Re: Ampico Problem
By Robin Pratt
Regarding your AMPICO problems... If you are having "cancel" problems, AND INDEED you do HAVE the "A" style Automatic Cut-out with the finger pneumatic, then we shall proceed from here..........
You can only clean out the Auto Cut-out by "backflushing" it. The Tracker Bar Pump is useless except for the Note Playing Holes. There is a screen system inside (which I am sure you of course know) that catches the crud inhaled by the tracker bar openings. OK so far? One must de-tube the Auto Cut-out and one at a time and (on the component side, not the Tracker Bar side) BLOW through the tube to clear the residue or lint or paper punchings caught in the screens. NOW, if the #7 (cancel) is the culprit (it can be), you cannot simply do the above procedure 'cause when you blow all you will blow is AIR THROUGH the Auto Cut-out because the finger pneumatic has an opened a "T" in the line. So... one must at this point (since obviously the piano is "Off" and the AMPICO on/off switch is not functioning) either put one's finger OVER the holes covered by the the finger pneumatic when the AMPICO on/off switch is "On", OR simply press the tiny Cut-out pneumatic closed and THEN BLOW (from the component side) to clear the build-up, if indeed this is the problem.
NOW, you also have the possibility of (Gasp, sign of the cross with crossed fingers) PERFLEX POUCHES!!!!!!!!!!!! I seem to recall that you had some mention of these in the past. If you have even ONE "blown" pouch in your AMPICO expression system, forget it. Also, if your gaskets were not replaced under the expression blocks (AMPICO "A" expression units), then there can be all kionds of queer activity under your bellycloth. Weather changes and too shallow a pouch dip and all kinds of details make for FUN FUN FUN. Trace those cooties down, Terry. and let me know what you find. It's great. Always the hunt is more interesting than the catch!
By the way, the above recommended search and destroy procedures become CONSIDERABLY more difficult when one has modified the original instrument to "improve" it or if has been digital-fied. Good Luck!
Robin Pratt
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(Message sent Fri 28 Jul 1995, 14:41:00 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.) |
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