Greetings:  I have been considering purchasing a Chickering upright
Ampico (1927) with the spool box located in the upper lid.  I have
never seen an instrument such as this, therefore a few questions:

  How do you tune the piano?  From the photos it looks as if the tuning
is in the way.

  Are these pianos any more difficult to rebuild than the standard
Ampico upright?

  Are there any pitfalls in the piano mechanism, pinblock, soundboard,
etc.

The instrument is located out east, and, being from Wisconsin, should
I visit the piano, or take the word of the seller that it is in good
condition?

Thanks for the help.

Tom Gregory
Waukesha,  WI

P.S.  If there were a smaller Ampico upright, preferably needing
rebuilding, in this area of the midwest, I would be interested in
purchase or trade for our 1926 J.C. Fisher Grand Ampico.