Acoustic Guitars
Sold2020 Bourgeois LDBO 14 Standard / Heirloom Series
2020 Bourgeois LDBO - A stunning instrument visually and oooh the sound. Easy and fun to play the LDBO has a comfortable form factor while featuring that amazing Dana Bourgeois sound. Has an extra comfortable 1 23/32" Nut and 2.2" belly bridge. Materials: This instrument is build with the most premium materials. Stunning Ziricote fretboard, bridge and fretboard binding. The Sinker Mahogany on this instrument has an amazing rich tone and superior sustain. Beyond the superior tone, the Mahogany on this instrument has gorgeous figuring. To top it all off (no pun intended) we have an Aged Tone Adirondack top that will knock your socks off. Dana does each burst himself and this one is stunning. Sound: Warm, rich and rounded tone. The Mahogany has a great mellow vibe while the Adirondack has fantastic dynamic range and complex tonal support that will keep you picking. The smaller body size lends itself well to blues, finger-style and other traditional styles. Condition: Mint condition. Little to no fret-wear, closer to the no fret-wear end of things. No dings nor dents, not even the usual finish wear you might expect for a gently-pre owned instrument. It looks almost new. Plays awesome.
SoldSanta Cruz Tony Rice Pro
We are excited to be able to present one of the true Holy Grails of the Dreadnought world. It features Old growth Brazilian Rosewood of the quality seen in the best vintage instruments and European Spruce chosen from master stock from the Italian/Swiss border are the materials of choice. To enhance the playability, a shorter (25.25 inch) scale and Tony’s slim neck profile with 1 11/16” nut width provide fast and effortless action. The heirloom tone woods and intelligent design make this instrument the quintessential contemporary bluegrass dreadnought. In Tony’s own words, “This is a guitar you can go to war with.” A hard shell case is included.
SoldTaylor 562ce
Taylor’s Grand Concert 12-strings reaffirm Taylor’s heritage of easy-playing double course instruments thanks to a lap-friendly body size, a 12-fret neck, and a 24-7/8-inch scale length. The slinky handfeel makes fretting and bending strings easier, the neck and body are comfortably balanced, and the compact body produces a clear 12-string voice. The hardwood mahogany top adds just enough compression to the attack to smooth out the response, bringing an appealing consistency across the tonal spectrum, while still capturing the beautiful octave shimmer. V-Class bracing adds another dimension of musicality, improving volume and sustain so that notes and chords bloom and expand as they resonate. It makes a great 12-string choice for tracking in a studio, and behaves well with other instruments in a live setting. Refined aesthetic touches include a shaded edgeburst body and neck, faux tortoise shell binding, a rosette of faux tortoise shell and grained ivoroid, and a grained ivoroid Century fretboard inlay.
Sold2017 Bourgeois JOM 150 Walnut
The JOM 150 has everything you love in an OM but with just a little bit more of everything, volume, bass, etc. This custom piece is in great shape and plays and sounds great! The Adirondack Spruce top is complimented with a gorgeous master-grade set of Walnut for the back and sides. This long scale guitar has a 1 22/32" width nut and 2 5/16" string spacing. It comes with it's original hard shell case.
Sold2021 Taylor 814ce-N
Fans of the classic rosewood/spruce tonewood pairing might find an exciting new musical avenue in the 814ce-N, a nylon-string edition of our flagship Grand Auditorium guitar. A slightly larger cousin to our Grand Concert nylon-string model in the 800 Series, this guitar benefits from Indian rosewood’s rich low end and treble-range brilliance, paired with solid Sitka spruce for clarity and projection. Guitars in the 800 Series are built with the utmost standards of precision and attention to detail, and this model is no different, with traditional hide glue used for the internal bracing and a lightweight, 4.5-mil gloss finish that helps preserve resonance. Classical players will feel at home on this model’s 20”-radiused fretboard, while the 1-⅞” nut width keeps things adequately spaced for intricate fingerstyle playing. The 814ce-N is appointed with maple binding, a single-ring abalone rosette with bound soundhole, mother-of-pearl inlays in our Element pattern, and classical nickel tuners. It ships with Taylor’s proprietary ES-N nylon-string acoustic pickup and a deluxe hardshell guitar case.
SoldTaylor 714ce
A versatile instrument suitable for a range of musical applications, the Grand Auditorium 714ce boasts a rich and dynamic voice. The Lutz spruce top responds with the sonic power and headroom of old-growth Adirondack spruce, with an extra splash of warmth across the tonal spectrum. Together with Taylor’s patented V-Class bracing scheme and solid Indian rosewood back and sides, this guitar resonates with spectacular power, clarity and sustain. One of the most inspiring attributes of the bracing architecture is the noticeably enhanced in-tuneness of the notes, with more harmonic agreement among chords and extra girth in upper-register notes. The result is a balanced, textured sound that’s rich in tonal nuance with enough dynamic range to support hard hitters and soft pickers alike. Aesthetically, the 714ce sports an aesthetic that balances rootsy and refined elements, featuring wood-rich details like koa binding, a herringbone-style Douglas fir/maple rosette, and bias-cut Douglas fir top trim, along with abalone Reflections fretboard and peghead inlays and a “weathered brown” pickguard. The guitar ships with ES2 electronics in a deluxe hardshell case.
SoldBourgeois OM Brazilian Rosewood & Snakewood Appointments
This beautiful OM features Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and a beautiful Adirondack Spruce top supported by Adirondack braces. Ben personally selected the wood on this guitar from the Bourgeois guitars wood stash with the guidance of Dan Bourgeois at his Lewiston, Maine shop. Ben spotted a snakewood bridge and fingerboard from an earlier limited edition model and it became the inspiration for the overall guitar. Snakewood body binding, heel cap, headstock overlay, rosette and tuners are also snakewood. Snakewood is an interesting material because it harder than ebony and has an elegant color and pattern. The classic combination of Brazilian and Adirondack in the OM size give this guitar a robust, balanced and full tone with plenty of volume in a comfortable shape. It is smooth playing with a 1 23/32” nut width. It comes with its hard shell case.
SoldSanta Cruz Custom OOO Cutaway
This slot-head OOO combines the comfort and sweetness of a 12-fret OOO model with a cutaway for great fret access up the neck…the best of two worlds! This guitar is very responsive and has a balanced and clear but warm tone. The top is Adirondack Spruce attached with hot hide glue and the back and sides are select East Indian Rosewood. The V shaped neck (with no volute), the 1 3/4” nut width, 2 3/16” bridge spacing and the 25.375” scale length make this guitar feel super-comfortable!
SoldCollings CJ-45 AT
As with all of Collings Traditional Series guitars, when it came time to add a “T” designation to their slope-shoulder offerings, they didn’t simply tweak the original; the all-new Collings CJ-45 T is a fully re-imagined instrument that offers a distinct tonal variation when compared to their CJ and CJ-35 models. Strongly vintage-inspired, the body construction has been completely re-engineered, including new bracing carves and patterns. When combined with the latest T-Series neck design and new CJ-45 neck profile, the result showcases a tone that is exceptionally dry and fundamental with the growl and thump sought after in the great slope-shoulder dreads of the Wartime era. Adirondack top. A hard shell case is included.
SoldTaylor GTe Urban Ash
An exciting new entry into the world of acoustic-electric guitars, the GTe Urban Ash debuts a new body shape that’s sure to inspire players of all skill levels with its compact frame, accommodating feel, and robust acoustic voice. The GT (Grand Theater) features a scaled-down body that echoes the jumbo curves of our Grand Orchestra shape, with its dimensions reduced to create a remarkably approachable feel. The innovation extends to the GT’s interior architecture, built on a new asymmetrical bracing design called C-Class bracing. This new sonic structure brings the tonal benefits of V-Class bracing to the smaller GT body shape, producing more volume and longer sustain while also bolstering the GT’s bass response to surprising levels of low-end power from a smaller guitar. This model takes its name from the solid Urban Ash that composes its back and sides, which serve up a rich, shimmering midrange accented by pristine highs. Visually, the GT is appointed with modest details such as a three-ring koa rosette and Pinnacle inlays in Italian acrylic, preserving its accessible price point and clean aesthetic. A super-thin, water-based matte finish, paired with an Urban Sienna stain for the back and sides, reflects a dusky, alluring visual character, preserving the wood’s visual texture and allowing the player to feel the grain through the finish. Onboard ES2 electronics provide quick plug-and-play functionality when you need amplified sound. This model includes a sturdy, lightweight AeroCase™ for easy, safe transport.
SoldTaylor 414ce-R
This popular cutaway Grand Auditorium entices players of all styles with an array of sonic delights, starting with the classic wood pairing of solid rosewood and Sitka spruce. The guitar is now powered by our award-winning V-Class internal bracing, which not only enhances the voicing with more volume, sustain and projection, but also improves the intonation along the entire fretboard, yielding greater clarity, consistency and harmonic agreement between notes. As a result, rosewood’s full-spectrum voice, featuring rich overtones, takes on an even more pleasing high-fidelity sound that translates into a more expressive response. It makes a fantastic guitar for virtually any application. The appointments strike a tasteful balance between style and restraint, featuring white binding, Renaissance fretboard/peghead inlays in Italian acrylic, and a full-gloss body. The guitar ships with Taylor ES2 electronics in a deluxe hardshell case.
Sold2016 Larrivée LSV-11 Fingerstyle Guitar
The Larrivée LSV body is slightly smaller than the LV body with an enlarged sound hole and short scale. The slightly smaller LS body (somewhere between 00 and 000) and short scale make this the ideal fingerstyle guitar, although it has wonderful projection and volume for strumming as well. It features a 1 13/16" wide bone nut, 24 11/16" scale length, Venetian cutaway, Premium Sitka spruce top and Premium East Indian Rosewood back & sides. This guitar is near mint condition and comes with it’s orignal hard shell case.
Sold2011 Martin Marquis D-28
The Martin Marquis was Martin's top of the line in 2011 and this guitar sounds as good as it should with an Adirondack Spruce top and Indian Rosewood sides and back. It has an easy playing 1 3/4" nut width and a 2 5/16" Bridge spacing. The guitar is in excellent condition, is nicely broken in and shows some signs of normal playing but there are no dents or dings. The frets show about 15% wear but don't any need attention yet. There are a few finish crazes and just a hair of space under one side of the bridge but the guitar is sound, needs no attention and is ready to play and enjoy. It comes with it's hard shell case.
Sold2005 Larrivée BT-60 Slope Shoulder Baritone Dreadnought
This 2005 Larrivée BT-60, a baritone slope-shouldered 12-fret dreadnought is in excellent condition! A Canadian-grown Sitka Spruce soundboard and bracing is combined with Rosewood back and sides for a wide-ranging, full-bodied tone. The solid Mahogany neck is joined to the body at the 12th fret for a real vintage feel. With its original hardshell case.
SoldSanta Cruz Custom OOO Model Sinker Redwood Mahogany
This lightweight super-responsive OOO features a Mahogany Body and a beautiful Sinker Redwood top. It has Adirondack Spruce bracing attached with hot hide glue to super-charge the tone! It has a 1 3/4" nut for easy playing. Maple body, neck and peghead binding, Waverly 4066G ivoroid tuners, Script logo, bone bridge and end pins, and 2 mm dots in ivoroid complete the look of this elegant, understated instrument. It comes with its hard shell case.
SoldNational Reso-Phonic Style 1.5 Tricone
We love the 1.5 with it’s elegant and understated engraving. Like the originals, this Style 1.5 Tricone is built with a Brass body and coverplate — the same, unique alloy used by the Dopyera Brothers. And like those guitars, the body, coverplate, and tailpiece are nickel plated and polished to a mirror-like shine. The mahogany neck is finished in a rich, warm burst and fitted with an ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard. The vintage-style tuning machines work on the classic slotted headstock, topped by the famed National shield decal. An early National advertisement in 1927 touted the Tricone’s tone, power, and quality of sound, and the Style 1.5 proudly carries on that tradition. It comes with it’s hard shell case.
Sold2002 Bourgeois D-150 Brazilian
This is simply the best D-150 currently available with a quality level of Brazilian Rosewood that is almost impossible to find today. It is quarter-sawn and has beautiful figuring with great depth and shimmer. The master grade Adirondack Spruce top is also one of the best we've seen or heard in a long time and has nice tight grain. The sound of this guitar is over the top good with balance, volume, richness, and detail and it is great for flatpicking and fingerpicking. This one owner D-150 has received regular care from Dana Bourgeois and is in excellent condition. It has some very light buckle indentations on the back that do not detract from the appearance as well as some light capo marks on the neck that don't affect the feel of the neck and could be buffed if desired by the new owner. This is one of the good ones. It comes with its original hard shell case.
SoldBourgeois Luthier’s Choice Style 42 OM - Year of the Ox!
This is the only 42 style OM from a limited export run to China available here in the United States. It features 250 year old Indian Rosewood and a gorgeous Morning Glory fretboard and headstock inlay as well as the fortuitous symbol of the Ox. Waverly Morning Glory tuners complete the theme floral. The tonewood selection is topped off with Bearclaw Italian Spruce. This collector’s grade luxury instrument is a fine work of art that you can play and enjoy. It comes with its hard shell case.
SoldBourgeois GA DB Signature Legacy Series
The GA model has a lusher sound than a regular OM and a thin body that keeps it comfortable. We hand selected the African Blackwood and Aged Tone Italian Spruce with the guidance of Dana Bourgeois at his Lewiston, ME workshop. This beauty features a long scale and 1 3/4" nut width for easy playing. The DB signature package with Koa binding and Dana's signature three-color herringbone purfling give this incredible guitar and even more elegant look. It comes with its hard shell case.
Sold2020 Bourgeois 00-12 Coupe Vintage / HS
We love the Bourgeois Coupe! The 00's 12 Fret size puts the bridge in the guitar top's sweet spot and the cutaway gives you great upper fret access! The tone on this guitar is just exquisite, the aged Tone Adi top combined with Figured Mahogany just can't be beat. Aged Tone Adirondack bracing attached with animal protein glue add to the guitar's tonal quality. The short scale neck is easy to play with a 1 23/32" width nut and 2.2" string spacing. The oval Waverlys have been changed to Butterbean Waverlys for a classier look. This guitar is in excellent condition and comes with it's original hard shell case.
Sold1991 Martin D-28 LSH
This 1991 Martin D-28 LSH features a large sound hole and is limited edition 71 of 200. It plays very easily and the large sound hole gives it a fantastic open A vowel tone. The top has had a repair to the book match joint which is slightly visible. It comes with a Mark Leaf 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.