[ Ref. 170107 MMD, "Player Piano International Shipping" ]

I am learning more information about the Knabe Ampico in Paris that
is in process of being "repatriated".  It has some unusual details
that may be interesting to those of us in this never-boring avocation.
Although the owner has not yet been able to find the serial number, it
is apparent from photos that it is a fairly conventional, post-Stoddard
Model "A".  All drawer controls are typical "A" design, including turn
switches, sliding levers and manual expression buttons.

But there are some puzzling details as well.  Chief among these is
the striker stack itself (see attached pictures).  Assuming for the
moment that it is a primary-secondary valve system, it appears that
the stack is "integrated", that is, the primary valves are "built-in"
to the secondary stack rather than being in a separate chest.  This
is reminiscent of some models of the Welte Licensee grand stack.  This
is a design I have never encountered in an Ampico A, and I have seen
plenty.

I suppose it is possible it is a single valve design, but I am inclined
to think there are primary valves in the rectangular attachment to the
back of the stack, into which the tracker bar tubes are going.  On top
of that, the stack design looks more like a standard action stack that
does not have individually mounted "unit" valves.

The stack does not appear to have a cosmetic cover which, if removed,
would reveal what type of unit valves are used, upside-down or
right-side-up.  (The owner is unable provide any conjecture about the
design apart from the photos.)

Another unusual feature is that it appears the expression cut-out
module has been installed in notches cut into two of the main case
timbers.  If this had been a factory modification, I would have
expected the cut surfaces to have been sanded and coated with shellac,
which does not appear to be the case.  Beyond that, why was that even
done, since even mounted in the usual fashion, it would not have
interfered with the belly cloth?

A third photo shows that the striker pneumatics operate on push rods
that go through drilled holes in the key bed, not the usual elongated
slots.

Finally, there is a close-up photo of the fronts of several of the
striker pneumatics.  It appears at least two different materials were
used, one with a conventional smooth-looking surface and the other with
an unusual and obvious weave pattern.

Not pictured is the pump, whose cast iron plate and large pulley,
usually painted black, appear in a "natural", sort of light-gray color.

Further analysis may have to wait on a physical examination, but
comments are welcome.

John Grant

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 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/01/11/170111_101722_Ampico%20A%20Integrated%20Stack-1.jpg 
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 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/01/11/170111_101722_Ampico%20A%20Integrated%20Stack-2.jpg 
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 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/01/11/170111_101722_Ampico%20A%20Stack%20Mounting%20Detail.jpg 
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 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/01/11/170111_101722_Ampico%20Stack%20Material%20Detail.jpg