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MMD > Archives > November 1998 > 1998.11.04 > 12Prev  Next


Offset Expression Holes in Ampico B Tracker Bar
By Bob Taylor

This subject of the alignment of the Ampico B tracker bar expression
holes is explained in detail in Larry Given's book, "Re-Enacting the
Artist".  Copyrighted in 1970, this book is now out of print, but many
libraries have copies.

Pages 52 and 58 explain how the holes, offset by 1/32 inch, compensate
for the differences in speed of the expression regulators of the two
Ampico systems, A and B.  The offset was an effort to make the A coded
rolls play correctly on the new faster acting B expression system.

When the new B rolls were punched, this offset was taken into
consideration for proper placement of roll expression holes.   This
clever design made A rolls somewhat compatible, but still not 100
percent, with the new B piano.  More importantly, the new B rolls were
100 percent backward compatible regarding expression timing on the
thousands of existing Ampico A pianos.

Bob Taylor


(Message sent Wed 4 Nov 1998, 15:09:24 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

Key Words in Subject:  Ampico, B, Bar, Expression, Holes, Offset, Tracker

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