About 20 years ago I acquired an unusual Ampico upright.  I recognized
the tracker bar configuration as an Ampico A type, but the similarity
pretty much ended there.  Closer study revealed that this instrument
was functionally an Ampico, but was constructed entirely differently
than any other Ampico.  It had the features of the instrument described
by a number of former American Piano Company people as having been
built by Charles Stoddard in 1922 during a period when he was having
a disagreement with an American Piano Company executive named Wade.

I remember reading (in published interviews) several allusions to this
incident and to the features of the piano that was created.  I have not
been able to re-locate many of the references and descriptions of the
piano that I remember reading at one time.  I would appreciate any help
I can get in finding the interviews that referred (presumably) to this
piano.

The instrument is still in my possession, and is a highly prized part
of my collection.  It has been restored and maintained and is a joy to
play, either as an Ampico, or as a very expressive and easy to pump
88-note player.

Bob Hunt
optimist@gwi.net.geentroep