Seeburg LPC-1 vs. LPC-480

I was at a record show today where several jukeboxes, including a Seeburg LPC-1 were on display. I own an LPC-480 and I was struck by a difference in the two machines, and I'm wondering if my LPC-480 is missing something that should be a part of it.

Pictured below are the LPC-1 from the show and my LPC-480. It was immediately evident to me that the selection labels (next to each title strip) are brightly illuminated on the LPC-1; not so on my LPC-480. When the owner lifted the lid on the LPC-1, there was a fluorescent bulb in place above where the mech would be.

My LPC-480 has 2 bulbs -- one positioned immediately above the picture sleeve displays (visible in the picture below) and the other in the very front of the machine, underneath the selection buttons, its primary purpose apparently being to illuminate the customized strip that would ordinarily display the restaurant or bar's name where the box was located.

Is there supposed to be a third bulb in the LPC-480 to illuminate the selection labels? If not, is there a reason why mine aren't illuminated as on the LPC-1?
LPC-1


MY LPC-480


FLUORESCENT LIGHT IN LPC-1

Bob,
Got a Service Manual ?--tells you "how many--what type" lamps are used in that model, 1st, or 2nd page--Parts manual will show you also--Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Bob,
Got a Service Manual ?--tells you "how many--what type" lamps are used in that model, 1st, or 2nd page--Parts manual will show you also--Ron Rich

Yes, I have a manual for my 480. The diagram shows 2 bulbs (36-inch, 30 watt cool white fluorescents). I should have phrased my question better.

So, for those of you who own, or are familiar with the LPC-480, are the selection indicators (A1, B1 ... V8) supposed to be illuminated like the LPC-1 or are they supposed to be dark and unilluminated like mine is?

Does that LPC-1 look right? Is the LPC-1 supposed to have a bulb that's positioned over top of the mech like that? I don't have a manual for the LPC-1, but that bulb sure does a nice job of lighting up the selection indicators.

Bob,
Not quite sure what you mean by "selection indicators" ? If you are speaking of "title strips, the 480's were designed to be "top lit", while the LPC-1 was "bottom lit", if I recall correctly.

Ron Rich wrote:Not quite sure what you mean by "selection indicators"

The little squares next to the title strips that read A1, B1, all the way up to V8.

But I think you've answered my question. The bottom-lit LPC-1 does a better job of illuminating those selection squares and even the title strips are somewhat illuminated. The amount of light provided by the top-lit LPC-480 doesn't really light up either the title strips or those little squares with the alphanumeric indicators on them. In dim light it can be hard to read those indicators in order to know what selection keys to press.

John,
Is the defuser installed on the upper lamp ?
Are the numbers/letters "faded" ?-- I just do not recall any problems in that area ?--However, I do believe they went back to three lamps in the next few models---perhaps there were "complaints" ??
---And, I think that there is enough room to add a lamp, if you so desire---
Ron Rich

I'll check on the defuser tonight. I'll probably take another picture "under the hood" and upload it here, since I am mechanically challenged. What does a defuser do?

The numbers/letters aren't faded, but there is a certain amount of yellowing to the title strip holder. Not so much yellowing though so as to not let light pass through.

The notion of adding a 3rd light did cross my mind. I may be mechanically challenged, but I think that this is something I could handle. And once I get it installed, I'm pretty much an expert at changing light bulbs.

Bob,
It "defuses" ( or "throws"/"spreads"/ "re-directs") light in different directions--or in this case, "un-concentrates" it.
I doubt it's still there, as it was rather "flimsy" and would not take any "punishment". Ron Rich

I think it may still be on there. Is that it, noted by the red X?

I also noticed something else when I was editing the photo prior to uploading it here. Notice how nicely those selection squares are illuminated from the overhead lighting in my family room! The jukebox is off, but with the lid raised, those squares light up the way I want them to. That proves something -- I guess it means the title strip holder is not too yellowed with age to allow light to pass through.

It might be tricky getting a 3rd fluorescent bulb in there. There's not as much clearance as you might think and there needs to be room for the hood prop to lie horizontally when the lid is closed. There's a lighting speciality store in the area that I might need to hit up to find one that's skinny enough to fit in there without disturbing the mech or anything else.

Hi Bob,

Ron is correct re his discription of a diffuser, it does spread out the light but the main thing is that you do not see the outline of the tube.

If the diffuser is indeed missing then you may be able to get one from the usual suppliers, in the case of a diffuser fitted into two slots you can make one by using theatrical gel (the plain obscured version is called frost) but there are about 300 plus tints available.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

Hi Bob,
Yep--that thar iz it--can't tell from photo how much of it is left, or how it has been "stuffed" in there, as it should be covering the lamp--It should "hook" on the three holes--don't re-call if they go on top , or bottom, so look for the pegs that fit-em--(can see that the center hole on it, is "broken"--)
It also appears that you my have the wrong "frames" ( for album covers) installed--all should be white, except the center one with the "ad" in it.
Ron Rich

Thanks Alan and Ron.

Very observant of you Ron to notice the issue with the frames. When I originally purchased the box, it came with 5 white frames and each one held an album cover with a mirror behind it. I wanted my machine to look more like the way it originally looked, so I purchased the glass sign with the chrome frame on eBay. Without something behind the ad sign, you can see through to the back of the machine and that looks awful. So I used the mirror from the 5th album frame that I had and put it behind the ad sign. Unfortunately, the glass and the mirror combined are a shade too thick for the frame, and prevent it from seating properly. If the mirror was 1/16th of an inch thinner, it would sit down in there fine.

I've seen that glass sign and frame offered for sale numerous times, but never with the metallic piece that fits in the back of the frame behind the clear glass sign. I like the way the mirror enhances the lettering on the sign, but that's not the way it's supposed to look, so I continue my quest for the chrome frame with the backing piece included. If you look at the first picture I provided of my phono in this thread, you can see how that frame juts out a tad at the bottom. Really bugs me, but I'm living with it until I can find that metallic backing piece for that frame. (I've seen it only in pictures of others LPC480s and on the original flyer).

Much of what was originally on the LPC480 as manufactured, has been removed from mine -- mine doesn't have the randomizing album selection or the display rack that houses the mini Lp replicas that run along the top. Still, it works well, sounds fantastic, and plays both 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records. Once I can convince a technician to drive 2 hours out to my place to fix the B-side issue, I'll be a happy camper. One guy says he can fix it, but wants me to bring it to him. Not gonna happen. I neary killed myself getting it down the steps when I bought it back in July. That beast's not going anywhere, anytime soon!

Hi Bob,
Well, what kin I say--if I saw this a few years ago, I would have axked you how much you were willing to pay me to come to your house--but, "father time" has clipped my wings, and I can no longer fly--
Somewhere around here--I think I have that metal plate--"Where" is the $64,000 question.
Did you try the "usual suspects" listed above ??
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Did you try the "usual suspects" listed above ??
Ron Rich

Oh yes, I've checked them all. There's a well known place in Hagerstown, MD not too far from me -- that is a good source for coin op parts. I'm sure it will turn up somewhere. I just bought 4 used needles from them to have on hand ... as backups, just in case. I do have the original factory cartridge still on there. From reading other threads here, I've learned that these needles are no longer being produced by anyone? Hoping I bought the right ones. Paid $33 for the 4 of them, but of course there's no guarantee on their condition, so I was taking a bit of a gamble. They should arrive within the next couple of days.

(Part # 249731)


Seeburg cartridge on my LPC-480