American-made guitars used to be the top choice for guitarists all over the world for years. They were known for the finest craftsmanship and used premium materials in their construction. However, over the past couple of decades, the manufacturers have started outsourcing production internationally.
Zager has been in the market for quite some time now. They are known to produce some fantastic guitars that are easily as good as guitars twice their price. Many people have been questioning whether they are truly made in the USA.
Although many markets like China and Vietnam are now loved for producing great guitars, there are still some who prefer proper American-made guitars. So let’s discuss how Zager Guitars compare to its competition and get down to the bottom of their manufacturing origins!
Let’s Know Zager Guitars First!
History of Zager Guitars
Famous guitarist from music duo Zager & Evans, Denny Zager is best known for this hit single “In the Year 2525.” After having a successful career in music, he moved on to creating guitars himself. Originally she was not a fan of guitars from before. He had modified his guitar to suit his preferences which eventually led him to create this brand. The Zager guitar company was established in Lincoln, Nebraska, and continues to operate here.
Philosophy and Mission
Zager Guitars promises high-quality guitars that have features to make them easy to play. No matter which price range a Zager guitar falls in, you have a guarantee of easy playability. Denny Zager used to face problems playing his guitar complaining they were difficult to handle. He had a mission to make guitars that could be played by guitarists of any skill level with ease.
Eventually, this philosophy led to the creation of Zager’s custom hand-built guitars. These guitars boast unique features like low-string action and a custom neck design. They are more ergonomic than most other guitars in the market making them easy to play for both beginners and professionals. With this, they have carved a niche in the market which is growing as days pass.
Zager’s Reputation in the Guitar Community
In the guitar community, Zager guitars are loved for their consistent quality and craftsmanship. Users love that they are hand-built with great attention to detail. Whether you buy a top-of-the-line model or an entry-level one, Zager guitars have a uniform quality and use high-quality materials.
Endorsements And Customer Satisfaction
Looking into what customers have to say about Zager, the overall verdict is very positive. Apart from their well-made guitars, they also have great after-sales service. Many famous guitarists like Guy Swinnen from The Scabs praised Zager Guitars for their exceptional build. Chris Lester, guitarist of the band Godsmack also endorsed Zager for producing guitars that easily surpass the quality of premium guitars. Testimonies like these, and many more, solidify Zager’s place in the market.
Where Are Zager Guitars Made?
Zager Guitars have been manufactured in Lincoln, Nebraska in their workshop for the past decade or more. This is where they design and handcraft most of their guitars.
Although they do not have any partnerships with other manufacturers, some Zager guitars are manufactured in Indonesia. Any guitar that has “Zager” written on the headstock is made in the USA. If the headstock says “Easy Play” it means that this guitar was manufactured in Indonesia.
Outsourcing manufacturing internationally helps keep the price low as materials can be sourced for cheaper. That does not mean that the quality is hampered in any way. This strategy has worked for many big brands in the market as it balances quality with cost-effectiveness.
Some of the components in a Zager Guitar are sourced locally. The electronics in the guitar are sourced from Korea. The body and wood may be sourced from out of the country due to lower cost. However, whether it is made locally or internationally, Zager guitars have the final touch from Denny Zager himself, at least for the premium models.
They often use premium tonewoods like African Mahogany, Sitka Spruce, and rosewood for their guitars which not only sound good but can also stand the test of time.
USA-Made Certification for Zager Guitars
Governed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the “Made in the USA” certification requires products to be made fully in the USA. This also includes the labor that is employed for it. To qualify for this, products cannot have anything foreign.
Zager guitars are assembled in the USA with parts coming in from all over the world. Some limited models are made with materials from the USA only.
The Importance of American-Made Guitars
American-made guitars are known to be of the finest quality and were built to last. However, because of globalization, many other countries now have grown to be a great place to have guitars manufactured. To some extent, they can even be better than their American counterparts.
Having said that, American guitars are still highly sought after and can reach very high prices. Most of the price gets marked up due to the “Made in The USA” certification.
American-made guitars are still very popular but the demand for them may be reserved for the more premium segment of buyers.
Economic and Ethical Considerations
Here are some reasons why you can opt for American-made guitars over one made internationally.
- Economic Support: Buying an All-American guitar can support local jobs and help the economy grow overall.
- Economic Stimulation: Spending money on buying products made locally keeps the money circulating within the economy.
- Balance of Trade: Buying an American-made guitar can reduce the demand for imports which plays a big role in balancing the national trade deficit. However, it is also worth noting that many guitars are also exported.
- Lower price: It is cheaper to produce a guitar internationally than locally in America. Materials used are cheaper, and taxes are lower resulting in less money spent by consumers.
Ethical Considerations
- Support Local Craftsmanship: Buying an American-made guitar does not mean you only help local craftsmanship. American luthiers have years of experience that international ones may not have. In a way, you support the culture of guitar-making in the USA.
- Quality and Sustainability: Guitars made in the USA follow higher standards because of manufacturing guidelines. As a result, you are guaranteed a guitar that is superior to any other.
- Fair Labor Practices: Another interesting thing to consider is that it is morally ethical when you buy a guitar made in America. Guitars made in America are made under strict labor laws. Guitars made internationally may not be made the same in some places, and the labor force remains underpaid
Zager Guitars vs. Other American-Made Guitars
Comparing Zager’s flagship to other big names in the guitar world.
| Feature | Zager ZAD900 | Martin D-28 | Taylor 814ce | Gibson J-45 |
| Top Material | Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Material | Indian Rosewood | East Indian Rosewood | Indian Rosewood | Mahogany |
| Neck Material | Mahogany | Select Hardwood | Tropical Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood | Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony | Rosewood |
| Tuning Machines | Grover Tuners | Open Gear Tuners | Taylor Nickel Tuners | Grover Rotomatic Tuners |
| Pickup System | Fishman Aura | None | Expression System 2 | LR Baggs VTC |
| Finish | Natural Gloss | Aged Toner | Gloss 3.5 | Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Price Range | $1,500 – $2,000 | $3,000 – $3,500 | $3,500 – $4,000 | $2,500 – $3,000 |
Authentic Customer Reviews and Feedback
John T. from Portland, Oregon, shared his love for his Zager guitar. They praised it for using a solid mahogany construction. He loved the sustain and resonance he got despite its smaller size. He also praised the build and sound quality He compared to other travel-sized guitars.
Another user, Al Z from Tulsa, Oklahoma, spoke about his personal Zager ZAD50CE. He emphasized that it was nothing like any of the other guitars he’s owned. He loved the sound quality right out of the box, especially the deep bass it had despite being a cutaway. The cherry on top for him was the comfortable neck that made it easy to play as advertised. He gave the guitar a “10+ out of ten.”
Authentic Testimonials
Jim Boyd of the Jim Boyd Band
Jim Boyd had compared his usual Gibson and Fender guitars to a Zager guitar.
He used one during recordings and loved the superior sound and ease of play to the point where he favored it over his Gibson.
Zager Easy Play ZAD80 vs $3500 Gibson J-185…40 year pro honest opinion
Guy Swinnen, The Scabs
Guy Swinnen, a Belgian rock musician from the band The Scabs, praised the guitar for its ease of play, excellent sound quality, and balance across different tones.
He suffers from arthritis and praised how his Zager guitar made it easy for him to play the guitar compared to his other guitars.
Guy Swinnen reviews Zager guitars
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Zager Guitars made in the USA?
Not all Zager guitars are made in the USA. Most of them are assembled in Nebraska in their factory. Their “Easy Play” guitars however are made in Indonesia and quality-checked in the USA.
What makes Zager Guitars different from other American-made guitars?
Zager guitars are loved for being easy to play. This is great for beginners or those who have arthritis. The easy play features include custom string spacing and a custom bracing system. As a result, you get a guitar that is less straining on your hands. To make things even better, Zager offers a 100% money-back guarantee if the guitar is not to your liking.
How does the origin of a guitar affect its quality?
If a guitar is manufactured right, the origins of a guitar should not affect quality. However, cheaper guitars from all over the world may lack the expertise, premium materials, and finish of an American-made guitar.
Can I visit the Zager factory or showroom in the USA?
At the moment there are no facilities for factory tours at the Zager facilities. Instead, they pioneer in engaging with customers through direct contact through online platforms. Their customer service is another thing to boast about.
Is it worth paying extra for an American-made guitar?
If the price difference is too big, it is worth paying the extra for an American-made guitar. American guitars are made by luthiers who have years of experience. This is something that has no comparison to most international luthiers.
Who plays Zager guitars?
Guitarists Guy Swinnen, Andre Coutu, and Albert Cummins are just a few of the many other artists who play Zager Guitars.
