Hello List,

   The problem of how to get non-expression rolls to play
satisfactorily on Ampico pianos was one I addressed in two AMICA
Bulletin technical articles.  The first appeared in the December 1984
issue, page 182, and was specific to Ampico "B" mechanisms.  The second
appeared in the January/February 1985 issue, page 11, which corrected a
minor inaccuracy in the first article's illustration and included a
second illustration specific for Ampico "A" mechanisms.  The principles
involved are the same for both pianos.  There may be some slight
advantage to having these intensities AND the 7B and 7T tubes sprung
open at the same time, as Craig Brougher suggests, as this would
prevent a "build-up" of any spurious intensity signals.  On the whole,
however, the method has worked well for me, is simple, makes use of
parts at hand, and makes no unreversible change to the mechanism,
attributes which Craig's method also shares.

   Anyone without access to these back issues may email me with their
mailing address and I will send a photo copy of the pages mentioned.
Someone (Terry? Jody?) may attempt scanning and posting the
illustrations but I don't know if they are of high enough quality to be
successful.

-John Grant