In answer to Bruce Clark's question, "Why would anyone want to convert
an Ampico to an 88-note?"

Bruce, converting it to an 88-noter is not quite the truth.  My early
30's J.C. Fischer Ampico "A" Grand was found in a shed in Pensacola,
Fla.  The owner had died, and his son wanted it outta there!

The Ampico had been restored sometime in the distant past (good
workmanship), but I just haven't had the time to do another restoration.
I touched up the finish, gave the action a quickie, removed the
expressions, touched up the pump, recovered the drawer components, and
rehosed the rest, to give me something that is playable.  It plays well.

In the future I will rebuild the expressions and reinstall them.  In all
honesty, I will do that because it is an Ampico, not because I will use
it as such.  We are happy with the music we have on 88-note rolls.

I have a rather good Lowrey organ that is my main love.  The piano is my
hobby gadget.  It is also a very pretty piece of furniture, as it has
the double leg sets and a nice mahogany finish.

Initial survey results indicate that there a few gadget freaks out
there.  Lots of fun and satisfaction, isn't it?

Rodney Diehl