Acoustic Guitars
Sold1968 Gibson J-45 "Square Shoulder" Great Vibe!
1968 Gibson “Square Shoulder” J-45 Serial # 927338 Awesome J-45 tone with a dreadnought vibe. This guitar has a rich and chunky tone great for both rhythmic and melodic playing. Has a kind of Laurel Canyon vibe when picked with the fingers. A real 60s gem. Has a really great sort of “indie” tone to it. This guitar features a professionally installed piezo pickup with end pin jack. Comes with what appears to be the original brown gator chipboard case with orange interior. Beautifully checked tobacco burst finish. A few dings and dents here and there as you might expect on a guitar of this vintage. Light to little fret-wear, lots of life left in these frets! Very good overall condition. Strung with custom light strings for ease of playing. Bridge height adjustment screw sheared in half in setup and was soldered back together.
Sold2017 Gibson 75th Anniversary J-45 Triburst
Gibson Montana J-45 75th Anniversary Acoustic Triburst. Celebrating 75 years of the J45 this round-shoulder dreadnought features Thermally Aged Adirondack Spruce and figured mahogany back and sides. The finish is hand-rubbed Triburst that is vintage toned. Mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard/ bridge and and gold plated tuners. This instrument also features ivoroid buttons, a bone nut and saddle as-well as LR Baggs Session pickup system. Excellent overall condition. Little to no fret-wear or pick/pinky cuticle marking on pick guard. Super light finish wear you might expect from a gently used instrument. No dings or dents of note. Beautiful playability, gorgeous details, striking wood grains.
Sold2017 Bourgeois OMS Style 42 Custom Redwood Mahogany
This custom guitar sounds as great as it looks...really! As the original sellers of this guitar, we handpicked the tone woods sets for this incredible guitar with Dana Bourgeois at his shop in Lewiston, Me. The Multi-Figured Mahogany is among the best we've ever seen or heard and is equal to the best sets of wood that are certified as coming from the legendary "Tree". Dana also helped us to select the premium Redwood for the top. This long scale slot-head 12-fret OM features a 1 3/4" nut and a 2 5/16" bridge spacing for smooth and easy playability. This custom OMS features gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood binding on its body, neck and headstock and heel cap, and headstock veneer as well as full 42 style appointments. It comes with it's original hard shell case.
Sold2018 Bourgeois DS Custom - Brazilian Rosewood Bindings - 12 Fret
This stately 2018 Bourgeois DS Custom will blow you away with its warmth and subtle tonal resonances but it will also dazzle you with its tastefully chosen Brazilian Rosewood appointments. Dana Bourgeois selects the most striking tone-woods for all of his builds, the Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce on this guitar is just beautiful in color and grain. The Sinker Mahogany back and sides exude a rich voice that has that classic musicality. This instrument features a 12 fret to the body construction which is extremely comfortable. The slotted head-stock adds an overall resonance to the neck along with a high-frequency boost that is scintillating on the ear. Bourgeois guitars are extremely comfortable to play, with a slim modern neck with the slightest of V just enough to fit in the crook of ones hands. This guitar was gently used, only the usual superficial finish wear you expect of a well loved instrument. No dings or dents of note and little to no wear on the pick-guard. There is a super tiny nick on the neck where someones nail may have caught when moving the thumb to the G chord position. Light to medium fret-wear on the Bluegrass melody frets. Comes with original deluxe Bourgeois hard shell case with their signature green crushed velvet interior. Other features include: Brazilian Rosewood end-piece inlay, body binding and head-stock cover 1 23/32" Nut Animal Protein Glue BK Bracing 1931 Purfing & Rosette
Sold2011 Taylor 314ce
Its not often we have a nice totally solid wood, American made 314ce available at such a great price and in such good condition. This guitar has a sweet tone and is super playable. It has a rich tone with lots of clarity and is equipped with a quality Taylor guitars pickup electronics. The top is solid Sitka Spruce from the North West of the USA and solid Sapele back and sides which is super close in tone to Mahogany. This is a great guitar for anyone looking for an excellent quality instrument that won't break the bank. Overall excellent condition, no dings or dents of note on the guitar was gently used and was well cared for. Light to medium fret-wear in the Bluegrass melody positions. Plays just as it should, easy and smooth! Comes with original Taylor deluxe hard shell case.
SoldNational Reso-Phonic Style O
Just 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
SoldSanta Cruz D-Law
We think of the D Law Model as the perfect Mahogany Dreadnought guitar. It’s balance and has plenty of power for full sounding soloing. This guitar hits the ‘bulls-eye’ for a responsive, playful dreadnought with a dynamic range that can hold its own in ensemble settings. This is a serious instrument that cuts through with clear low end, but with the warmth and trebles needed for pristine solo work. This guitar features a European Spruce top with Adirondack Bracing attached with hot hide glue. The back is premium Mahogany. It has a 25.25” scale, 1 11/16” width nut and a 2 3/16” bridge spacing for great playability. It comes with a hard shell case.
SoldBourgeois Custom OM Soloist Legacy Series Large Soundhole
Sometimes, one picture is worth 1000 notes! Wow! This is one killer OM! The back features Premium Grade Koa and the top is Bearclaw Figured Aged Tone Sitka Spruce with a sunburst personally sprayed by Dana Bourgeois. The large soundhole adds to the richness of the tone as do the Aged Tone Torrefied Bracing and Animal Protein glue. The easy easy playing long scale neck features 1 3/4" nut and 2 5/16" bridge width. The cutaway lends easy access to higher notes. The DB Signature Herringbone purfling and the headstock, fingerboard and body binding complement the tonewoods. Waverly Gold/Ebony tuners and bone pins with black dots complete the look This special guitar comes with a hard shell case.
Sold2016 Santa Cruz 1934 D Brazilian
We are proud and privileged to present one of the true holy grails of the acoustic guitar world, the Santa Cruz 1934 D! The tone on this instrument is just beautiful thanks to its old growth Brazilian Rosewood and old Adirondack Spruce. It is set up perfectly and the neck features a traditional 1 11/16" width nut and 25.25" scale for an incredible feel. We are the original sellers of this one owner guitar and so we know that it has been carefully cared for. It is in mint condition though the frets show enough play that we should say that they are in 98%+ condition. The case is super-clean too as this guitar has never been "gigged". This is instrument is one of "the good ones", super-cool and inspiring to play!
SoldBourgeois SD Standard-Heirloom Series
This incredible Sunburst Heirloom Series Slope Dreadnought has a great combination of step-up features that give it great looks and authoritative tone. It features a genuine Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce top, top-grade and Mahogany sides and back. The short scale, 1 23/32” width nut and 2.2” bridge spacing give you a sleek feel for playing traditional and contemporary styles. It comes with a deluxe hard shell case.
Sold2016 Santa Cruz D Pre-War Dreadnought
Here is a fine example of the Santa Cruz D Pre War, one of the best sounding dreadnought guitars around! The D Pre War's scalloped/advanced x bracing gives this guitar a classic vintage tone. The large resonant body has a Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides for classic tone. The genuine mahogany neck has a1 11/16" wide nut, a 23.375" scale and an ebony fingerboard for easy playing. It is gig and recording ready with a high-quality LR Baggs Anthem pick-up installed. It lets you control the blend between an internally mounted microphone and under-saddle pick-up to give you a very natural sounding amplified tone. The finish and pickguard show almost no wear but there is a very small ding on the lower bout and one even smaller one on the back. There are also a few light capo marks on the back of the neck. The frets are in 85% to 90% condition and have lots of life left. There are no other issues with the instrument. it is very clean and it comes with its original deluxe hard shell case.
SoldSanta Cruz Custom OO Eric Skye African Blackwood
This very special deep body OO size Eric Skye model features awesome sounding African Blackwood and is a fingersylist's delight. The neck's 1 13/16" width nut combined with 1 2 1/4" saddle spacing gives you plenty of room to move for both hands. The 24.9" scale length brings big chords within reach. Other great features on the beauty include a matching African Blackwood headstock overlay, Adirondack Spruce top and Adi braces attached with hot hide glue. It comes with a hard shell case.
Sold2016 National Reso-Phonic El Trovador with Hot Plate
This single cone El Trovador is gig-ready with a Hot Plate pick-up installed. We are the original sellers of this one owner guitar and it has been well cared for and is in excellent condition. The El Trovador is patterned after the original model that was produced in 1932 and 1933. It features a 4" deep all mahogany body, an ebony fretboard and a solid mahogany neck. It comes with its original hard shell case in excellent condition too. The original non-electric cover plate is included with the guitar.
Sold1998 Taylor 410ce
This guitar is gig-ready with an built-in Fishman pick-up. The guitar sounds great acoustically and when it's plugged in too. This beauty blends the woody sound of the Sitka Spruce top and Ovangkol back that is well seasoned with the passing time. Though it has moderate fret wear and a few dings and scratches it is in good condition and is ready to enjoy with no worries and is a great value for an all solid wood, American made guitar! It comes with it's original hard shell case.
Sold2018 Custom Santa Cruz OM PW Custom Cutaway with Baggs pickup
With it's warm balanced tone and comfortable size, the OM/PW is our most popular Santa Cruz model. Its Advanced X/Scalloped bracing ensures authentic vintage tone. The cutaway provides great upper fret access and the high quality LR Baggs Anthem pick-up system ensures that you can enjoy the same warm, natural tone of East Indian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce amplified. The 25.375" scale length and 1 3/4" width nut make this versatile guitar great for flatpicking and fingerpicking. The guitar is only a couple of years old, is in excellent condition and does not look like it was played much at all. It comes with its hard shell case.
SoldSanta Cruz Custom OO
Nothing beats this custom slot-head, 12 fret OO for great tone and playability. The smaller body and short scale combined with a 1 ¾” wide nut make this an ergonomic dream. The beautiful European Spruce top, top grade Indian rosewood back and Adirondack braces attached with hot hide glue give this instrument a complex, balanced tone and plenty of volume for fingerpicking or flatpicking. It comes with a hard shell case.
SoldBourgeois D Odyssey – Luthier’s Choice
This Sunburst Luthier’s Choice Custom is Dana’s take on the quintessential contemporary flatpicking guitar with an X-braced, Lattice braced back. It has a wrapped Arm Bevel for comfort and a cool sloping cutaway, large asymmetric oval sound hole and a thin body. This guitar sounds great at home or on stage with a mic or pick-up if you choose to add one. It features an Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce top and top-grade Indian Rosewood back and sides. It has a 1 23/32” nut width for great playability. It comes with a hard shell case.
SoldSanta Cruz Tony Rice Pro
We are excited to be able 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.”
Sold1978 Ovation Glen Campbell Model 1627-4
This 1978 Glen Campbell model, # 1627-4, sn: 131303 is a great strummer and a great value! It is in good playing condition and has a couple of typical drying crack lines on the top and is otherwise very clean with very light fret wear.
SoldSanta Cruz Custom 1929 OO Cocobolo
This guitar sounds as great as it looks and the 1 ¾” nut width and short scale, low profile neck make this small bodied guitar a dream to play. The carefully selected tone woods are a killer combination for this size guitar. It has a Sitka Spruce top and a spectacular set of master grade Cocobolo. Adirondack Spruce bracing attached with hot hide glue enhances the tone. Other custom features include Koa body and fingerboard binding, unbound peghead, Koa rosette, purfle combo, 42 style fretboard inlays, Ebony bridge pins with abalone, gold Waverly tuners with Ebony buttons and an unattached pickguard in the case.
Sold2018 Lowden S-35M
This beautiful compact Lowden S-35M is a true treat to play. Being a comfortable 12 fret instrument this guitar plays with minimal effort. The tone just sings. Mahogany is a classic guitar tone wood that delivers rich warm sound in spades. This particular mahogany is a gorgeous figured wood both on the back and sides as well as the top. The figuring has a lush curl that extends from end to end of each piece of wood. Truly mesmerizing. When I play this guitar it has a great resonance that enlivens every note. Perfect for intimate finger style playing and light picking. The rich tonal complexity invites one to explore further into the tonal palette this instrument offers. Bold yet articulate this compact guitar is a joy. This instrument was gently and carefully handled by its single owner and displays only the light wear one might expect of such a well loved guitar. Little to no fretwear. There is a a little wear on the binding but you have to really look and feel closely to notice and a small patch of buckle rash on the back that you have to really search for to see. Overall this instrument is in excellent condition. Comes with a nice Hiscox hard shell case with the Lowden logo on the front.
Sold1967 Martin D-28
This really great sounding Brazilian Rosewood Martin is the perfect instrument for playing all kinds of Americana music. The action is low and the tone is rich and full like you’d expect from a vintage Martin dread. This classic guitar is really clean with only light top checking and minimal signs of play on the gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood. A one-owner guitar, it was thoroughly gone over so it will completely hassle-free to enjoy. You’ll be glad to know that these common age-related guitar ailments were addressed: a neck reset was performed and the bridge and pickguard were replaced. Also, loose back binding and a top crack were glued. Don’t wait if you have been thinking about getting one of these iconic Dreadnoughts. As time goes by, we are seeing fewer examples of Brazilian D-28’s this nice! It comes with its original hard shell case.
Sold2015 Martin 000-28VS
This OOO-28VS combines a slightly longer Auditorium body with a Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood top produce great Martin tone and it is gig-ready with a built in LR Baggs Lyric pick-up. The slot-head neck is a 25.4” scale and has a 1 13/16” width nut for roomy playability. This guitar is in very good condition with signs of light living room and back-porch playing and there is plenty of life left in the frets too. This might be the perfect guitar if you’ve been looking for a great OOO! It comes with its hard shell case.
SoldTaylor GS Mini-e Rosewood
For fans of the acoustic guitar, news of a GS Mini made from rosewood will inspire excitement. For the uninitiated, this short-scale instrument provides both a welcoming entry path to the world of guitar and a quality guitar worthy of a lifetime of play. This edition, made with layered rosewood back and sides with a solid Sitka spruce top, delivers the bold, punchy tone players have sought from the GS Mini for years, with a new aesthetic twist brought by rosewood’s unique visual character. Built-in electronics make this an all-purpose tool for players across styles and levels of skill, and a structured gig bag offers protection as you travel to practice sessions, jams, and even live shows.
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.