Camac Harps
Camac Harps is a French manufacturer founded in 1972 that produces pedal, lever, electric, and South American harps for professional concert harpists, orchestras, conservatories, and students, distributed through a dealer network across 50+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersMouzeil, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Camac Harps does
Camac Harps (legal name: Les Harpes Camac) is a French harp manufacturer founded in 1972 by Gérard and Joël Garnier in Mouzeil, Brittany. The company produces a comprehensive range of pedal harps, lever and Celtic harps, electric and electroacoustic harps, and South American harps, spanning entry-level student instruments to concert grand models adopted by world-class orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Paris Opera, Royal Concertgebouw, Gewandhausorchester, Bavarian State Opera, and Gulbenkian Orchestra. Its customer base spans professional harpists and soloists, conservatories and music schools, Celtic and folk musicians, electric and amplified harp players, and South American harpists across more than 50 countries.
Camac's portfolio includes flagship concert grand models (Jubilé, Art Nouveau, Oriane 47, Trianon 47, Elysée, Canopée), professional and student pedal harps (Atlantide Prestige, Vendôme, Égérie, Schola, Clio), lever harps (Mademoiselle, Ulysse, Aziliz, Excalibur, Hermine, Telenn, Odyssey), electric models (DHC 32, DHC 36, Blue 47, Big Blue 47, Mini Blue 44, Electroacoustic Jubilé), and South American harps (EC Llanera 35, Electro Llanera 37, Electro Paraguayan). Underlying technologies include piezoelectric pickups developed for electric harps, MIDI integration for digital music software, hydraulic pedal systems with computer control, carbon fiber column cores, and curved soundbox construction rooted in 19th-century Erard principles but executed with modern CNC tooling. The company holds the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label since 2006 and was among the first recipients of the Luthiers et facteurs de France label from CSFI in 2022.
Camac generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of new harps via flagship Paris and Mouzeil showrooms, regional hubs in Cardiff, Rotterdam, Berlin, and Bonn, and a network of over 50 authorized dealers worldwide. Ancillary revenue streams include an e-commerce shop for strings and accessories, after-sales service through an international technician network, harp rental programs in select markets, and financing through a Cofidis partnership. The company is structured as a Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) with share capital of €312,240 and is led by President Jakez François (since 2000) and General Director Éric Piron, with no disclosed external investment, private equity, or parent ownership.
Camac Harps firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Camac Harps
- Legal name
- Les Harpes Camac
- Website
- https://camac-harps.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Camac Harps is a French manufacturer founded in 1972 that produces pedal, lever, electric, and South American harps for professional concert harpists, orchestras, conservatories, and students, distributed through a dealer network across 50+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Camac Harps industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Musical Instruments Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (45914)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Instrument & Pro Audio Retail (Online/Brick-and-Mortar) (MPAIAJAH), Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables) (CRALAEAE), Instrument Rental & Backline Services (MPAIAJAI), Instrument Repair, Maintenance & Luthier Services (CRALAEAF)
Keywords
Where Camac Harps is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mouzeil
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Camac Harps business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Harp Sales: Sale of new pedal harps, lever harps, electric harps, and South American harps ranging from student models to concert grand instruments. Sales through showrooms, international distributors, and dealer network.
- Accessories and Strings: Online shop selling harp strings, accessories, music scores, and books, shipped worldwide from Mouzeil offices
- Financing Services: Partnership with Cofidis providing fixed-rate financing options for harp purchases, enabling customers to spread purchase costs
- After-Sales Service: Technical support, harp maintenance, repairs, and warranty services provided through international technician network and French headquarters
- Harp Rental: Rental scheme for adults and young learners in select markets including France and UK, offering flexible access to instruments
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Student lever harps - Entry-level Celtic harps for beginners |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Professional lever harps - High-end Celtic harps for serious players and professionals |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Student pedal harps - Entry-level concert harps for developing musicians |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Professional concert harps - Mid-range concert instruments |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Concert grand harps - Flagship instruments for soloists and orchestras |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Electric and electroacoustic harps |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Camac Harps product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Camac Harps manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of harps including concert grand pedal harps, professional and student pedal harps, Celtic lever harps, electric and electroacoustic harps (including the iconic Blue Harp line), and South American harps. The company also offers harp accessories, strings, rental services, financing, and after-sales technical support through showrooms, an international dealer network, and an online shop.
Product overview
Camac Harps is a French manufacturer of fine harps founded in 1972, producing a comprehensive portfolio of four distinct harp categories: Pedal Harps (concert grand, professional, and student models ranging from 44 to 47 strings), Lever/Celtic Harps (professional and student models including Mademoiselle, Ulysse, Aziliz, Janet, Excalibur, Lancelot, Isolde, Mélusine, Hermine, Telenn, and Odyssey), Electric and Electroacoustic Harps (the iconic Blue Harp line including DHC ultra-light portable models, The Blue 47, Big Blue 47, and electroacoustic Jubilé), and South American Harps (EC Llanera and Paraguayan harps developed with Edmar Castaneda). The company also offers complementary services including harp rental, financing, insurance, second-hand sales, and technical support with a global network of technicians. Pedal harps carry an industry-leading 10-year warranty. The products range from entry-level student instruments to concert grand harps adopted by world-class orchestras including the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, Paris Opera, and Royal Concertgebouw.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DHC Harps: Ultralight electric lever harp developed with American jazz harpist Deborah Henson-Conant, weighing 5 kg
- Odyssey Harps
- Blue Harps
Products and services
- Concert Grand Pedal Harps Flagship 44-47 string pedal harps designed for soloists and orchestras, including models such as Jubilé, Art Nouveau Gold, Ebony Canopée, Oriane 47 Gold, Trianon 47, Elysée, and Art Nouveau. These instruments feature the Nouveau son construction based on 19th-century Erard principles and are adopted by orchestras such as the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonics, Paris Opera, and Royal Concertgebouw.
- Professional Concert Pedal Harps Mid-range concert pedal harps including Atlantide Prestige, Vendôme, Égérie Extended, and Égérie Straight. These instruments offer advanced playability, mechanics, and maintenance features suitable for serious students and developing professionals.
- Student Pedal Harps Entry-level concert pedal harps designed for students transitioning to full-size instruments, including Schola (46 strings), Clio Extended, and Clio Straight models that benefit from Nouvelle Génération mechanical innovations.
- Professional Lever Harps High-end Celtic lever harps including Mademoiselle, Ulysse (8.8 kg ultralight, developed with Elisa Vellia), Aziliz, Janet, Concert Melusine, and Excalibur, designed for serious players and professional Celtic musicians.
- Student Lever Harps Entry-level Celtic harps for beginners and students including Lancelot, Celtic Isolde, Melusine, Classical Isolde, Telenn Small Hands, Hermine, Telenn, and Odyssey, ranging from 27 to 38 strings in nylon, gut, or fluorocarbon.
- Electric Lever Harps Ultra-light electric lever harps with built-in piezoelectric pickups including DHC 32 (5 kg ultralight, developed with Deborah Henson-Conant) and DHC 36 models designed for portable stage use and amplified performance.
- Electric Pedal Harps Iconic Blue Harp line of electric pedal harps including The Blue 47, Electroacoustic Jubilé, The Big Blue 47, Little Big Blue 44, and Mini Blue 44, combining natural acoustic harp sound with electric amplification and effects processing.
- South American Harps Llanera and Paraguayan-style harps developed in collaboration with Colombian jazz harpist Edmar Castaneda, including EC Llanera 35, Electro Llanera 37, and Electro Paraguayan Harp for traditional South American repertoire and Latin jazz fusion.
- MIDI Harp Harp with MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technology enabling connection to computers and electronic sound modules. Awarded the Max Matthews Technology Innovation Award at the Quartz Awards in 2011.
- Harp Strings and Accessories Replacement strings (nylon, gut, fluorocarbon, wound bass), tuning accessories, cases, and music stands sold through the Camac Webshop and shipped worldwide from Mouzeil, France.
- Harp Rental Service Harp rental program for adults and young learners, including trial appointments at showrooms and international rental options in markets such as France and UK.
- Financing and Insurance Fixed-rate credit without guarantee through Cofidis partnership enabling customers to spread harp purchase costs, plus harp insurance services for instrument protection.
- Second-hand Harps Pre-owned harps that are selected, serviced, and warranted by Camac, available through dedicated platforms at reduced prices.
- Technical Support and After-Sales Service Global network of certified technicians, downloadable technical manuals, video tutorials, and warranty conditions (10 years for pedal harps) for harp maintenance, repairs, and customer support.
- Camac Harp School Harp lessons and harp ensemble programs offered through the Camac Harpen Nederland location in Rotterdam, providing music education to students of all levels.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10-year warranty on pedal harps - unprecedented in the industry
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Camac Harps
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Camac Harps technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Camac Harps partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- One Tree PlantedcoreEnvironmental partnership where Camac plants one tree for every harp manufactured, supporting global reforestation efforts.
- Edmar CastanedaflagshipCollaboration with Colombian jazz harpist Edmar Castaneda to develop the EC Llanera 35 harp, a state-of-the-art Colombian llanera instrument.
- Deborah Henson-ConantflagshipDevelopment partnership to create the DHC (Deborah Henson-Conant) ultra-light electric lever harp, weighing only 5kg for portable stage use.
- CofidiscoreFinancing partnership offering fixed-rate credit without guarantee for harp purchases, enabling customers to spread costs over time.
- 1% Harp AssociationcoreCamac sponsors this solidarity network collecting funds from harp sales and harp events to finance instrument purchases and redistribute unused equipment to under-resourced institutions worldwide.
- DEMOS ProgramminorPartnership with DEMOS (Dispositif d'Éducation Musicale et Orchestrale à Vocation Sociale) which works toward cultural democratization through orchestral practice.
- Orchestre à l'ÉcoleminorCamac actively supports this program aimed at fostering youth development and success through collective instrumental practice in schools.
- ESAT (Établissements et Services d'Aide par le Travail)minorCamac works with local ESAT (work assistance establishments for disabled persons) to support these facilities and participate in the economic development of social enterprises.
- Dominic MurcottflagshipCollaboration with Trinity Laban Conservatoire professor to develop MIDI harp technology and create orchestral patches for the Concerto for MIDI harp and orchestra.
- Clarsach for CommunitiesminorPartnership supporting community harp music education initiatives.
- Telynau Vining Harps (Elen Vining)flagshipExclusive distributor for Camac harps throughout UK and Ireland, operated by harpist Elen Vining from Cardiff. Provides sales, rentals, harp lessons, and ensemble classes.
- Camac Harpen NederlandflagshipRegional distributor in Netherlands operating a showroom at Hofplein in Rotterdam with 200 sqm exhibition space, harp school, and community programs.
- Elisa VelliaflagshipCollaboration with Greek-French harpist to design the Ulysse professional lever harp, optimized for travel with robust, lightweight construction.
- Mariannig Larc'hantecflagshipEarly collaboration with one of the first harp teachers in Brittany to develop the Morgane 34-string Celtic harp.
- Chambre Syndicale de la Facture Instrumentale (CSFI)coreCamac is a founding recipient of the Luthiers et facteurs de France label created by CSFI, which promotes ethical manufacturing and sustainability in French instrument making.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Camac Harps competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Yamaha Corporation: Global musical instrument giant offering keyboards, acoustic pianos, strings, and professional audio, with broader product depth and educational programs that overlap with Camac's institutional and student markets.
- Buffet Crampon: French maker of woodwind instruments (clarinets, saxophones, oboes) and an EPV-certified craft manufacturer, comparable as a heritage French instrument-maker competing for institutional and professional musician customers.
- Baldwin Pianos: Historic American keyboard/piano maker under larger musical-instrument ownership; comparable as a heritage acoustic instrument brand serving concert venues and educational institutions, analogous to Camac's customer base.
Direct peers
- Rees Harps: UK-based maker of custom Celtic/lever harps, comparable to Camac's lever harp line (Melusine, Isolde, Telenn) and competing for the same European Celtic harp customers.
- Salvi Harps: Italian maker of concert pedal and electric harps, historically a leading rival to Camac in the professional harp market, with comparable orchestra placements (Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic) and overlapping pedal/electric product lines.
- Triplett Harps: American boutique harp maker specializing in custom lever and pedal harps, competing with Camac in the high-end Celtic/lever harp niche for solo performers.
- Lyon & Healy Harps: American pedal and lever harp manufacturer founded in 1889, one of the most established names in concert pedal harps and a direct competitor to Camac across orchestral, lever, and student instrument categories.
Regional players
- Aoyama Harp: Japanese harp maker producing pedal and semi-pedal harps primarily for the Japanese and broader Asian market, serving orchestras and schools as a regional peer to Camac's Asian distributor network.
Emerging players
- Stentor Musical Instruments: UK manufacturer focused on student orchestral string and brass instruments, comparable to Camac's student harp tier (Schola, Clio, Lancelot, Hermine) as the entry-level offering to music schools and conservatories.
Others
- Pirastro / Thomastik (string makers): Premium string manufacturers for orchestral instruments including harp strings, comparable to Camac's strings and accessories webshop business serving the same harpist and orchestra customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Camac Harps social profiles
Digital presenceCamac Harps financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Camac Harps leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Camac Harps subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Camac Harps funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Camac Harps M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Camac Harps
What does Camac Harps do?
Camac Harps manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of harps including concert grand pedal harps, professional and student pedal harps, Celtic lever harps, electric and electroacoustic harps (including the iconic Blue Harp line), and South American harps. The company also offers harp accessories, strings, rental services, financing, and after-sales technical support through showrooms, an international dealer network, and an online shop.
Is Camac Harps a public or private company?
Camac Harps is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Camac Harps founded?
Camac Harps was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Camac Harps based?
Camac Harps is headquartered in Mouzeil, France, in the Europe region.
How does Camac Harps make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Harp Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Strings, financing Services, after-Sales Service and harp Rental.
Who are Camac Harps's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Yamaha Corporation, Buffet Crampon and Baldwin Pianos. Direct peers are Rees Harps, Salvi Harps, Triplett Harps and Lyon & Healy Harps. Aoyama Harp is listed as a regional player. Stentor Musical Instruments is listed as an emerging player. Pirastro / Thomastik (string makers) is listed as an others.
Does Camac Harps have an API?
No public API is recorded for Camac Harps.
What industry is Camac Harps in?
Camac Harps's product category is Musical Instruments Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAA, Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAH, Instrument & Pro Audio Retail (Online/Brick-and-Mortar). Its NAICS code is 459140 and its SIC code is 3931.