Hello,

I would like to introduce myself as a new subscriber to the Mechanical
Music Digest!  I will have a lot of questions at first, but hope to
contribute as well.

First, I am a novice when it comes to piano repair and have a lot to
learn.  I learn quickly and have a good understanding of mechanics and
electronics (I work as an electronics engineering tech.) and wish to
repair my Chickering and Sons piano including the Stoddard Ampico
expression player within.  Through the advice of a piano technician, I
have started with repairs on the piano and action.  I feel I have a
good understanding of the action after having replaced the brittle and
broken brass flange rails (I had to take the whole thing apart and put
it back together).  Well, it works much better now, and I even have it
regulated!  I feel that a player will not do much good without a
properly working piano action.

The Stoddard Ampico player and related parts is another story.  A well
meaning previous owner decided to do some work on the player, and well,
I received the piano and player along with a few boxes of extra
parts... some broken.  I think all the major stuff is there, (wind
motor, stack, tracker bar...etc), but I am not sure what parts, if any,
I am missing.  And what about the parts in the box?  I am not sure what
they are or where they go.  I believe I could figure out where they go
if only knew what their function was for.  So this is my first quest,
to ask someone to perhaps give me an idea of what major parts that make
up a Stoddard Ampico expression player piano, and where these parts are
placed in the piano (i.e. by the left side of stack, lower left of pump
to control....).  Perhaps I could post what I have and someone tell me
what's missing?  The last thing I want to do is to tear apart more
pieces before I know what I have.  I have purchased some books from the
Vestal Press as well as Mr.  Reblitz "Player Piano Servicing and
Rebuilding".  Both are very good books and have given me a start.

The piano sounds great.  I would love to restore my family heirloom
back to its original condition so my family may enjoy it as my
grandparents did.

Any suggestions?  Words of encouragement are always welcome!

Dave Keates¶
Pollock Pines, CA