Rock-Ola Visible Mechanisms.

DoghouseRiley · by **DoghouseRiley** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:45 am

I've been toying with the idea of "converting" my 443, to "visible play," well.."half visible play." I get these ideas from time to time when I've nothing better to do and it may come to nothing, but I'm sure I've seen it done.
It'd be easy enough to replace the graphic covered glass (and save it) and fit it with a clear or a partially clear replacement.
As many Rock-Ola share the same mechanism, is there a particular mech. cover that's suitable and which of the "usual suspects" might have one?
Any advice (other than don't do it!) would be appreciated.

Psychman · by **Psychman** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 4:19 pm

My 442 has clear glass to enable a partially visible mech, it came this way when I bought it. To be honest I'd recommend against totally clear glass because you can see the tube which doesnt look ideal, and it does somewhat distract from the "now playing" window.

For mine, I've bought some total blackout window film (from ebay), and am planning on cutting this to cover the tube, the edges of the sleeve displays, and I may put some next to the now playing window, leaving only a window for the deck above it.

Be interested to see how yours turns out, I will post pics when I get round to doing mine. It is nice to be able to see the deck. As for mech covers, I wouldn't expect a mech cover to fit these models? I may be wrong

DoghouseRiley · by **DoghouseRiley** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 4:46 pm

I'm aware that it's a bit difficult. But I'd think the mech cover from something like a 1484 might fit and obscure most of the mechanics. I appreciate that some of the glass would need blanking off. It's just a bit of a pipe dream at the momen, as mine is a very good looking example since I "tarted it up," as it is.

I've seen something similar done with a German made Wurlitzer, where the early "non visible" ones still had the upright turntable configuration. This was done with stiff card and looked quite professional.

by **Ron Rich** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 4:58 pm

Doghouse,
I'm curious--Why, if one would want the mech to be "visible", would one then want to "cover it" ???
I have often wished the mechanism cover on my "visible mech" Seeburg, was made of a clear plastic !
Ron Rich

DoghouseRiley · by **DoghouseRiley** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 6:29 pm

Ron Rich wrote:Doghouse,
I'm curious--Why, if one would want the mech to be "visible", would one then want to "cover it" ???
I have often wished the mechanism cover on my "visible mech" Seeburg, was made of a clear plastic !
Ron Rich

I'd need to cover the part of the glass where it says "solid state"otherwise the fluorescent that illuminates the panel and the lower graphic, would be visible along the front edge of the machine.