Wurlitzer P-12 Serial Number

rvalkenburg · by **rvalkenburg** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 5:03 am

So here is my situation, I picked up a P-12 a few weeks ago that I am in the process of restoring but am not sure of its serial number as they is no plate.

Now on the frame of the cabinet in 2 places there is a number "167" stamped, once on the inner frame by the front door hinges and the other on the right hand side brace (on the end towards the back cover) that holds up the wood play surface.

There also is "11389" stamped on a rivets metal plate on the back of the platter arm tower.

Also, there is a stamped number "233677" on the back of the cabinet where the mfg s/n plate would actually go, so this would have been covered by the plate, I am assuming based upon the nail holes for the missing plate.

Now I would assume the serial number would be 11389 as they only made roughly 17,000 P-12's so 233677 would not be it, but what is that number? Also why is 167 stamped in 2 spots on the cabinet (front and back)?

Then I have the possibility that the entire mech was replaced at some point and the 11389 number is not actually for my machine, but that I will never be able to find out I guess.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ron Valkenburg

by **Ron Rich** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 4:24 pm

Hi Ron,
WurliTzer, as well as all other phono makers had numbers stamped "all over"--there is no way to tell what they were for, as it was a "big secret".
I think most of them were for the "bean counters", own use ??
Ron Rich

rvalkenburg · by **rvalkenburg** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 5:34 pm

I had a feeling that was going to be the answer

The older units do have a great deal of mystery and inconsistencies around them.

Trying to find out what is original or not is also a problem as many of the P-12's have been restored, and finding out what is was supposed to be original, including interior paint colors, is a challenge.

Ron Valkenburg