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MMD > Archives > July 2002 > 2002.07.06 > 03Prev  Next


Ampico Player Is Missing Parts
By Eliyahu Shahar

After 15 years of putting it off, I'm rebuilding my Ampico.  It's the
first time I'm working on an Ampico so when I started to work on it,
I read all the material available and familiarized myself with the
components.

After disassembly, I double checked my component list and found three
missing parts that were apparently never installed on my piano and one
part that I don't know if it was never installed or if it was removed.

Missing are the following: pump reservoir, treble and bass "crash
pneumatics" and the expression cutoff valve block.

I've heard and read that the pump reservoir and "crash pneumatics" are
often missing so this didn't worry me, but I haven't heard the same
about the expression cutoff valve block.  Logically, the Ampico can
play beautifully without this as long as I'm playing Ampico rolls.
Before I started the restoration, the unit was working (with bringing
up the overall level to mf or greater until recently) and it sounded
good on non-Ampico rolls, but I didn't see any difference when I used
the "Ampico Expression Off" switch.  (Now I know why).

I'd like to know from those out there, with a lot more experience than
I with my one piano, if you've seen pianos missing the expression cutoff
valve block or if it is "always" there.

Would anyone with spare parts be willing to sell me one?

Eliyahu Shahar


(Message sent Sun 7 Jul 2002, 07:23:55 GMT, from time zone GMT+0300.)

Key Words in Subject:  Ampico, Is, Missing, Parts, Player

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