Is This Guitar The Martin D-18 Killer? | Zager Guitars ZAD50CE Dreadnought Acoustic

Check out the Zager Guitars ZAD50CE HERE: zagerguitar.com/guitars/zad50...
Patreon: / robertsguitardungeon
For a one-time donation: www.paypal.me/robertsguitardu...
Robert's Guitar Dungeon Merch Store on Teespring:
teespring.com/stores/rgd-merc...
Share The Music: sharethemusicindiana
Facebook: robertsguitardungeon / @robertsguitardungeon
Twitter: @RsGuitarDungeon
Email: [e-mail]
All eCommerce links are through affiliates.
All of the gear used in my videos is available on my Amazon Influencer page! www.amazon.com/shop/bcrichgui...
eBay link: ebay.to/31SGaeX
MAGIX & VEGAS Creative Software: goo.gl/axHHbV
Other Gear Used In This Video:
Zager Guitars ZAD50CE Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar: zagerguitar.com/guitars/zad50...
Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone: amzn.to/413NaVI
Sterling Audio SL230MP Condenser Microphone: ebay.us/5zTLdS
Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera: amzn.to/3wriBut
Rode Wireless Go II: amzn.to/3L9JIj9
Rode Lavalier Go Microphone: amzn.to/36PgyHi

[@24avenged24]

I've tried to get a straight answer out of Zager before about where these guitars are actually made, and they refuse to give a straight answer. Phil McKnight has said the same thing in his livestream at some point, saying it's part of why he wont look at one. So did they actually give you any information/evidence of these being USA made guitars? I assume you did that type of due diligence after they reached out to you...

[@RobertWJackson]

I actually got that answer after I posted the video, but the short answer is “Yes…..sort of.” They CNC some parts in the U.S. and some in Indonesia, which isn’t an uncommon practice for guitar makers. But they appear to be all built and assembled in the U.S. Below is the exact verbiage that they sent me via email regarding the matter… 2) These guitars are all made in the U.S. in Lincoln, Nebraska, correct? - Zager Guitars is a family owned third generation guitar builder. who's been building guitars in Lincoln Nebraska since 1902. Zager is rated in the top 5% of all guitar brands and has been featured on Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX and a multitude of national and international news media. Zager also donates over $1M in guitars to children and public schools nationally, more than any other acoustic guitar maker. To achieve the levels of playability that Zager guitars deliver it requires what's called a "precision build." This means computer-controlled milling, laser guided cutting, and robotic sanding and finish application. Bob Taylor of Taylor guitars uses robotic building on their most expensive models because a computer build is always more precise than a hand build. Denny Zager also uses robotic building but does one thing differently. Where Taylor keeps their machines in Mexico and the US, Mr. Zager keeps his in the US and Indonesia where wood and materials for guitar building are 50% lower in price. In this way you receive a guitar with the most cutting edge technology available today for $3000 instead of $6000-$10,000. Because Mr. Zager sources some materials outside of the USA, due to new laws he can no longer say his guitars are entirely made in the USA. Many guitar companies are grappling with this issue as they too are trying to keep prices low for their customers www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391753 Our childrens guitars we donate to public schools are fully built in Indonesia as we can donate twice as many this way. lps.org/post/detail.cfm?id=14385

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Under NO circumstances are these made even 20% in the USA. Everything about this company is sketchy. None of the big channels can do the reviews because they can't be bought off (at least, not by zager). Btw, a $350 Yamaha is 99% of the time flawless! Not hard to make a $750 Indonesian guitar and then have a one hit wonder sign it and tell you it's family owned and in business since 1902 YET, no one plays them. They have also refused to answer or return ANY of my messages which were complimentary and inviting. They never give a straight answer. Save your money and buy a $900 Washburn, Ibanez or Yamaha and get a better instrument for way cheaper

[@67Jazzmaster]

Made in Indonesia and tweaked in USA. I took one in on trade and it clearly states it on the bass of the neck in the sound hole. It is hard to see but it is clearly there. The guitar is ok. Resale sucks on them, so if you're going to invest in a high end guitar, buy a Martin, Taylor, Boucher, or other real custom guitars. It was setup with light strings. I ended up doing my own setup on it. When they won't clearly state where it is made then take it as it is not made in the USA and they are trying to hide the origin. Snake oil salesmen IMO.

[@braydonchrisope8135]

This is a response i got after canceling my order when i found out they were not made in America. Turns they aren't even close to made in America. Hi Braydon, I will cancel and refund your order immediately. We rarely have a cancellation so if we did something wrong or you felt you weren't treated well by my family in any way please let me know. Apologies for the long response but we have to be detailed on this answer or we get into trouble. For 50 years we were able to say "Made in the USA" but new laws are now preventing this. Zager Guitars is a family owned third generation guitar builder who's been building guitars in Lincoln Nebraska in 1902. Zager is rated in the top 5% of all guitar brands and has been featured on Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX and a multitude of national and international news media. Zager also donates over $1M in guitars to children and public schools nationally, more than any other acoustic guitar maker. lps.org/post/detail.cfm?id=14385 To achieve the levels of playability that Zager guitars deliver it requires what's called a "precision build." This means computer-controlled milling, laser guided cutting, and robotic sanding and finish application on many parts. Bob Taylor of Taylor guitars uses robotic building on their most expensive models because computer built parts are always more precise than hand built parts. Denny Zager uses robotic building on all of his models, but does one thing differently. Where Taylor keeps their machines in Mexico and the US, Mr. Zager keeps his in Indonesia where wood and materials for guitar building are 50% lower in price. In this way you receive a guitar with the most cutting edge technology available today for $3000 instead of $6000-10,000. As Mr. Zager sources materials from all around the world, new laws prohibit him from saying his guitars are fully made in the USA. Many companies are grappling with this issue as they too are trying to keep prices low for their customers www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391753 Mr. Zager tries to buy his parts and materials in the USA but some can only be found overseas.

[@stevebernard221]

I dont think the D-18 got anything to worry about. Thanks for posting!

[@karlburmeister1552]

Ya, I was gonna say this. Not in the same league.

[@chadc6105]

Yes, I wish they sent you their top model, this would have been a better comparison. Great post!!!

[@sallywasagoodolgal]

I have a D-18 (and some other good guitars). I like to play and listen to my Zager more. Just me, I guess. Or maybe just MY particular Zager, but it's really easy to play for a long time, and it has a beautiful sound. I've had it about 5-6 years.

[@stevebernard221]

@sallywasagoodolgal that's excellent. I have many guitars as well and each have their own thing. With respect to set up though, I have all mine set up to play (feel) similar.

[@victormarinelli5660]

In an acoustic build, there are elements that benefit from the personal touch of a seasoned luthier. Once the design has been perfected, CNC for everything else. Outside of the QC of the build materials, the precision of CNC machines helps builders' great instruments that sound and feel more consistent within a specific production model. CNC helps builders create great instruments at reasonable price points. Definitely a good thing. IMO

[@anthonylane9547]

Robert, I own 2 Zagers Zad20, 1 full solid wood Mahogany the other Spruce/ Mahogany. Ive had these for 7 years now and they sound even better now they've opened up. Also, no issues with anything on both guitars. Stood the test of time so far.

[@armchairzen]

I bought a Zager. Paid $1,000 and got a guitar with high action and a buzzing open B string. I called, and was told "sometimes the woods are green and still curing." Never heard that from Martin. Then I was told I could go to the website for instructions on how to crank up the truss rod excessively to make up for the bad action (though the B string was already buzzing). Never heard that from Gibson. Then I was told Zager would upgrade me for free to the next level of green, warped and uncured guitars. I declined. There seems to be a lot of smoke and mirrors and snake oil surrounding Zager. I was sold all the Americana of a shop in Nebraska, then was shipped a guitar from "Zager International" in Nevada. Aside from the QC issue, they may make some good guitars, and we'll see how the green and yet-seasoning woods do over time. For the same money I can own an American-made Taylor, Martin or Gibson. So why settle for less?

[@mtguitar5150]

I would probably follow that 24 hour rule with any acoustic especially anything near or over a grand

[@CarlGoldmam]

Loved your dog making a cameo😂😂Besides that it sounds very good. That burst is very 🔥🔥🔥Thx Robert🎸

[@ZagerGuitar]

You make it look so effortless! Keep up the amazing work.

[@RobertWJackson]

Thank you! Will do!

[@thomas0101]

I just bought this EXACT guitar from Zager and the box arrived just like yours did with the top open... The guitar was in mint condition though no damage.

[@tompurcell9287]

Guitar sounds great. Played well. Clean and articulate. As you demonstrated, wide range of tones and sounds available. I have all four models (20,50,80,900) and they are great. Compare well with the high end Martins, Gibsons, Collings, Bourgeois guitars I also have.

[@barrymiller2272]

That's a fine instrument. I'm a Gibson snob, and own a J-200. Also I'm currently in the market for a J-45 type acoustic...and i believe you just sold me on one of these. Nice fit/finish...sounds great..looks great and looks expensive! But it comes in 2k under what i was getting ready to buy. Perfect timing for me...thanks. I'll tell ya when i get it..👍🏻👍🏻😁

[@JustChiminin]

I purchased the same model about a month ago. Been giging with it regularly. It's a fine instrument, sounds great amplified. I've allowed other players to handle it and they are always impressed with it's playability. The company's marketing is a bit over the top and possibly deceptive. Maybe this is by design to compete in very crowded marketplace. Just my 2 cents . .

[@trevavaile]

Stunning

[@archer4556]

Well alright, that was something different...thanks for that review Robert.

[@user-ht9ss4qg9v]

That guitar sounds awesome to me! Don’t know how the Martin and Taylor guitars sound, but this one is a fine guitar-in my opinion!

[@skeeterman7144]

Reading comments. I’ve played for 61 years owning US and out of country made guitars. Heard these are Indonesia made for the most part. And Indonesia puts out very good quality. Nothing to be embarrassed about. The best thing Zager can do is to be more forthcoming and show how these guitars are made. Put the drama behind you. Just be transparent.

[@ianinindy1165]

It's a nice suggestion choice if you're in the market for an acoustic guitar. Which I've been thinking about. Of course, the CE stands for cutaway electronics. Yeah, I knew that. 😉

[@216trixie]

Thanks for having the class to play Stairway!

[@michaelsmith9544]

I have the 900ce and its great. #19 numbered by hand.

[@scottybrowndotca]

Hey Robert .. I work for a logistics company in Canada, and I'm always happy to answer delivery questions :) In all likelihood, Fedex drivers do not travel with tape *in* their vehicles as a loss prevention measure .. It assists in preventing a corrupt driver from cracking open packages, looking inside, taking things the driver might want and then sealing it so it looks like it did when it shipped .. Now, IMO, that package should have been checked and sealed *prior* to getting on the truck in the first place, especially since it is absurdly clear that it's a musical instrument .. As for the upside-down drop off, I can't defend that part .. lol .. That's just NGAF ..

[@badhabit8824]

First off I believe you. However, it is absolutely pitiful FedEx has to choose between allowing packing tape to be on the truck and not allowing packing tape to be on the truck because their drivers steal things. You can't trust the driver with packing tape? What the hell?? In other words, "it would be nice if we could put packing tape on the truck for situations like this but because people are stealing things we can't"

[@MelodyMaker218]

Hell yeah, that is a sweet guitar

[@pickersgrip]

NIce Robert!!

[@trevavaile]

It’s my favorite color

[@davidmini3606]

they look like nice guitars Robert..they were offering a few months back a buy 1get 1 free

[@SH-fm5eu]

Sounds like they are where Taylor was at in 78 or 79 and man do I have regrets but I had just started playing and didnt have 350 dollars for a no name guitar, I could get a 66 Jaguar for that! That is one sweet looking guitar, always a shameless sucker for nice flame tops and well figured sides and backs. Looks like quite a bit for the ducats!

[@epistaxis1395]

Buying the same acoustic used today. Sold my Taylor 110CE to fund it

[@RobertWJackson]

Nice!

[@darrellminx5459]

Nice guitar. Sounds good . Maybe a nice rythem guitar.

[@howardcunniffe8738]

I'm glad when your guitar came, it was shipped in a hard shell case. Showing us the damaged box from the Fed Ex driver says it all to me. If it wasn't for the hard shell case, your $1,400.00 guitar would have been toast. This is why I always say don't but a guitar on the internet.

[@kennylee1969]

I own the Zagar 900ce. Best guitar I've ever played. Worth the $2400

[@sallywasagoodolgal]

I've played a lot of guitars, too. I have some, and in the under $10,000. I would pick my 5-6 year old Zager as being the easiest to play of all of them, and having better sound than all but one or two of them. (I like what I like, so maybe it's just my personal preference.)

[@GaryBatchelder]

I have 2012 TeleSelect Custom Koa worth around $2,000.; thinking of selling it and getting the top of line Zagar

[@timmcelyea8467]

I bought 2 zager guitars and when i tracked the shipping details neither one ever shows being from Nebraska. They were both shipped from Las Vegas!!!

[@sgholt]

Now Zager will not leave you alone...they have been ignoring my unsubcribe requests for years :p....it is a very nice guitar, but I have plenty at the moment. Thanks Robert😄

[@nmtodorow]

Can you show the U.S.A stamp or label. Thanks

[@Rangerglx]

Being a beginner I wanted a guitar that would grow with my skill level. Feels like a great value, I love it. Is it American made? Buying American is important to me, its an American company?!

[@RobertWJackson]

Zager are not very forthcoming about that, I’ve discovered. If you ask them directly, they seem to give the same vague answer. What I can deduce from it is that many of the parts are CNC’ed in Indonesia, but assembled here in the U.S., but again I’m not positive. They won’t just come out and say where everything is made and assembled.

[@tomthumb5688]

My opinion with zarger you will get a wow impression and everyone knows the quality but if I try to buy a $2000.00 guitar my self i want to talk directly to them before paying for it they seem to ignore me that troubles me texting on this doesn’t work for me . I want one of these but they don’t seem to want to get back to the buyer . To me anyway

[@user-ht9ss4qg9v]

It also helps that Robert is a great player. He could probably make a ten dollar Walmart guitar sound good! Timothy Brosnan

[@RafsGearReviews]

Zager guitars are not made in USA FYI. They are made overseas and worked on at the Zager shop.

[@RobertWJackson]

I discovered after posting this video that they are, indeed, very vague about that particular info about their company.

[@DaveCaulkins]

You’re absolutely right on everything you said. I have the ZAD80 and am so happy with every aspect of the Zager company and the instrument. It’s just to bad that there are people out there who bash Zager. I would not spend six figures for an acoustic that is overrated by name . I’m glad I made a good choice with a Zager high end pro guitar that is fabulous !

[@TennRides]

WTH? Which "six figures" guitar are you talking about????? I think Zager takes hits because they try and imply they are an American made guitar, they are NOT! They may set them up here, but they are MADE in some other country, probably communist China, maybe Korea. Why don't they stop trying to mislead people and be open and honest? Oh, sorry, I forgot, then they wouldn't be able to charge a small fortune for a cheap guitar, if people knew the truth about this guitar.

[@friedrudibega6384]

Uhg. Grandpas guitars. I think you know it. Good video.

[@garyshelly6555]

Stairway was not allowed to be played within the confines of a guitar store, you of all people should know that rule 😂😂😂

[@RobertWJackson]

I broke it many, MANY times just to piss off my coworkers. LOL

[@badhabit8824]

As soon as the guitar company is anything but direct and honest, I am done. These guitars are is built in indonesia. A complete body with a glued in neck arrives at the facility in Nebraska where they finish it up. That's not an American built guitar by any stretch of the imagination. If the verbiage is confusing enough that a KZbinr is also left under the impression that the guitar was built in America than there is a serious problem. My friend spent months of research deciding which guitar to get and finally had a Zager sent to his house for 2500 and I had to break the news to him that it was not built in America. Not cool. He didn't like it they wouldn't take it back and if I remember correctly he wound up letting it go for a few hundred bucks. Goodbye.

[@TennRides]

I wouldn't call this an "American Made" guitar! Zagler may tweak them in NE, but they are NOT made in the USA! If they were, they would not be so secretive about where the guitars themselves are actually produced, not just set up.

[@RobertWJackson]

This is the info that Zager sent me directly regarding this… To answer your questions 1) Are these guitars made with ALL solid wood? Including back and sides? No laminate? - For over 100 years the Zager family has used solid woods in the construction of the top, back and sides of all of their guitars. This is why Zager guitars sound better every year as they age where cheaper laminates do not. 2) These guitars are all made in the U.S. in Lincoln, Nebraska, correct? - Zager Guitars is a family owned third generation guitar builder. who's been building guitars in Lincoln Nebraska since 1902. Zager is rated in the top 5% of all guitar brands and has been featured on Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX and a multitude of national and international news media. Zager also donates over $1M in guitars to children and public schools nationally, more than any other acoustic guitar maker. To achieve the levels of playability that Zager guitars deliver it requires what's called a "precision build." This means computer-controlled milling, laser guided cutting, and robotic sanding and finish application. Bob Taylor of Taylor guitars uses robotic building on their most expensive models because a computer build is always more precise than a hand build. Denny Zager also uses robotic building but does one thing differently. Where Taylor keeps their machines in Mexico and the US, Mr. Zager keeps his in the US and Indonesia where wood and materials for guitar building are 50% lower in price. In this way you receive a guitar with the most cutting edge technology available today for $3000 instead of $6000-$10,000. Because Mr. Zager sources some materials outside of the USA, due to new laws he can no longer say his guitars are entirely made in the USA. Many guitar companies are grappling with this issue as they too are trying to keep prices low for their customers www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391753 Our childrens guitars we donate to public schools are fully built in Indonesia as we can donate twice as many this way. lps.org/post/detail.cfm?id=14385

[@TennRides]

@@RobertWJackson OK, now I trust them even less!!! To say that zager guitars is over 100 years old is absolute BS!!! Denny Zager, half of the one hit wonder team of Zager and Evans...Evans, not Zager, wrote the song 2525...and basically that was it. He started making guitars some time after that, It was not even remotely close to 100 years. Who, exactly is it that rated them in the top 5% of guitars? They mention numerous news outlets, including Time Magazine, trying to imply that those outlets say they are the top 5%, but that is not the case, it is just more deception. They are trying to say their guitars are in competition to Taylor and Martin, but they are NOT. This company is shady and all about misleading marketing. The more I learn, the more inclined I am to pass. I was hoping to ad another acoustic to my stable, but I think it will be with a different brand. If they ever sent me one to make a video about, being a lifelong player, I would be happy to give my honest opinion, but at this time, I don't see myself buying one.

[@RobertWJackson]

Sounds like you need to direct your displeasure at them, not me. Don’t shoot the messenger, bro. I didn’t even get paid for this video.

[@TennRides]

@@RobertWJackson I wasn't talking about you in any way. I was just to set the record straight on some of the falsehoods they told you.

[@RobertWJackson]

Fair enough. :)

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Finally got to see one of these in person!! An appearance was made in creter instruments in birdsbiro, pa. My suspicion was correct!!! $600 guitar, at best. The peolle claiming "its better than my martin, better than my gibson, etc" b&$$% please. You got scammed. They took it on trade and sold it for about $500 😂😂 I feel bad for them, but they said it only cost them $75 ish over the sale. Please listen to the 1000s upon 1000s of comments that will warn you that youre getting "estabon-ed"

[@RobertWJackson]

If you don’t care for them, fine. I get it. But comparing these guitars to an Esteban is HUGE stretch.

[@jimhudson556]

Good demo, I have used the SM-57 in the studio, so I found that useful. My question is did you have the EQ flat?

[@RobertWJackson]

I honestly don’t recall at this point. Most likely that’s what I did, but I can’t be sure.

[@gearmeister]

I'll say this about FedEx, they're #1 for a reason, they get 'er done, delivering guitars that hopefully won't be a box of broken toothpicks, the manufacturer should put "this side up" for the non shipping tape carrying, content destroying morons... Nice guitar & thankfully it's not toothpicks 😂😂😂

[@daveboydmusic744]

This isn't even a Seagull killer. Very average guitar. Sent mine back the next day after it arrived.

[@RobertWJackson]

k

[@Cr8z13]

Shame on anyone selling plywood for $1200

[@RobertWJackson]

These aren’t plywood, bro.

[@user-ev9qw3om1g]

If they're giving away a guitar someone is suckling someone .

[@RobertWJackson]

Who gave away a guitar?

[@Not-a-GSD]

If that’s your opinion, buy a $149 Chinese manufactured guitar have a good luthier replace the nut and bridge, level and crown the frets and give it a professional setup and you will get a better guitar than a Zager for less money. Zager guitars are Chinese guitars set up in the United States…

[@RobertWJackson]

k

[@kenfriedland4603]

D-18 killer, in my opinion not even close. How can you make a claim like that and not demonstrate both in your video to support your claim?

[@RobertWJackson]

What claim did I make that wasn’t supported? I’ll wait.

[@kenfriedland4603]

the title of your video suggests that you were comparing the Zager to a Martin D 18.

[@RobertWJackson]

@@kenfriedland4603 It’s a question in a video title designed to generate interest. The Zager ZAD50CE simply has some similar specs to a Martin D-18, nothing more. Asking a question to create interest in the video is not making a claim. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ZynDiesel]

Why are you always out of breath

[@RobertWJackson]

I’m never out of breath.