costing that much. I do know that there is absolutely no comparison between this guitar and the Epiphone I played previously. The sound is alive, and it makes me sound like I'm a lot better than I am. I prefer Americana (Robert Earl Keen, Jack Ingram, Townes Van Zandt, etc) and this guitar is the perfect instrument for me.

As I mentioned above, Master luthier Dennis Zager sets up each guitar before delivery. It came perfectly tuned and was playable right out of the box. Dennis signs each guitar prior to shipping, and obviously that means a great deal to him as it does to me.

The quality of this guitar is simply as good or better than any other instrument I've ever used. It has a great feel, very solid, and is well balanced and first class in every way.

The nice folks at Zager offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with every guitar. I am free to return it to the factory (fat chance) on their dime if I am unhappy in any way. While I was waiting for the guitar to arrive (I ordered it on Thanksgiving Day and it arrived the following Wednesday), Dennis Jr. patiently answered all of my questions and made me feel like he really valued my business. Most importantly, he listened instead of simply choosing an answer from a list as so many companies do these days. I suspect that many of you know just how rare and special that is.

I have been playing guitar on and off for about 15 years, more as a hobby than anything. I'm getting older and decided that I really wanted to learn how to play well. I was impressed with the Zager string science system and marvelled at the comments so many people made about this product. I am really stingy about buying something special for myself. I decided to buy this guitar because I liked the price and the comments of so many previous customers sealed the deal. I am so pleased with the whole experience and this guitar is a delight to play. Do yourself a favor. Buy this guitar. You won't be disappointed.

High gloss finish with solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, Rosewood fret-board and bridge. It came equipped with "Grover" sealed tuners and "Martin" Extra Light strings. the frets had been hand filed to eliminate any buzzing.

The guitar is equally well suited for finger picking or strumming. Rich full lows and bright clear highs.

The action on this guitar is wonderful. The EZ-Play set up includes a hand carved custom nut and saddle. Very light pressure is needed on the strings allowing me to play much longer without my fingers getting tired. In addition the strings have been placed slightly further apart.

I have only had the guitar a short time. However, before I ordered it I looked lots of others, many priced hundreds of dollars more, and my Zager seems as well, if not better built, than any I saw.

I can not imagine a company with better customer service. I have had no problems, but did have some questions concerning strings etc. In both cases my emails were answered, by Dennis Zager, within a couple of hours. They offer a 100% guarantee. If for any reason you are unhappy with your guitar....you just return it for a full refund. They even pay the freight both ways. You can't lose.

I have been playing less than a year so my knowledge of guitars is limited. However, I Know quality when I see It. I love my Zager guitar and hope before too long to purchase an acoustic/electric to go with it. Try a Zager...you won't be sorry.

Take a look at them and see for yourself. They have a great website with plenty of pictures. http://www.zagerguitar.com/?event=public.guitars.models

This guitar sounds beautiful. Amped or straight it sounds like a 1500 dollar guitar. All the chords sound great and there is no feedback or vibrations.

The action is the easiest that I know of. Zager guitars are custom made with the EZ-Play method so the action is low and very easy on the fingers.

The thing does not fall out of tune. For four months I played it daily and did not need to tune it once. The finish is excellent and has survived two years of college and a trip through Europe.

The customer service is purely excellent. Denny Zager Jr. responds to every email that I send in a timely manner and they have been nothing but helpful. They know how to treat a customer and that is the reason I'll pay more to keep purchasing their product.

Believe all the good reviews about this guitar that other people have posted. All of their guitars sound amazing and I would match them up to any Taylor or Martin on the market. Amazing product and any beginner or pro would love to own one of these babies.

My Zager has a high gloss finish. No flaws. The Grover tuners are sweet. I believe that Denny hand carves the nut and saddle when he does his magic. Since has a number of models you can check out all the features of them at his web site, www.zagerguitar.com.

What a sweet, mellow tone. I play country and this guitar is well suited for that genre. This guitar has solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides and I believe that is what gives this guitar the great sound it has. I have two other guitars and neither can compare to this Zager. Denny Zager inspects and modifies each guitar to make the easier to play. The are no flaws and what a pleasure to play.

As I stated above, Denny Zager inspects each guitar for any kind of flaw. Mine has none, NONE. I was ready to return it had I found a flaw as Zager offers a 100% lifetime warranty. The finish is beautiful and every feature, like the ablone inlay, is perfect.

I have only had this guitar for about two weeks but I'll tell you this. When I took it out of the case it was in tune. I have played it at least 10-12 hours and it is still in tune. The sealed Grover Tuning Gears are highly polished and turn with the slightest effort. (I tried a couple just to see how they turned) Built the way it is, I would say the durablilty will never be a question. Remember there is a lifetime warranty.

Before I bought this guitar I e-mailed and asked questions. I got an answer from Denny Junior (who answers all the e-mail) within an hour with answers to the questions asked. Every deal with a company on the web that has an e-mail address but no one to answer you? Not with Zager. Then I called the 1-800 number and got a rep that was well versed in all the Zager policies. I e-mailed again and got another prompt answer. I was impressed. I haven't had a problem with the guitar but I feel if I ever do, an answer will be only minutes away.

I got my first guitar when I was 16, 50 years ago. I have two other guitar. One was the original, a hand made guitar by a gent in Kentucky. The other is a ventage Fender acoustic. If either of these were stolen or damaged beyond repair, neither could be replaced. If the Zager was stolen, I certainly know where to get a replacement and would do so without hesitation. This guitar is so easy to play that I feel that I will surely lose the callouses on my fingers and not be able to play the old guitars with finger pain. Zager claims his guitars are 50 percent easier to play. He is no lying! What do I hate about this guitar? It is so beautifully made that I know I am going to cry when I get the first scratch on it.

My ZAD-50 Zager is a classic dreadnought and reminds me of a Martin. It has a sold spruce top with mahogany back and sides. It has a beautiful glossy finish and nice inlaid work around the hole. It was made this year by Denny Zager, Sr. here in the US.
It has sealed Grover tuners and came with Martin strings. Denny has customized the nut, saddle and bridge and lowered the strings to make it easier to play. The neck is thinner, too. It's solid wood, but not rosewood. It came with an allen wrench to adjust the neck, extra Martin strings, and a teeshirt.
One feature it doesn't have are strap buttons. If you want them, you have to add them.
I bought a beautiful Martin case from them as well.

I used to be in a folk group and so I play a lot of old folk music, so it fits my style perfectly. I'm presently in a western-type group, but I am learning some popular stuff, too.
I love the sound. It's rich and full and bright and my friends with guitars all love to play it. The volume is impressive and I have to tone it down when playing with others.

I started playing my ZAD-50 right out of the box. Because of financial considerations, I said I would accept a discounted model with finish flaws. I got the discount, but have examined the darn thing from top to bottom and can't find a flaw to save my life.
The action is great. With its lowered strings, it is so easy to play (and I've been playing a classical Goya for 40 years!) My friends all say the same. The hand-filed frets are smooth and straight, and as I barre up the neck, it stays in tune, top to bottom.
I was thinking of going to a local guitar store and making some comparisons, but haven't done it yet.

I have no way of knowing what will happen in the future. This is as solid an instrument as I've ever seen. Only time will tell, but I think it will last forever. I'm taking it out into the desert with a youth group, so I'm not too afraid of its breaking down.

I emailed them several times to ask questions, and got a person reply each time. They seemed appreciative of my concerns and gave me straight answers. I feel like I almost know them.
Zager guitars has a %100 rating on Ebay for customer satisfaction and they state that if there is ever a problem they will not only refun my money, but pay for the shipping. I've read numerous reviews and testimonials and they all say the same: customer service/support is great.
I haven't had the guitar too long, and I've had no problems, but I believe them when they say they'll stand behind their product.

I have been playing off and on for 42 years. I have a Goya classical guitar and owned a cheap folk guitar before that. Several of my children have guitars as well.
I bombarded them with questions before buying and was probably pretty annoying. If it were stolen or lost, I would buy another in a heartbeat. I might even upgrade. I'm not a professional musician, but I have played a fellow teacher's Martin D-28 and an expensive Gibson. I can't tell the difference. My son-in-law bought a pretty good guitar, but is now lusting after mine.
I love the sound, the look, the feel, and the quality. My favorite feature is the lowering of the strings for ease of play. There is absolutely nothing I hate (or even dislike) about it.
I shpped around at a few stores, but wasn't impressed. I bought this model because of some glowing online reviews that I read.
What do I wish? I wish I had a leather strap and some strap buttons. But I knew that there were none from the beginning, so it wasn't a concern for me.
I wish I could find something negative to say, but I can't.