For all readers who do their own service work, here is a recent problem
and solution I feel is worth sharing.

As things start to dry out in the winter time, there is a wonderful
"First Intensity Adjuster" on the Model B Ampico.  For many years, when
the piano started to drop notes and loose power, I had only to advance
this adjuster a notch or two and all was made right.

This year, the normal solution did not work so I went hunting for leaks
with a listening tube and found several packed joints needed to be
tightened up.  The leaks were stopped and so was the piano!  It would
play loud but any of the softer notes in the treble end failed to
sound.  The expression was dead!

After checking everything I could think of and refreshing my memory by
reading all my technical information, I was at a loss so sent several
private messages to the better known Ampico people, asking for
assistance.  All responded with helpful hints and sadly none of them
were the answer.

I am happy to say that the trouble has been sorted.  The cause of all
my problems was a compressed gasket on the expression valve box.  When
I tightened it to stop the minor leak, I caused the button bottoms of
the valves to contact the pouches.  Now the valves were hung up and
nothing could work properly.

The simple solution was to make a new gasket of greater thickness so
the valves were clear of the pouches and all is right once again.

Such a simple thing but a devil to discover so I thought I would pass
it along for any one else who may have a "mystery"  problem that has
them stumped.

Perhaps this just might save another person hours of trouble shooting.

Best as always -- Ken Vinen, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada