Elderly Instruments
America's leading acoustic and folk instrument shop since 1972
About Elderly Instruments
Elderly Instruments has been a landmark for acoustic instrument lovers since 1972. Based in Lansing, Michigan, Elderly started as a mail-order vintage instrument dealer and grew into one of the country's most respected shops for acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, and related folk instruments.
Where most guitar shops specialize in electric guitars and modern gear, Elderly has always focused on the acoustic side of the market — particularly instruments suited to folk, bluegrass, old-time, country, and Americana music. Their vintage acoustic inventory is among the deepest in the country.
Elderly is an authorized dealer for Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Guild, Collings, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz Guitar Company, National, and many more acoustic-focused builders. Their used and vintage acoustic selection is especially notable — they regularly receive high-quality vintage Martin, Gibson, and Guild acoustics in excellent condition.
The shop has a massive online presence and ships worldwide. Their staff is unusually knowledgeable about acoustic instruments — staff members who have worked there for 20+ years are common. If you're looking for a vintage D-28 or a 1960s Gibson J-45, Elderly is one of the first places to check.
Specialties
- Vintage acoustic guitars (Martin, Gibson, Guild)
- Mandolins — vintage and new (Gibson, Eastman, Weber)
- Banjos — vintage and modern (Gibson, Deering, Gold Tone)
- Ukuleles from beginner to high-end
- Lap steel and resonator guitars
- Folk and bluegrass instrument accessories
Known For
- Largest selection of vintage acoustic instruments in the Midwest
- Deep expertise in folk and bluegrass instrument history
- Consistently accurate condition descriptions
- Long-term customer relationships spanning decades
- Vintage Martin and Gibson acoustic expertise
Price Range
Entry-level to high-end ($200–$30,000+). Elderly has student-level used acoustics alongside investment-grade pre-war Martins.
Buying Tips for Elderly Instruments
Elderly's vintage acoustic grading is conservative and reliable. Their "Good+" consistently means what it says.
Sign up for their email list — they send direct notifications when significant vintage instruments arrive.
For vintage acoustics, ask Elderly staff for playability notes. They often know details about setup and action that don't fit in a listing description.
Elderly has excellent layaway terms for higher-priced instruments — worth asking if you're eyeing something significant.
Their mandolin and banjo selection is harder to find anywhere else. If you're shopping for bluegrass instruments, Elderly is one of the few shops that truly understands the market.
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