Purchasing a new guitar

[JeffM.22]

@MMMURRAY There are two nut widths available from Zager. They will let you know what they are and how to order the nut size you are looking for.

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks

[loberggcomcast-net]

I have the ZAD 50 great guitar. I also purchased a Seagul S6 used for $300 bucks it also has 17/8 nut standard off Reverb hope this helps.

[MMMURRAY]

Thank you very much. Appreciate the advice.

[Loraine]

I’ve heard good things about Zager, and there are several TACers that have purchased them. There is more space between strings, and that’s what makes them good finger style guitars. If you have specific questions about the guitar, you can always reach out directly to Zager too.

[ChuckS]

You could always take your old Fender in for a setup adjustment and that should fix the buzzing. Also, assume it is in a humidity controlled environment as this can and will have an effect and could cause the buzzing.

I have no experience with the Zager guitars, but you may also want to check out the older Seagull S6 models ( I see someone else mentioned Seagull S6 – great guitars for the price). I just sold a Seagull S6 because it had a 1.8″ nut width which was just too much for my short fingers to bite off. The person who bought it had just the opposite problem of larger hands.

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks for the reply.

[N-lightMike]

@MMMURRAY ;

I don’t see the single most important piece of advice when buying a guitar. Unless you want to buy and sell multiple guitars from someone like Guitar Center who allows you 45 days to play it and then return it for a full refund, buying online only works if you know what you want.

Go where you can pick up guitars and play them. Admittedly, you can only buy what you are able to find and physically pick up. But there are a lot of guitar companies and they all make guitars worth owning and playing. So there is no reason to get sucked into the marketing hype of a company like Zager who doesn’t seem to sell in brick and mortar stores.

In pretty much any guitar store, you will find enough variety to find out what you like. Now, you might not find the guitar you love in the first store. It could take some real effort. But, if you don’t find a guitar that you fall in love with when you physically pick it up, you simply won’t know what you are missing.

My advice is: “Don’t waste your money until you find a guitar you fall in love with. You don’t fall in love with the looks or the marketing hype or even the reviews as everyone is different. Fall in love with the sound and feel as you play it.”

MG 😀

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks, I’m going to look for a Guitar Center near me (just south of Orlando). The Zager is on its way here and I do have a 30 or 60 day return window. Appreciate the advice.

[Timothy S]

I think that’s great advice Mr. Murray. I was able to find the Zager line (used guitars only) in the local “guitar Center” store and tried out several used Zager guitars. While they had used Zager guitars, you can only buy new Zager’s online from their site. AFTER TESTING THESE IN THE STORE I DECIDED TO ORDER A NEW ZAG-CE50 from ZAGER ONLINE. Zager only sells their new guitars directly to the consumer so other than the used instruments I was able to find, one cannot order a new Zager from retail stores. I hope to purchase the ZA- 900CE Anniversary Edition in the future.

As a side note, I did purchase an Epiphone Hummingbird Pro from the “Guitar Center.” I believe we need to support local stores in our communities that give us the option of IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO GOODS And services. I feel like I needed to buy something directly from them for providing the opportunity for me to check out the Zager line. I am appreciative of the inventory the “Guitar Center” has and purchased another guitar from them that I really wanted to add to my limited collection.

Here is my limited assessment:

– The sound quality was excellent (as was the Case with many other guitars I tried including the ZAG-900 CE, Martin and Hummingbird Pro by example).

– I was particularly pleased with the Zager’s ease of play. As I’ve grown older, I find it harder for me to move my arthritic hands across the neck like I did when I was younger. The Zager line made this task easier for me.

– The strings are set slightly farther apart than the other guitars which made it easier for me to play cords efficiently (I’m coming back to playing guitar after a 30- year work hiatus and subsequent retirement… I needed something to focus on now that I’m all grown up!).

I hope this helps. I again want to say how important it is to support our local stores like “The Guitar Center” whenever possible. I recognize that I’m extremely fortunate to have the resources to buy multiple instruments and will continue to shop at “The Guitar Center” for guitars I hope to add to my collection in the future.

<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>So sorry for the length of this </font>message, but<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”> when you’re old like me you’ve got plenty of time on your </font>hands<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>!</font>

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks Tim. I’m going to look for one of those Guitar Center stores. Good advice.

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated 😉

[Happy-Jack]

Zager offers 30 day return policy on their guitars and they pay shipping both ways. I’m waiting on a delivery this week for a Zager 80 and will keep you updated on how I make out. John

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks. I’d like to hear how it goes.

[MMMURRAY]

How’s it working out with your Zager 80? I ordered a Zager 50CE 2 weeks ago and it’s supposed to get here (Davenport, Florida) by the end of the month.

[Dan M]

I just bought a Zager 50 off craigslist. Its like brand new for a lot less money. Anyway, the first thing i tried was the F chord. I played it easily with the Zager, couldn’t even get close with my Yamaha. I find it much easier to play. And the sound is amazing.

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks for the info.

[MMMURRAY]

Dan, I ordered a Zager 50CE and it’s supposed to be here (Davenport, Florida) by the end of the month. How’s yours working out? I see you’re new to the program and I’m in it for 12 weeks now. Do you have much experience in playing the guitar?

[Dan M]

You will really enjoy playing your zager. I’m able to play chords on it I can’t play on old guitar. The Zager is much easier to fret. I’ve been trying to learn for years. I still get frustrated at times, but I just walk away and try later.

[MMMURRAY]

Appreciate that advice. Looking forward to giving it my best shot. I’m new so it won’t take much to impress me.

[HowardM]

@MMMURRAY, I can’t add anything new to the discussion, but I found it interesting with all of the suggestions. Good luck with your choice.

[n6xrf]

I agree with playing the guitar before purchase. Most guitars are made on production lines. So two of the the same brand and model will play and sound slightly different. Every guitar I have purchased, I end up taking to a luthier to have it setup correctly. I try to have the action lowered, because I like low action. I have never purchase a hand made guitar, so I cannot comment on them.

[MMMURRAY]

Thanks for the reply. I’m planning on going to a couple of guitar/music stores to try a few. However, I’m still fairly new to this process since I’ve only started 12 weeks ago. I’ve ordered a Zager 50CE which gives a 30 day trial to return and I hear are good beginners guitars. Have you ever heard of them? Also I don’t understand what “Action” means on a guitar. Could you please explain. Thank you.