Acoustic Guitars
SoldBourgeois OM Vintage Touchstone Series
The all-new Touchstone Series guitar features a Master Grade Old-Growth Alaskan Sitka Spruce top and East Indian Rosewood back and sides and is hand-voiced in Lewiston, Maine. The 1 23/32” nut width and Bourgeois neck carve make this guitar easy and fun to play. It comes with a deluxe hard shell case.
SoldCollings OM 1 JL
Though the Julian Lage guitar shares the same foundational specs as the OM1 T, it is unique in some key ways. Its neck feels like no other Collings guitar, and that’s because it’s modeled after Lage’s cherished 1939 Martin 000-18. This pre-war gem is heard on the guitarist’s 2015 solo album, World’s Fair, and was his main touring acoustic for years. The 000-18’s neck, which was originally hand-shaped and sanded, has a distinctive taper altered by decades of wear. For Lage, this particular neck has come to feel like home. Through careful analysis and digitization of its unique dimensions, we were able to precisely recreate its worn-in, asymmetrical feel on his signature model. While we maintained the relatively narrow 1 11/16″ nut of the 000-18’s neck, we extended the fretboard from the original short scale to our standard 25 ½” length for slightly greater presence and note definition.
SoldSanta Cruz OO Cutaway
This super-sweet sounding OO has a sports-car feel to it, smooth and fast. The neck has an easy to play 1 11/16" width nut and short scale for unparalleled playability. Its cutaway lets you reach the high frets easily. It features a spectacular Highly Figured Walnut back and a gorgeous Flamed Sinker Redwood top with Adirondack bracing that is attached with real hot hide glue. This guitar is a joy to play! It comes with a hard shell case
SoldSanta Cruz OM Grand
This custom Santa Cruz OM Grand model offers all the comfort and balance of an OM model but with a lot more lushness and power that will make you think "OMG" when you first experience it! We selected the perfect tonewoods to make this guitar look stunning and sound loud, full and clear. The back and sides are a master grade set of Indian Rosewood, one of our absolute favorite Rosewoods. The guitar is topped with Vintage Tinted Adirondack Spruce with Adi bracing attached with hot hide glue to enhance the clarity and dynamic range. It also features Tortoise body, fingerboard and peghead binding. This guitar offers the perfect balance of comfort, power and nuance.
Sold2022 Martin HD-28 w/ Journey pickup
This used instrument is in excellent condition wth only light signs of play. It is gig ready with a Journey pickup. Its hard shell case is in excellent condition as well. The Martin HD-28 is a legendary acoustic guitar, trusted by generations of players and played by countless icons across genres. Its Dreadnought body size and scalloped bracing delivers the bold, projective tone with strong bass, clear trebles, and rich overtones that has defined acoustic music for nearly a century. Handcrafted with a solid spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, the HD-28 offers a resonant, balanced voice for all playing styles. Bold herringbone top inlay and an ebony fingerboard with abalone diamond and square inlays add a vintage-inspired touch.
Sold2023 Collings CJ35
This incredible Sunburst CJ model features a drop-in saddle. The CJ35 incorporates a non-scalloped bracing configuration featuring three tone bars and a short 24 7/8" scale length. This design provides the CJ35 with a beautiful balance of deep piano-like bass and powerful full-bodied highs, complimented by a focused dynamic range for exceptionally even note projection. The CJ35 is one of Collings’ most versatile large-bodied guitars, equally well-suited for a variety of playing styles. This guitar is in excellent condition with very light signs of play and has an Anthem SL pick-up installed. With hard shell case
Sold2020 National Instrument Thunderbox M-14T
“Thunderbox" is the perfect description for the big, powerful voice of the M-14T. That booming sound originates from the M-14’s mahogany body, composed of a laminated top and back combined with solid sides. But with its thicker, four-inch-deep body, the Thunderbox speaks with authority. It’s improved low-end response combined with the singing high-end tone creates a louder, punchier guitar that truly projects. The mahogany neck is capped by an ebony fretboard and mother-of-pearl position markers. This used instrument is in excellent condition and comes with its original hard shell case.
Sold2011 Taylor 856ce Twelve String | Indian Rosewood & Sitka
Twelve-string guitars are what put Taylor on the map thanks to their legendary playability and here's is a 12-string for the ages! This hard-to-find, large body guitar has all the bass and shimmer that we crave from a perfect 12-string guitar. It is gig-ready and in better-than-very good condition condition, especially considering it's vintage. It has a few finish flaws but the pick-up works fine and the neck feels great with nice low action. It features a Sitka Spruce Top, Indian Rosewood Back and Sides, Tropical Mahogany Neck,Ebony Fretboard, Expression System® Electronics, Venetian Cutaway and comes with its original Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Brown Case.
SoldTaylor 722ce Koa w/ Gloss Finish
Players have always appreciated Hawaiian koa’s rich tonal character and beautiful aesthetics, and our new 722ce adds to that heritage with Select-grade koa back, sides and top. Braced with V-Class internal voicing architecture that coaxes out koa’s natural sonic warmth, this Grand Concert yields a vibrant midrange response, pristine trebles and a low end that grows richer with time and play. It looks as striking as it sounds with koa’s natural color variegation amplified by a rich gloss finish and highlighted by rosewood binding, a paua shell rosette, a dark-stained sycamore pickguard and Fountain inlays in mother-of-pearl. The 722ce ships with the built-in ES2 pickup and a deluxe hardshell guitar case.
Sold2013 Collings OM2H
This 2013 Collings OM2H has a beautiful, angelic tone with crispness and clarity, thanks to its resonant Indian Rosewood body and Sitka Spruce top. It's ready for gigs and jam sessions with a strap button and a pickup already installed. The pickup includes a volume and tone wheel, conveniently located just inside the sound hole. One of the standout features is the Brazilian rosewood headstock overlay, paired with the fine abalone Collings logo, giving the guitar an elegant, refined look. The frets show very light wear, the saddle has good height, and the action is comfortable and easy to play. It is in overall very good condition. There is a slight impression on the back of the neck near the seventh fret. Over the years, the guitar has opened up beautifully, offering a rich, musical tone that’s a joy to hear and play. Includes the original Collings hard shell case. Nut width: 1 3/4".
Sold1948 Martin 0-18
Here is an incredibly warm and sweet sounding 0-18 from 1948! In overall excellent playing condition it is comfortable and easy to play. The 1 11/16" nut width is easy to wrap your hand around and the spacing at the bridge is about 2 3/16". My favorite thing about this guitar is the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, bridge and headstock overlay which make this guitar so finely resonant. Action is right where it should be, nice healthy saddle height and the frets have tons of life left in them. This comes with a Martin hard shell case.
Sold2019 Santa Cruz Custom Koa OO with 1929 Appointments
Looking for a stunning Koa OO guitar? This masterpiece has it all—gorgeous all-Koa construction, a rich, resonant tone, and excellent condition with only light fret wear. Crafted from Master-grade Hawaiian Koa, it features a sleek black back strip, Koa body binding, and an unbound peghead with a Koa overlay. The all-Koa design is beautifully accented by black fingerboard binding, a 1929-style rosette, and a refined top border. Originally priced at $11,650, this exceptional instrument comes with its original hard-shell case, also in excellent condition. Specifications: Top Wood: Hawaiian Koa Back & Sides: Hawaiian Koa Body Shape: OO Nut Width: 1 3/4" Scale Length: 24.75"
Sold2021 Martin D-18 Custom | Swiss Alpine Top
One of my favorite things about this 2021 Martin D-18 is the Swiss Alpine top has a few wisps of lovely bearclaw to it especially at the upper shoulders. This guitar is in excellent condition, was well cared for and gently handled. It has crisp, warm tone that has great dynamic range and articulation. Comes with its original hard shell case. 25.4" Scale Length 1 3/4" Nut | 2 5/32" Spacing Serial Number: 2702450
Sold2014 Taylor 512e 12 fret
This warm sounding Cedar and Mahogany Grand Concert size guitar is in very good condition with nice low action and sounds really great! It has been well loved and played and sports a few small dings and dents, minor fret wear and other signs of play including a well worn pickguard. It comes with its original hard shell case.
Sold2014 Bourgeois 0 Vintage
We love the O size guitar for comfort and clarity and the combination of Adirondack Spruce and East Indian Rosewood gives this little beauty an extra warm tone. Vintage Style Herringbone Border w/ Back Purfling and Ziricote Head Veneer lend an elegant touch to this fine instrument and its short scale neck with a 1 3/4" nut width plays like butter. To top it all off, there is a K&K pure mini pickup installed! It is in very good condition with medium fret wear, a few dings and dents here and there along with a decent bit of wear on the back of the neck, likely from capos or rings on fingers and a good bit of pick wear on the pick guard from strumming. There is also one small crack between the fretboard and soundhole. Has easy to play action and has a nice healthy saddle height. Comes with a deluxe hard shell case.
SoldYamaha AC5R ARE
The AC5R ARE concert body cutaway guitar features all-solid rosewood back and sides and a hand-selected Sitka spruce top with original Yamaha A.R.E. wood-torrefaction technology. Natural, dynamic, plugged-in tone from the SRT2 pickup system perfectly suit your performance on stage, and the made-in-Japan premium build quality will gratify advanced players' desires. Concert Body Cutaway Solid Sitka Spruce Top with A.R.E. Solid Rosewood Back and Sides Scalloped Bracing for Louder, Richer Acoustic Sound Natural, Dynamic, Plugged-in Sound by SRT2 System High-Comfort Neck Profile Simple and Distinctive Looks Elixir Strings Gotoh Open-Gear Tuners TUSQ Nut and Saddle Hardshell Case Included Made in Japan
SoldTaylor 214ce-K
Boasting beautiful layered Hawaiian koa back and sides, a solid torrefied spruce top and our comfortable, versatile Grand Auditorum body shape, the 214ce-K makes a strong case as an ideal guitar for performance, practice and everything in between. Our special roasting process for the top adds a dash of mature warmth and depth, while the C-Class bracing inside enhances the overall response with more volume, longer sustain and a boost to low-end power. Offering plenty of projection for any application, this model also includes ES2 electronics for faithful, clear amplified tone and includes a sturdy structured gig bag for storage and transportation.
SoldTaylor 414ce-R
Players looking for an acoustic-electric guitar that can handle virtually any playing style, genre or musical application are sure to be enticed by the Taylor 414ce. This highly versatile Grand Auditorium boasts the beloved tonewood pairing of Indian rosewood back and sides with a Sitka spruce top, voiced with our tone-enhancing V-Class bracing. The result is a warm, rich sound with bell-like highs, throaty lows and a lush overtone character, all with exceptional volume and sustain thanks to the innovative internal architecture. Equally inspiring for strummers, fingerstyle players and flatpickers, the 414ce sports a comfortable, easy-playing neck that makes fretting a breeze at any point on the ebony fretboard. This model comes equipped with ES2 electronics that faithfully reproduce your sound in live or recording scenarios and ships with a deluxe hardshell case for storage and transportation.
SoldTaylor 724ce
Showcasing the gorgeous variegation of Select-grade Hawaiian koa, the acclaimed 724ce remains the standard-bearer for our esteemed 700 Series. This Grand Auditorium boasts back, sides and top of solid Hawaiian koa selected for its visual beauty as well as its punchy, lively musical response. You’ll hear a bold attack with an energetic tone profile that yields crisp trebles, a rich midrange and a low end that grows in over time. A rich gloss finish offers a lustrous feel and aesthetic that’s complemented by mother-of-pearl Fountain inlays, rosewood binding, a paua shell rosette and a dark-stained sycamore pickguard. It includes the ES2 acoustic pickup and a deluxe hardshell guitar case for storage and protection.
Sold2019 Thompson Style 2-KA Koa & Adirondack
This exquisite guitar combines an angelic parlor tone with understated glamour, featuring an Abalone rosette, elegant snowflake fingerboard inlays, and beautiful Hawaiian Koa back and sides—making it a standout addition to any collection. Crafted by Thompson, renowned for their high-quality builds, this guitar boasts a wonderfully comfortable neck, expertly carved for a perfect feel. Despite its compact size, it is a top-tier instrument with remarkable tonal capabilities. The fingerboard inlay is particularly striking, with a stunning blue hue accenting the slotted square and diamond patterns alongside delicate snowflake inlays. One of its standout features is the extended dynamic range provided by the Adirondack top, allowing for both delicate, rich tones and powerful projection when played with more force. This guitar is in excellent condition, with little to no fret wear and no dings or dents. It comes with a TKL case. A truly stunning instrument—don’t miss your chance to own it! Size: 2-KA 24.0" Scale Length 1 3/5" Nut 2 5/16" Spacing Soft V Neck Profile Pre-War Scalloped Bracing Adirondack Bracing
Sold2017 Thompson Size 2 MA Custom
Awesome little Thompson guitar. In overall excellent condition, was gently handled and well cared for by it's prior owner. Sweet, warm and mellow parlor tone of the highest quality! Features a lovely Adirondack spruce top and Mahogany back and sides. Comes with a hard shell case.
Sold2019 Gibson SJ-200 Standard
Elegant and classy this Gibson is finely appointed and has a sound to match. Plays easy, with that wonderful small jumbo bass and all the crispness of maple all wrapped up into one complete package! In overall excellent condition, this guitar was well kept, gently used and ready to make your next hit record. My favorite thing about this guitar is the beautifully golden Maple on the back, sides and neck that is accented with gold tuners and flower pattern on the pickguard. Nicely designed all around. Comes with its original Gibson hard shell case.
Sold1962/63 Martin 00-21 NY
This is one beautiful Martin Brazilian Rosewood OO! This classic 00-21 NY is a great sounding small bodied guitar with big vintage tone. It's just perfect for both strumming and fingerpicking with nice low action and a short scale for reaching all of your favorite chords with ease. At 60+ years young, it is in excellent 100% ready-to-play condition and happily takes regular light gauge strings. We gave it a neck reset and full fret replacement. We also fabricated a new Brazilian Rosewood bridge and did a little touch up on the finish around the bridge. It does appear that the back may have been refinished and one can also see the shadow of old flamenco pickguards that have been removed. This is one sweet sounding and playing Brazilian Rosewood OO and comes with a brand new TKL 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.