Craig Brougher's top loader Ampico [010826 MMDigest] sounds similar
to the Fischer Ampico I have.  My piano was made about 1926 but it
has a B stack so it was completed in the 1930's.

I have to disconnect the tempo control and vacuum supply hoses and
balance the spoolbox above the keys for tuning, still very tight and
difficult.  Mine has all controls in the spoolbox too.  There is
literally not an inch to spare above the keyboard.

I have made a junction block for the expression control tubes to make
the movement of the spoolbox easier.  I bet these pianos were gutted
often due to the difficulty of tuning.

John McClure Marietta, Georgia