Free Donation Pickups for Musical Instruments and Audio Equipment
DonateYourStuff.ca provides free scheduled donation pickup for qualifying musical instruments and audio equipment across the GTA and select surrounding communities. We accept guitars, keyboards, violins, wind instruments, microphones, amplifiers, speakers and recording equipment.
Musical instruments and audio equipment should be clean, complete, safe and functional. Instruments should include the main parts needed to play them, and powered equipment should turn on and perform its main functions.
Submit a pickup request with your location, the approximate number of instruments, amplifiers, speakers, stands, cases or boxes of accessories and a general description of what you have. We will review your request and contact you by email about pickup availability.
Musical Instrument & Audio Gear Donations We Accept
Musical instrument donations can include stringed, keyboard, wind and percussion instruments, while audio gear can include microphones, amplifiers, speakers, mixers and recording equipment. Cases, bows, mouthpieces, pedals, power supplies, stands and other matching accessories should stay with the instrument or equipment they belong to.
The sections below explain the types of musical instruments and audio gear we accept and what to check before adding them to your pickup request.
Why Condition Matters
Musical instruments and audio equipment can only continue to be used when they are clean, complete, safe and functional.
Instruments should be structurally sound and include the main parts required to play them. Keys, tuning mechanisms, bridges, necks, mouthpieces and other essential components should be present and functional.
Powered equipment must turn on and perform its main functions properly. Cords, plugs, switches, controls, inputs, outputs and speaker components should remain intact and safe.
We reserve the right to decline instruments and audio gear at pickup if they are broken, unsafe, incomplete, contaminated, nonworking, too large to handle safely or significantly different from what was described.
Stringed Instruments
We accept qualifying:
- Acoustic guitars
- Electric guitars
- Classical guitars
- Bass guitars
- Travel guitars
- Children’s guitars
- Ukuleles
- Mandolins
- Banjos of manageable size
- Violins
- Violas
- Small cellos manageable for one person
- Student string instruments
- Bows
- Shoulder rests
- Chin rests
- Rosin
- Guitar straps
- Capos
- Picks
- Tuners
- Instrument stands
- Cases and gig bags
- Other manageable stringed instruments
Stringed instruments should be structurally sound, complete and suitable for normal use.
Check the neck, headstock, fingerboard, bridge, tuning components, body, strings, frets, pickups, controls and output jack where applicable.
Bows should be straight and retain enough bow hair for continued use.
We cannot accept instruments with broken necks, detached bridges, major body cracks, separated seams, missing essential hardware or severe water damage.
Keep bows, cases, straps, cables and other matching accessories with the correct instrument whenever possible.
Portable Keyboards & Digital Instruments
We accept qualifying:
- Portable electronic keyboards
- Compact digital keyboards
- Children’s keyboards that work properly
- MIDI keyboards
- Keyboard controllers
- Portable synthesizers
- Compact digital pianos manageable for one person
- Sustain pedals
- Compatible power adapters
- Music rests
- Keyboard stands
- Small keyboard benches
- Carrying cases
- Keyboard covers
- Other portable electronic instruments
Electronic keyboards must turn on and produce sound or send the intended control signal.
Keys, buttons, controls, displays, speakers, inputs and outputs should function properly.
Include the compatible power adapter, battery cover, sustain pedal, music rest and other required accessories whenever available.
Large digital pianos built into furniture-style cabinets, organs and instruments requiring more than one person to carry cannot be accepted through regular pickup.
Wind & Brass Instruments
We accept:
- Flutes
- Clarinets
- Recorders
- Harmonicas
- Trumpets
- Cornets
- Small student instruments
- Mouthpieces
- Cleaning rods
- Instrument cases
- Other manageable wind and brass instruments
Instruments should be clean, complete and functional.
Keys, valves, slides, pads and other moving components should operate properly enough for normal use.
Keep mouthpieces, cleaning tools and cases with the correct instrument.
We cannot accept instruments with severe corrosion, crushed tubing, missing keys, seized valves, damaged slides or major structural damage.
Small Percussion Instruments
We accept qualifying:
- Tambourines
- Maracas
- Shakers
- Hand drums
- Bongos
- Small congas
- Practice pads
- Drumsticks
- Mallets
- Small cymbals
- Cowbells
- Woodblocks
- Triangles
- Small xylophones
- Children’s percussion instruments
- Percussion bags and cases
- Other manageable percussion instruments
Percussion instruments should be clean, complete and structurally sound.
Drum heads should not be badly torn or separated. Handles, frames, stands and mounting hardware should remain secure.
Keep matching sticks, mallets, stands and accessories together.
Large drum kits, oversized percussion equipment and items requiring more than one person to carry cannot be accepted through regular pickup.
Microphones & Microphone Equipment
We accept qualifying working:
- Dynamic microphones
- Condenser microphones
- Vocal microphones
- Instrument microphones
- USB microphones
- Podcast microphones
- Small wireless microphone systems
- Lavalier microphones
- Desktop microphones
- Microphone clips
- Shock mounts
- Pop filters
- Windscreens
- Microphone stands
- Microphone cables
- Carrying cases
Microphones must work properly and should be free from severe dents, corrosion and damaged connectors.
Wireless microphone systems should include the compatible transmitter, receiver, power supply and battery covers whenever available.
Keep clips, mounts, cables and cases with the correct microphone.
Microphones with damaged wiring, broken connectors or missing essential wireless components cannot be accepted.
Amplifiers & Speakers
We accept qualifying working equipment of manageable size, including:
- Guitar practice amplifiers
- Small guitar amplifiers
- Bass practice amplifiers
- Keyboard amplifiers
- Acoustic instrument amplifiers
- Compact modelling amplifiers
- Headphone amplifiers
- Compact audio amplifiers
- Bookshelf speakers
- Studio monitors
- Compact powered speakers
- Small passive speakers
- Portable PA speakers
- Computer speakers
- Small monitor speakers
- Compact speaker pairs
- Portable sound systems
- Amplifier footswitches
- Speaker stands of manageable size
- Speaker cables
- Compatible power cords
- Protective covers
Amplifiers must turn on, remain powered and produce sound through their intended inputs and outputs.
Speakers must produce clear sound and should be free from severe distortion, damaged cones, loose components and broken connections.
Check the controls, input jacks, output jacks, speakers, cabinets, cords and power connections.
Large amplifier cabinets, oversized subwoofers, commercial PA systems and equipment requiring more than one person to carry cannot be accepted through regular pickup.
Mixers & Recording Equipment
We accept qualifying working:
- Small audio mixers
- Compact mixing boards
- Audio interfaces
- USB audio interfaces
- Small recording devices
- Portable digital recorders
- Small preamps
- Direct boxes
- Headphone amplifiers
- Compact signal processors
- Small studio controllers
- Compatible power adapters
- USB cables
- Carrying cases
- Other manageable recording accessories
Equipment must turn on and perform its primary functions properly.
Inputs, outputs, controls, displays, switches and power connections should remain intact.
Include compatible power supplies, USB cables and required adapters whenever available.
Remove personal recordings, saved sessions, memory cards and other private information before donation.
Pedals & Effects Equipment
We accept qualifying working:
- Distortion pedals
- Overdrive pedals
- Delay pedals
- Reverb pedals
- Chorus pedals
- Compressor pedals
- Looper pedals
- Tuner pedals
- Multi-effects units
- Expression pedals
- Volume pedals
- Pedalboards
- Patch cables
- Compatible power supplies
- Protective cases
Pedals and effects units must power on and process sound properly.
Battery compartments should be clean and free from corrosion. Required battery covers should be included.
Keep compatible power supplies and connecting cables with the equipment whenever possible.
Music Stands & Equipment Stands
We accept qualifying:
- Folding music stands
- Tabletop music stands
- Small conductor stands
- Guitar stands
- Ukulele stands
- Violin stands
- Keyboard stands
- Microphone stands
- Speaker stands of manageable size
- Small equipment stands
- Folding instrument supports
Stands should open, close, adjust and lock properly.
Adjustment knobs, clamps, feet and support arms should remain attached and functional.
Fold stands before packing whenever possible and keep detachable parts together.
Large racks, permanent installations and stands with broken locking mechanisms cannot be accepted.
Sheet Music & Music Books
We accept qualifying:
- Sheet music
- Songbooks
- Instruction books
- Method books
- Music-theory books
- Music examination books
- Guitar tablature books
- Piano books
- Vocal music
- Band arrangements
- Orchestra arrangements
- Choral music
- Instrument exercise books
- Music-reference books
- Complete music sets
- Music folders and binders
Sheet music and books should be clean, dry and free from mould, water damage and missing pages.
Keep multi-part arrangements and complete sets together whenever possible.
Remove personal documents, student records, contact details and unrelated paperwork before packing.
Tuners, Metronomes & Music Accessories
We accept qualifying:
- Clip-on tuners
- Pedal tuners
- Handheld tuners
- Electronic metronomes
- Mechanical metronomes
- Capos
- Guitar straps
- Picks
- Slides
- String winders
- Drum keys
- Music lights
- Practice mutes
- Instrument cleaning kits
- Music folders
- Small instrument stands
- Other reusable music accessories
Electronic accessories must turn on and work properly.
Battery compartments should be clean and include their covers.
Place small accessories inside closed bags, cases or organizers so they remain together.
Instrument Cases & Equipment Bags
We accept qualifying:
- Guitar cases
- Guitar gig bags
- Violin cases
- Small instrument cases
- Keyboard cases
- Microphone cases
- Pedalboard cases
- Mixer bags
- Speaker covers
- Music bags
- Cable bags
- Small equipment cases
Cases and bags should be clean, dry and free from mould, pests and strong odours.
Handles, straps, zippers, latches and hinges should remain functional.
Keep cases with the correct instrument or equipment whenever possible.
Musical Instruments & Audio Gear Donations We Cannot Accept
We cannot accept instruments or audio equipment that is broken, unsafe, contaminated, incomplete, nonworking or too large to handle safely.
Please do not donate:
- Instruments with broken necks
- Instruments with detached bridges
- Instruments with severe body cracks
- Instruments with major water damage
- Instruments affected by mould or mildew
- Instruments exposed to pests
- Instruments with strong smoke or pet odours
- Instruments missing essential components
- Keyboards that do not turn on
- Keyboards with several broken or nonworking keys
- Electronic instruments with damaged displays or controls
- Wind instruments with severe corrosion
- Wind instruments with crushed tubing
- Instruments with seized valves or slides
- Microphones that do not work
- Wireless microphones missing required transmitters or receivers
- Amplifiers that do not turn on
- Amplifiers that do not produce sound
- Speakers with blown or badly damaged drivers
- Speakers with severe distortion
- Audio equipment with exposed wiring
- Equipment with frayed power cords
- Equipment with damaged plugs
- Equipment with cracked electrical housings
- Equipment with burning smells or signs of overheating
- Equipment with leaking or corroded batteries
- Audio equipment missing essential power supplies
- Loose unidentified electrical components
- Upright pianos
- Grand pianos
- Large organs
- Furniture-style digital pianos
- Large amplifier cabinets
- Oversized subwoofers
- Large commercial PA systems
- Permanently installed sound systems
- Large racks of commercial audio equipment
- Oversized drum kits
- Instruments or equipment requiring more than one person to carry
- Cases affected by mould, pests or strong odours
- Sheet music affected by mould or water damage
- Items mixed with garbage
- Equipment packed in wet or collapsing boxes
- Containers that are too heavy to lift safely
- Items that have not been prepared for pickup
Items that do not meet our donation standards may be declined at pickup.
How Many Instruments or Pieces of Audio Gear Are Needed for a Pickup?
Our pickup service is intended for donations large enough to reasonably justify sending a vehicle to your location.
One cable, one microphone stand or one small bag of accessories will usually not qualify for pickup on its own.
A donation is more likely to qualify when it includes several instruments, an instrument with an amplifier and accessories, multiple pieces of working audio equipment or music gear combined with other accepted household donations.
Larger donations from families, schools, music teachers, rehearsal spaces, businesses, moving projects, downsizing or estate cleanouts may also qualify.
You do not need to count every cable, pick or piece of sheet music. Provide your best estimate of the number of instruments, amplifiers, speakers, stands, cases and boxes of accessories.
The overall donation volume, condition, location and current pickup routes will determine whether pickup is available.
How to Musical Instruments and Audio Gear for a Donation Pickup
Please prepare all instruments and audio equipment before your scheduled pickup.
Test every powered item: Confirm that keyboards, microphones, amplifiers, speakers, mixers, pedals and other electronic equipment turn on and perform their main functions properly.
Check cords and plugs: Do not include equipment with exposed wiring, frayed cords, damaged plugs or unsafe electrical repairs.
Inspect every instrument: Check necks, bridges, tuning mechanisms, keys, valves, slides, pads, drum heads and other essential parts.
Keep matching equipment together: Keep instruments with their cases, amplifiers with their power cords and wireless microphones with their transmitters and receivers.
Include required accessories: Keep compatible adapters, foot pedals, sustain pedals, power supplies and specialized cables with the correct equipment.
Remove damaged batteries: Do not include leaking, swollen or corroded batteries.
Clean instruments and equipment: Remove dust, dirt, residue and loose debris from surfaces, cases and controls.
Clean removable mouthpieces: Pack each cleaned mouthpiece with the correct instrument.
Protect instrument surfaces: Use original cases, gig bags or padded covers whenever available.
Secure delicate parts: Protect tuning machines, keys, controls, knobs and other parts that could be damaged during transportation.
Coil cables properly: Coil instrument, microphone and speaker cables loosely and secure them with reusable ties.
Label power supplies: Identify which instrument or piece of equipment each adapter belongs to.
Pack small accessories: Place picks, tuners, capos, mouthpieces, clips, adapters and other small accessories inside closed bags or organizers.
Protect microphones: Use microphone cases or padded containers and keep clips and mounts together.
Fold stands: Collapse music, microphone, keyboard and speaker stands before pickup whenever possible.
Protect sheet music: Pack music books and sheet music upright inside strong, dry boxes.
Remove personal information: Check cases, binders, equipment memory and storage media for names, addresses, account details and personal recordings.
Use manageable containers: Use several strong boxes or equipment cases instead of one container that is too heavy to lift safely.
Label every container: Use labels such as Instruments, Audio Equipment, Cables, Sheet Music, Microphones or Music Accessories.
Protect everything from weather: Store prepared instruments and electronics indoors, in a dry garage or in another protected location until pickup.
Separate unacceptable equipment: Do not mix nonworking electronics, damaged instruments, leaking batteries or garbage with equipment prepared for donation.
For complete instructions, review our how to prepare your donations page before pickup.
How Musical Instrument & Audio Gear Donation Pickup Works
Step 1: Submit your pickup request: Complete the online form and provide your location, approximate number of instruments, speakers, amplifiers, stands, cases and boxes. Describe the main equipment included and mention any additional donation categories.
Step 2: We review your donation: We review your location, estimated donation volume, equipment types, overall condition, how everything is packed, other accepted items included, available vehicle space and current route availability. We may request photos or additional information by email.
Step 3: Receive email confirmation: Your pickup is only scheduled after you receive confirmation by email. Preferred dates and times submitted through the form are requests and are not automatically secured.
Step 4: Prepare and stage your equipment: Test and pack all approved instruments and audio equipment. Keep required accessories together, protect delicate parts and use cases or strong containers whenever possible.
Step 5: We collect the approved items: Once your pickup is confirmed, our team collects the approved instruments and audio gear. Items that are broken, unsafe, nonworking, incomplete, improperly packed or significantly different from what was described may be declined.
How Your Donations Help
Donating musical instruments and audio gear does more than clear space from a music room, rehearsal area, basement or storage space.
It helps:
- Keep reusable musical instruments in circulation
- Give working amplifiers, speakers and audio equipment another opportunity to be used
- Keep music books, stands and accessories in use
- Reduce waste from unwanted and surplus music equipment
- Create local work connected to pickup, sorting, preparation and distribution
- Support the continued expansion of the Thrift Society reuse network
- Support the Family Relief Program through a portion of the value created
- Build a stronger culture of reuse in Canadian communities
Musical Instrument & Audio Gear Donation Pickup Areas
Schedule Your Free Free Musical Instrument Donation Pickup
Have several instruments, amplifiers, speakers, cases or boxes of music accessories ready to donate?
Submit a pickup request with your location, approximate number of items and a general description of the equipment.
Tell us if the donation includes stringed instruments, keyboards, wind instruments, percussion instruments, microphones, amplifiers, speakers, recording equipment, music stands, sheet music, tuners, cables or other accepted items.
We will review your request and contact you by email regarding availability.
Once approved, test powered equipment, keep instruments with their cases and accessories, coil cables, fold stands, protect delicate components and prepare everything for collection. We handle the pickup so you do not have to transport all of the instruments and audio gear to a donation centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I donate musical instruments and audio gear near me?
DonateYourStuff.ca provides scheduled musical instruments and audio gear donation pickup in select Ontario communities.
Check our donation pickup service areas page to confirm whether pickup is available in your city.
Can I drop off instruments or audio equipment instead of requesting pickup?
DonateYourStuff.ca provides a scheduled pickup service and does not operate a public musical instrument or audio equipment drop-off location.
Submit a pickup request with the approximate amount of equipment you have and your location so we can determine whether the donation qualifies.
Can I choose where my donated instruments and audio gear go?
No specific recipient, organization or destination can be guaranteed.
Accepted instruments and equipment are directed through the Thrift Society reuse network based on their condition, usefulness and current opportunities for continued use.
Should I remove names and personal information from instruments and cases?
Remove names, addresses, phone numbers, school identification, customer information and other personal details whenever possible.
Check instrument cases, sheet-music binders, equipment bags, saved recordings and removable storage media before pickup.
What should I do with broken instruments or audio equipment you cannot accept?
Broken, unsafe or nonworking instruments and audio equipment should not be included with your donation.
Recycling and disposal options vary by item and municipality. Check your local municipal waste guidelines or an appropriate electronics, battery or instrument-repair option for the correct next step.
Do you accept musical instrument and audio gear donations throughout the year?
Pickup requests can be submitted throughout the year.
Approval depends on your location, donation volume, equipment condition, available vehicle space and current scheduled routes.
Who We Are
DonateYourStuff.ca is the official donation pickup arm of Thrift Society, a Canadian social reuse initiative that keeps useful goods in circulation while creating local employment, supporting family relief and reducing waste.
Every qualifying musical instrument and audio gear donation helps:
- Keep reusable instruments and music equipment in circulation
- Give working amplifiers, speakers and accessories another opportunity to be used
- Create Canadian work connected to pickup, sorting, preparation and distribution
- Reduce waste by keeping reusable music equipment out of landfills
- Support the continued expansion of the Thrift Society reuse network
- Support the Family Relief Program through a portion of the value created by donated items
A portion of the value created through donated items helps support the Family Relief Program and other work connected to the continued growth of the initiative.
Other Donations We Accept
- DVDs & Blu-rays
- VHS Tapes
- Cassette Tapes
- Vinyl Records
- Books & Learning Materials
- Household Items & Small Furniture
- Kitchen & Dining
- Clothing & Accessories
- Baby Items
- Arts, Crafts & Sewing
- Tools & Home Improvement
- Electronics
- Musical Instruments & Audio Gear
- Fitness & Exercise Equipment
- Sporting Goods
- Camping & The Outdoors
- Holiday, Costumes & Seasonal
- Mobility & Medical Aids
- Pet Supplies
- Office & School Supplies
- Jewelry & Accessories
- Collectibles & Memorabilia
- Wall Art & Home Décor
- Bedding, Linens & Textiles