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Hands-On With the Zaar Cicero: Compact Design, Serious Performance

Edward Schooley
Posted: June 1, 2026
Zaar Cicero | Guitar Thrills Magazine
"The Zaar Cicero proves that thoughtful design can still surprise players in a crowded market. Its compact body delivers exceptional comfort without sacrificing tone, while its articulate voice and modern playability make it equally at home on stage, in the studio, or during extended practice sessions. The Cicero feels purpose-built for today's guitarist." — Guitar Thrills Magazine


 Photo provided by: Zaar Guitars

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EDITOR IN CHIEF| GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE TAMPA, FL U.S.A.

Edward Schooley

Founded in 2021. GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE of Tampa, FL Guitar Thrills Magazine of Tampa, FL U.S.A. The GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE is excited to bring you some of the music industries finest talent. Including the world of entertainment. Our focus includes the long term goals and aspirations of artists of all sorts. We are an unbiased reporting platform. You are getting insight into the world of music. No, we are not your fathers website for music news. We have grown into our own, and rely upon decades of music experience and knowledge. Guitar Thrills Magazine is a hard act to follow.

The growing attention surrounding the Zaar Cicero has been amplified by its collaboration with guitarist and songwriter Leilani Kilgore, who has become one of the instrument's most visible advocates. Kilgore has praised the Cicero as "an amazing guitar" and noted that it is built for aggressive playing, fast riffs, and exceptional tonal versatility. In interviews discussing her experience with the instrument, she described the Cicero as lightweight, balanced, and capable of delivering the heavy, articulate tones modern players demand.

The partnership gained additional visibility when Kilgore appeared on the cover of the April 2026 issue of Guitar Thrills Magazine, prominently brandishing the Zaar Cicero. The cover feature showcased both the artist and the guitar, highlighting the Cicero's emergence as a serious contender in the modern rock and metal market. The magazine subsequently promoted the issue across its channels, emphasizing Kilgore's connection to the instrument and its growing reputation among contemporary guitarists.

For Zaar Guitars, the collaboration represents more than an artist endorsement—it serves as a real-world demonstration of the Cicero's performance capabilities in the hands of a touring and recording musician whose playing style aligns perfectly with the instrument's high-performance design.

RELATED ARTICLE: Interview with Leilani Kilgore

The first thing you notice when picking up the Zaar Cicero isn't the finish, the pickups, or even the sleek modern styling. It's the size. The guitar feels immediately comfortable in your hands. Compared to many traditional electric guitars that can feel bulky or oversized, the Cicero's compact body creates an entirely different playing experience. It sits naturally against the body, balances well on a strap, and feels equally at home whether you're practicing on the couch, recording in the studio, or performing on stage.

Zaar Cicero | Guitar Thrills Magazine

As guitar players, we often assume bigger instruments will produce bigger sound. However, after spending time with the Cicero, it becomes clear that Zaar approached the design from a different perspective. Rather than building another large-bodied electric that follows established conventions, the company focused on creating an instrument centered on player comfort and responsiveness. The smaller body reduces weight without sacrificing stability, making long practice sessions noticeably easier on the shoulders and back. Players who spend hours rehearsing or performing will appreciate how effortless the guitar feels after extended use.

The compact design also contributes to the instrument's personality. There's a certain immediacy to the way the Cicero responds. Fast riffs feel tighter. Lead passages seem to flow more naturally. The guitar almost encourages movement and exploration, making it particularly appealing for players who enjoy modern rock, progressive music, metal, or technically demanding styles. The reduced body size allows the instrument to feel agile and quick, almost like an extension of the player rather than a piece of equipment being managed.

While comfort is one of the Cicero's standout qualities, the guitar's tone is what keeps you coming back. Every guitar is ultimately the sum of its parts, and Zaar clearly understood that creating a great electric guitar requires more than simply installing premium pickups. The body construction, materials, hardware, and electronics all work together to create an instrument that feels alive in the hands. Whether playing clean passages or driving an amp into saturation, the guitar responds with impressive clarity and articulation.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Cicero is how it demonstrates the importance of tonewoods in electric guitar design. While pickups certainly shape much of an electric guitar's voice, the woods used in construction influence resonance, sustain, attack, and overall feel. These characteristics may be subtle when measured individually, but together they contribute to the player's connection with the instrument. The Cicero possesses a balanced tonal character that delivers strong sustain, clear note definition, and enough warmth to prevent the sound from becoming sterile or overly clinical.

Zaar's history with acoustic guitars likely influenced many of these design decisions. The company has long emphasized craftsmanship and tonewood selection in its acoustic lineup, and that same philosophy appears to have carried over into the Cicero. Rather than treating the body as merely a platform for electronics, the design reflects an understanding that materials matter. The result is an electric guitar that feels responsive even before it's plugged in, something many experienced players look for when evaluating a new instrument.

The pickup configurations available in the Cicero further expand its versatility. High-gain players will appreciate the tight low-end response and articulation that allow complex riffs to remain clear under distortion. At the same time, clean settings reveal a surprising amount of depth and character. Chords ring with clarity, individual notes remain distinct, and ambient textures retain detail without becoming muddy. This flexibility makes the Cicero suitable for a wide range of musical styles rather than limiting it to a single genre.

What ultimately stands out most about the Zaar Cicero is its ability to blend modern performance with genuine player comfort. The compact body is not simply a stylistic choice; it serves a practical purpose that affects every aspect of the playing experience. It makes the instrument more accessible, more comfortable, and more enjoyable to use. Combined with thoughtful construction, quality components, and a responsive tonal character, the Cicero delivers a refreshing alternative to larger, more traditional electric guitars.

After spending time with the instrument, it becomes clear that the Cicero was designed with the player in mind. Every contour, dimension, and component seems intended to remove barriers between the musician and the music. In a market filled with guitars competing on specifications alone, the Zaar Cicero succeeds by focusing on something equally important: how the guitar feels when it's in your hands.

Concluding thoughts

The article highlights the Zaar Cicero as a compact electric guitar designed with player comfort and performance in mind. Unlike many traditional electric guitars with larger bodies, the Cicero's smaller, lightweight design provides a more comfortable playing experience. It balances well, reduces strain during long practice sessions or performances, and feels natural whether used at home, in the studio, or on stage. This emphasis on ergonomics makes the instrument particularly appealing to musicians who prioritize comfort without sacrificing quality.

Beyond comfort, the Cicero is praised for its responsiveness and playability. The compact body contributes to a fast, agile feel that encourages technical playing styles such as modern rock, metal, and progressive music. Players benefit from tighter riff execution and smoother lead passages, creating a stronger connection between musician and instrument. The design allows the guitar to feel like an extension of the player, enhancing creativity and performance.

The article also emphasizes the guitar's tonal qualities and construction. Zaar combines quality materials, tonewoods, hardware, and electronics to create an instrument with excellent sustain, articulation, and balanced sound. Drawing on the company's experience with acoustic guitars, the Cicero demonstrates how thoughtful material selection influences resonance and overall feel. Its versatile pickup configurations provide clarity for both high-gain and clean tones, making it suitable for a wide range of musical genres.

Finally, the article presents the Cicero as a successful blend of modern design and player-focused craftsmanship. Every aspect of the instrument—from its contours to its components—appears engineered to improve the musician's experience. The piece also highlights Zaar Guitars' commitment to quality, value, and innovation, noting that the Cicero stands out in a crowded market by prioritizing comfort, playability, and musical inspiration rather than relying solely on technical specifications. So, there shouldn't be any hesitation on what your next guitar purchase should be. We are confident in the Zaar Guitar as it is more than a boutique masterpiece.

PRS Standard 24 Review from Guitar Thrills Magazine Tampa, FL The World of Rock and Blues Magazine.

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