•[ Ref. 040718 MMDigest, Rebuilding Ampico Symphonique In response to Howard Wyman's missing cut-out block, it is my feeling that it probably was left out intentionally, and he is better off without it. The cut-out block used in the model "A" Ampico can be a source of trouble unless it is in perfect...

•[ Ref. 040719 MMDigest, Ampico "A" Note Cut-out Block ] I had a cutout (cut-off?) block installed on my Rogers Ampico A model (1926) boudoir grand when I first bought it. The reason was because it couldn't play non-Ampico rolls. Now I can play both types of rolls, other 88-note and Ampico: a collec...

•[ I mis-titled the article by Bruce Clark as "Ampico "A" Note Cut-out [ Block" whereas he was speaking of the set of small valves which [ disable the expression controls. Similar valve blocks are often [ installed in other expression pianos to disable or cut out playing [ notes. Virtually all music...

•1. Did Ampico accompaniment rolls originally come with music for the soloist or was the soloist expected to find the music elsewhere? 2. Is there any particular meaning to the final letter on Ampico catalog numbers? I have a few duplicates where the number is the same but the letter at the end is d...

•-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD -- Hi, I recently acquired an Ampico Symphonique baby grand. The reproducing mechanism was overhauled about 5 or 6 years ago, though the instrument hadn't been used much until I got it. Though it worked well after it arrived (about a month ago), I n...

•Hi Chris, Congratulations on your Ampico Symphonique. Symphonique, to my knowledge, was a no-name brand for Ampicos. (The common brand names being Knabe, Mason & Hamlin, Chickering, Marshall & Wendell, Franklin and ???.) First question: do you have a tubing diagram for your piano? It's important to...

•I am currently rebuilding an Ampico Symphonique. Even though most of the components in the system are typical of the A model Ampico, the tracking mechanism is more like that in the B model. My guess would be that a hose has come loose in the right hand side of the drawer. You say the tracking ears ...

•I think that I read somewhere that the Symphonique was actually sold directly by Ampico as it's lowest price model. Ed Kigler

•Not only the Ampico Symphonique was the lower priced model -- there was another low-priced grand, with simply the name "AMPICO" on the center of the fallboard. Bruce Clark

•> We are searching for a replacement of the 1928 Christmas Eve > Fantasy, recorded by L. Leslie Loth. Has this roll been recut? This roll has been recut by Keystone Music Roll Co. and is in their current catalog as item no. XMAS-2 AMPICO 90133. The price is $15.00. You can obtain it by calling Keys...

•Hi Group, "Christmas Eve Fantasy" has been recut and is listed in the "Cool Weather Catalog 2004-2005". It's available from Keystone Music Roll Company at: Magic Melodies 360 Lawless Road Jamestown, KY 42629 tel.: 1-270-343-2061 "1928 Christmas Eve Fantasy. This is perhaps the best of the Ampico an...

•Hi Tom, while I can not offer you the roll itself, this might be another choice. This specific roll is one of the 2225 roll titles that Terry Smythe has scanned up to today and offers generously on his web page, "Player Piano Rebirth", http://members.shaw.ca/smythe/rebirth.htm You find it in the "S...

•I have heard that many Ampico artists made recordings using pseudonyms. Has anyone compiled a list of these pseudonyms? Best Wishes, Tom Gregory

•Hello: My name is Bob Garner. I am new to this group but have been interested in mechanical instruments for quite a few years. I live in Jackson, Mississippi, and the number of instruments in this area is very limited. I read an article several years ago that stated the Ampico A slow and fast cresc...

•After reading Tom Hutchinson's post seeking an Ampico spinet, it is clear that the exact description of these little pianos is once again necessary. The Ampico Spinet is an Ampico "A" lacking duel crescendo devices. It has stack valves unique to the spinet. They are a small, single unit valves that...

•Ampico spinets are not all the same. Many, such as the one on eBay, have 'A' expression with 'B'-style valve blocks. The spool box is basically an 'A'-style drawer with wind motor. Some have one crescendo pneumatic. The larger uprights can be found with full expression but still all 'A' parts. The ...

•Hello all (particularly those along NY Interstate 81 from Syracuse south to 380 to Rte 33 south to Bethlehem PA), I'm the most-fortunate and still-beaming Canadian winner of that 1938 Steck Ampico spinet listed on eBay (MMD 05.04.24) by an owner just north of Bethlehem, Pa. I have admired these com...

•Just a quick salute and thumbs up concerning D.L. Bullock's posting comments about grand hammer replacement. But I wish to add one other thing: the backcheck is a critical component of any grand piano's performance. "Aftertouch," the way the key feels after the hammer has started to rebound from th...

•In the MMD of 05.05.26 Dr. Jurgen Hocker mentions his Ampico Bosendorfer. I was aware that they existed, but an examination of my reference materials fails to find even a mention of them. Were there many produced? Were both A and B styles produced, and how many made it to this side of the Atlantic?...

•When I worked for Paul Gottschalk years ago, we supplied Player Piano Co. with their soft rubber Ampico motor mounts. We literally made them in the kitchen by heating the white rubber pellets in the oven and pouring the rubber into heavy aluminum molds. I'm sure Paul still has the molds and may con...