> From: William Boulton <104674.1765@compuserve.com>
>
> I am looking for input form anyone on refitting AMPICO grand actions.  I
> have the opportunity to install an "A" action into a former Mason & Hamlin
> AMPICO.  The problem is that the stack was scaled for a Chickering.  Style
> and size not known.  Any information would be appreciated.

I too have a similar situation.     Some 15 years ago, I acquired a
1928 Marshall & Wendell AMPICO A in a Spanish art case, c/w matching
bench.   Its stack was missing.       About 5 years later, I acquired a
rough AMPICO A stack from another unknown instrument.  After a near 10
year hiatus, I'm finally getting back to restoration and somewhere
along the way I'll be attempting to fit this foreign stack to this
piano.    I would be very interested in working with you and sharing
experiences on this project.

I understand that in some cases, it is possible to re-scale an AMPICO
stack as a consequence of the factory drilling the complete stack as if
there were no breaks, then covering up some of the holes where blanks
must be installed.      I'm told that not all stacks can be re-adjusted
this way because of differences in overall keyboard width.
However, I am personally aware of a 9' Knabe concert grand that was
fitted with a lesser AMPICO A stack by progressively splaying the
pneumatics from center by ever greater amounts to line up with the push
rod drillings.

I've been putting off this task for years, hoping that somewhere along
the line, somebody will document how to do this.    Perhaps it is not
as difficult as I perceive it to be.

Thoughts of others?

Regards,

Terry

Terry Smythe                    (204) 832-3982 (voice/fax)
55 Rowand Avenue                smythe@mts.net
Winnipeg, MB, Canada   R3J 2n6  smythe@freenet.mb.ca
Home page: http://www.mts.net/~smythe