In 1913 there was the forerunner (Stoddard-Ampico), from 1920 the mature Ampico A, and from 1929 its further development – the Ampico B. The Ampico B can be regarded as the last stage of development of all reproducing instruments. In the book “Re-Enacting the Artist”, Larry Givens writes about the Ampico B system: “With its fewer moving parts, its electric roll drive mechanism, its quieter pump and exhaust, its rapid-acting valves, and many other improvements and innovations the Model B Ampico cannot be considered anything less than the zenith of player piano development.”
The scale of the Ampico B system has 100 holes in the tracker bar plus the two levers for tracking control. The Ampico Inspectors Book of 1929 gives the layout of the 100 holes as follows.
Even though the Ampico A was replaced in 1929 by the further improved Ampico B, it was mainly the Ampico A that was sold – and it is still in great demand today. Certainly one of the most beautiful reproducing systems!