Product: Zager ZAD 80CE
Submitted by Robert
Features: 10
Has all the important features I look for in a quality acoustic guitar. It has the feel of a quality instrument. You know the feeling when you pick up a guitar and it JUST FEELS GREAT. The Zager ZAD 80CE is exactly that kind of guitar. Mine came with a beautiful cedar top that has an unusual aged look, similar to how expensive French polished guitar ages. The sides are gorgeous rosewood with plenty of wood grain. The freeboard is very smooth rich looking rosewood. The guitar has stunning abalone inlay usually found on guitars several times the price of this one. It appears that great attention was given to the cosmetic detail which includes the binding and the perfectly finished frets. I usually buy an acoustic without much concern for the electronics due to the fact when I record I like the guitar, however, the onboard electronics are an added plus in addition to the built in tuner. This guitar begs the question: Why are the big brand name guitars unable to duplicate or even surpass what a small company like Zager has been able to do at such a modest cost?
Sound: 10
I play a variety of music ranging from blues to jazz, classic rock et Citrate. This guitar handles all these genres. The main thing I noticed when I first started to play was how each note in each chord articulated so well. I cannot stress enough how enjoyable it is to have an instrument so responsive. The other thing that amazed me was the guitar played EXTREMELY well right out of the box! I played it for 2 hours and it never had to re-tune it! The action is low which allows for fast single string playing. The free board is consistent from low to high registers. It comes with Martin 10 gauge strings which suit my style perfectly. Some players may want heavier strings but the low gauge strings do not seem to affect the volume. I really like this guitar for playability, the fast action neck and the quality of sound.
Action, Fit, & Finish: 10
O'k, it may seem like I'm going overboard with praise for this guitar. In defense of this praise, let me share that I have owned Martin's, Taylor's and other "high end" acoustics. The Zager guitars “stunned" me in that all my other acoustics took some tweaking (adjusting the truss rod, filing the bridge to lower the action et Citra.), however, OUT OF THE BOX this guitar was set up perfectly! I judge a guitar on it's ability to "speak to me and allow new ideas to flow creatively". In my first 2 hours of playing the Zager guitar, I was coming up with a lot of new creative ideas. The Zager and I certainly bonded. That is why I am writing this review. I have never felt compelled to write a review before. However, for less than $800, I feel I have a guitar worthy to stand up to any other brand out there regardless of price.
Reliability/Durability: 9
Time will tell as to durability. Some of the most expensive guitars can sometimes be the most fragile. The Zager seems to be built to last a lifetime. The finish on mine is flawless and it seems like real attention was given to things like polished frets, grover tuners, solid bracing. It appears to be made as well as anything I could buy from the more familiar brands but at a fraction of the cost.
Customer Support: 10
Never had to deal with them in regard to a problem but if one should come up I feel I will be treated fairly. Before purchasing the guitar I e-mailed them with a question about string gauge. They returned my e-mail within an hour. They also are willing to refund your money if you are not happy with your purchase and will pay shipping BOTH WAYS! Ask one of the big companies to do this. Also, I have a strong feeling that the Zager guitar Company is in this for the long haul. They seem to be willing to do whatever possible to make the buyer feel special. It is a family run business and you get "old fashioned attention".
Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing for 30+ years and own Les Paul's, Paul Reed Smith's, Fender Starts and Tele's as well as Taylor and Crater acoustics. I wanted a QUALITY guitar and was willing to spend 2 grand or more to get what I wanted. I played many expensive acoustics before buying the Zager guitar. Why the Zager? Simply, the quality of materials used, other reviews in magazines but the clincher was when I asked about putting 10 gauge strings on the Zager, (a trick I often use to make an acoustic more to my style of playing), the return e-mail said ALL ZAGER GUITARS ARE SET UP WITH MARTIN 10 GUAGE STRINGS. Finally a company that had the same thinking as me when it comes to making an acoustic guitar really playable. If lost or stolen I would sell one of my other guitars so I could buy another Zager. This is the first review I have ever written for any product but I feel that Zager Guitars are on to something! Reminds me of Paul Reed Smith in the 80's or Mesa Boogie when they were first starting out by muddling Fender Twin's. Before you spend big bucks on the big name guitar's out there, you owe it to yourself to try one of these. With a money back return policy it makes a lot of sense IMHO.
