As we have previously announced, Laurent Coray and I are producing for
sale a Tracker Bar Interface device (TBI) which fits into the spoolbox
of any automatic instrument, attaching only by means of the roll chucks
and take-up spool hook, and gasketing to its tracker bar.

The TBI device accurately opens and closes the holes in any tracker
bar electromagnetically, in response to MIDI data.  It contains Laurent
Coray's MIDI processor electronics, and can be operated by a special
floppy disc player which will be produced by Laurent's company, Octet
Design Corporation.

For those who are not familiar with the Ampichron, it was an accessory
for Ampico drawers in the Model "B" period, now quite rare, which used
a special "chime" roll  when the piano was not in regular use, to play
chime-like chords on the keyboard at intervals controlled by a special
electric clock within the device, turning the piano on to play the
chords, and off again when finished doing so.

As the previous MMD articles point out, even if one is able to find
an original or reproduction of the Ampichron, it is very difficult to
modify a drawer which was not designed to accept one, so that it can be
installed.

It has occurred to us that, since the TBI can turn the piano's motor on
or off at any time,  it would be relatively easy to cause an Ampico or
any other automatic piano to play chime effects on its keyboard at
scheduled times with the TBI, and much more cheaply, reliably, and with
readily changeable arrangements (in fact, it could play different songs
or song fragments every quarter hour, if programmed to do so).

If there seems to be sufficient interest in this Ampichron-simulator
feature, we will offer it.

The first five (previous) orders for these highly complex, precision-
engineered and precision-manufactured devices will be ready for
delivery early next month.  Those who order TBIs early will receive
them earlier, since the first production runs will be small.  There is
no risk of obsolescence; we will upgrade for any later improvements in
the device at no charge (this does not include accessories, of course).

The same self-contained, completely wired unit is also available for
inline tubing.  Price is $1495 plus sales tax, if purchased in
California.  The disc player is additional; please contact me for
further information.

Larry Broadmoore
Broadmoore Piano Company
Phone: (818) 365-6231
Fax:   (818) 361-0911