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A PRETTY JUKEBOX IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST INVESTMENT

by: doctorwho1962( 1448Feedback score is 1000 to 4,999) Top 100 Reviewer
28 out of 31 people found this guide helpful.
Guide viewed: 10110 times Tags: Seeburg | Wurlitzer | Rockola | AMI | Jukebox


 In the Jukebox world especially when starting off. Always be wary of the jukebox that looks really nice and does not work.. Why you ask? Because it had problems from the start. Granted the machine will be valuable (depending on year model and make) for parts. In some cases worthless if its a Rowe-Ami. Please do not confuse this with an AMI. ROWE-AMI is BAD... AMI are great machines!  Look at what is popular and check out the internet. You can find out alot from there. I am Jukebox tech and have seen it all. In 90% of the cases I have seen the really tired looking machine is the one to buy. It usually is cosmetically not nice looking but works or has a minor fault an could be made to work with not alot of effort. In most case Jukes of the same make model and year have the same fault and can be over come with a new part or two. 99% of these suffer from neglect (the people forgot to play them even once in a while and in most cases just need to be cleaned and re-lubricated). Keep in mind these machines were out on routes or on a location for years and the operators that ran these routes or locations never wanted to spend a nickle on them so they suffer from this problem. Take for instance a 1954 Seeburg Model C. I found (it had been used and used and then bubble gum and a paper clip was what the route owner/operator used on it) with only 2 hours work and a can of 3 in 1 oil it was working. Cosmetically it had been kicked, spat on and I am sure swore at.. (not the machines fault but the previous owner) These machines were never intended to last as long as they do however the company that made them did a gret job and that being said.. I am sure they will last alot longer. If you want the jist of what I am saying parts are cheap and available.. especially for the popular models on the net (Victory Glass I have used their parts and have had the best of luck the people are nice and the product is excellent!). Caig Deoxit is cheap to clean you controls as well as switches and the mech (yes it is a miracle in a can). 3 in 1 oil is great to help out a gummed up mech.. but first clean it with Brake Cleaner (don't get it on the painted of plastic parts. Also a compressor is a must to blow out old garbage. Re-cap the amp (see a guy here on Ebay with the nickname Electricstories he has caps and needles and his prices cannot be beat!) Tell Bill Tony says Hi!! LOL! Also manuals are a must! You can get them here on Ebay for a great price. I have bought alot of machines.. in my life and I enjoy it. I have learned that the rough looking ones are the ones to deal with and not the beauty queens. If you buy one that looks pretty and does not work.. it's likely a lemon and you'll end of selling for parts. The one that looks like its life has been spent is the one that worked forever and just needs some love and attention to make it live again 


Guide ID: 10000000004567331Guide created: 10/13/07 (updated 09/13/09)

 
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