Questions on Seeburg HF100G

Hello, My names Philip, I recently got a HF100G, I love it, a few noob questions though. In every youtube video ive seen for this juke, when you make a selection you press a letter (and it latches) then a number and the selections made. on mine you have to press the letter and number at the same time to make a selection, is that just the way its set up or is a solinoid bad? the other question i have, the needles for the redhead seem to range $40 to $50 for a pair, is that average? one is bad and im looking to replace. Thanks for any help you can give me. Looking forward to being a part of this forum

Hi Phillip,
Welcome !
The phono has been modified--probably someone has cut the wires to the latch bar solenoid.
This is done quite often to prevent a fire, when "some tech" attempts to do what was not designed into the phono--put it on "Free Play"
(Jukes are designed to MAKE MONEY !!--I do sell an "electronic free play unit", which eliminates all problems) It will operate fine, modified "that way", I just don't like to "see it"---
As for needles for that unit--There seems to be "a problem" with the current aftermarket supply. If you are only playing records made prior to 1958, the very best you can buy will be the genuine "Seeburgs". These will provide very good performance, but are not good for the later records, as they changed the groove size and "cut" on the newer records.
Recent "after market" needles are designed to allow a newer record to be played--however, it appears that there is only one "maker" left, and they are having real quality problems, at the moment. ( I sold my last pair the other day--had to open three packs to find two "good" ones-I can't afford to do that anymore)
Ron Rich

P.S.,
Needles, on Seeburgs, should be changed in "matched pairs".
Ron Rich

Thank you Ron, Ive been looking at the free play units, where can i buy the one you sell?, I have a mix of new and old 45s in my juke so the aftermarket ones are the ones i need to buy?

Phillip,
You may contact me either using the "PM" feature of this forum, or at ronnnrich@yahoo.com.
I will "be happy to sell you one"--
Ron Rich

This is prob. a pretty well known answer but I was wondering why on the Seebirg HF100G (also prob. on others as well) that there isnt an I selection letter. didnt know if seeburg had a special reason for skipping I or not. Thank You

Easy answer--I looks too much like 1---For the same reason, later models with more selections left off the letter "O"---
Drunks in a bar would get too confused--
Ron Rich

Thanks Ron, That makes perfect sense, im very interested in learning more about jukebox history so every little bit helps