Tinnin (right) was a cabinet maker for 30 years, specializing in stair work and custom furniture, and dabbled in stringed instrument work on an amateur basis. He attended the Stringed Instrument Restoration Workshop at Oberlin under the direction of Vahakn Nigogosian and Christopher Germain. Tinnin also learned bow making under the tutelage of Lynn Hannings at a University of New Hampshire workshop. He started his stringed instrument business in 1994.

Bob is a retired pattern maker from General Motors. He is a skilled artisan and woodworker. Bob has worked for Tinnin for 10 years and does meticulous repair work.