ZAD-80CE

This is a 2008 ZAD 80CE, an acoustic/electric dreadnought with a solid cedar top and rosewood sides and back. The electronics are by fishman and include a built in turner. the Rosewood fretboard contains 20 frets, that are extremely well finished.  The neck is fast and the strings are set low and slightly wider apart, with no "fret buzz", very easy on the fingers to play as Denny Zager advertises.  It has sealed gold Grover tuners and abalone trim around the body and sound hold, very classy. It came with a case, extra strings, picks, allen wrench and a temp/humidity gauge. The finish is transparent, glossy and flawless. 

The action is fast and easy, the set up was as close to perfect as you can get. The notes are true where ever you play on the neck. The low strings and the spacing really help in "finger picking" along with easier bar chording.

This is my second Zager and just like the first, it has that deep rich sound and clear highs and plugged in it is even more impressive. I've played other acoustic electrics, some far more expensive than the Zager, none sounded better. I generally play Electric Blues, but lately I have been playing (or learning) Bluegrass. This Zager as with my other one, handles both with ease, in fact the Zagers have enabled me to speed up my fingering, and no sore fingers! With the onboard electronics I am able to get a variety of great sounds. 

My first Zager has stood up extremely well gigging, and I have no doubt this one will also.  These are quality guitars!!  I always gig with a backup as you never know what can happen, but I would feel comfortable with the Zager without one.

When you buy a Zager, whether from Zager or somewhere else, you become part of the Zager family.  If you have never dealt with Zager you really don't know what customer support is! They are always there ready to answer a question, give helpful advice etc.  The warranty is lifetime!!

I have been playing for over 45 years, and I own a '08 ZAD 50ce, '03 USA Fender Strat, a '01 Gibson Lucille, a '96 USA fender Tele and a '89 Gibson Country Gentleman. As you can see, I am used to playing quality easy playing guitars so for my first acoustic (not counting the stella I had when I was 16) I wanted a quality, great sounding and easy playing one. I have played mid to high range Taylors, Martins, Gibsons ect.  After reading some reviews on the Zagers, I decided to try one (if I didn't like it I could ship it back..at THEIR expense) I loved it, the tone ease of play and also the looks! The ZAD 80CE is even one step above the 50CE.   There  just isn't anything even at twice the price that can compare with it.  I would definately replace them, if something happened!!

Size Dreadnought Venetian Cutaway Design - lower frets are very accessible Solid Spruce Top Rosewood Back & Sides Grover Sealed Tuning Gears Built in Transducer Onboard Equalizer - Fishman Clearwave 50 Guitar Strap Audio Jack Onboard Electronic Tuner - Part of Fishman equalizer package Abalone Inlay Rosette Full Abalone Inlay Tortoise Shell Pick Guard Gloss Finish Hand Carved Custom Nut Hand Carved Custom Saddle Hand Filed Frets Scalloped X-bracing Rosewood Fret-board Rosewood Bridge Genuine "Martin" Strings Zager EZ-Play Modified 100% Money Back Guarantee Lifetime Warranty Hard case with humidifier

The action is light and so easy to play. The electonics are the best I've used on an electric acoustic guitar out of the box. I suppose there could be some tweeking but I'm happy with what I have. There are ABSOLUTELY NO physical flaws. Any guitar luthier will tell you that any guitar of the same manufacturer and model will be a bit different than its brother or sister. Doing a lot of furniture finish work myself, I can attest to how woods will react to stains and finishes. This guitar is simply gorgeous through and through. Denny even adds gold plated Grover tuning nuts to highlight the beautiful finish work on the rosewood back and sides and solid spruce top. That abalone inlay is really a nice touch. You'll find no better finish or craftsmanship on most any acoustic guitar in the $3000 - $6000 range. I know; I've looked at them.

I'm an amateur guitarist and most of my music is aimed at Christian worship, although I try to learn a few of the old classics as well. Denny Zager, the luthier who designs his guitars and hand modifies every one going out has a super on line course for playing mostly by ear along with solid music fundamentals. I recommend his site: www.zagerguitars.com to anyone interested in taking their playing to the next level. This is my SECOND Zager EZ-play. I've owned a Zager ZAD 50CE acoustic electic guitar for about a year. I just got the CE 80 based on the strong 50CE I have. For new out of the box, this guitar has extremely mellow tones, both highs and lows and it's only going to get better. My 50CE's sound has really mellowed in only about a year which is a tribute to the design, materials, and workmanship of the guitar. The custom x-braced box is specially designed for light gauge strings. I usually use the Martin Darco extra light guage phosphor bronze wound strings (0.010 - 0.047). The strings are easy to play and along with Denny's magic on the fret board, filed frets and overall design, this one is well over 75% easier for me to play than my son's Seagull and Washburn acoustic guitars. I've played a bit on my amps. I have a small Crate GT15R and the big brother Crate Line 6 amps. Either amp is fine but the electronics really can drive the larger amp with no problem. Once you get the settings right on the amp and the onboard equalizer you're set. I prefer to use the guitar's equalizer and volume control rather that fussing with the amp. For worship music I usually play with "clean" settings but often will use some reverb or solo. I use a wireless pickup system and the guitar sounds so, so, good. You'd think I was playing a Martin D-28, or something in that category. Except my guitar cost about $3000 less :-) I have NO DISLIKES. Except for most other guitars I've ever played. Not with one of Denny's.

As far as reliability and durability, you'll not find one better suited for casual or professional playing. All you need to do, as with all guitars, is keep them tuned and change the strings as often as necessary. I change mine a minimum of every couple of weeks. The strap buttons are solid and in fact, unlike many other guitars, the pickup jack on the guitar is reinforced and counter screwed into the guitar. That's about as solid as you're going to get. As far as a back up guitar? Well, that's a Zager too, but not because I need one for reliability, it's mainly because I can set the electronics up on the guitars and not have to fiddle with them while playing.

I started playing off and on since about 1968. Stints in the Navy and other jobs that ate up my time kept me from doing much until just a few years ago when I came across Zager guitars when doing some research on the Internet. My son is an accomplished guitarist and he had heard good things about Zager from a few of his guitar playing friends. My other guitar is a Zager ZAD 50CE electric acoustic with the black lacquer finish. Quite frankly, I didn't really "need" this ZAD 80CE but Denny is retiring from the luthier trade and will concentrate on writing and working on his on-line guitar teaching courses. So, I decided to add the 80CE while they had one. I may have the LAST 80CE unless Denny puts a few more out this year. My final comment is perhaps a bit subjective but considering the sources, I'll share it with you. I'm learning fast (at the age of 56) and consider myself competent but we have several very skilled guitarists in our group who love to play my Zager guitars. Among the group is a professional guitarist who has done studio work and who has several "sponsored" guitars. I'll not mention them at his request.  Our group has a pretty wide range of instruments with my Zagers being in the bottom tier by price. There are upper end Alvarez, Martin, Taylor, Seagull, Takamine, Guild, Ovation, and Gibson guitars. As far as the players are concerned my guitars are in their league. You can't get a better recommendation than that.