Phonoland

I know this is such a typical post for a newbie, so apologies up front.

Two weeks ago I just missed out on buying a non-working Wurlitzer - I have never owned one before, but fancy the challenge and with some good advice from people here (especially Ron-NYC), the machine looked like great value, but.. I was too late.

After a couple of years of working on EM pinballs I now know how much I'll spend on a project EM (based mainly on condition and location) but of course have no idea on jukeboxes, so, I am now keen to locate a project but would like some very general advice:

So, I like all the 50's machines - any very general thoughts on which of the manufactures (Ami, Wurl, Rock, SeeB) are easier (generally) to restore from a parts / complexity perspective?

I've been reviewing completed items on ebay and checking craiglist, etc to get a feel for prices, but really did not want to spend more than around $600 for a project (am I being unrealistic?)

For example, I saw this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391185520353?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
is that good value? (its seems to be) but its too far for me to drive.

I know from pinball experience, I just have to be patient for something to come up, and probably on Craiglist. I also see there is the huge show in Chigaco in November but again that's a big drive for me (I'm near DC) and again I don't know if that's the best place for a project?

Anyway, I'm starting to drone on, so I'll pause there and hope that I can get a bit of feedback from the experienced guys here.

Thanks!

Danny

Max,
It's the same story in Jukes as in pinballs --I would love to have an Adams Family pin( hasta-be the "gold" version, too !)--for $600.00---
Does that answer your question ?? ( I would NOT consider any juke that has had a home amp installed).
Ron Rich

Danny, me personal favorites are the Tormat era Seeburgs and carousel Wurlitzers.

In general, the late fifties-early sixties Seeburg models Q-AY-DS are lower priced than the others of that era. Some examples here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selectomatic-Se ... 23530505de

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1960s-S ... 5b143e60d9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEEBURG-MODEL-D ... 56756dd645 This one needs backdoor & electronics.

If you are familiar with E-M pinball and similar games, the pre-Tormat Seeburgs will be sort-of in the same league, but the Tormat machines are actually easier to restore due to a much more straightforward selection system and fewer parts.

The little Rock-Ola you showed has been "Gepetto'ed" although these machines are so simple it really doesn't matter that much. If you want it original you'll need a 15" field coil speaker and an amp.

Obviously, any unrestored machine will have to be cleaned up and rebuilt.

Overall, look for intact and no obvious signs of a meltdown: Leakage from transformers etc. Be wary of "Dumpers" these are machines that were cannibalized for parts and assemblies. One clue i to look for amps and other items that are just in there with no plugs connected. Motors and credit units lying on the bottom may also be defective. From my perspective, none of these signs would kill a really good deal, but it would govern my offer. I've bought some real basket cases but I have the facilities to deal with them. If you are in a similar situation you may land a real bargain.

You are probably best following your own suggestion and looking for something offered locally, but I would also check with any regional operators. Down south there are a lot of op's with machines still in storage...you never know what they might have....
Rob

Thanks, gents.

Rob, being a Brit (sorry!) I was not sure what "Gepetto'ed" meant, so I googled it and it gave me a very strange definition http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Geppetto Presume it means "bodged" in my slang

Many thanks for the links - its actually the slightly earlier Seeburg models (50's) that I prefer (as I'm sure everyone does which is why they are more $!). Or the Wurlitzer around models 1700-2400, etc. Harder to come by, I know

Final question (for now), when you say "check with regional operators" can you expand a little - I'm not sure how I would go about this as I'm new to this world.

Many thanks, again!

Danny

Hi Danny,
I have never heard THAT definition of "Geppetto" before--suffice to say that I mean "bodged" whenever I have used it---I understand "bodged" as my Grandmother was a Britt., and she used it all the time----I'll let Rob speak for himself on this
As for finding operators, used to be something called a "Phone Book", in which local operators were listed under either "Jukeboxes", "Coin operated phonographs", and/or "Amusement devices", and sometimes "Games/Pinball machines". Today, since phone books are few and far between, I would suggest you check the "YP.com". You might also check the listings of "repair persons", for some local people, in Alwaysjukin magazine (might also want to subscribe--www.alwaysjukin.com) Ron Rich

Rob, being a Brit (sorry!) I was not sure what "Gepetto'ed" meant,

Danny, that was a term I came up with back in the late 80's to describe some of the types I'd met in the jukebox industry here in NYC. Essentially, little, old men with mustaches tinkering away. the industry was closing up here in Manhattan and I was getting a lot of machines, parts and papers from them ( i wish i had taken more).

Some of the hacks I found in machines were both ingenious and infuriating. These guys were OK with pinballs and such, but best kept away from electronics. On the plus side, their f-ups gave me a lot of parts (amps, credit units control centers and mechs) cheap/free.

Rob