Product: Zager ZAD 80
Email: Scarlett at burntmail
Features : 9
I just purchased the guitar of a lifetime! It's a Zager ZAD-80 acoustic. Solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides. Gold Grover tuners. Dreadnought body. Scalloped bracing. Incredibly graceful neck.
If I were to change anything about it, I think my "elitist" side would opt for solid mahogany, and I believe (though I'm not positive) that the ZAD-80 is laminated. But it certainly doesn't affect the sound or appearance of the guitar.
Sound : 10
Let me tell you, this is one *sweet* guitar...and I have a lot to compare to. I recently purchased a Martin HD-28VS, and I am seriously considering taking it back to the shop in favor of this ZAD-80.
This baby sings like an angel. And she sings with an ease and grace I only *wish* my Martins had. I can finally achieve complicated chord structures I've struggled with for years. I prefer to play finger style, and this guitar gives me the opportunity to focus on great new patterns instead of worrying about dead-sounding chords due to the high action of my guitar. The ZAD-80's sound is bright and full. You don't have a category rating of "Totally Awesome, I Am Blown Away", but I am!!
Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Zager's ZAD-80 is a gorgeous work of art with its abalone inlay, impressive fit, and stunning finish. In addition to being a musician, I'm a graphic artist with a bent toward perfectionist, so I have a tendency to pick things apart looking for the minutest flaws. Trust me, I found nothing to complain about in this guitar.
One thing I particularly look at is what kind of wood is on the back of my guitar. No one ever sees it, so the Luther has the opportunity to use "ugly" wood back there. I was pleased and surprised to see a really pretty pattern in the grain on the back of my ZAD-80.
Reliability/Durability : 10
I'm not a performer, but I think the ZAD-80 will handle anything I want to throw at it. Its hardware is solid, the finish is flawless and deep, everything about it is top-notch. And if I were a performer who needed a backup guitar, you can be sure it would be another ZAD-80!
Customer Support : 10
As I was making my choice, I had the opportunity to deal with several people at Zager guitar. My questions, either by telephone or e-mail, were promptly and courteously answered. Even when I changed my mind in the 11th hour about which model guitar I wanted, they were wonderfully friendly and helpful. And, I asked the impossible. I ordered my guitar the weekend before Christmas as a gift for myself and asked that it be delivered to me before the holidays. I did NOT pay for special handling or shipping. Zager jumped right on my order and my guitar arrived on the east coast in 3 days. And don't forget, I'm talking about THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Customer service and support? This company truly knows the meaning and carries it out. I highly recommend them.
Overall Rating : 10
I would put the Zager ZAD-80 guitar up against any I own...and I own a Yairi and 4 Martins: one of which is a custom model and one is a pre-war model. I love those guitars, but my hands are quite sensitive and I cannot play them for very long at the time. I do not have that problem with my ZAD-80. Because it's so easy to play, I can work on complicated melodies without giving up due to the frustration of painful fingers!
If my ZAD-80 were stolen or lost, right after I took a stick to whomever stole it, I'd buy another. That same day.
I am in no way connected to the folks at Zager Guitar, other than being a delighted customer. I highly recommend them and their guitars to anyone.
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