It is with great sorrow that we must announce a death in the Casa del Sol family. Al Stancel, our mentor and founder, passed away on November 29th, 1999.

Al founded Casa Del Sol Violins in Indianapolis in 1975. He made and repaired violins, violas and cellos. All instruments were made and repaired using only hand tools. Mr. Stancel's instruments are played in many symphony orchestras, including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

He also served the string community with specialty renovations of instruments. Al was involved with musicians participating in the International Violin Competition in Indianapolis, supplying strings, bow work and repairing instruments.

Mr. Stancel was the only nationally certified appraiser for bowed instruments in Indiana.

Previously, he was an engineer for Ampex Corp. and RCA Corp., retiring from RCA in 1975. A registered professional engineer, he was the holder of seven U.S. patents.

Mr. Stancel was a member of the Guild of American Luthiers and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. He was a life member of the American Radio Relay League and the Quarter Century Wireless Club. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of the University of Chattanooga and Auburn (Ala.) University.