Zager Acoustic Guitar Review

Product: Zager ZAD 50
Submitted by: Chris McMasterson

Incredible action with low ultra Easy Playing Strings (no buzz), Thin neck, Brand New Six string Acoustic Drednought Guitar, Solid Spruce Top, Mahagony Sides & Back, Deep Gloss Finish, Thin Neck. However storage case and shipping are extra. Comes with Martin light strings. Lifetime Warranty and 100% money back guarantee including shipping. Came with a neck adjustment tool.

Sounds great and on a par with many more expensive guitars and better than most in its price range. I had ordered an Alvarez MD80 originally and was pleased with it except I was going to send it back anyway due to minor freight damage. So I ordered a Zager ZAD50 to compare to it before sending it back.(Zager doesn't charge return freight so I knew I wouldn't loose trying it). Much to my surprise the playability of the Zager was heads above the Alvarez. Sound wise, the Zager has a crisp, bright, woody rich sound without sounding dark or tin like - very similar to the Alvarez to me. The Zager's hallmark though is its playability!

I am not saying this to promote Zager, but to let people know that a guitar with the highest level of professional playability is out there at budget prices (I quit playing guitar once due to a poor playing guitar that made my fingers bleed). My skill level jumped up a notch automatically with the Zager because it is so easy to play! (Cross my heart and hope to die if I'm lying). I recommend zager guitar to advanced players and especially to beginners who may well quit or advance slowly unless they have a guitar of this playability. The sound overall to me was on a par with the Alvarez - although the Alvarez did seem to project a little better at first until I put regular diameter strings on the Zager which then projected as well to me as the Alvarez did but was still easier to play.

We need a new catagory for the high level of play of the action the Zager guitar. The Action is the best I have ever encountered and I have spent hours in music stores comparing guitars. The neck is thin and the strings low for easy amazingly easy play yet with no buzzing!

As far as finish goes, some of the cosmetics of the Alvarez appealed to me a little more over the Zager (costing more it should - the Zager is also very beautiful however). I give the Alvarez an edge over the Zager in the general cosmetics area. For instance, the Alvarez has a matching deep grain wood veneer on the outer guitar head face and some abalone inlay that looked better than the Zager's head. I outlined some things I would like the Zager to have under overall rating.

However, I found the quality of construction and beautiful wood grain and overall appearance of the solid Sruce top and Mahogany sides on the Zager was virtually identical to the Alvarez (I put them side by side. They both had beautiful wood grain showing through a deep gloss.

Fit wise, much to my suprise since I paid less I found the Zager to be superior. For instance the Alvarez came with a rough spot on the top of the neck right where you hold it and some noticable glue where the neck joined the body. However, the Zager had no significant noticable flaws. The Zager Fit and finish were excellent and playability again is the best there is anywhere - period. I really wanted the Alvarez to play as well as the Zager so I could keep it because to me it is a little more attractive with a few more features. However the Zager (also beautiful) was noticably superior to the Alvarez in ease of playability/action to the Alvarez MD80. I found no Martin under $2000 that had the action of the Zager.

I have no regrets sending my fare faced Alvarez back and keeping my Zager - now made much much more attractive to me than the Alvarez because of its playability and incredible action. The Zager is a keeper and I am a very very happy with it.

The hardware seems top notch and the gloss finish is deep. Everything is solid. I am stating no opinion though because it is brand new to me. With a lifetime warranty I'm fairly sure it was built to last.

Incredible responsive support. Lifetime warranty with 100% money back guarantee including freight both ways.

The Zager ZAD50 is the easiest guitar I have ever played - including expensive demos ($1000+ Martins/Taylors) at a large Guitar store. The action and professional set up of the guitar is exceptional and the sound is on a par with more expensive guitars and better than most in its price range. You will not find a guitar with a better action anywhere. I did find one $2,000+ Martin that had similar playability but not better. As mentioned, I compared the Zager to a MD80 Alvarez (known for its playability) and prefer the Zager hands down. Both guitars are beautiful - but the Alvarez for my tastes has a slight edge cosmetically due to a few added features mentioned.

I wish the Zager had slightly thinner piping around the guitar edges and neck with less contrast and a curved head top with matching mahagony veneer face like the Alvarez. I also think the Zager name on the guitar would be more attractive if the letters were a little less blocky and a little thinner and more script like. As mentioned, the quality of the mahagony and spurce grain on top and sides as well as the depth of the gloss was identical to the more expensive Alvarez MD80. At $595 plus shipping and additional for a case the Zager ZAD50 is starting to get within a few hundred dollars of some more expensively made guitars but the custom setup and ease of action and playability and comparable sound make it well worth every penny spent to me. Although beautiful also, I just wish it had some of the additional cosmetic features offered by the Alvarez.

In the sound department it is on a par with many more expensive guitars and better than most in its price range.

Experience wise, I played guitar for a year in high school and then quit out of frustration because I was playing with a cheap guitar with poor action that made my fingers bleed. I have started again with ease with the Zager. My only other musical skill is having played drum in a band for several years.

I heartily recommend the Zager guitar and their company. The Alvarez MD80 was an easy player too but not as good in this department as the Zager. The best guitar anywhere is the one you love to play and for me it is a Zager guitar.

I know what I have said here sounds hard to believe and perhaps overdone but for me it is true - and I am a very particular and hard to please person. I don't think the superior action could be disputed by any honest person. I am writing this simply to let others know about a very very good thing. Great work Zager family. Keep it up!

Zager Acoustic guitar review by Steve in Plano

Product: Zager ZAD 50
Submitted 09/10/2009 at 11:57pm by Steve in Plano

Features : 10
The ZAD 50 Acoustic Dreadnought is a great musical instrument and it rivals much higher priced Taylors, Gibsons, Ovations and Martins. The oveal quality of zager guitar is excellent and is final inspected, tuned and personally autographed by Denny himself to make sure the guitar meets his personal satisfaction.

Sound : 10
Sound great and rivals the higher end guitars. Gotta play one to believe it. I have a 1977 Ovation and the ZAD 50 is head to head with it in quality and sound.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
This is a very well built guitar. You can't beat it for the price. Your an idiot or not much of a player if you can't tell this after picking it up and playing it for the first time.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I have only had it since Christmas, but it is built very solid and the finish is pristine. It should give you many years of service.

Customer Support : 10
These guys have responded to several e-mails I sent to then within 24 hours. If you don't like the guitar for any reason, send it back for a complete refund, no questions asked. Try that at one of the major chain stores. This is a family business and they truely appreciate you business and want you for a repeat customer or to tell a friend about their guitars and service.

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing guitars since 1965 and own 6 electrics and one Acoustic. I happened upon Zager Guitars by accident when I googled Zager and Evens after hearing their hit 2525 in XM radio. The ZAD 50 Acoustic Dreadnought is a great musical instrument and it rivals much higher priced Taylors, Gibsons, Ovations and Martins. The oveal quality of this guitar is excellent and is final inspected, tuned and personally autographed by Denny himself to make sure the guitar meets his personal satisfaction. Most of all the playability is excellent and it really sounds GREAT.

Product: Zager ZAD 50
Submitted 09/02/2007 at 09:06pm by Gregor

Features : No Opinion

Sound : 9
The sound is very rich and clean. Although only playing for a year, but a definite difference in the sound...greatly improved over my previous guitar

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
Nice factory set up. This is a major reason I was attracted to the company and I wasn't disappointed.

Reliability/Durability : No Opinion

Customer Support : 9
Very friendly and responsive, but no issues with the product. Nice on-line help via videos on the website.

Overall Rating : 9
I've been playing for about a year and wanted to move up in the quality of my guitar, realizing that I had to be reasonable about how much I spent. I see this guitar delivering tremendous value...and I do not define quality as inexpensive. The sound this guitar produces is head and shoulders above anything else I've heard. It is clearly a well-made and good looking guitar and I'm looking forward to playing it for years. I am extremely happy with my selection...I would defintiely repeat this purchase

Product: Zager ZAD 50CE
Submitted 12/31/2009 at 04:59pm by david

Features : 7
I have had my zager guitar now since may 2006. It is a wonderful guitar and a pleasure to play. nice finish, built in tuner, nice pickup that gives it great live sound. the wood is beautiful. I also like that it has a e-q built in.

Sound : 10
The sound is wonderful. I have had so many people comment on the sound since I bought this guitar. They all notice how nice and bright the sound is. I have been recording with it, and I would say it has the nicest sound that I have had thus far since i have started recording cd's.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
It came ready to play and I have never had such a easy to play guitar. the strings are low to the frets but without any buzzing. People I have shown it to and let them try it, love the feel and notice the ease of playing it.

Reliability/Durability : 9
This guitar is very reliable and keeps in tune. I have played it since may of 2006 and it really does the job.

Customer Support : 10
never had to have a repair, but the company is always helpful and prompt in answering any questions I have along the way.

Overall Rating : 10
I have been playing guitar since 1976 and I would have to say that I am most pleased with this guitar than any other one I have had. I have had yamaha, guild, washburn acoustics and this one I have now is top of them all. The price was still affordable, the quality great. The one thing I wish it had was a mute button for the pickup. Not a major thing. I would highly recommend it.