Today we feature innovate French double bass luthier Patrick Charton.  Patrick has been turning heads with models like his B21, C21, and Suit-Bass for many years, and it was great to chat with him about how he developed these unique models. About Patrick Charton: Patrick Charton's new instruments have attracted the attention of many soloists and musicians from French and foreign orchestras.  They have won many awards in various international competitions, including: Gold Medals: Paris 1991 contrabass Portland 2004 contrabass Silver Medal: Portland 2004 Cello Sound Prize: Paris 2004 Cello Paris 2004 Alto Quality Violin Making Certificates: Iowa City 2002 Portland Quartet 2004 violin Musicora innovation Prize: Paris 2003 Double bass B21 Links to Check Out: Patrick's Website Suit-Bass video Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: D’Addario Strings This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D’Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets. Robertson & Sons Violins For more than four decades, Robertson & Sons has specialized in providing the highest quality stringed instruments and bows to collectors, professional musicians, music educators, and students of all ages. Their modern facility is equipped with three instrument showrooms as well as a beautiful Recital Hall available to our clients to in their search for the perfect instrument and/or bow. The English Double Bass Book The English Double Bass Book examines the great English double bass makers of the 18th and 19th Century, illustrating in fine detail the incredible work they produced. It also explores the fascinating story of how the double bass came to England, its development guided by the great Venetian virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti, and the rise and fall of the English double bass makers. To pre-order your limited-edition copy, please visit www.theenglishdoublebass.com.   Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!