Zager Guitars gets a wide range of reactions depending on where you look. Trustpilot shows the brand near a perfect score across 361 reviews. A worthepenny aggregator shows 5.0 from 185 reviews. SmartCustomer shows 4.1 from 804 reviews. And on ComplaintsBoard and the Better Business Bureau, there’s a real trail of unresolved shipping delays, unresponsive customer service, and at least one customer describing a 1-star experience. That gap between platforms is exactly why this review exists, to look at both sides honestly before you spend $1,000 or more on a guitar.
The Founder Story
Denny Zager is a real, established musician, half of Zager and Evans, the duo behind the 1969 hit “In the Year 2525.” After years of performing, he developed finger pain and fatigue from traditional guitar necks and set out to fix it, lowering string action and adjusting fret placement until the guitar was noticeably easier to fret cleanly. That engineering became the foundation of the company, and it’s a real, verifiable backstory rather than invented marketing.
What the Reviews Actually Say
On the positive side, the volume of praise is genuine and specific. A guitarist with rheumatoid arthritis in her wrists and hands wrote that Zager’s picks specifically help her keep playing despite her condition. A studio musician using a ZAD900CE since 2017 reported no complaints after nearly six years of regular use. A JamPlay review team that spent close to a month testing the lineup called every model well built and impeccably set up, and noted comparable sound and playability elsewhere would often cost significantly more.
On the negative side, the complaints are also specific and worth taking seriously. BBB records show a customer who ordered a ZAD900 for $1,995 and reported being unable to get a response after multiple emails, texts, and voicemails, receiving only a form email about the company’s customer service reputation. ComplaintsBoard has a review describing a guitar arriving with visible defects and a difficult resolution process. Another long-term owner reported waiting over 24 hours for a chat response about a broken bridge repair on a guitar purchased 19 years earlier, and mentioned a luthier’s suspicion that the guitar’s back and sides may have been made overseas despite the Zager branding.
Zager does respond to BBB complaints and Trustpilot shows the company replies to 100 percent of negative reviews, typically within 24 hours. Several BBB cases show refunds issued once escalated. But “responds once you escalate to the Better Business Bureau” is a meaningfully different customer experience than “responds promptly the first time you email.”
What “Easy Play” Actually Delivers
The core design claim, lower action and reduced finger pressure, checks out consistently across both critical and positive reviews. Even reviewers frustrated with shipping or communication generally don’t dispute that the guitars themselves play comfortably once they arrive. This appears to be the one claim that survives scrutiny from nearly every source.
Models and Real Pricing
The ZAD20 series sits at the entry level for players who want the easy-play setup without a large investment. The ZAD80 and ZAD80CE come up repeatedly as the value sweet spot, with the electric version historically priced around $995, featuring a Western Red Cedar top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, and a Fishman electronics package. The ZAD900 series sits at the top of the range, with BBB records showing at least one customer paying $1,995 for that model. Scratch and dent sales and buy-one-get-one promotions run periodically and can meaningfully lower the price for buyers willing to accept minor cosmetic imperfections.
The Real Drawbacks
Shipping timelines run longer than a retail purchase, since these are built and set up before shipping rather than pulled from shelf stock. Customer service response times are inconsistent, some buyers report quick, helpful replies, others report needing to escalate to the BBB before getting a resolution. And you cannot try one in person before buying, though the 30-day trial and money-back guarantee reduce that risk somewhat, and BBB records confirm the company does honor refunds once a complaint is formally filed.
Who Should Buy From Zager
This brand fits players motivated primarily by comfort, beginners discouraged by finger soreness, older players, or anyone managing arthritis, who are also comfortable with a longer wait and are prepared to be persistent if a customer service issue comes up. It’s a weaker fit for buyers who prioritize fast, easy communication or who want to physically try an instrument before committing real money.
The Verdict
The actual guitars, by nearly every account including critical ones, deliver on the core comfort promise. The company’s customer service is the real inconsistency, some buyers get fast, attentive support, others end up filing a BBB complaint to get a response. Go in with realistic expectations about both, be patient with shipping, keep records of your communication, and use the 30-day trial as real protection rather than a formality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Zager Guitars any good?
The guitars themselves are consistently praised for playability and comfort, even by reviewers who had negative experiences with customer service. The instrument and the buying experience are two separate things worth evaluating.
Are there real complaints about Zager Guitars?
Yes. BBB and ComplaintsBoard records show real cases of slow or unresponsive customer service, though the company does appear to resolve most issues once formally escalated.
How much does a Zager guitar cost?
The ZAD80 series has historically run around $995, while the flagship ZAD900 series has been priced near $1,995. Sales and promotions run periodically.
Is Zager Guitars legit?
Yes, it’s a real, decades-old company founded by a genuine recording artist. It’s not a scam, but buyers should expect longer shipping times and be prepared to follow up if customer service is slow to respond.
