THE AMPICO B AND AMPICO A ARE NOT COMPATIBLE

Even though Craig Brougher has claimed that the Ampico B plays the
early "A" rolls (pre 1926) in a truly compatible fashion, it is my
opinion, that is not the case.  I find that the Ampico "B" only
achieves its maximum volume by using both  full intensity setting
(level 7) simultaneously with full crescendo travel.  Conversely.  the
Ampico "A" may achieve its maximum level of play with EITHER (not both)
of those two volume control components at maximum.  The problem is that
many Ampico "A" rolls lack  simultaneous coding of the crescendo and
intensity steps when maximum playing volume is desired.  The result is
that the "B" plays these passages at only 50% of its maximum power,
while its predecessor is at maximum effort volume.  This is a very
common event in a broad spectrum of rolls from the inception of the
Ampico until the first "B" rolls (popular series) were introduced in
Nov. 1927.  ("Blue River" 209161-E,  first released fully coded Ampico
"B")

If one studies Dr. Hickman's diary as published in  "The AMPICO
Reproducing Piano" published by MBSI, it becomes clear that Dr. Hickman
was still defining the very nature of the Ampico "B" trough the spring
and summer of 1926.   Amplifier (crescendo) design continued until at
least June of 1927.  On page 275 of that book, (April 1926) Dr. Hickman
toys with a crescendo design that  is radically different in function
and control from the final product.  Later that year in November (page
287) he  states "I designed editing scale for pump crescendo".   This
statement leads me to believe that before this date, it would be
impossible to code rolls properly for the "B" piano.  Also on that same
page Dr. Hickman states, "Mr. Delcamp came up in lab and listened to
old rolls on new player.  He was not at all pleased with performance.
It looks like we have a big problem in making new player take old
rolls."   This last statement doesn't leave much room for discussion.

I have been editing Ampico rolls since 1983.  During that time, I have
concluded that it is truly impossible to produce an 100% compatible
roll (for both "A" and "B").  Some trade off is always required since
the two different mechanisms behave quite differently.  The "B" uses
the crescendo in a "series" scheme with the step intensities, while the
"A" gives way to a parallel design.

My last project was to bring a lovely 1917 recording up to full "B"
coding status (55447, Scherzo, Op. 31 B-flat minor, Chopin, played by
Theodore Henrion).  Just for the fun of it, I didn't make the  roll "A"
compatible.  How's that for a switch?  The roll is properly marked,
"For the Ampico B only"  I love both systems.  I own both systems.  I
consider the Ampico "B"  to be superior in design and performance.  For
that superiority to occur, the rolls must be properly coded for the
Ampico "B",  and that coding didn't appear until the fall of 1927.

[ Editor's Note:
[
[ Bob Taylor is the editor responsible for manually coding
[ the Ampico roll series featuring Dr. Leo Podolski: almost
[ one hour of fine music, with care taken to assure best
[ possible compatibility with both Ampico A and B pianos.
[ The series was published by Chicago AMICA, and I believe
[ that subscriber Rob DeLand handled the sales and shipping.
[ There still may be a few copies available.
[
[ -- Robbie Rhodes