Discussion:
Zager Guitar Review (from an actual customer!)
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TakeLuck
2006-02-20 21:46:46 UTC
Permalink
First, I apologize if this is too long.

I recently had to replace my "beginner guitar" because it was damaged
when it got knocked off its stand. It was an Olympia by Tacoma and was
a great guitar, especially for a laminate top. It would have cost more
to fix it than it was worth at that point though so I decided it was
time for an upgrade.

My research started on the Internet of course and before long I came
across the Zager guitar site. After quite a bit of surfing and reading
I called Zager and decided to purchase a ZAD50 blem with a molded blem
case. (When I called BTW, I spoke to Dennis Zager Jr., not a call
center or an automated recording. I actually called and ordered mine on
a Sunday afternoon!)

If you don't know anything about them you can check them out at
zagerguitar.com. But if you've been a member of this group for long,
you probably have read plenty already. Which brings me to the reason I
am writing this review.

There seems to be plenty of people that want to dismiss Zager guitars.
I did read one review (from Lumpy I believe) that seemed to be
legitimate but most of the negative stuff comes from people who have
never even seen a Zager guitar, much less played one. So I thought I
would post a review from someone that actually purchased one.

Upon receipt, I could not tell that either the guitar or the case was
blemished, but it did save me about $80. The one I ordered had the
natural finish and it looked perfect. The fit and finish is excellent.
It is a very attractive guitar.

Now to qualify my review of how this guitar plays, I will tell you that
I have only been playing for about three years. And although I own a
low-end acoustic I have played more expensive models in music stores.
That being said, the Zager is the easiest guitar I have ever played.
The action is very low and easy on the fingers. No buzzing. But just in
case there is buzzing they include access to a video on the web on how
to adjust the neck to raise the stings. There are also videos about
changing strings and using a capo. This is truly a business and guitar
that caters to the beginner and IMHO, does an excellent job.

Now...... before anybody starts accusing me of being related to the
Zagers, let me tell you that I returned the guitar. But not because of
workmanship, or poor quality, or anything that was actually wrong with
the guitar. My reason for returning it was that it didn't have the tone
I was looking for. I wanted a little more bass (I ended up with a
Martin DX1). But the Zager sounds great and projects well. It just
wasn't the sound I was looking for.

So to finish my review, I can also add that they stand behind their
100% money back, no questions asked, guarantee. They even refund
shipping both ways. I contacted them, they emailed me a UPS label and
refunded my full purchase price upon receipt of the guitar.
This was easily the best experience I have had dealing with an Internet
retailer and I didn't even keep the guitar!

So I can't guarantee that you will love the guitar, (although there is
a good chance you will) I can promise you will enjoy excellent customer
service from great people. At least I did. ;)
Lumpy
2006-02-20 22:49:00 UTC
Permalink
...So to finish my review, I can also add that
they stand behind their 100% money back, no
questions asked, guarantee. They even refund
shipping both ways. I contacted them, they
emailed me a UPS label and refunded my full
purchase price upon receipt of the guitar.
This was easily the best experience I have
had dealing with an Internet retailer and
I didn't even keep the guitar!
Happy to hear you had a good experience with
Zager.

To follow up on my review, some new events
have occurred.

After the oddball fret job that Denny did on
my client's guitar, overfiling filing the frets
flat to the fingerboard, it was rendered useless
as a playable instrument. The only way to make
it playable again would be to refret the guitar.
That's roughly a $300 job. Too much to invest
particularly because the buyer of the guitar
would have to pay that amount. Hardly fair
for the owner to have to pay for the dealer's
mistake.

The update:

Denny refused to honor the warranty any further
and would not refret or repair or refund the
instrument.

End result is that the owner paid $800 for
a guitar that typically sells for $300.
It was runied as a playable instrument
by the poor workmanship at Zager. And Zager
refused to honor his warranty.

My client's case does indeed to be the exception
to the other reviews about Zager guitars. I'm not
sure at all why this one was so different. And I'm
not sure why Zager did not stand behind his
warranty in this case.

Zager does charge a LOT more than the same model
Martin-Sigma guitar typically sells for. As always
my contention is that any buyer would get a much
better deal by buying a normal Sigma and having
it setup locally for 50 bucks instead of paying
Zager several hundred dollars to do the work.

My original review at -
http://www.digitalcartography.com/ZagerGuitar.htm


Lumpy
--
You were the Ken-L-Ration St Bernard?
Yes. My dog's bigger.
www.lumpyvoice.net
GuitPl4evr
2006-02-22 17:18:10 UTC
Permalink
Hi Lumpy, I cannot even begin to tell you the experience I had with the
Zager company when I sent my Martin 000-28 to them for a "String Science"
retrofit. I purchased this guitar brand spanking new, I mean enwer than
new, sent it to them, after paying 550.00 for the retro and getting it back,
it came back with scratches and a few dings. I was really disappointed and
after calling and explaining the situation, got cussed out by SR Zager,
which I think he thought I was trying to get over on them, and if it was not
for the Jr Zager, being apologetic and explaining why I received the
response that I did, and I could partly understand why, that I would have
taken legal action. By the way, I received a full refund, including
shipping, but had a beat up 000-28. Anyhow, enough of that. I don't have
the 000-28 anymore and they have come a long way. So my whole point is,
think twice about sending a guitar for retrofit. buy one of theirs and see
if you like it before making any drastic decisions.


Tom
Post by Lumpy
...So to finish my review, I can also add that
they stand behind their 100% money back, no
questions asked, guarantee. They even refund
shipping both ways. I contacted them, they
emailed me a UPS label and refunded my full
purchase price upon receipt of the guitar.
This was easily the best experience I have
had dealing with an Internet retailer and
I didn't even keep the guitar!
Happy to hear you had a good experience with
Zager.
To follow up on my review, some new events
have occurred.
After the oddball fret job that Denny did on
my client's guitar, overfiling filing the frets
flat to the fingerboard, it was rendered useless
as a playable instrument. The only way to make
it playable again would be to refret the guitar.
That's roughly a $300 job. Too much to invest
particularly because the buyer of the guitar
would have to pay that amount. Hardly fair
for the owner to have to pay for the dealer's
mistake.
Denny refused to honor the warranty any further
and would not refret or repair or refund the
instrument.
End result is that the owner paid $800 for
a guitar that typically sells for $300.
It was runied as a playable instrument
by the poor workmanship at Zager. And Zager
refused to honor his warranty.
My client's case does indeed to be the exception
to the other reviews about Zager guitars. I'm not
sure at all why this one was so different. And I'm
not sure why Zager did not stand behind his
warranty in this case.
Zager does charge a LOT more than the same model
Martin-Sigma guitar typically sells for. As always
my contention is that any buyer would get a much
better deal by buying a normal Sigma and having
it setup locally for 50 bucks instead of paying
Zager several hundred dollars to do the work.
My original review at -
http://www.digitalcartography.com/ZagerGuitar.htm
Lumpy
--
You were the Ken-L-Ration St Bernard?
Yes. My dog's bigger.
www.lumpyvoice.net
Lumpy
2006-02-22 17:26:39 UTC
Permalink
...I cannot even begin to tell you the experience
I had with the Zager company when I sent my
Martin 000-28 to them for a "String Science"
retrofit. I purchased this guitar brand
spanking new, I mean enwer than new, sent
it to them, after paying 550.00 for the retro...
Am I understanding correctly that Denny charges
$550 to do his setup on the guitar that someone
sends to him?

Please tell me I misunderstood.


Lumpy
--
You Played on Lawrence Welk?
Yes but no blue notes. Just blue hairs.
www.lumpyguitar.net
GuitPl4evr
2006-02-22 17:31:28 UTC
Permalink
That's what I was charged...

Tom
Post by Lumpy
...I cannot even begin to tell you the experience
I had with the Zager company when I sent my
Martin 000-28 to them for a "String Science"
retrofit. I purchased this guitar brand
spanking new, I mean enwer than new, sent
it to them, after paying 550.00 for the retro...
Am I understanding correctly that Denny charges
$550 to do his setup on the guitar that someone
sends to him?
Please tell me I misunderstood.
Lumpy
--
You Played on Lawrence Welk?
Yes but no blue notes. Just blue hairs.
www.lumpyguitar.net
GuitPl4evr
2006-02-22 17:33:01 UTC
Permalink
I was dumb enough to fall for it too. I was thinking that maybe because it
was an expensive gutiar. But After talking to my local luthier and reading
others responses, it got me even more perterbed.

Tom
Post by Lumpy
...I cannot even begin to tell you the experience
I had with the Zager company when I sent my
Martin 000-28 to them for a "String Science"
retrofit. I purchased this guitar brand
spanking new, I mean enwer than new, sent
it to them, after paying 550.00 for the retro...
Am I understanding correctly that Denny charges
$550 to do his setup on the guitar that someone
sends to him?
Please tell me I misunderstood.
Lumpy
--
You Played on Lawrence Welk?
Yes but no blue notes. Just blue hairs.
www.lumpyguitar.net
George Mealer
2006-02-22 20:58:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lumpy
Am I understanding correctly that Denny charges
$550 to do his setup on the guitar that someone
sends to him?
Not anymore. Apparently he stopped due to "liability issues."

http://www.zagerguitar.com/index.cfm?event=public.store.guitars.faq

Geo
--
George Mealer
geo*AT*snarksoft*DOT*com

"Alright, it's Saturday night...I have no date, a two-liter bottle
of Shasta, and my all-Rush mix tape. Let's rock!" -- Philip J. Fry
Geezer
2006-02-22 22:44:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by George Mealer
Post by Lumpy
Am I understanding correctly that Denny charges
$550 to do his setup on the guitar that someone
sends to him?
Not anymore. Apparently he stopped due to "liability issues."
http://www.zagerguitar.com/index.cfm?event=public.store.guitars.faq
Geo
I like the answer to the capo question......
Can I use a capo with your guitars?
Denny designs all of his guitars to be used with a capo. Using a capo will
make your Zager guitar even easier to play... approximately 10-15%.

Gee, if I use three capos will my guitar be 45% easier to play?

Geezer
TakeLuck
2006-03-04 08:24:26 UTC
Permalink
Well Lumpy, I'm not sure what the deal is with your customer. Maybe
you're not getting the whole story from him or maybe they screw every
10th customer or something. Who knows. Thanks for the input though. I
do appreciate your comments on these boards.
Lumpy
2006-03-04 14:15:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by TakeLuck
Well Lumpy, I'm not sure what the deal is with your customer. Maybe
you're not getting the whole story from him or maybe they screw every
10th customer or something. Who knows. Thanks for the input though. I
do appreciate your comments on these boards.
I have no reason at all to doubt the
guitar's owner. I've held and evaluated the
Zager in my own hands. Zager won't stand by
his warranty. He won't take the guitar back.
It's not a question of doubting the guy that
got ripped off.

I'm fascinated by what George found.
Denny Zager is no longer accepting YOUR guitar
sent to him for the $550 setup -

http://www.zagerguitar.com/index.cfm?event=public.store.guitars.faq

He cites "liability issues". That's nonsense. Every
luthier, teacher, vendor, professional musician that
does any kind of business with other people's instruments
has musician's insurance. It insures other people's instruments
while they are in your possession.

The outrageous $550 setup he charges for just ONE
guitar could pay for a year's worth of premiums
and cover all of his inventory and guitars sent
to him.

It might be that his insurance was cancelled because
he ruined too many other people's guitars. Otherwise
there's no reason in the world why he wouldn't want
to continue to charge such a rediculous price to
do work on your guitar. Work that should cost ~$50,
NOT $550.


Lumpy
--
You did all those radio station jingles?
Yes. And I'll bet you haven't forgotten them.
www.lumpyvoice.org
TakeLuck
2006-03-04 19:42:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lumpy
I'm fascinated by what George found.
Denny Zager is no longer accepting YOUR guitar
sent to him for the $550 setup -
What's interesting is someone would ship there brand new guitar off for
a $550 setup. You said a fret job was $300. What part of a setup could
cost $550? I bought a new guitar with the setup for $345!

Anyway, all I meant to do here was give my personal experience with
Zager. It just seemed he was getting hammered on these boards and I'm
all about "equal time". Bottom line... I bought the guitar...returned
it in the same condition I received it within 30 days.... and I got my
money back. Very easy, very fast, very pleasant. In my case, they
delivered what they advertised.

Thank you all for the comments.

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