In 17.08.12 MMD, John Hupcey writes:

> Is there such a thing as a foot-pumped Ampico reproducing piano?
> Did Ampico sell non-reproducers in the early 1920s?

John, yes indeed, the American Piano Company built pianos that were
Ampicos and were upright pumpers.  They are referred to as Marque
Ampico or The Marque Ampico.  There were several variations in the
reproducing pneumatics but all were based on the model A Ampico.
There are a few around and are an interesting variation of the normal
reproducer.

I am not sure what market they were going after but in the 1920s there
were still a lot of homes, especially in rural areas, that did not have
electricity and the Marque Ampico provided a product for that market.

I restored one many years ago in a Foster piano which still lives and
works in my son's home.  I also assisted the late John Phillips in
Tasmania with information and photographs as he was restoring one as
well.

As far as Ampico selling non-reproducers, all Ampicos were reproducing
pianos.  However, the American Piano Company, builders of the Ampico,
also had lines of non-reproducing player pianos but they were not
called Ampico.

Hopefully, you will also hear from a few other owners and restorers of
these fine instruments.

Regards,
Bob Conant
Bradenton, Florida, USA