When Pat DeWitt wrote in MMD 050119 about seeking help in rebuilding
and regulating his 1928 Mason & Hamlin Ampico A, several ideas came to
mind.  First, the answers to questions he asked could fill book.
In fact, they have, by several writers.  Pick up a copy of Art Reblitz'
"Piano Servicing, Tuning, & Rebuilding".

Second, all kinds of 'red warning flags' went up for me when Pat said:


>> I want the piano to be somewhat on the bright side with a full tone,
>> but want to keep it soft enough so that I can get the rebuilt Ampico A
>> to play softly as it should.


The Mason & Hamlin famous tone is lost when the piano is made to play
"on the bright side".  The Mason & Hamlin 5' 8" piano has many scale
designs.  The particular scale designation is cast into the plate at
the tail.  The individual scales offer some variation in tonal quality.
The most common scale appears to be "A-9", which to my ear, produces
the richest and warmest tone.  It is the epitome of the "Mason sound".

My third general comment is that rebuild and regulation "by committee"
is destined to fail.  True, various specialists can complete individual
tasks with great success, but in the end, any loss of uniformity in
friction and other variables will result in an instrument lacking
perfection.  There are no short cuts.  There are no economy methods.
Uniformity is a must.

To answer the specific questions:

1. The key dip should be slightly more than 3/8 inches.  The damper
lift should be late so that the keys don't touch the damper levers
while the hammer rail lift is on.

2. Either type of hammer mentioned can work out okay.  Hammer voicing
will be required for the results to be correct.  Hard, bright hammers
on a Mason & Hamlin are a very bad idea.

3. When completed, the Ampico will play whisper quiet only if each note
responds as exactly as all others.  It is the extremely soft playing
that reveals the level of perfection of rebuilding and regulation.  At
that point, the Mason & Hamlin can reach out and surround each listener
with its warm embrace.

Bob Taylor