Hello all,  I have a Marshall & Wendell 5'4" with an Ampico A
mechanism.  I have a couple questions about the reproducing mechanism.

1. On the vacuum pump (the box with the wheel and four bellows inside)
there is a relief valve.  When the valve is closed should it be air
tight?  When the valve is closed on my box, air still escapes.  The
air can be heard when under the piano.  Not that I'm under the piano
frequently.

2. I recently received the Ampico A test roll.  Everything checked out
surprisingly well.  The one issue is that the rapid note repeat on the
Bass side did not function as well as on the Treble side.  There is a
distinct change in the repetition around E above Middle C.  I assume
that they have separate pneumatics.  Would this be caused by low vacuum
pressure?  It isn't noticeable when playing a roll since I don't have
rolls that require that rapid of a repeat.

Mark Williams
boxermark@gmail.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]