Unrestored Wurlitzer Ampico in Columbus, Ohio
By Mark Fontana
If anyone in the Midwest is looking for a project, I saw an unrestored WurliTzer Ampico baby grand at Coyle Music here in Columbus, Ohio yesterday. Being one of the younger subscribers of the MMD, I don't have the experience to know what to look for in such a find, but here are some observations:
- looks like the reproducing mechanism died in the 40's and nobody
has touched it since; it most certainly would not play now;
assorted hoses were hanging out from under the piano
- an external vacuum pump in a self-contained wooden box was
sitting on the floor under the piano; the metal patent plate was
dated 1919, with a company something like "The Chicago Vacuum
Pump Co."; on top of the pump was what looked like a relay or
something
- some ivories were discolored, chipped, or missing entirely
- the hammers looked quite worn, the interior was very dusty
- roll drawer was intact; painted sort of a pine green color
inside with gold/brass trim; there was a tempo slider and
controls for "on/off" and "continuous play on/off"; all the
spoolbox parts seemed to be there
- tracker bar had 5 expression holes to the left and right of the
note holes on each side; no other holes in tracker bar
- auto tracking system uses metal feelers on each side
- overall, I'd have to say this instrument is in poor condition
but has potential...
Coyle Music wants $1995 for it. They can be reached at (614) 885-2729. This store is just two blocks from my home, so if anyone wants me to take a closer look or something, just ask...
-Mark Fontana
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(Message sent Mon 30 Sep 1996, 17:47:44 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.) |
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