Guitar Center launches initiative to replace instruments lost in Los Angeles wildfires

13 January, 2025

Musical instrument retailer Guitar Center has announced a new program that will help musicians affected by the Los Angeles wildfires replace their instruments or gear – find out more below.

Last week, Los Angeles began experiencing a total of five concurrent wildfires in several neighbourhoods that have forced the evacuation of over 180,000 residents – the latest tally, per CNN, sees 24 confirmed deaths while Associated Press reports 16 missing people.

Over the weekend, Guitar Center announced the new initiative, which is running from now until February 28. Together, Guitar Center and its Guitar Center Music Foundation have confirmed that they will support musicians and music programs affected by the Los Angeles fires with a special one-time grant that will allow them to replace their destroyed instruments or gear.

In order to qualify for the grant, musicians and programs applying will have to meet several criteria: they will have to be LA-based, may have to provide proof of loss or address and will have to set up an account to apply.

In order to be eligible, music programs will have to classify as one of the following: In-school music classes in which the students make music, after-school music programs that are not run by the school, community music programs which offer music instruction to the community or music therapy programs in which the participants actively make music.

It is worth noting that the grant does not offer cash – instead, it will only replace instruments or gear. Additionally, there is a US$1,500 cap for each applicant.

To find out more or apply for the grant, visit here.

Many stars have also been affected by the wildfires, with Paris Hilton recently opening up about watching her home burn down on television, and Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and Jheńe Aiko losing their homes to the fires as well.

Many music recording spaces have also been destroyed in the catastrophe, including Bob Clearmountain’s legendary Mix This! recording studio in Pacific Palisades. A fundraiser for DIIV frontman Zachary Cole Smith was launched after his house succumbed to the fires, losing all of his equipment in the process.

A benefit concert for the victims has been since announced. Dubbed FireAid, it will take place at LA’s Intuit Dome on January 30, with proceeds going to the rebuild program and to displaced families. No line-up has currently been announced.

Elsewhere, Charli XCX urged brands who send her clothing to instead donate it to those affected by the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.

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