Mike M.

I also own a ZAD900 full size non-cutaway in natural spruce finish. Recently tried some smaller guitars and found that with smaller body the top "tucks in" closer with the sound hole more open to player's ear. More rewarding "surround sound" playing acoustically- may not be true for audience, but I play mostly for myself and really enjoy the OM size. I have Taylor guitar in rosewood and spruce as well. The Zagers get a little more play - slightly easier on fingers and convenience of on board tuners. But I pick up different guitars for their sonic fit to style, song and mood and love the Taylors as well. Zager service before and after sale has been good and I feel comfortable with their mail order business model.

Payment processing failed multiple times before finally going through. Wondered if I had actually submitted multiple orders. Just about gave up.

Buying a guitar by mail order is always a stressful experience. Even in the same model, individual guitars generally have unique subtle differences (tonal, setup, wood grain and appearance), so I have usually only purchased them after having the guitar in my hands. First reaction on opening the case when it arrived was that it looked as good or better than the pictures - and having the humidity monitor looking at me from its place beside the guitar assured me that the care in packing it to preserve the wood was successful. Second reaction was seeing the instructions first thing for setting the action if you prefer to raise or lower it - while you can do this with any adjustable neck - having Zager invite you to do it, first thing implies being extra helpful to make it right. Third was tuning with the on board Fishman tuner which is intuitive, precise and convenient.

After having the guitar for 5 days and comparing it to others, I am very pleased. Guitars I compared it to are: 1976 Martin D35/12 (Love the D35s Bell Tone resonance), 1977 Ovation Adamas Carbon/Fiberglass (Love it's stability in changing indoor and outdoor conditions and big sound when pushed), 2002 Taylor 814ce (Like the balanced tonal response, particularly from audience perspective - did a blind test of three 814s, with others playing, before buying). 2019 Taylor 717 Grand Pacific (Mail order nervous to get in line early - Big Sound and bell tone highs when pushed, broad tonal response at all volumes). All these but the Ovation are Rosewood and Spruce - All of them are large bodies, so comparisons are among "similar" well made, well known guitars.

As a preface to further comments, I've observed that guitars from a players and audience perspective may be quite different. I'm not a performer (other than informal camps and family gatherings), so I especially enjoy guitars that resonate with and project acoustically to the player (for me most of the time). And as I age, I have high frequency roll off in my hearing, so I may favor a guitar that projects and resonates at high frequencies as well as low.

The Zager gives me a taste of the Martin D35/12 bell tone/wind chime background which immediately brings memories and a smile to my face. It has strong base resonance similar to the Ovation and Grand Pacific, but it doesn't have to be pushed as hard to provide it, and it has the balanced tonal qualities of both Taylors.

The most similar in big, balanced sound and resonance to me are the Zager and Taylor Grand Pacific with the exception that the Zager sprinkles a bell tone "shimmer", like little sparkling lights on dark water, over the big balanced sound. The Grand Pacific may also present that at higher playing volumes (more heavy handed). Played back to back at modest volumes the Zager retains that shimmer, the Grand Pacific is more "sultry" in comparison - warm candle light. Both wonderful tonal qualities, both great guitars.

Following up on Denny's suggestion that one can lighten up pressure on the left hand without losing tonal clarity - and lighten up on the right hand and still get a big resonant sound - it took a little bit of experimentation to trust that - as I've used the pressure needed on my other guitars over the years and that pressure is a habit. It appears that lightening up and moving more quickly will be possible, but it will take playing that way thoughtfully, to break old habits. There's a good chance I'll play more when I get that "built into" my playing.

After my experience, I'd trust that the people at Zager will take care of you, no matter what your concerns, before or after your purchase. And I expect you will be very pleased with your guitar as I have been with mine.