Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > August 1996 > 1996.08.05 > 03Prev  Next


Ampico Valve Block Springs
By Craig Brougher

Robbie Rhodes is absolutely correct when he suggests using Ampico B springs for Ampico A valves. Having hundreds of Ampico pianos all over the USA by now, I occassionally get calls from some earlier ones which were done before decent springs were available.

"My piano sometimes won't even start to play anymore. It's like it's losing lots of air, but you can't hear any leaks. You said it would probably play for the next 50 years. It's only been playing for twenty, so far. What's the trouble?"

The answer invariably is springs. One customer got so mad at me, deciding that all this was my fault, he got under his piano and removed all his valves, boxed them up, sent them to me, and told me (this was 6 years later) to test every one of them, and that he didn't intend to pay me a dime for what should have been done right the first time.

I re-labelled the box, sent them back to this presumptuous know-it-all, and he, thinking I had done what he demanded, reinstalled them. Voilla--- what a difference! It plays again.

The reason are the so-called "springs" which were not springs, but simply spanner bars used to clamp two blocks at a time. When tightened, they merely crush the back of the blocks, which in time relieves itself and gets loose again. Particularly in environments that have a lot of humidty changes.

I strongly advise everyone who owns an Ampico to change out these iron bars to real springs. They are available from Robert Streicher, 717-559-7403, or Player Piano Company. No more loose valve blocks or distorted and cracked blocks which can crush deeply enough to unseat the valve itself!

Craig B.


(Message sent Mon 5 Aug 1996, 13:22:13 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Ampico, Block, Springs, Valve

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page