Page 1 of 1
Thoughts Anyone?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 1:18 am
by Rockola4Ever
My Jukebox has a visible mechanism. Yes I like to look in there, watch all the action, watch the record play, and if it hesitates anywhere I can see what is going on. I wouldn't be interested in purchasing one that didn't have that feature. Thoughts about visibility? Would it sway your desirability for a Jukebox?
Re: Thoughts Anyone?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:56 am
by nagamitsu
It's certainly a buying factor and part of what makes owning a jukebox unique (compared to simply a standard stereo system or iPod dock), it's the mechanics of it that draws visitor's attention when I switch it on and make a selection.
Tim
Re: Thoughts Anyone?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 11:44 am
by DoghouseRiley
The demise of visible mechanism machines was partly because those without them were smaller and thus cheaper to make, the increase in selections available presented difficulties in showing titles and the mech. at the same time... and anyway, "everyone" had a record player of some sort, so there was no advantage in showing a record playing.
Now, turntables and vinyl are generally "beyond the lifetime" of many young people, so the novelty of seeing the mechanism and the "nostalgia element" means they are far more sought after these days.
Re: Thoughts Anyone?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:16 pm
by Ron Rich
Riley, and all,
The demise of the visible player was because of "dwindling sales", and the "marketing geniuses" at Seeburg thought that "classy places" did not want a "Jukebox", so they made the "furniture style" Coin Operated Phonograph, cabinet. The first one was the LPC-1, in which they also added the "little LP" feature, at a higher price per play ( "Classy"--no ?). These sold fairly well, as the operators were able to add locations, with this cabinet. However, it was quickly "discovered", that the "fancy locations", provided little revenue, as compared to the "Dives". So, in order to improve revenue,and "Dive appeal", the LPC 480 added a "bonus album ( Little LP) feature, which consisted of a fairly large row of flashing lights. This proved to be an utter failure in generating more revenue, and was dropped in the next year ( In this area, it was dropped very early in the production, as the "wise" state government, declared it to be an "Illegal gam-bo-ling device"). Seeburg returned to a semi visible mech in the last model produced, in 1978, by "Seeburg"---the SMC-1. Ron Rich
Re: Thoughts Anyone?
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 4:29 pm
by Psychman
I like both styles actually. I'd rather have bought a visible mechanism juke, but they command such a high price in the UK in comparison to the later models. I also liked some of the late 60's / early 70's styling. A lot of these later models can be modified slightly to have at least a partially visible mechanism. My Rockola 442 has had the centre glass "shelf" above the record sleeves replaced with a clear piece, which makes some of the mech and also the turntable visible, all be it from an angle. Its nice being able to see a coloured vinyl or picture disc like this. I've seen some 70s Rowe AMIs and other Rockolas such as the 451 with such modifications