I did not intend to appear I was taking Craig Roothoff to task on his
posting in the 071109 MMD.  Actually, Craig, I agree with you.

You know, there are very few people who are aware of what the Ampico is
capable of, if enough attention is paid to the details.  I've been to
many AMICA meetings where there was one of those pianos, both Ampicos
and Duo-Arts, that ground out the music like some sort of hurdy-gurdy,
with dead bass strings and with the tuning so bad I had to leave the
room.

But the owners think they have some sort of prize.  I tell myself that
they would really feel bad if they heard my cheap Foster pedal player
blow their piano right out of the ballpark.  It's not supposed to be
that way!

I visited Craig Brougher when I was younger, and I was in awe of what I
heard from his Chickering Ampico B.  It sounded indeed like a concert
pianist was seated at the keyboard.  I asked Craig, "What did you do to
that piano?"  He went into explaining many things, leading me to the
conclusion that rebuilding these machines is not for the haphazard
worker nor for the faint of heart.

I have a passion for these old machines.  I think they are special.
When I hear an Ampico that plays properly, I think about what limited
technology they had at the time and that what they accomplished was
nothing short of amazing.

Personally, I think the man who removed the Ampico action from his
Grand was rather short-sighted, not realizing what a magnificent
instrument he had before him.  I have not yet been able to afford one
myself, and that really steams me!

Andy Taylor