Our History Founder: George Heinl Violin maker, born Schnecken, Austria, 8 February 1891, Died in Toronto, Ontario, 6 December 1980. Studied violin making with his father, Joseph, and Uncle Johann in Vienna. Apprenticed in various shops and received his violin makers Diploma in 1911. Joined the firm W.E. Hill & Sons of London. After a short time was sent to Toronto to head up the Violin Department at R.S. Williams & Company, 1912-1920. (Williams being the Canadian representatives of Hills at that time.) Went to Ottawa in 1920 to establish his own shop, but returned to Toronto in 1926 and opened Geo. Heinl & Co. which to this date has remained a major supplier of string instruments and accessories. Heinl, Sr. made 148 instruments, mostly patterned after the Stradivarius, Guarnarius, Guadagnini models. In 1944 Heinl passed control of the Company to his sons George Jr.-born in Ottawa 1923 and Frank-born Toronto 1928. Both sons apprenticed as violin makers, but only Frank made instruments professionally. Continue