-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD --

Recently my 1930 Ampico A began having one note that wouldn't repeat
properly.  When a perforation opened it, sometimes it would come right
off after the perforation passed, sometimes it would hold down until
another perf cancelled some function.  It was irregular.

The gentleman who works on the instrument went through it and thought
there might be a pinhole in the lead tracker bar tubing in the drawer.
In the course of our investigation the problem worsened and the note
would come on of its own and stay down.

After some work with various sealants (the instrument _will_ have the
drawer redone in the spring -- this is a temporary measure) the note
remains closed when the tracker bar is taped or when a roll passes over
it, but once a note perf passes over it then it stays open again even
when the perf has passed.  However, if the machine is turned off and
immediately restarted, the note clears, until note is opened by the
roll again and then the process repeats.

Could this still be a pinhole, or could it be a valve/pneumatic
problem?   I have changed the secondary valve and the problem still
occurs.  Has anyone run into something like this?  It has baffled
me and my technician (who has done considerable work on Ampicos).
Any insights would be appreciated.

Philip Carli