Guitar Reviews - Zager Guitar Review

Zager Guitars Review

Product: Zager ZAD-80
Price Paid: USD 995
Submitted 11/08/2009 at 11:09pm by Gregg
Features : 10
Purchased this guitar for two reasons. (1) The economy has forced me to sell my two high end guitars, (2) I still wanted as close to high end product as possible without the high-end price. Well, I have more than met my expectations. The Zager is not only the easiest playing, best action guitar I have ever played, but the workmanship, materials, and details rival or best both my Martin D 28 and Gibson J 160-e. It is a truly beautiful instrument using materials as good as guitars 3 times the price and Denny Zager's personal set up is second to none.
Sound : 10
Zager acoustic uses a thinner bracing system than most. It is lightweight but has a sound which I believe is better than both the Martin and the Gibson. The Zager is brand new and beats the aged sound of my other two high end guitars.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10

Here is where the Zager blows away the expensive competition. The set up is the reason people buy these instruments. Denny Zager sets them up personally. To me it's like having a guitar custom built for me. Can any other owner out there tell me the name of the person who set your guitar up at the factory? He even sent a picture of himself setting up my guitar! Yes, MY exact guitar. And he was kind enough to autograph it. Talk about standing up for your product. The action is ridiculously low without any fret buzz. I looked till my eyes hurt to find a flaw ( over-gluing, loose bridge, warping, saddle problems etc.). There are no flaws. Both my Martin and Gibson needed set up work AFTER purchase and the luthier still couldn't get low action.

Reliability/Durability : 10

I swear, I have heard so many testimonials from guys in bands who take their Zagers to a practice or a gig and the other band members gravitate to this guitar no matter what they are already playing ( from Martins to Taylor high ends). I haven't played in a regular band since college a long time ago but I will have this guitar forever. Even the gold plated Grover tuners just feel more substantial than the Martin or the Gibson tuners. The finish is a beautiful mirror gloss. If I blindfolded a doubter they would be hard pressed to tell the Zager from any similar model in any price range except the action and sound of the Zager would be better.

Customer Support : 10

When you buy a Zager...let me correct that....even before you actually buy a Zager Guitar, I exchanged many emails
with Denny's son Dennis who answered all of my questions by email personally within minutes! After receiving
the guitar I received a follow-up email to make sure I was satisfied. If there is a problem, you actually talk to the
person who knows your specific guitar. Does any company ( not just the music business) do that? If I ever have
a problem with this guitar ( which will probably never happen) I can talk to the person who knows this guitar.

Overall Rating : 10

I have been playing for 30 years. Not only did I get what I paid for, I got more. When I opened the case upon
receiving the guitar, I thought they made a mistake and sent me someone's custom made model. The guitar is that
beautiful. This should be the only acoustic guitar I will ever need to play ( other than a prized Gibson B-45 12
string). There simply is no better guitar for the money or considerably more money for that matter.

Product: ZAGER ZAD-80CE

Price Paid:$995.00 USD

Submitted by Jean Heller Stephens

Features : 10

This acoustic/electric studio-sized cutaway is, quite simply, beautifully traditional. And true to its hype, it does play easily, making me a more nimble and flexible player than I have been on other instruments. The strings lay close to the frets and are spaced slightly wider than normal for easy clean finger placement without the extra width of a nylon-string classical. The guitar does seem heavier than I'm used to, but since it sits on my thigh, it's really not a problem.

Sound : 10

It has the same rich, throaty tone as my Eric Clapton/Martin, which is saying a lot. I've owned it for a week, and it has responded to all my requests, from folk to blues to classic rock.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10

Perfect factory setup. Everything tight as a drum. The guitar was nearly perfectly tuned when it arrived. The hardware is beautiful, and the strings are so close to the frets you can nearly blow a chord onto them.

Reliability/Durability : 10

I wouldn't use any guitar on a gig without a backup, but that probably has more to do with the possibility of a string fraying or breaking than anything to do with the guitar itself. I've only had it a week, but this instrument seems as if it would stand up to any reasonable use. The finish is very uniform and deep, and everything about the guitar is solid.

Customer Support : 10

Lifetime warranty. Awesome support. My first contact with the Zager company was by email on a Sunday evening, and someone was there. No repairs required yet, but if early experience is an indicator, they will be there when I need them.

Overall Rating : 10

I've been playing for 36 years. In addition to the Zager 80CE, I own a Martin/Eric Clapton signature, a Small Martin for travel, and a Cordoba acoustic/electric nylon-string classical guitar. My favorite feature on the Zager is the string positions. My least favorite is the weight. I recommend the Zager line without qualification. The 80CE cost less than half what the Clapton Martin cost, and compares quite favorably.