Ben Patron, at the culmination of a varied career that included work as a lift truck driver, cannery worker, inventor, motorcycle customizer and restorer, artist, and vintage instrument dealer, continues to explore the extreme boundaries of lutherie in his shop in the foothills of the Sierra. In his spare time, he performs on guitar and provides motivational talks at local Rotary Clubs and other venues. Supporting him in his sometimes whacky adventures is his wife Cherie, a super woman who can sing and ride and dance on roller skates, and is disobedient too — another plus.

▪ bio current as of 2010