Anyone own a Zager?

I beleive that you can get a better guitar and a set up for the same or less money.

I beleive that you can get a better guitar and a set up for the same or less money.

Thanks, I appreciate the input!

So have you owned or played one of these? Before last night I would have felt the same way. But for two months now I've been trying out different guitars and I've not played any that felt as good as this one. I wanted a Gibson SWD, I played one at Guitar Center last week and it cost over $2000. It was a much fancier guitar and I still may get one because I love the Gibson sound. But for less then half the price this sure was a sweet playing guitar. But I have to admit, I've never heard of a Zager guitar before, so maybe I just had too many drinks. :roll:

Anyway, thanks again and if anyone else has an opinion I'd sure love to hear it. :)

He takes low-end Martin Sigmas (he even says his own guitars come from the same place,) gives them a good setup, then charges the regular retail price - or more. Note when I say "low end" I don't mean "bad" - I play a low end Breedlove and it's a fine guitar.

I've got no reason to doubt he does a good setup, but his claim that his "string science" makes the guitars "50% easier to play" with a sound that "rivals guitars costing 5 times the price" is nothing but marketing hype. $300 guitars just do not sound like $1500 Taylors, Martins, Larrivees, Breedloves, etc.

That being said, almost every guitar - especially low end ones, could benefit from a good setup by a qualified luthier!

If you liked the Zager, both in terms of playability and tone, then go for it!

Well it isn't a good setup, it's a different setup. Personally, having played one, I don't like it. But I'm used to a standard setup.

i agree with slej, i did research these pretty thoroughly and came to the conclusion that i would be happier in the long run with a better "base" guitar and having my local luthier go over it and set it up.
My guitar plays easily (to my exact specifications) and is better built (imo) then the ones they start with.

Having said that i think these look like well made guitars that are fine for beginners. i just think the price is a bit steep for what you get.

OK, thanks everyone!

Guess I'll keep looking and see if I can fine something I like better. Maybe I just never played a guitar that was setup as good as this one which is why I liked it so much, but it sure did play nice. :)

Well it isn't a good setup, it's a different setup.

I've read that most of what he does is lower the action at the nut and reslot the nut for a slightly wider string spacing, then lower the action at the bridge as well. Nothing out of the ordinary.

But on his web site it says he uses "extra light" 10-gauge strings. This will definitely make it "seem" easier to play than other guitars with standard light 12s ... but one can put 10s on any acoustic and it will seem easier to play than when it had 12s.

I own a Zager and I like it. He does lower the action by altering the bridge, he reslots the nut and he also files the frets. The tone is great and so is the playability, IMO. I can't say that it's 50% easier to play than my Taylor (a 314CE), but it is easy to play. Several other people have played it (including my teacher, whom I consider to be a very experienced musician and who uses a Martin) and all have said great things about it's tone and action. I will also say that Zager customer service is top notch.

I own a Zager and I like it. He does lower the action by altering the bridge, he reslots the nut and he also files the frets. The tone is great and so is the playability, IMO. I can't say that it's 50% easier to play than my Taylor (a 314CE), but it is easy to play. .

I have one. A Zagar Lefty Washburn. IT's OK.... Like you, I also have a Taylor 314CE and I think it's easier to play than the Zagar. The sound is much better but it cost (allot) more. I don't agree with the "String Science" thing. Putting extra light strings on is not science.

Whoever started the thread, if you like the Zagar guitar you played - buy it!

Bob Jessie

Thanks ldavis04, I was hoping someone would post that had a Zager. I've now read several reviews and not found a bad one. It seems the people that own one of them really like it. If something happened to the one you have do you think you would get another one? Also, do you feel there worth the money you paid for it? I'm still not sure if I'd buy one or not,but if there willing to take it back and pay the shipping if I don't like it, I guess it would be worth a shot just to see. I've been trying to reach the guy that had the one I played last night, but he's been gone all day. I'd like to go back over there and check it out some more. I only play a couple of tunes on it last night but like I said, I was blown away by how easy it was to play and it sounded as good or better then anything I've tried in the last couple of months. Thanks again!

clideguitar, the one I played wasn't for sale and he's had it for a long time. You said yours is just OK, is there something about it you don't like? Thanks!

I'm not trying to talk you out of this because i also believe that if a certain guitar feels good and plays well for you then that is truly what is important.
what i would suggest is that you price the base guitar that Zager uses and then price a setup by a reputable luthier in your area. i would be amazed if you found that you could get the Zager cheaper.

it appears that the Harmony central reviews of the Sigma DM-1 or a near equal that Z sells for $500 are about $200
that would suggest that he is charging you $300 for a setup and shipping
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Sigma/DM1/10/1
a set up should not cost you more than around $50 including strings imo.
like Nick said there is really nothing special about a Z setup , it's just different, and theres no reason you couldn't buy one of these Sigmas somewhere , take your friends Zager to the Luthier when you get it and have him match the setup.
i think you could probably save about $150- $200
reguardless i hope you find what you are looking for and i wish you good luck

Thanks ldavis04, I was hoping someone would post that had a Zager. I've now read several reviews and not found a bad one. It seems the people that own one of them really like it. If something happened to the one you have do you think you would get another one? Also, do you feel there worth the money you paid for it? I'm still not sure if I'd buy one or not,but if there willing to take it back and pay the shipping if I don't like it, I guess it would be worth a shot just to see. I've been trying to reach the guy that had the one I played last night, but he's been gone all day. I'd like to go back over there and check it out some more. I only play a couple of tunes on it last night but like I said, I was blown away by how easy it was to play and it sounded as good or better then anything I've tried in the last couple of months. Thanks again!

clideguitar, the one I played wasn't for sale and he's had it for a long time. You said yours is just OK, is there something about it you don't like? Thanks!

I would consider buying another zager, and yes, I do feel that it is worth the money I paid for it. I only paid $100.00 more than this model costs elsewhere, so it wasn't overpriced IMO. The sound is very good and the action is great, but as Clideguitar pointed out, it can't touch the sound of the Taylor I own, but, that cost much, much more. It's a great sounding, great playing guitar.

OK thanks everyone!

I think everyone makes a valid point and I appreciate all the advice. I'm not sure what I'll do yet. My biggest problem is in my area of Northern Michigan there's not a reputable luthier that I know of even for a basic setup. So in that respect it would be nice to get something setup already. And so far everything I've tried has needed a setup, some more then others but they all needed it. Is it worth that much more? Maybe, to someone like myself. I'll know more when I play my friends again, I hope he tells me to take it home for a couple of days and try it out,lol. It seems to me he told me it had a life time guarantee too, I don't remember for sure but I think that's what he told me, that's pretty good if it does, I don't think anyone else offers one, no? Anyway, thanks again everyone!

BTW, anyone in Northern Michigan know of a reputable luthier? I'm located between Oscoda and Alpena and I'd be willing to drive a ways to get to one. So PLEASE, if you know of one let me know. Thanks!

I think what people are trying to tell you is that you should buy the guitar that you like. Just because you tried a Z and liked it dosen't mean they'll all be the same, if you're gonna buy one try it first. This applys to all brands.