Camac Clio – opinions?

[shelby-m]

This past week I went down to Virginia to check out my top potential college and I was talking with the music director about what kind of musical opportunities I would have.

[andy-b]

Hi, Shelby: I had a Camac Clio Ex for about a year and a half – it was a fantastic harp. The projection was excellent and the sound was nice and warm. It was also very easy to move (for a pedal harp). The only reason I traded it in was I wanted a concert grand (and I went with another Camac!). I’ve tried several other Clios, and they seem to be generally good – though the extended soundboard does make a big difference in volume and tone. The only thing I don’t like about the Clio model is that the base is deeper than many other harps…and the pedals correspondingly slightly higher. This probably wouldn’t be a big deal if you play with any sort of heel on your shoe, but being a guy and wearing lower heeled shoes, it was harder to change pedals than on other harps. Hope this helps!

Andy

[shelby-m]

Thank you very much!

[catherine-rogers]

You can use a Camac Clio for a lot of orchestral work but sometimes you will definitely need the lower notes that you only get on a concert grand, which is why I still have my 23. Although I love the Clio and highly recommend it, if you know you’re going to play orchestral repertoire, consider a used Chicago or 85CG. They can be had for much less than $30K. Whatever you get, be sure it has an extended soundboard.

As for the regulation, you can regulate your own harp (whatever the brand) if you’re properly trained and if you have the patience. However, there are so many “traveling harp techs” now who are very good that it’s hardly worth the trouble to do it yourself. The difference with Camacs is you don’t have to change the pedal felts or pedal slot felts because there aren’t any. Also it’s very easy to adjust the pedal rods because they’re not rods, they’re cables which are accessible without removing the base.

[shelby-m]

The orchestra at the college (Southern Virginia University) is rather small and they would only play music that had a harp part if they had a harpist (and right now they don’t have a harpist – that’s why they’re so excited that I’m interested in the school!).

[deb-l]

I admit I often check the used pedal harps on Virginia harp centers website. There is a Clio straight that I think of, and there was an Aoyama etude that was a really good price. I got my Korrigan from them. But today I saw a 1924 style 17 that blew me away. New neck and base too. I love the old L&Hs.

[deb-l]

It’s a style 16, sorry.

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