Dick Merchant has asked how to replace the cloth covering the belly of
his Ampico grand.  I have replaced dozens of these and would offer
my suggestions.  If the old belly cloth is in tact, take it, with all
snaps still attached, to a trusted auto upholstery shop.  They should
have several grades of material to show you that would be suitable.
Ideally, the material should be a knit cloth backed vinyl that will
slightly stretch.

Use the old cloth as a pattern, complete with snap locations.  Be aware
that the old cloth sometimes has shrunk You should already know this
from the way it fit the piano.  If the old cloth could not be fully
snapped at all locations, make the new cloth slightly larger.

The old snaps and new snaps are identical in size.  The only thing
wrong with the new snaps is that they do not come with a black finish.
I suggest that the upholstery shop double stitch the border.

If the old cloth is missing, get about twenty snaps and stretch an old
sheet over the belly.  Secure the sheet by snapping OVER the sheet.
Once in place, use a marking pen to draw an outline of the piano belly
onto the sheet.  Do not stretch the sheet.  Remove the snaps and the
sheet.  Mark the location of the snaps on the sheet--the pinch marks
from over snapping are quite visible.  Take the sheet as above to an
upholstery shop.

It has been my experience that the new cloth is far superior to the
original if made to auto upholstery standards.  Expect to pay between
$40.00 and $80.00.

I hope this helps -- it is my way of saying thanks to a great stride
pianist who has kept me awake all night at many AMICA conventions.  I
hope to see you at Niagara Falls in July!

Bob Taylor