Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > October 2018 > 2018.10.29 > 02Prev  Next


Ampico B Plays Too Softly
By Mark Washek

I am currently working on a 1933 Ampico model B Marshall and Wendell.
I believe it is a transitional piano due to the fact it has no
adjustments on the striker pneumatics.

The piano plays fine with all the tests on the Ampico B test roll.
The customer has mainly Ampico A rolls and would like to play these.
I tried these rolls -- they do have expression, however they play
much softer then they should.  I have rebuilt many model A Ampicos,
however this is only my second model B.

I'm thinking about possibly running a switch to the 0B hole [Trigger]
for playing Ampico A rolls and standard rolls, or possibly using the
modify switch to open the 0B hole for these rolls, or possibly running
a tee to the stack spill valves.

My questions are as follows:

1) Is this problem normal when playing Model A rolls on this instrument?
2) What is the easiest way to increase volume on standard 88-note rolls?
3) Should I continue on my current way of thinking, or maybe focus on
the curtain grid of the main pump?

This piano has come to me in parts, after several so-called technicians
tried to make it play.  Needless to say I have a few less hairs on my
head then when I started.  I appreciate any help or wisdom that anyone
has in confronting this problem in the past.

Thanks,
Mark Washek - Lancaster Keyboard Center
Lancaster, Ohio

 [ Bob Taylor's Ampico A to B Translator is demonstrated at
 [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=449hUeHYd1Y  and described at
 [ http://www.aeolianorgan.com/Ampico_Translator/Ampico_A_to_B_Translator.html 
 [ -- Robbie


(Message sent Tue 30 Oct 2018, 00:10:28 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Ampico, B, Plays, Softly, Too

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page