•I have come across these in at least four stacks that I have rebuilt in the last 30 years, none of which was the model "B" Ampico. The blocks were teed into the port on the transmission frame that operates the primary that activates the stack cut out in the pump. I believe the information quoted at...

•In response to D. L. Bullock's question in MMD 030405, I have slightly changed the subject by inserting "A" behind the word Ampico, and offer the following. While Robbie did reply correctly to the question based on his understanding that D. L. Bullock was referring to an Ampico B, this is not what ...

•When discussing Ampico A vent valves, the side issue of the "Ampico B" name designator surfaced, again. As Robbie said: >[ The manual, "The Ampico Service Manual 1929", simply calls the >[ mechanism "The Ampico". I don't know if the term "model B" was ever >[ used in print by Ampico or by the succe...

•The only time I have seen anything that was connected to two valves on the stack it had two larger bellows that served as loss motion compensators. It moved all the lifters up. It was connected to the soft pedal pneumatic suction and prevented chatter from loss motion during soft pedal operation. I...

•On 030408 MMDigest Rick Cooley was enquiring about the nice "Star Dust" roll, played by Emse Dawson (Ampico). I have a copy which was cut by QRS, it is a recut, so they may still have it in their listing. I have also seen it listed in an old Keystone catalog, a couple of years old. I hope this is o...

•I have a copy of "Star Dust" produced by Keystone Music. I am not looking to sell it but perhaps Keystone has it in stock, or do you want to make a roll cutting project? I would be willing to loan it out. Marvin Polan Long Island, NY

•Dear Folks, With regard to Rick Cooley's inquiry about an original copy of "Star Dust" (MMD 030408), Meliora Music Rolls has arranged to have a batch perforated from a scan of the original roll by Custom Music Rolls. If anyone is interested, its price will be $14.50. Please contact me at the addres...

•At one time Cornell University had a vast collection of Ampico rolls, bequeathed to them from a collector. For years the rolls were locked in a storage room for "safe keeping." Today the rolls are gone, and no one knows of their whereabouts. Does anyone know where these rolls are today? Bruce Clark...

•Regarding the Ampico rolls sought by Bruce Clark, I have located the rolls and have been in touch with Bruce. The rolls are still in Cornell in the music library. I will help Bruce establish contact with the appropriate person depending on what he (Bruce) needs regarding the rolls. Frank Metzger [ ...

•Hello, After reading various discussions regarding the seal in the Ampico A take-up spool, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned checking for a clogged or partially clogged bleed in the shut-off valve. While a good seal is necessary at the take-up spool bearing, its airtightness does not have to ...

•-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD -- Would like to know more about Edgar "Cookie" Fairchild, b. 06-01-1898 - d. 2-20-1975, conductor "Johnny Presents Ginny Simms", "Eddie Cantor Show". For a project that I am working on, could anyone please tell me where he is buried? Laurie Platt [...

•Hi Karen, Hope you enjoy visiting the Mechanical Music Digest. If you go to the links page, at the Mechanical Music Digest web site, you will find several sites which sell parts and player piano rolls, including Ampico rolls. I don't know anyone who does roll repairs for a business. It takes a lot ...

•Hi All, Craig Brougher has written an article that in his own words, "... ought to really raise some eyebrows! Shake 'em up, and show 'em what's going on. A real interest grabber -- and... it will probably add members to AMICA." Craig's article, titled "AMICA's 'Fundamental Differences'", corrects ...

•-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD -- We are in the process of rebuilding a 1938 5' 9" Chickering Ampico 'B', and plan to sell our 1927 Fischer Ampico A at some point. Aside from the big question as to how all the 'A'-coded rolls in our collection will be performed on the new system ...

•Regarding the shredding of rolls, the model B Ampico is no worse than any other roll drive with one correctable exception. The springs that pull the sensing fingers inward are too stiff for ancient paper and may tend to curl the edges. They were fine for the rolls when they were new. These can be w...

•In reference to Paul Morris question of sealing leather. I recovered our Ampico pump with kangaroo hide (leather) from PPCo using no sealer. The leather is shiny black on the outside and greenish-yellow on the unfinished side, glued with hot glue. This was done in 1970. The pump is still in use and...

•I fought the battle of reliable replay/shutoff on my Ampico "A". I took the cowards way out and hooked to tracker hole B8. Works great! None of my rolls play this note (B, note #3). How much of a sin is this? Do any Ampico recordings play this note? Yes, I did the bleed bit, put in Player Piano Co...

•I am currently working on a late Mason & Hamlin Ampico B. All is going well with the project and it looks to be a fine example. However, when I was disassembling the stack I noted that on a previous rebuilt someone had adjusted the stops on all five of the lost motion compensator pneumatics so that...

•In response to Ed Copeland's question posted in 030904 MMD, the lost motion compensation (soft pedal) is adjusted by the strength of the five pneumatics, the respective stop on each one, and by the leaf spring attached to each lever arm. The strength of each operating pneumatic is adjusted by varyi...

•Does anybody know the roll number for "March of the Dwarfs" and "Concert Etude of 36"? What was the roll title for 41143? Bob Stewart