Hi all you Ampico experts:  I need help with my 1924 Marshall and
Wendell Ampico A grand.  I have rebuilt it using all the 'right'
materials and have done everything including the valves and pouches.
However one problem remains.  I can't get original Ampico or 88-note
rolls to track successfully.  New recuts do just fine and the old,
original rolls track perfectly on my Ampico upright.  (It will track
anything!)

The rolls seem to continuously move back and forth from right to left,
and the longer the roll, the worse the side to side movement becomes.
Finally, I have to stop the roll because the edges start rubbing on the
take-up spool flanges.  (I also took the flanges off but that just
seemed to allow the roll to move sideways more.)

The tracker bar is the kind with tracking ears in the bar.  I have
repeatedly experimented with various spacings between the ears but
that does not seem to have much effect either.  I also made the leather
washer on the take-up spool that turns off the piano as thin as
possible, thinking that a bulge on the take-up spool might contribute
to the side to side movement of the roll.

Does anyone have the answer to my problem?  You may either reply
directly to me at pcdewitt@juno.com or post a note in the MMD.

Thanks,
Pat DeWitt