R >From: PIANOLA@aol.com <Robin Pratt>

R >Regarding your AMPICO problems... If you are having "cancel" problems,¶
R >AND INDEED you do HAVE the "A" style Automatic Cut-out with the finger¶
R >pneumatic,  then we shall proceed from here..........

In this case, no.   The piano contains a 'B' stack, with a single
set of ball-bleed valves and no cut-out.   I suspect the piano was
assembled in 1935 out of left-over parts.   Considering the brevity
of this original system, its performance is absolutely outstanding,
making one wonder if all those extra components in the earlier
pianos were really necessary.   Any thoughts and discussion on this
possibility?

R > NOW, you also have the possibility of (Gasp, sign of the cross with¶
R >crossed fingers)  PERFLEX POUCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea, way back when I too was a victim of those wonderful perflex
pouches.   I even rebuilt a Shultz with that disaster material.
Fortunately, the warning signs were published in the AMICA Bulletin
fairly early on, and I quickly stopped using it.    By chance, I
have a few of those old perflex pouches still around, and they
age deteriorated all by themselves without ever getting into service.
Just lucky I guess.    This particular instrument had all new
leather pouches installed and sealed.

R >Also, if your gaskets were not¶
R >replaced under the expression blocks (AMPICO "A" expression units), then¶
R >there can be all kinds of queer activity under your bellycloth.

Yes, that's a possibility I'll try to check out.   Short of actually
replacing all gaskets, are you aware of a test to find out if a
gasket is leaking?

R > too shallow a pouch dip

Now that's a possibility I had not considered, although not likely
as the instrument has been performing normally for so many years.
Although I suppose its possible that the pouch may have shrunk slightly
over the years, and at the same time as the valve facing compressed
slightly.   It's worth checking out while I redo it all.

Trouble with re-doing the whole unit is that I may inadvertently
fix whatever the problem is without ever finding out what the
problem was in the first place.    Oh well..........

R >CONSIDERABLY more difficult when one has modified the original instrument¶
R >to "improve" it or if has been digital-fied.  Good Luck!

I agree.   In this case, the instrument is absolutely stock.  No
'enhancements' have been incorporated.   Never needed to, as its
performance was truly sparkling from day 1.

This instrument was one that Molly Yeckley turned up in the late
70's right in your own back yard, Robin.   Any chance you may have
some knowledge of its origin?   It's a semi-art case in highly
figured walnut, with mottled walnut on face of music rack and
fallboard.

Very pretty piano, and was the subject of an interesting
refinishing effort I documented in late 1983, using black paste type
wood filler over top of analyne dye.   Not my idea, came from Bill
Maier, formerly Minneapolis, now Salt Lake City.

God, I hate growing old...........     :-)

Regards,

Terry

•Terry Smythe                 *Sounds of Yesteryear*
55 Rowand Avenue             Restoration and enjoyment of vintage
Winnipeg, Manitoba           automatic musical instruments.
Canada   R3J 2N6            
(204) 832-3982               email:  smythe@mbnet.mb.ca
Life is like a piano; what you get out of it depends on how you play it.

___
* UniQWK #5002* We may get personally defeated, but our principles never.