François Charle

Having always been interested in string instruments, François Charle discovered the guitar in the 1960s and it soon became his favorite. As his enthusiasm grew, it followed that he began to specialize in their restoration.

A great lover and connoisseur of American instruments in particular, such as Martin, Gibson and National, he rapidly gained a reputation as a specialist and was eventually accepted to la Compagnie Nationale des Experts in France, with a specialty in American lutherie of the 19th and 20th centuries.

François Charle has also contributed to numerous periodicals, both in France and abroad, such as Frets, Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Gallery, Guitar World, Trad Magazine, Modal, Hot Club News, Guitar Graphic and Vintage Guitare on both musical and lutherie subjects. He is a contributor of: http://www.laguitare.com a website dedicated to every kind of guitar.

For several years he has been working diligently on a book tracing the history of Selmer-Maccaferri and Selmer guitars. After having sold out for years it is now available. It is a reference for all the lovers of these guitars. In 2008 he helped Andre Duchossoir making his new book about Gibson lap steel guitars: Gibson Electric Steel Guitars

Non professional photographer he just produced a book called "Reflexions" with pictures he made of the Galerie Vero-Dodat http://www.francoischarle.com

To contact François CHARLE : fc@rfcharle.com

The shop is located in the Galerie Véro-Dodat, one of the most elegant covered streets remaining in the center of Paris. Dating from 1823, it is one of the only galleries surviving in 'period' condition. Located between rue Croix des Petits Champs and rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, the gallery also harbors numerous other arts-related enterprises.

For 30 years now, the shop of Rosyne and François Charle has offered:

Repair and maintenance of all string instruments, bowed or plucked

Restoration and conservation of historically important string instruments

Expertise, evaluation, and insurance appraisals

The sale of contemporary string instruments (new and used) as well as vintage violins, guitars, banjos, mandolins and more.

Instruments are bought, sold and consigned.

The shop features:

A complete line of strings and accessories

Method books for all instruments

Books on lutherie and instrument history

Selmer and Selmer-Maccaferri guitar plans, full scale builder's plans for a 14 fret Selmer guitar and a 12 fret Selmer-Maccaferri

 Magazines and selected CDs