Acoustic Guitars
SoldTaylor 912ce 12-Fret
Refined sonic and aesthetic details abound on Taylor’s rosewood/spruce 900 Series, whose tone receives a major upgrade from newly added V-Class bracing. The 912ce’s compact Grand Concert body is a lap-friendly delight, while the slightly shorter 24 7/8-inch scale length makes bending strings and fretting chords even easier. The new bracing scheme delivers improvements to volume and sustain, making this small-bodied guitar a powerhouse in both practice and performance situations. Tone-optimizing features include customized wood thicknesses for the Grand Concert shape, along with protein glues for the bracing and bridge and a thin (3.5 mil) gloss finish. The result is a guitar that’s incredibly responsive to a light touch, with impressive midrange warmth and sustain. Between the balance, articulation and broad tonal range, fingerstyle players will love exploring the guitar’s sonic palette. The guitar ships with ES2 electronics and a Venetian cutaway in a Taylor deluxe hardshell case.
Sold2020 Epiphone J-45 Inspired by Gibson
Mint condition, comes with original hard shell case. This Epiphone J-45 Inspired by Gibson has a sonic boom to it and comes in the handsome J-45 trim (Sunburst & Ivoroid Binding)
SoldBourgeois Legacy Series Custom Victorian OMS
Wow, Bourgeois has done it again! Here’s a looker and a player! Premium Koa and Aged Tone Italian Spruce Aged Tone Italian Spruce make up the tone engine of this beauty. It has a long scale and a 1 3/4” nut width. The Rope Style Rosette and Peppermint Rope purfling against Ziricote binding give the guitar a cool and elegant look. It comes with a hard case.
SoldBourgeois Heirloom Series Vintage 00-12
This sweet 00-12 Vintage HS features and Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides and a 1 ¾” nut. It’s the perfect size instrument to play for comfort but with it’s tapped-tuned sound, it might make you think that it’s a bigger guitar! It comes with it’s hard shell case.
SoldBourgeois Heirloom Series Custom Style 42
We love OO Style 42 guitars, we think it’s the classiest look! This Fully-Aged tone package custom model features Aged Tone Swiss Moon Spruce and Madagascar Rosewood. Its short scale makes it play easy and its 1 3/4” nut give you room to finger chords without feeling crowded. If you’ve been looking for a rich-tones, super-comfortable guitar to play, look no further! It comes with a hard shell case.
SoldSanta Cruz Firefly
If you’ve been looking for the perfect sounding smaller bodied instrument with a short scale for easy reach, you’ll love this guitar! It’s small with a 24” scale and 1 11/16” width nut but it has an incredible tone thanks to its exquisite Redwood top with Adirondack bracing attached with hot hide glue and its top-grade Indian Rosewood back. Its looks are complimented with tortoise body, peghead and fingerboard binding. It comes with a hard shell case.
SoldSanta Cruz OO 42 Style guitar - Tier 1 Brazilian Rosewood - PRE-ORDER
PRE-ORDER DEPOSIT ONLY-It just doesn’t get any better than this! The photos and videos here are of the shop-owner’s OO-42 cutaway, his #1 guitar that was modeled on a 1926 OO-42 that he had a long time ago. It is perfect for all kinds of finger-style. It plays like a dream and is very responsive to changes in touch and has rare and inspiring tone. The guitar that is available now for pre-order has identical specs. It boasts Tier 1 Brazilian Rosewood (see photo of the set that we selected)sides and back and Adirondack Spruce top and bracing attached with hot hide glue. It has a round neck profile, 1 13/16” width nut, 2 5/15” bridge spacing and a 24.75” scale for incredible ease of playing, even on difficult arrangements. The guitar boasts “42” style body and fingerboard inlays. The Cutaway allows great fret-access on this 12-fret model and lends a modern touch to a very traditional look.
SoldBourgeois D The Championship
The Championship is one killer Mahogany Dread! It features an Aged Tone Adi top, Sinker Mahogany back and sides and a 1 23/32” nut for easy playing. Bourgeois' hand-voicing technique makes this guitar sound robust and balanced. It comes with it’s hard shell case.
SoldBourgeois D Panama Red
This gorgeous dread features a gorgeous set of Panamanian Rosewood that we personally selected at the Bourgeois shop with Dana Bourgeois’ guidance. We also selected a great sounding Aged Tone Adirondack top to compliment the Panamanian Rosewood. It plays easy with a 1 23/32” nut and has a rich and balanced tone. It comes with it’s original hard shell case.
SoldIris CH Figured Mahogany
Looking for an all mahogany parlor? This one is truly special. Built for the Woodstock Invitational Luthier's Showcase, this instrument features a striking figured Mahogany top, back & sides. The body is inspired by the Circle Strings tenor guitar, so it has a super comfortable small body form with the full six strings and 14 frets of a guitar! Tonally this instrument has a beautifully rich, small body guitar tone. Sublimely in tune up and down the fretboard. The neck has a 1 3/4" nut width and comes with a deluxe TKL archtop case (dark purple interior). This guitar is being sold on Clearance Special and has been marked down accordingly. All Clearance Special sales are final.
SoldTaylor AD17e
This Grand Pacific dreadnought was forged from Taylor creativity during times of unprecedented global challenges in 2020. Solid ovangkol back and sides bring much of the sparkle and low-end presence you would expect from rosewood, plus a leveled-up midrange for a truly balanced sound up and down the neck. With a solid spruce top, the Grand Pacific body shape produces warm, seasoned acoustic tone reminiscent of vintage acoustic recordings. V-Class bracing adds its tone-enhancing magic to the mix, producing louder notes and chords that sustain and bloom with impeccable intonation. Together, the tonewood pairing, body shape, and interior bracing add up to a versatile workhorse, capable of filling a room with rich cowboy chords or soft fingerpicked melodies. Aesthetically, the AD17e is detailed with minimal appointments to preserve its classic character. Chamfered body edges, stained spruce edge trim, a three-ring rosette in Hawaiian koa, and a faux tortoiseshell pickguard add to the refined visuals, with an Urban Sienna stain for the back and sides and a thin 2-mil matte finish optimizing the guitar’s lively acoustic response. It ships with built-in ES2 electronics in a Taylor AeroCase.
Sold2007 Guild GAD-40CENAT Cutaway Dreadnought
Here’s a great sounding Guild dreadnought with cutaway, solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, mahogany neck, wood binding, special pearl inlay, and Fishman Matrix under-saddle pickup with endpin jack. It is in very good condition with finish that shows some use, but no major dings, dents or issues. The action is low and the guitar feels great to play. It comes with it’s original hard shell case. The build year stated is approximate. Specifications: - Body Shape: Dreadnaught 14-Frets w/ Cutaway - Top Material: Solid Sitka Spruce - Back & Sides Material: Solid Mahogany - Neck Material: Mahogany - Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood, 16" Radius, (406.4 mm) - Bridge Material: Indian Rosewood - Finish: All Gloss - Binding: Natural Wood Bound Top & Back - Rosette: Three-Ring - Inlays: Ornate Mother-of-Pearl Inlays - Pickguard: Transparent - Nut Width: 1-11/16 (43 mm) - Scale Length: 25.5'' (648 mm) - Electronics: Fishman Matrix - Tuning Machines: Grover Rotomatic Chrome-Plated Die-Cast Tuners - Case: Guild Tweed OHSC Included
Sold2010 Taylor Baritone 8-String
The 2010 Baritone 8-String is Taylor’s first and the best model that they’ve offered with full rich tone from the Indian Rosewood back and Sitka Spruce top. A Baritone plays just like a regular guitar but with great low notes. The extra two strings give the guitar lots of sparkle. It comes tuned B to B, and with a 27" scale. There are the two octave strings on A and D—the fourth and third strings as on an acoustic 12–string. This guitar is in excellent condition with no issues with only slight wear on the frets and light signs of playing on the finish. We just gave it a neck angle adjustment so it is playing smooth and easy.It comes in it’s original hard shell case.
Sold2014 Gibson Hummingbird Pro
If you love that classic Gibson acoustic tone, warm and woody with a chunky bottom end this guitar is for you. A professional model featuring a pickup with jack at the end pin this guitar is gig ready. The prior owner of this beauty upgraded the guitar with bone bridge pins, a gorgeous Dove pickguard and they upgraded the case to a nice Gibson hard shell case. Super light fret wear, plenty of meat in the saddle and the finish is in excellent condition, with a minor ding at the lower bout of the guitar top. Overall this instrument is a joy to play, especially if you are a Gibson fan. Condition: Little to no fret wear. Light superficial finish wear as one might expect of a carefully handled instrument. One ding in the spruce top at the very lower bout, a couple small ones at the upper bout and a couple small ones on the side where the body rests on the leg. Pickguard has slight delamination around the pure abalone inlay. A small bit of glue must have emerged and dried where the nut meets the first fret when they replaced the nut with bone (does not affect the playability, could likely be sanded or filed off easily). Upgrades: Bone Bridge Pins, Hummingbird Pickguard, Gibson Case
Sold1975-'76 Gibson B-45-12 Cherry Burst
Featuring a trapeze bridge, this guitar is in amazing shape despite being over fifty years old! The top is free of cracks and the action is inordinately playable all the way up the neck. It has that classic 70s 12-string sound that will have you singing your favorite tunes straight away. This guitar can do it all, from tasty finger style to soaring leads then bring it all back to a lush strum. Comes with a vintage hard shell case (possibly original, but no way to know for sure). Condition: This instrument is in wonderful condition considering its age and that it is a 12-string guitar. No visible cracks in the wood of the instrument and the binding is in great shape. Only light dings, dents, nicks and superficial finish checking here and there. As mentioned earlier in this description this guitar plays remarkably well. One of the finest vintage 12-string guitars that has ever passed through our doors. Light fret wear particularly in the C chord position, with lots of life left in the frets. Sounds amazing!
Sold2018 Collings 02H Traditional Sunburst w/ Traditional Case
This incredible Collings 02H Traditional has a sunburst Baked Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, the Collings "traditional package," and a lightweight Collings traditional hard shell case. It is in excellent condition with some light signs of play on the pickguard, frets, and finish. It has been played but well cared for. The 0 is Collings smallest guitar and is offered with the same shorter scale found on the 12-fret 00. Although measuring only 13.5 inches in width, the Collings 0 has tone and volume that belies its first impression as being less than full-sized. Top: Baked Sitka spruce Back: & Sides E. Indian rosewood Neck: Honduran mahogany Body: Binding Ivoroid with herringbone purfling Bridge Ebony belly-style with 2 3/16" spacing Fingerboard: Ebony with abalone short diamond & squares Bridge Pins/End Pin Ebony with MOP dot Nut Bone: 1 3/4" Saddle: Bone, drop-in Neck Profile: Modified V Frets Medium: 18% nickel-silver Peghead Veneer: Stained Exotic Ebony with MOP Collings logo Tuners Nickel Waverly (16:1 ratio) Scale Length 24 7/8" Brace Material Sitka spruce Brace Pattern: Pre-war scalloped X-brace Fingerboard: Radius 14" - 26" compound Body Finish: High gloss nitrocellulose lacquer Neck Finish: High gloss polyester resin Pickguard: Tortoise Case: Collings Traditional Handcrafted Case
SoldBourgeois SD Advanced
This beautiful Slope D features a 12/32” nut width, Aged Tone Adirondack top and bracing and a gorgeous East Indian Rosewood back. Long favored by country musicians – and additionally popular with a variety of American roots stylists – the Slope D is widely regarded as a superb choice for vocal accompaniment. And while also a fine flatpicking guitar, the Slope Shouldered species is usually considered a fingerpickers’ Dreadnought-of-choice. With a hard shell case.
SoldTaylor BT1e
The guitar that set the standard for the travel guitar market, the enduringly popular Baby Taylor makes a great musical companion. Portable, playable and affordable, the Baby features a solid spruce top and yields impressive volume and tone for its compact, three-quarter-size scale. It’s the perfect travel mate, it’s a great choice for kids taking lessons, and artists from Lindsey Buckingham to Bono to Taylor Swift have used one for songwriting, recording and performing. With its unique dimensions and tonal personality, players have used it in other creative ways, from high-stringing it to setting it up to play lap slide to adding a capo to evoke mandolin-like sounds. The Baby includes a Taylor gig bag for easy portability.
SoldTaylor 314ce-N
Players seeking a unique addition to their musical arsenal will love the Taylor 314ce-N, a Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric with nylon strings and a neck profile that will surprise those with experience playing traditional classical guitars. This model features a neck width of 1-⅞”, striking a perfect balance between fretting-hand comfort and adequate string spacing for fingerstyle players. Back and sides of solid sapele serve up a punchy midrange and a strong fundamental focus, while the Sitka spruce top ensures articulation and clarity with every note. Visual details maintain the workmanlike aesthetic of the 300 Series, with black binding, a three-ring black rosette, Italian acrylic fretboard inlays in our Gemstone pattern, a glossy top finish with satin back and sides, and nickel nylon-string tuners. The 314ce-N ships with our ES-N pickup for clear, warm plugged-in tone and a deluxe hardshell guitar case.
Sold2013 National Reso-Phonic Reso Rocket Brushed Steel w/Hotplate
Here’s a National Resophonic that has it all! This Brushed Steel 12-fret guitar is full of vibe and has that great, classic singe-cone sound. The Reso Rocket’s cutaway gives you easy access to the upper frets and the Mike Dowling installed Hot Plate pick-up means that it is gig ready!This one-owner instrument is in excellent condition and comes in it’s original National Resophonic branded hard shell case.
Sold2019 Santa Cruz Custom H13 1 13/16" Nut
The H13’s neck joins the body at the 13th fret which moves the bridge position up to it’s sweet spot on the top and still gives you great fret access. The Adirondack Spruce top and genuine Mahogany back and sides yield a balanced and powerful tone, especially for a smaller bodied guitar. This guitar features a 1 13/16” nut width and 2 5/16” string spacing (vs.the standard 1 3/4” nut and 2 3/16” spacing) to give your fingers on both hands just a little bit more room. Other custom specs on this guitar include Adirondack bracing attached with hot hide glue, 2 mm MOP fingerboard inlays as well as a gorgeous custom sunburst finish. This guitar is near mint condition with only the slightest fret wear and sign of use. It comes with it’s original hard shell case.
Sold2000 Martin Custom Shop D-41 Brazilian
This gorgeous one-owner Martin Dreadnought features Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and a tight-grained Sitka Spruce top for that classic “Holy-Grail” tone. This D-41 model plays easy with nice low action and has been well cared for. There are no dings, dents or scratches on the neck, back or sides. There is one small ding on the top and the pick-guard shows signs of play, not surprising to find on an over 20 year old instrument that has great broken-in tone. It comes with it’s original hard-shell case.
Acoustic Guitars for Sale at Northern Lights Music - Best Quality Brands
Discover top-notch boutique acoustic guitars at Northern Lights Music, featuring sought-after brands such as Santa Cruz Guitars, Bourgeois Guitars, and Collings Guitars. Whether you're searching for a brilliant Brazilian OM or a warm mahogany dreadnought, we have the perfect guitar for you. Can't find what you're looking for in our inventory? Our featured brands are custom shops that can build a guitar to match your imagination and budget. Looking for an affordable option or just starting out? We also offer high-quality, budget-friendly acoustic and electric guitars from Taylor Guitars, Seagull Guitars, and Yamaha Acoustic Guitars.
What is an Acoustic Guitar and its Characteristics
An acoustic guitar is a type of stringed instrument that uses a hollow body and a soundboard to produce sound, instead of relying on electronic amplification. The soundboard is usually made of wood, and the body can be crafted from wood or synthetic materials. Steel strings are typically used, but acoustic guitars can also be strung with nylon or other types of strings. Acoustic guitars can be played with a pick or fingers and are popular in various music genres, including folk, country, blues, and classical.
Reasons to Choose an Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic guitars have a lot to offer, attracting players for different reasons. The rich and warm sound that an acoustic guitar produces is often described as "full" or "rounded," and is appreciated by many players. The versatility of the instrument allows it to be played in a variety of styles and genres, such as folk, country, blues, and classical. The simplicity of an acoustic guitar is also appealing, as it does not require electronic amplification or other equipment. Furthermore, the portability of acoustic guitars makes them convenient for playing at home, with friends, or on the go.
History of the Acoustic Guitar
The acoustic guitar has a rich and diverse history that stretches back centuries. The modern acoustic guitar is derived from various stringed instruments developed in different parts of the world. The lute, one of the earliest known stringed instruments, was developed in ancient Egypt and was popular in Europe during the Middle Ages. The lute was a pear-shaped instrument with a long neck and a hollow body and was used to play melodies and accompaniments.
The guitar as we know it today is believed to have evolved from the lute, and it was first developed in Spain in the 15th century. Early guitars had four courses (pairs) of strings, which were tuned in fourths and were played with the fingers. They were used to play a wide range of music, including folk, popular, and classical. Over time, the guitar has undergone many changes and has been adapted to meet the needs of different musicians and musical styles. Today, the acoustic guitar is a popular instrument used in various music genres, including folk, country, blues, and classical.
Best Guitars for Beginners
There are many great options for beginner acoustic guitars, and the best one for you will depend on your budget, playing style, and preferences. A budget-friendly option for beginners is the Yamaha FG800, known for its excellent sound quality and playability. The Yamaha FG800 has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which give it a warm and full sound. For those who prefer a North American-made guitar, Taylor is a great step-up option. Try out a few different guitars to find the one that works best for you and your playing style.