I am on vacation and just toured the Biltmore Estate in Asheville,
North Carolina, and saw that the Vanderbilt's own grand piano, which
looks like a 5'8" Knabe, is also an Ampico.  The Ampico is missing but
peering underneath I could see that it would be an upside-down valve,
push-rod stack so it dates from the earlier 1920s.

I asked a docent what happened to the Ampico mechanism and he said it
was taken out about seven years ago to be rebuilt and they are anxious
for it to be back so they can play it.  Does anyone know who is doing
this work?

This looks like an outstanding venue for us to get mechanical music in
front of thousands of people a year that go through Biltmore.  Is there
anyone local who can contact them and offer assistance in the completion
and maintenance in exchange for us to put our brochures out at Biltmore?
It really looks like an amazing opportunity!

Ron Babb
pianolists@earthlink.net

 [ Visit http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/asheville/bil.htm
 [ -- Robbie