Several times in ads for Ampico pianos I have come across the
statement, "This is the universal Ampico. It plays all Ampico rolls
equally well from the earliest Stoddard rolls to the late B rolls."
There is one for sale on eBay now, Item # 930362285.

The Ampico pictured is usually the early A with three sliding levers on
the right side of the drawer with a single round button between two of
them.  I have seen one where the drawer had a lever locking it in the
closed position.

Is there anything about this Ampico that plays B rolls better than the
late A pianos do?  They obviously don't have the B style amplifier or
0T subdued level, let alone the loud and soft pedal compensation.  The
only thing I can think of is that perhaps these early pianos have the
adjustable crescendo rates.  But if that is what makes it universal,
then the operator would have to get under the piano to change the
crescendo rate with a test roll every time he/she switches from playing
an A to a B roll or vice-versa.  Is there something I am missing?

David Sharpe