THE
ALT.COLLECTING.JUKE-BOXES FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
alt.collecting.juke-boxes
Revision: 2.0 September 30, 2007
This is the Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) list for the Usenet newsgroup
alt.collecting.juke-boxes. It is also a good FAQ for
anyone with questions about jukeboxes in general.
This FAQ was developed by Ken
In Texas who used other FAQ's as a guide.
Comments and suggestions for improvement welcomed.
Send email to ken@pinballrebel.com
1) Purpose & History
To
facilitate the discussion of jukeboxes both old and new by the novice. expert, and
curious
The newsgroup was proposed by a collector who had the vision to know that such
a group was needed.
Since that time the group had
expanded and grown to a large number of users
2) Guidelines to posting to alt.collecting.juke-boxes
alt.collecting.juke-boxes is a Usenet group, no different from any
other.
As such, most if not all of the usual guidelines for posting
articles apply.
Remember that before posting
to alt.collecting.juke-boxes you should already be
familiar with the posting conventions and guidelines that are posted
periodically to the newsgroup "news.announce.newusers".
If you cannot
find these guidelines by reading the group, wait a while and a copy
*will* be posted, or try asking fellow users or the system administrators
at your site for a copy.
In addition, newcomers are
strongly advised to read alt.collecting.juke-boxes
to get a feel for the group (at a minimum, have read this FAQ) before posting
for the first time.
SPAM or SPAMMING posters is
strictly prohibited!
4) -- I want to buy and sell
jukeboxes and parts by advertising on
alt.collecting.juke-boxes, are there any tips?
These types of postings are
acceptable but please put all items
in one post. Common postings include:
FA = for auction (please post
eBay/other auction ads this way)
FS = for sale
FT = For trade
FS/T = For sale or trade
Tech = Means you need help with a problem
WTB = Wanted to buy
WTT = Want to trade
5) -- Somebody told me that
this group is only for jukes from
the 1940-1960's
This is not true. Discussion
of all musical jukeboxes is welcome.
6) -- I'm new to collecting,
someone is offering me a (insert box here)
is this a good price (insert price here)
Feel free to post questions
of this nature but be aware prices vary widely
by location, condition and model. Several books are available to
help the collector with value, identification and repair.
Jukebox Related Books
(many are out of print)
The Always Jukin' Official Guide to Collectible Jukeboxes
American Jukebox: The Classic
Years
Complete Identification Guide
to the Wurlitzer Jukebox
Jukebox: The Golden Age
Jukebox: The Golden Age, 1937
Through 1948
The Jukebox Bluebook: A Guide
to Jukebox Collecting and Identification from the Early
Years to the Present (Second
Edition)
Jukebox Saturday Night
Jukebox the Golden Age
Jukeboxes, 1900-1992 :
Obscure, Mysterious and Innovative American
Jukeboxes - Frank Adams;
Plastic Comb
American Jukebox: The Classic
Years - Vincent Lynch, Kazuhiro Tsuruta;
Vintage Jukeboxes -
Christopher Pearce
Jukebox - Dieter Ludwig c1994
Bill Bickers' Juke-Talk
Jukeboxes - Adams, Lukas and Maschke
Jukeboxes, A Blast From the Past - Scott Wood c1992
Seeburg Jukeboxes. 62 Years of Fun 1927-1989 -
Vintage Jukeboxes, The Hall of Fame - Christopher Pierce
7) -- I want to buy a (insert
box here), what can I do?
Jukeboxes can be bought from
several sources:
a) ...from operators,
Operators are the people who
provide the jukes you see in arcades
truck stops, clubs and diners. Older jukes cease to make money (this is
especially
true of 45 RPM machines), and often get "warehoused".
The "Amusement Devices" or "Vending" section of your Yellow
Pages is the best place to find a list of operators. Many operators
also place stickers with their name and phone number on jukes they
operate.
Some dealers who specialize
in "Home Sales" will advertise
alongside operators in the Yellow Pages. Usually their prices
are far higher than those of a true operator, so it pays to shop
around.
Necessity never made a good barging,
don't be too eager.
b) ...from auctions,
Auctions are held
periodically around the country. These are where
operators sell their surplus jukes, either to other operators or to
collectors such as yourself. You can find out about
auctions in your
area by reading the newsgroups, by checking a "Miscellaneous"
section in your local paper or by asking a few operators in your area
(since they may be selling jukes at the auction, you may receive
a rare showing of helpfulness)
c) ...from ads in your local
paper,
Most papers have a
"Miscellaneous" or equivalent section
in the classifieds. Prices are often artificially high, as the
sellers are hoping to find "gullible" first time buyers. This does
not, however, prevent you, as an informed buyer, from haggling
the
price back down. Often the sellers will be the same people as the
dealers listed above who specialize in "Home Sales".
d) ...or from the net!
Read the newsgroup on a daily
basis.
e).....From places that
specialize in Jukebox sales
There are many amusement
companies that specialize in the sell of antique jukeboxes
many offer warranties and deliver to your door.
8) What kinds of Jukeboxes
are there?
Some play records (either 78
rpm or 45 rpm) a few older jukes mixed both
(33 1/3 and 45 rpm records) Today jukeboxes are either CD or download boxes.
The number of selections very by model 20,48,100, and
200 selections were common
on 45 rpm and 78 rpm boxes. Most CD jukeboxes hold 100 Cd's.
If you figure 10 songs
per disc that totals 1000 selections in one jukebox!
The newest jukeboxes have no
CD's or records but rather download music from the internet to a local hard
drive.
9) Can I get a reproduction
of the jukebox that had bubble tubes?
You are likely referring to a
1015 Wurlitzer although it was not the only
jukebox made with bubble tubes. Most of the major manufactures make
reproductions
of this famous model
9a) I want to buy a good one
which one is best?
Each is different. Some are
American made (Rock-Ola & Rowe) and some are not.
All of
them have been built to survive route conditions (bars, taverns etc). It's very
likely
that any of them will give you years of trouble free service at home.
10) -- How much does a juke
cost?
Brand new jukes can often run
close to $7000 on the high side. A restored Wurlitzer
1015 can go for almost $10,000. Jukes can be bought in various conditions
for often a few hundred dollars. Prices tend to vary greatly.
11) Do manufacturers maintain
websites?
Yes they do see the links
below.
NSM Music Group Limited (no website at this time but still in business)
http://www.wurlitzer-jukebox.com
12) -- I just bought a juke,
but there is no documentation, can someone
send me some?
Manuals are widely available
from rowe-ami, Seeburg, Rockola etc.
Several companies specialize in complete manuals and schematics. See the parts
question below.
13) -- Where can I buy parts
or manuals for my jukebox?
Off the
net, at shows, and from dealers and operators. Older parts are often expensive.
you can start with:
http://www.jukemania.com/needles.htm
14) Are records still
available?
Yes but just barely
(especially new releases) Very few stores carry them any more.
Bigger cities sometimes have record stores that do however.
In addition operators may be willing to sell you
records they have taken off location. Some sites on the net
offer records for sale.
Typical price is about 2.50 - 3.00 each.
If you buy a "CD" jukebox then this isn't an issue.
Here are a few online sources
for records.
http://www.fasthits.com
http://www.arrdis.com
http://yesterdayandtodayrecords.com/
http://www.recordfinders.com
http://www.Green45.com
(the
newsgroup FAQ author does not favor any one source over another)
15) What about title strips?
In days of old record
retailers shipped strips already typed for your jukebox as a courtesy to route
operators. Very few companies do this today. Central South One Stop is one
800-251-3052.
Some companies make software to make strips on your computer
a) http://www.lowprofilesoftware.com/
You can also buy them from
the Sterling Title Strip Graphics Inc.
or download templates for FREE from
http://www.pinballrebel.com/archive/other/title.htm
or
http://www.jukebox.tk (who has many great
custom ones)
16) Do I have to use new
records?
No, but really worn records
will shorten your needle life. Thrift stores and garage sales are often a good
source for records.
In some parts of the
collector meets, which often have very low prices for common
and reissue
records. Goldmine magazine has a calendar section listing
these shows.
17) Can I suggest a new
addition for this FAQ
Yes, this FAQ is a work in
progress. Any additions would be welcome.
Send to ken@pinballrebel.com
18) Can I post a picture of
this new juke I just bought or this item I have for sale?
Posting a binary in a non
binary group is considered bad manners by the Usenet community.
While the charter did allow
for it you should really consider the alternative of putting the picture
on your
web-site then providing the group a link to view it. In other words
please don't do it.
19) Is there a place where I
can see pictures of different jukebox models.
Yes, several pages have
photos of jukeboxes. Wurlitzer also maintains pictures
on its site. Places to see photos include:
http://www.pinballrebel.com/archive/archive.htm
http://tomszone.com/Seeburg.html