I just wanted to let the community know that some of us are
still preserving the reproducing pianos.  Aside from the normal
restorations tasks, I am also involved with placing mechanisms back
into instruments that have had the original mechanism removed and
discarded.  In progress now is a resurrection of an Ampico B for
a 6'2" art case Mason & Hamlin.

Recently I heard of an instrument in the Miami area that was being
enjoyed.  It was a Steinway model XR that I retrofitted back in the
1980s while my business was in Chicago.  The person contacting me was
not the owner, but rather "the keeper" of the instrument on a temporary
basis.  He reported the Duo-Art was operating correctly and was
treasured.  He just wanted to chat after finding my business card
inside.

John Del Carlo has shared many recordings of his marvelous Mason &
Hamlin model RBB.  What is heard is not the performance of the original
Ampico A mechanism, but rather, a substitute [Ampico] mechanism tailored
to fit alongside a modern Stahnke LX player.  The original mechanism was
missing, and with his love of the Ampico, and willingness to explore
new avenues, John has made this former reproducing piano a stunning
show piece.  Since the original mechanism was gone, and there was
little chance of finding an exact replacement, John took the high road
of poetic license and brought this instrument back as a new age
reproducing piano.  The music rendered is wonderful and is true to the
Ampico character.

If an original mechanism can be found to fit a gutted instrument, that
instrument, too, can be brought back to life.  I encourage everyone to
explore these possibilities.  Currently in my shop I have two original
mechanisms that came from Mason & Hamlin pianos.  Both are Ampico A
style with the later finger-flange stack.  One fits the 5'8" piano,
and the other fits the 6'2" piano.  Both are complete.  The 5'8" size
is from 1928 and has the latest Ampico A innovations.  If you know of
a Mason & Hamlin missing its Ampico, this is chance to put it back
together.

I will continue to scour the cast-off mechanisms that fit other top end
pianos.  I have launched a web page for this purpose:

http://web.me.com/bobtaylor5/Mason_%26_Hamlin/Retrofit_Possibilities.html 

Bob Taylor