Acoustic Guitars
( in stock)
Bourgeois OM/C Soloist - Hybrid Brazilian!
$14,299.00$12,869.00The cutaway Soloist is the perfect Fingerstyle guitar with its great tonal balance and playability and easy access to upper frets. We selected Italian Spruce for this guitar's top as well as fantastic sounding Master Grade Hybrid Brazilian Rosewood back and sides for superior tone. Hybrid? Dana thinks that it is but doesn’t know what it’s a hybrid with. Dana’s quote on this wood is “Sold to us as genuine Brazilian rosewood, we can attest that this attractive tonewood wood sounds like Brazilian , is of similar weight to Brazilian , and smells like Brazilian . However, due to its striking coloration and atypical grain patterning, we are of the opinion that this is most likely a hybridized version”. We just love this wood for its look and sound! It comes with its hard shell case.
Taylor Academy 12 Left Handed
$699.00Designed with new players in mind but comfortable and accessible to guitarists of all ability levels, the Academy 12 is a compact Grand Concert acoustic guitar with a solid top and an easy-playing Taylor Neck. The solid spruce top, paired with layered walnut back and sides, generates projection, clarity and volume, making this a perfect option for learners seeking a guitar that will grow with them. This all-acoustic, non-cutaway model features a built-in armrest that takes the edge off your strumming arm for greater playing comfort. It ships with a lightweight gig bag for transportation between lessons, practice sessions and anywhere else your music takes you.
Bourgeois SJ Custom
$8,299.00$7,469.00Prized for its ability to blend warmly with diverse ensembles, the Small Jumbo became a rhythm guitar of choice for many makers of hit recordings of the ‘50s and ‘60s. The SJ is a scaled-back version of Bourgeois' full sized DBJ with a body that is about the same length as an OM, though with a much wider lower bout. This Aged Tone Sitka Spruce and Mahogany beauty features a 25.5" long scale, Tortoise binding and Schaller 18:1 Vintage bean tuners. A deluxe hard shell case is included.
Taylor 214ce-N
$999.00The 214ce-N represents a unique blend of contemporary design and classical-esque tone, offering players a new musical tool with a distinctive sound. This Grand Auditorium model features a solid Sitka spruce top and layered rosewood back and sides, generating a punchy, snappy nylon-string tone that's perfect for classical arrangements, flamenco, and other fingerstyle genres. The 1-7/8" neck width provides a touch of extra string spacing while maintaining a relaxed fretting feel, and the ES-N pickup makes it easy to plug in and play with organic-sounding live tone. The 214ce-N ships with a sturdy padded gig bag.
National Resophonic Style O 14 Fret
$5,000.00$4,500.00Just like the original, today’s Style “O” features a brass body polished to a mirror-like shine, plated in nickel, and finally etched with that famous scene depicting the allure of the Aloha Isles. The maple neck is finished in a traditional sunburst and capped by an ivoroid-bound ebony fretboard topped by vintage-style engraved tuners. Thanks to both its look and sound, the Style “O” remains a timeless classic. w/ Hard shell case
Collings D1 Traditional
$6,600.00Collings' Traditional Series or "T-Series” guitars represent an exciting vintage-inspired tonal variation on the distinctive Collings sound, designed and crafted to showcase the most desirable characteristics present in coveted pre-war instruments. Bracing and tone woods are adjusted for weight and thickness to create a voicing characterized by warm, rounded highs and a present low midrange, while retaining a quick attack and strong projection. W/Hard Shell Case
Huss and Dalton TD-R Custom
$8,590.00$7,730.00To multitudes of contemporary guitarists, the dreadnought is the king of the heap, and the TD-R leads the pack as a rosewood flat top that brings the best of the past to the requirements of the present. Madagascar Rosewood (Dalbergia spp.i) and Thermo-cured Red Spruce (Picea rubens) are dressed in herringbone and ivoroid trim. A powerful bass register stands above a rich balance of mids and highs, creating a guitar that was born to lead the band. W/TKL Tweed Case w/H&D logo
Huss and Dalton TD-M Custom - Bearclaw Sitka
$5,633.00$5,070.00This TD-M has the understated look of a traditional mahogany guitar, but has a sound that is anything but understated. This beauty features flat-top construction, a premium Thermo-cured Bearclaw Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides and is subtly decorated with tortoise-style binding and four-line top purfling. The TD-M combines the power of the rosewood TD-R with a warmer, more balanced tonal spectrum that may leave you breathless. W/TKLN Tweed case with Huss and Dalton logo.
National NRP 14 Fret Deluxe B Series - Black Rust
$4,600.00$4,140.00This is one cool resonator! Its body is finished with a multi-stage, hand textured finish. The mahogany neck has a fully adjustable truss rod. But it's the trademarked sound that makes this guitar so special. The sound is powerful and loud while still being deep and warm and the Lollar pick-up sounds great! w/National hard shell case.
2022 Huss and Dalton Crossroads
$3,950.00This guitar features the look and sound of the great old instruments favored by the masters of the genre. Huss and Dalton has lightened the bracing and further shortened the scale to produce the woody, thumpy tone that makes the great blues music come to life. This tone machine is driven by a Bearclaw Lutz Spruce top (a Sitka/Englemann hybrid)and a Mahogany body. The 1 3/4" nut width and short scale makes this a super-comfortable guitar to play. It is in excellent condition with only light signs of play. It comes with a deluxe TKL Tweed Case w/H&D logo in excellent condition as well.
Collings OM3
$6,825.00The abalone rosette and gold Waverly tuners add a touch of to this classic OM. It has beautiful tone thanks to its Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides. The 1 3/4” nut gives the neck a nice roomy feel for comfortable fingering. It comes with a hard shell case.
Bourgeois Country Boy Heirloom Series OM/C Sunburst Cutaway
$8,699.00$7,829.00This beautiful custom OM features a sunburst Aged Tone Sitka Spruce with Aged Tone torrified bracing and a cutaway to give you easy access to the higher frets! Tortoise body binding 1930's style purling comment the tone of this fine instrument. With a hard shell case.
Bourgeois 00-12 Country Boy HS Bearclaw Sitka & Maple
$8,899.00$7,999.00The OO is the perfect size smaller guitar, big enough to not sound too small and small enough to not feel too big! Aged Tone Bearclaw Sitka Spruce, combined with Aged Tone Curly Maple and Aged Tone bracing give this guitar a quick and balanced response that is great for fingerpicking and strumming. The Cedar short scale neck with a 1 23/32" nut width makes this beauty sound and play like a dream. It comes with a deluxe hard shell case.
Santa Cruz Bill Nershi D
$8,712.00$7,840.00Bill Nershi was in need of a guitar that could keep up with his rigorous touring schedule. He worked closely with Richard and the SCGC luthiers to build a cannon of a dreadnought that could hold its own on the big stage and still maintain the subtleties of solo acoustic work… a powerful instrument with a flourish of appointments, perfect for the energetic front man of The String Cheese Incident. “SCGC has really captured the look and sound of the guitar that took me from Floradora Saloon in Telluride to Red Rocks Amphitheater and beyond. Whether I’m soloing up the neck, playing slide or just strumming chords, this guitar sounds sweet and full. Thanks Santa Cruz, you really nailed it.”- Billy Nershi
2021 Lowden F-35 Guatemalan Rosewood / Adirondack
$6,499.00This F-35 model with Guatemalan Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce with a bevel is for the serious player who can appreciate a whole new world of subtle tone colors and dynamic range with warmth and focused projection. But because of the extra definition of the AAAA grade soundboard wood, there is extra clarity and class in the tone. It is in excellent condition with only the lightest signs of play. W/ hard shell case.
Bourgeois OM/C Soloist Italian & Madagascar
$11,499.00$10,349.00The cutaway Soloist is the perfect Fingerstyle guitar with a cutaway to give easy access to upper frets. We selected Italian Spruce for this guitar as well as the Master Grade Madagascar Rosewood back and sides for superior tone. The long scale and 1 3/4” nut solid and roomy. It comes with its hard shell case.
Taylor 314ce-N
$2,499.00Players looking for a new sound to add to their acoustic toolkit will appreciate the snappy, classical-inspired tone of the 314ce-N. Solid sapele back and sides with a Sitka spruce top serve up a bold, punchy nylon-string sound with a rich midrange, warm lows and articulate highs. Combined with the 1-7/8" nut width, it all adds up to the ideal package for fingerstyle players, offering plenty of string spacing without making it difficult to fret complex chords. The appointment package maintains a performance-focused aesthetic with Gemstone inlays and a glossy top finish with satin back and sides. It includes our ES-N pickup for authentic live tone and ships with a hardshell case.
Lowden F35C-CO-SRW 35 Redwood Cocobolo Cutaway
$9,250.00This gorgeous Cutaway F-35 model with Sinker Redwood and Cocobolo and extended curve fingerboard is for the serious player who can appreciate a whole new world of subtle tone colors and dynamic range with warmth and focused projection. Because of the extra definition of the AAAA grade soundboard wood, there is extra clarity and class in the tone. W/hard shell case.
Huss and Dalton Crossroads Custom 14 Fret
$6,962.00$6,266.00This guitar features the look and sound of the great old instruments favored by the masters of the genre. Huss and Dalton has lightened the bracing and further shortened the scale to produce the woody, thumpy tone that makes the great blues music come to life. This tone machine is driven by a Bearclaw Lutz Spruce top (a Sitka/Englemann hybrid)and a Mahogany body. The 1 3/4" nut width and short scale makes this a super-comfortable guitar to play. It comes with a deluxe TKL Tweed Case w/H&D logo
Taylor 812ce 12-Fret
$3,999.00With their intimate feel and relaxed fretting, our 12-fret guitars offer players a unique musical personality with incredible playing comfort. The 812ce 12-Fret features a Grand Concert body with Indian rosewood back and sides, a Sitka spruce top, and V-Class bracing inside, producing top-end sparkle and warmth in the bass range with plenty of volume and sustain. The compact body helps keep notes articulate and clear, making this a great choice for fingerstyle players. A radius-style armrest takes the edge off the lower bout for a more seamless feel, and ES2 electronics deliver organic live sound. The 812ce 12-Fret ships with a deluxe hardshell case.
Taylor Academy 12 Sitka Spruce and Walnut
$699.00Built with a solid spruce top and layered walnut back and sides, the compact, inviting Academy 12 offers an approachable playing experience for guitarists of all skill levels. The torrefied spruce top, treated with our special roasting process, serves up bold sound with plenty of projection and a touch of aged-in warmth and sweetness. The armrest carved into the lower bout makes for a more comfortable feel for your strumming arm, while the Taylor neck features a slender profile that accommodates your fretting hand, making this a great choice for new learners. The Academy 12 is more than ready for the next step in your musical journey.
Collings D1A Custom Brown Ebony
$7,375.00Contrary to what one might expect from the name, the Brown Ebony on this D1 A Custom is unrelated to ebony. Instead, it shares some tonal properties with mahogany in the form of a dry, balanced voice and strong midrange punch, while it's denser quality helps maintain a clear low end. The Brown Ebony combined with an Adirondack Spruce top delivers the tone that you crave! The Belly Bridge, Waverly nickel tuners, Ebony headstock overlay and custom stain lend this instrument the elegant look that these fine tonewoods deserve. W/ Hard Shell Case
Santa Cruz OO Model Guitar 1 11/16" nut!
$8,460.00$7,614.00This is the perfect fingerstyle 00, especially if you don't have huge hands! East Indian Rosewood, Sitka Spruce and Adirondack Spruce bracing combine with 12 fret neck to yield a clear, sweet, warm tone. The 1 11/16” nut width and short scale neck give you comfortable fingering, even on hard to reach chords! With a hard shell case.
Santa Cruz Vintage Artist
$13,550.00$12,195.00Wow! This guitar delivers classic Dreadnought tone thanks to an Old Growth Adirondack Spruce top and Old Growth Mahogany back and sides and Adirondack bracing attached with hot hide glue. It is super-playable with a roomy 1 3/4” nut width. Doc Watson, who owned the prototype of the Vintage Artist, said, “This is the Dreadnought I’ve been looking for all my life.” After Doc’s test pilot duties on the prototype, he offered this thoughtful testimonial: “Son, what do I have to do to keep this guitar?” This instrument is the tonal equal and is technically superior to the most respected Pre-War guitars. To achieve the characteristic EQ and tone of the legendary Doc Watson, aka ‘the Vintage Artist,’ this instrument features an advanced, scalloped X-bracing for powerful bass, complemented by the clear tone and definition of Old Growth Mahogany. With 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.