Anyone ever heard of Zager guitars???

[Spiritinthesky2k]

I have been looking at buying an acoustic (martin and Taylor mainly) And I ran across zager acoustics online. I know that they upgrade "sigma" guitars, the Marting knockoff and they also have thier own line of acoustics but other than the Zager website I can't find much info on them. Does anyone have any experience with them? Or know someone who has one? Any opinions on sound quality and performance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Bytor1975]

Ah.. Zager String Science! :lol: I have read alot about them on some of the other message boards, particularly the acoustic boards. Most of the general opinions are that you are paying alot of money for a $20-$40 setup that you can get from any decent tech at a music store. Hell, many stores will do what they do for free if you buy from them. Don't believe all of the hype on his website.

If you are in the Martin and Taylor price range, you aren't going to need any of these upgrades anyhow. :smoke:

[nothin but the blues]

:iagree: .............

[Spiritinthesky2k]

thank you VERY much for the info.

[Bytor1975]

Anything in particular you are looking for in an acoustic guitar, as far as shapes, styles, woods, or construction? What model Martins or Taylors have you considered?

[Spiritinthesky2k]

Anything in particular you are looking for in an acoustic guitar, as far as shapes, styles, woods, or construction? What model Martins or Taylors have you considered?I'm probably going for a dreadnaught but would concider a grand auditorium if the price is right. As far as woods solid spruce or mahogany top and either solid rosewood or mahogany back and sides. I really like the Taylor 310 but it's a little pricey for me new but if I can find one on e-bay maybe.... I'll probably end up with a 210. I also like the martin D-15 and D-16 :guitar:

[Bytor1975]

My main acoustic is a Taylor 314ce, which is pretty close to the 310. The 314ce is the Grand Auditorium cutaway as opposed to the Dreadnaught with electronics. But it has the exact same neck, and they are made from the same materials.
http://www.geocities.com/bytor1975.geo/Taylor314ce_small.gif
I love the guitar, and it is exactly what I needed. It came down to me choosing a Taylor or Martin, and the music store had a Taylor room and a Martin room. My budget was $1400 and I just went back from one room to the other comparing without playing anything over my price range (never do that or it will screw you up!)

I left and made a few return visits over the next week and still came to the same conclusion that I wanted the 314ce. I had them get me a new one out of the back that hadn't been played, went over it and took her home. The sound wonderful, but a bit more modern than a Martin in my opinion, but the neck is what really sold me. The construction is flawless.

My next guitar purchase (that I have planned at least) should be this summer or early fall, and will be a Mahogany Baby Taylor.

[TexMexMike]

I'm probably going for a dreadnaught but would concider a grand auditorium if the price is right. As far as woods solid spruce or mahogany top and either solid rosewood or mahogany back and sides. I really like the Taylor 310 but it's a little pricey for me new but if I can find one on e-bay maybe.... I'll probably end up with a 210. I also like the martin D-15 and D-16 :guitar:

All of them are very nice choices! I tend to prefer Martins traditional sound versus Taylors more modern harmonics. Out of the box, most Taylors have a lower factory set-up and are a bit easier to play.

Keep A/Bing your choices until you find the guitar that truly speaks to you. Then you will be a happy camper! :thumbsup:

BTW: I agree with comments on the "Zager " guitar. More of a great marketing approach than anything.

[nothin but the blues]

Zager is like Esteban with some credentials... Ok he had one hit song (which I don't care for at all) when TexMexMike was a wee lad.

The guitars Zager sells are not bad guitars by any means (not sure about "his" model, but the models he puts his "string science" on and then sells them for more than they sell for normally are decent ones).

Where as Esteban is a complete fraud, Denny (I think thats his name right?) uses good beginner guitars. The only scammish thing about it, is him selling his "String Science" as being something so spectacular, or something he invented. It's kinda like Al Gore inventing the Internet...

Martin D-15's, 000-15's, and even Martin's 16 Series guitars are all great guitars for around $1,000, or just below.

and yes... there are some great Taylors around that price range too.. *sigh* :lol:

[TexMexMike]

Zager is like Esteban with some credentials... Ok he had one hit song (which I don't care for at all) when TexMexMike was a wee lad.

The guitars Zager sells are not bad guitars by any means (not sure about "his" model, but the models he puts his "string science" on and then sells them for more than they sell for normally are decent ones).

Where as Esteban is a complete fraud, Denny (I think thats his name right?) uses good beginner guitars. The only scammish thing about it, is him selling his "String Science" as being something so spectacular, or something he invented.

Martin D-15's, 000-15's, and even Martin's 16 Series guitars are all great guitars for around $1,000, or just below.

and yes... there are some great Taylors around that price range too.. *sigh* :lol:

Come on Erik! We all know that the Esteban legacy model is just like that $5,000 guitar! Hand made, beautiful rosette and made with the finest cardboard available! :nod: :bannana_g

[nothin but the blues]

Come on Erik! We all know that the Esteban legacy model is just like that $5,000 guitar! Hand made, beautiful rosette and made with the finest cardboard available! :nod: :bannana_gI got the "Deluxe Limited Edition" one... mine is made out of particle board

[Spiritinthesky2k]

Well I went to the sam ash near me and played a couple taylors and martins. While both make nice guitars I think I am gravitating towards the taylor 210. Nice sound, all solid woods(the 110 has lainate back and sides) all around a nice guitar. Of course the 214 auditorium is really nice too. Is it true that auditoriun style guitars are geared more towards fingerpicking? It sounded really good while strumming. Decisions...Decisions...Decisions This is killing me, But at least it's a fun death...LOL:rlol:

[nothin but the blues]

Well I went to the sam ash near me and played a couple taylors and martins. While both make nice guitars I think I am gravitating towards the taylor 210. Nice sound, all solid woods(the 110 has lainate back and sides) all around a nice guitar. Of course the 214 auditorium is really nice too. Is it true that auditoriun style guitars are geared more towards fingerpicking? It sounded really good while strumming. Decisions...Decisions...Decisions This is killing me, But at least it's a fun death...LOL:rlol:Ahhh the hunt... never ending hunt really. Enjoy it, it is much fun!

Finger Stylist do in general prefer small bodied guitars. Such as OM's. 000's, 00's, etc. They are much more comfortable to hold, and easier for most to position they're fingerpicking hand. Many finger players really like small bodied guitars, with a short scale of 24.9, and a 1 3/4" width at the nut.

The short scale allows for less tension on the strings, making them softer if you will... easier to bend and or chord.

The 1 3/4" nut width, will space your strings a little futher apart from each other, allowing easier access to the strings without your fingers hitting un-wanted strings, making they're over all playing much cleaner.

A small bodied guitar will not be as bassy as a dreadnaught, however most of the time it is much more punchy. Very balanced tone all the way down, and cleaner note seperation, which is what most fingerpickers are looking for sound wise. Of course you can strum them too, and they do sound good (well too me anyway), but typically won't sound as good as a Dreadnaught when strummed.

I have 6 small bodied guitars, and 1 Dreadnaught... so I guess that tells ya what I prefer :lol:

Good luck with hunt! :thumbsup:

[Spiritinthesky2k]

Well, The hunt has ended. I went to the local guitar center last night(could'nt wait till saturday..LOL) and spent two hours playing everything in my price-range. I tried dreadnaughts and auditorium styles. Everything from $200 fenders to $1200 martins and finally decided on the Taylor 110. :guitar: It was just a matter of elimination. The 110 sounds awesome and plays fantastic. All I have left to do is get it set up on saturday.

I just want to say thanx to all the people who gave they're advice and sugestions. It really helped alot.:nod:

[Bytor1975]

Cool! Glad it all worked out! You did the right thing, just take your time and play what you can afford, it will make you happier in the long run.

Please post some pictures of the guitar when you get the chance! We loooove pictures on here!

(Oh... an welcome to the Taylor family! Be sure to fill out the warranty card so you can receive their Wood & Steel newsletter. It is a great little publication!)

[TexMexMike]

Congrats on the Taylor 110! A heck of a lot of guitar for the money! :thumbsup:

[Spiritinthesky2k]

Cool! Glad it all worked out! You did the right thing, just take your time and play what you can afford, it will make you happier in the long run.

Please post some pictures of the guitar when you get the chance! We loooove pictures on here!

(Oh... an welcome to the Taylor family! Be sure to fill out the warranty card so you can receive their Wood & Steel newsletter. It is a great little publication!)I would love to post a pic, I just can't figure out how

[Bytor1975]

Well, if you have a website, upload it there, then when you post a message on here click the Picture link and copy and paste the link.

The easiest thing is to creat an account at www.photobucket.com and when you upload it there it will give you the code to use or paste on here. It is free and is pretty easy to work. That is how I have been posting pictures on here.

[Spiritinthesky2k]

Thanx for the info jason... Here's a pic of my 110..http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/spiritinthesky2k/Taylor2.jpg

[Bytor1975]

Nice Spirit! Do those come with a gig bag that is similar to the Baby Taylors (a paded tan colored bag with embroidered TAYLOR on the front?)

[Spiritinthesky2k]

Nice Spirit! Do those come with a gig bag that is similar to the Baby Taylors (a paded tan colored bag with embroidered TAYLOR on the front?)Yes they do. Gig bag and a trussrod tool. The sales guy offered me a hardshell case minus the price of the gigbag but since i already have one i took the bag.

[Bytor1975]

I just looked at your profile and saw that you are a painter... which is intersting because the color of your walls really struck me as I was looking at your photos. What color is that called and where did you get that paint? I am about to remodel a guestroom and that is kind of the color I have had floating around in my head. I'm gonna have to show the wife... see if that is what she is thinking too. Probably not. But worth a shot! LOL!

[Spiritinthesky2k]

I just looked at your profile and saw that you are a painter... which is intersting because the color of your walls really struck me as I was looking at your photos. What color is that called and where did you get that paint? I am about to remodel a guestroom and that is kind of the color I have had floating around in my head. I'm gonna have to show the wife... see if that is what she is thinking too. Probably not. But worth a shot! LOL!Hey Jason,
The color is called "Tatami Tan" in satin-egshell and it is from Sherwin Williams. To offset the darker color of the walls I did the ceiling in extra white flat and the woodwork in extra white semi-gloss. The room really "pops" now.
Hope this helps and good luck with the remodel.

[Bytor1975]

Thanks man.. I'll have to look into it.

[TexMexMike]

I just looked at your profile and saw that you are a painter... which is intersting because the color of your walls really struck me as I was looking at your photos. What color is that called and where did you get that paint? I am about to remodel a guestroom and that is kind of the color I have had floating around in my head. I'm gonna have to show the wife... see if that is what she is thinking too. Probably not. But worth a shot! LOL!

This is too funny! We are in the process of painting the inside of our house. The wife wants to add "color." Saw Spirit's pic and show'd it to the wife. She really liked it! Looks like a perfect color for our living room! :nod:

[Bytor1975]

After our trip to Arizona last month, we have been inspired to some sort of southwest theme in the guestroom. It will make my lizard happier too I think! Bought a bunch of sand art pictures while were were out there, and alot of other odds and ends. It is gonna be tough, because up until now that was my Star Wars room.... :sad:

[Spiritinthesky2k]

This is too funny! We are in the process of painting the inside of our house. The wife wants to add "color." Saw Spirit's pic and show'd it to the wife. She really liked it! Looks like a perfect color for our living room! :nod:Color is really "in" these days. I do alot of upscale homes and everyone is going with the deep browns, reds, blues and greens. I am going to accent one wall and the soffets with a reverse rag faux two shades lighter. It's gonna look sharp.

[Justpickin]

reverse rag faux

Now theres something I never thought I read in a guitar forum. Although I think I did see Steve Vai do that once on his Ibanez........ :smoke:

[Spiritinthesky2k]

Now theres something I never thought I read in a guitar forum. Although I think I did see Steve Vai do that once on his Ibanez........ :smoke:LOL..........:rlol: