Camac Harps

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.

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

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

• Harp manufacturing
• Concert harps
• Electric harps
• Lever harps
• Musical instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Mouzeil

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Accessories and Strings: Online shop selling harp strings, accessories, music scores, and books, shipped worldwide from Mouzeil offices
3. Financing Services: Partnership with Cofidis providing fixed-rate financing options for harp purchases, enabling customers to spread purchase costs
4. After-Sales Service: Technical support, harp maintenance, repairs, and warranty services provided through international technician network and French headquarters
5. Harp Rental: Rental scheme for adults and young learners in select markets including France and UK, offering flexible access to instruments

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• One Tree PlantedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partnership where Camac plants one tree for every harp manufactured, supporting global reforestation efforts.
• Edmar CastanedaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Colombian jazz harpist Edmar Castaneda to develop the EC Llanera 35 harp, a state-of-the-art Colombian llanera instrument.
• Deborah Henson-ConantflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partnership to create the DHC (Deborah Henson-Conant) ultra-light electric lever harp, weighing only 5kg for portable stage use.
• CofidiscoreOthersFinancing partnership offering fixed-rate credit without guarantee for harp purchases, enabling customers to spread costs over time.
• 1% Harp AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamac 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 ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DEMOS (Dispositif d'Éducation Musicale et Orchestrale à Vocation Sociale) which works toward cultural democratization through orchestral practice.
• Orchestre à l'ÉcoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamac 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamac works with local ESAT (work assistance establishments for disabled persons) to support these facilities and participate in the economic development of social enterprises.
• Dominic MurcottflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Trinity Laban Conservatoire professor to develop MIDI harp technology and create orchestral patches for the Concerto for MIDI harp and orchestra.
• Clarsach for CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting community harp music education initiatives.
• Telynau Vining Harps (Elen Vining)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive 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 NederlandflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor in Netherlands operating a showroom at Hofplein in Rotterdam with 200 sqm exhibition space, harp school, and community programs.
• Elisa VelliaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Greek-French harpist to design the Ulysse professional lever harp, optimized for travel with robust, lightweight construction.
• Mariannig Larc'hantecflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamac 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

Broad 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/CamacHarps
• Instagraminstagram.com/telynauviningharps
• Xx.com/CamacHarps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camac-harps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Camac Harps