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MMD > Archives > June 1997 > 1997.06.06 > 09Prev  Next


Ampico "B" advice
By Dave Saul

This is a response to your June 2 MMD inquiry regarding the Ampico B.

Randy, You will need much greater than average luck to find the missing
parts you need for your Knabe Ampico "B".  First, be aware that the
front piece on the drawer is not readily interchangable from one Model B
piano to another.  Different pianos required different widths, and the
drawer's front piece was customarily made to fit the piano, both
dimensionally and style wise, for which it was made.  If salvagable,
it's best to have the original repaired by the best craftsman you can
find.  The cover panels for the bottom of the drawer are more likely
to fit, if you can find originals, but if not, a cabinet maker can make
something that will fit and look good.  The originals were made of
plywood and finished in black. There are two panels that extend across
the full width of the drawer's underside.

The original cover for your Knabe's pneumatic stack was made of wood,
curved on the rear side and having a larger section in the middle to
accommodate the expression parts attached to the bottom of the stack.
The cover's construction resembles furniture of the "waterfall" style,
and it's nearly impossible to duplicate without the highly specialized
tooling used during manufacture.  Moreover, original stack covers are
not interchangable unless you get lucky in the extreme and find one that
fits your particular stack.  Ampico "B" stacks (and covers) were made
in at least three different sizes.

As regards my book, "The Model B Ampico - an Illustrated Rebuilding
Guide" it's no longer in print.  The book's second printing ran out
just about the same time that Harvey Roehl sold Vestal Press.  The text
was written more than fifteen years ago, and the contents really need
to be brought up to date.  I have re-acquired the copyright, but have
no publication plans at present.

                                  Dave Saul


(Message sent Fri 6 Jun 1997, 21:48:11 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  advice, Ampico, B

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