Guitars for Vets and The Acoustic Shoppe: A Partnership for Healing
Guitars for Vets is changing lives across the country by offering veterans an opportunity to heal from the emotional and mental wounds of service through the power of music. This nationally recognized nonprofit organization, in collaboration with The Acoustic Shoppe and Breedlove Guitars, is making strides during PTSD Awareness Month by providing guitars and music lessons to veterans in need. With over 160 chapters nationwide and more than 10,000 guitars already distributed, they are building a legacy of healing and connection through community, music, and compassion.
A Mission Rooted in Purpose
Guitars for Vets was founded with one clear purpose: to serve those who have served. Veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often struggle with emotional isolation, anxiety, and depression. Traditional therapy can help, but for many, music provides a unique outlet for expression and healing that transcends words. Through personalized instruction, donated guitars, and a network of supportive peers, helping veterans rediscover joy, connection, and purpose.
The organization offers each veteran 10 private guitar lessons with a qualified instructor, a brand-new acoustic guitar, essential accessories, and a method book — all completely free of charge. These aren't just lessons; they're lifelines.
Why This Work Matters — Especially During PTSD Awareness Month
June marks PTSD Awareness Month, a time to focus national attention on the silent struggles many veterans face. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 11–20% of veterans from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom live with PTSD in a given year.
Guitars for Vets provides a tangible, emotionally resonant solution to this epidemic. Music therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve cognitive function. For veterans, playing the guitar becomes more than a hobby — it becomes a form of therapy and a gateway to healing.
Through jam sessions, peer support, and community events, veterans participating in the program find new meaning in their lives. They gain confidence, develop new skills, and build friendships that often last a lifetime.
3 Breedlove Guitars Making a Difference
As part of this initiative, The Acoustic Shoppe has received three stunning Breedlove guitars to be sold with 100% of proceeds donated to Guitars for Vets (1 guitar = 8-10 guitars for veterans). These aren’t just any guitars — they are premium, USA-made instruments built to inspire and elevate musicianship. Each one showcases the finest tonewoods and craftsmanship from Breedlove’s Oregon workshop.
🎸 Oregon Concert CE Myrtlewood-Myrtlewood
This guitar features visually striking solid Myrtlewood for both the top and back/sides, offering a bright, balanced tone with stunning clarity.
I want this guitar!Key Features:
Top: Solid Myrtlewood
Back & Sides: Solid Myrtlewood
Neck: Eastern Hard Rock Maple
Fingerboard: African Ebony
Sound Optimized® tone
Soft cutaway Concert body shape for comfort and access
🎸 Oregon Concert CE Sitka-Myrtlewood
A classic pairing of Sitka spruce and Myrtlewood delivers dynamic range and shimmering highs, perfect for players who want balance and projection.
I want this Guitar!Key Features:
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Solid Myrtlewood
Neck: Eastern Hard Rock Maple
Fingerboard: African Ebony
Versatile tone for fingerstyle and strumming
Natural satin finish for resonant open sound
🎸 Oregon Concert Earthsong Myrtlewood-Myrtlewood LTD
A limited-edition masterpiece built with sustainably sourced Myrtlewood. The Earthsong features unique inlays and comes from Breedlove’s Earth-conscious production line.
I want this Guitar!Key Features:
Top: Solid Myrtlewood (salvaged from storm-damaged trees)
Back & Sides: Solid Myrtlewood
Unique “Earthsong” fretboard inlay
FSC-certified components and eco-conscious build
Limited production run
Each guitar is not only a beautiful and powerful musical instrument — it’s a direct investment in healing and transformation through Guitars for Vets.
How You Can Help
There are two main ways you can support:
1.Put a Bid in for 1 of 3 stunning Breedlove Guitars
Visit Givebutter.com
100% of proceeds goes to purchasing more guitars ( 1 guitar = 8-10 guitars)
2. Donate Through The Acoustic Shoppe
Visit The Acoustic Shoppe
Look for the featured Guitars for Vets
Donate a specific or custom amount, all proceeds go directly to Guitars for Vets
Share the mission with your community and music circles
Real Impact, Real Stories
The beauty of Guitars for Vets is not just in the music played — it’s in the lives changed. Veterans often report a renewed sense of purpose after completing the program. The confidence that comes from learning a new instrument, the camaraderie formed in group sessions, and the emotional outlet music provides can be life-changing.
One veteran shared:
“Having the Guitars for Vets program helped me reconnect with that sense of calmness and feeling that I haven’t really had since I left Iraq.”
— Jason Smith, U.S. Army Veteran and ASU student
These stories reveal how Guitars for Vets turns isolation into connection. Playing music helps veterans express feelings they may not be able to verbalize. It's a therapeutic experience that brings hope, fosters resilience, and often reignites a passion for life. One guitar can make all the difference in the world, allowing us to help our veterans just as much as they have helped us!
Music That Heals, Partners That Care
In many ways, the work of Guitars for Vets symbolizes the best of what can happen when nonprofits, musicians, and businesses come together with a shared mission. Thanks to partnerships with companies like Breedlove and community leaders like The Acoustic Shoppe, the organization is poised to reach more veterans than ever.
The power of music is universal, but for veterans grappling with PTSD, it can be transformational. The program doesn’t just teach music — it helps veterans find their voice, rebuild their confidence, and reconnect with the world around them.
Join the Mission Today
This PTSD Awareness Month, let’s do more than acknowledge the challenges our veterans face — let’s act. Whether you’re a musician, a music lover, or simply someone who wants to give back, your involvement can make a difference.
Support Guitars for Vets by visiting:
Share their story. Spread the message. Help turn silence into song.
