I am in the process of rebuilding an Ampico Symphonique piano, a very
small grand.  It is basically an A model but there are some exceptions.

In removing the components I discovered that there is no expression
cutout block; tubing goes from the tracker bar to the expression
mechanisms without passing through an expression cutout block.  There
is a switch in the drawer for Ampico on and off.

I am wondering if the cutout block was left out intentionally at the
factory or has it been removed in a previous rebuild effort.  I looked
in the usual location for that component and there were no obvious
unused screw holes.  The piano is so small that there may not have been
room for it.  On the other hand I must say that previous repairs to the
piano were questionable.  There was a lot of radiator hose, surgical
tubing, etc., so it is possible that at some time it was just removed.

There were a couple of other anomalies.  The arrangement of the
alignment ears on the tracker bar is the same as found in a B model
Ampico.  Everything else in the drawer however is typical model A.  The
expression mechanisms are all the same as in an A, but the loud pedal,
soft pedal valve block is the same as found in a model B.  Also, the
spill valve arrangement in the pump is the same as in a model B.  I am
not sure of the date of manufacture of this piano but it appears it may
have been during the transition period from A to B.

Can anyone tell me if this piano would have had an expression cutout
block when it left the factory?

Howard Wyman
Valrico, Florida