Having purchased an original Ampichron mechanism from Aeolian-American,
back in the days when they were available,  I can tell you something
about them.

Fitting them into a model B Ampico drawer is far more complex than it
appears to be.  The original Ampichron mechanisms were very well built,
but extremely large for what they accomplished.

So many of the parts within the drawer have to be moved and re routed,
and extra devices added, that it is not worth it!  One slight error and
you have ruined the panel of the drawer.  Once installed, many original
parts have to be extended and repositioned.  In the future if they
require service, you have to remove the Ampichron mechanism, and you
have a mess!  My advice is "Don't do it!"  If you do ... I will promise
*not* to say "I told you so!"

Only one roll was made for the specific use of the clock and a few
program rolls.  To go to all this expense and bother, sawing into a
good panel, and making all these changes are ridiculous!  (Yes, I am
outspoken!)

I have never seen the Ampichron reproductions, but I hear they are not
built like the originals, and can be troublesome.

If you insist, a better way would be to install the Ampichron in a
nicely-finished box and sit it on a stand next to the piano, with the
connections attached under the piano.  It will function nicely and not
disturb the layout in the drawer of the piano.

To be even more efficient, one can buy inexpensive electronic timers
and with careful thinking, can devise a timer to do exactly the same as
the large and cumbersome Ampichron mechanism.  This new, efficient and
smaller mechanism can be put inside the under part of the piano and
can be connected and disconnected without any harm to the piano in any
way other than a few T's in a couple of extra hoses.

Bruce Clark