Product: Zager ZAD 50
Posted by: Matthew Morton
Purchased from: www.zagerguitar.com

Features : 10
I copied these specs straight from www.zagerguitar.com. ("EZ-Play Modified" means...in Layman's terms....it's easy to play. One characteristic of his EZ-Play Modified guitars is that the strings are close to the fret board so you don't have to use unneeded effort push them down. QUITE handy indeed.) - EZ-Play Modified - Full size Dreadnought - Solid Spruce Top - Mahogany Back & Sides - Rosewood Bridge - Rosewood Fret-Board - Gloss Finish - Scalloped X-bracing - Hand carved custom nut - Hand carved custom saddle - Hand filed frets - Sealed Grover Tuning Gears - Abalone inlay rosette - Tortoise shell pick guard - Genuine "Martin" Strings - 100% money back guarantee - Lifetime warranty

Sound : 10
I write music in a myriad of styles ranging from Latin, to jazz, to folk, to rock, to Irish, to blue grass, to a modern adult contemporary type feel (I could keep going)- and incorporate quite a few techniques (including some tapping) to achieve what I hear for each individual song, and....this guitar can cover them all! I must say I do prefer the slightly darker tones of my Zager EZ-Play Martin Sigma DM-1 for the jazzier tunes, but still the ZAD-50 can definitely be used for them as well and sound GREAT while doing so.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Regarding the action...as mentioned in a different section, the action is very low. It's one of the characteristics of the "EZ-Play" modifications he incorporates into his guitars. Regarding the fit...everything fits perfectly. All the pieces of the guitar are put together with expertise. He really is a master Luther. Regarding flaws...I believe this one was from the "discount" rack...which means it had some minor flaw in the finish....and as with most other credible guitar Luther's discount racks...it looks perfect. It would probably take Mr. Zager himself pointing out the tiny flaw for anyone to notice it...wherever it is.

Reliability/Durability : 10
Zager guitar is new...barely been played, but from the looks of it, it's just as durable and reliable as my Zager EZ-Play Martin Sigma DM-1 which I've had for at least 5 years. And of course, as can be expected, my DM-1 has been wacked a few times by people and various objects both due to my clumsiness and others', and it has held up through it all. In fact, it's one of the main guitars I'm using in the studio on an acoustic album I'm recording, though I don't doubt that the ZAD-50 is going to have its own share of appearances on the cd either since it really does sound that great.

Customer Support : 10
I've never had any need for repairs so I can't comment from experience on that...and as I posted previously, it's got a lifetime warranty...but regarding customer service, you communicate with Mr. Zager's son (Dennis Zager Jr.) who responds quite cordially and apparently as quickly as he can. The longest I've waited for a reply to a question was maybe 20 minutes...once. Every other time was within 5 to 10 minutes...and I've emailed him a lot. Perhaps I have simply always caught him at the right time, but I know others who have always received pretty speedy responses as well so I don't think it's just "luck." They really do care a lot about their customers and love to hear from them. (note- still, if it takes him a few days, don't be angry, I'm sure he's just mighty busy but will reply ASAP.)

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing guitar for 8 or 9 years now. My other most mentionable gear is my Zager EZ-Play Martin Sigma DM-1 acoustic guitar, my PRS CE-22 electric guitar, my vintage 60's Fender Deluxe Blackface, my Mesa Heartbreaker, and then a few boutique pedals and some George L cables. If I could have one thing added to either of the Zager's, it'd be electronics. However, my DM-1 was a gift that was given to me, and the ZAD-50 was a gift from me and someone else to a family member (though I obviously have frequent contact with it ;) )....and neither gift giving times could afford electronics to be added at those times. I believe they used to offer electronics to be added sometime after purchase if one so desired (at a cost, of course, but still reasonable), but since Mr. Zager just retired I don't know if the option still exists through him. Either way it's still not in my budget at the time due to studio fees and other expenses, but I'm sure if any of you wanted to know you could just email his son and he would tell you. (note- Some come with electronics, some don't. It's plainly marked so if you pick the wrong one it's not either of the Zager's fault.) Finally, if I could suggest a guitar to anyone....it'd be any of the Zager guitars. They're made great, they sound great, and they play great...and they're not ridiculously expensive. What else could you ask for? Sincerely, Matthew Morton myspace.com/mattmortonmusic youtube.com/mattjmorton