Tom Gregory, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, asks if it is difficult to bypass
the automatic on and off control for the Ampico.  This is a fairly easy
task, providing you get the hoses in proper order.  I find it interesting
that the Ampico factory eventually eliminated this feature.  My baby
upright does not have this feature, and the Ampico plays perfectly.

Be sure to trace each hose and be certain you have them connected
correctly.  Probably the easiest way to accomplish this is to cover the
tracker bar with tape, with the exception of the number of the hole in
the tracker bar you wish to trace.  For example: cover all holes in the
tracker bar with the exception of 1 B.  Connect a hose using an elbow
or nipple to the hose #1 on the automatic control. Blow into this hose
and air should come out of the open hole in the tracker bar. Splice the
hoses together using a metal nipple or elbow of correct size.   Do this
with each hose, and test them the same way.

1-B is slow crescendo
2-B intensity
3-B sustain pedal
4-B intensity
5-B fast crescendo when combined with 1-B
6-B intensity
7-B Cancel intensities.

Check at the unit where the hose connects and be certain the hoses are
correct.

The treble end:

1-T slow crescendo
2-T intensity
3-T soft pedal
4 T intensity
5-T fast crescendo when combined with 1-T
6-T intensity
7-t Cancel intensities
8-T rewind, but this would not be on the cut-out block.

I suspect the problem of unequal softness between the bass and treble
is not caused by the automatic on and off control.  I suspect either
leakage, in the stack, possibly at the end of the stack where they are
stacked together, or leakage in one or more unit valves.  Test, using
a listening tube: one end to your ear and the other going over areas
suspected of leaking.

The other problem might be one of the subdued control hoses is off or
leaking.  There are many things to check.

I highly recommend replacing the model "A" unit valve clamps with model
"B" spring clamps, because the model "A" clamps can exert too much
pressure and eventually damage or warp the unit valves, by splitting
the sides.  When the side splits they leak.  The model "B" spring clamps
are more gentle and allow for expansion and contraction, keeping the
unit valve tight under most conditions.

Bruce Clark