Re: Unusual Chickering Ampico Console Piano [010826 MMDigest]

In response to Craig Brougher, his Chickering Ampico seems to be
similar to "The Baby Ampico".  I own one similar to his description.
If you look closely at the photo in the Model "B" service manual on
page 37, you will see a similar piano in the "Draughting Room of the
Research Laboratory".

Although somewhat awkward to tune, the best way I have found to access
the tuning pins is to remove the hose to the air motor and slide the
action forward about 7" and clamp the wooden brackets at each end using
a large "C" clamps.  I have a feeling that this top (drawer type)
action was meant to have long enough expression hoses to allow the
action to be lowered down resting the front edge on the folded key
cover, which would allow better access to the tuning pins and piano
action.

The player action is certainly one of the most difficult to access for
adjustments, but with persistence and special tools it can be done.

The spool box assembly may have been left over from early grands(?);
Ampico was very thrifty and used up old parts in later pianos.
Interestingly, these model "A" Ampicos have model "B" unit valves.

Bruce Clark