1954 Seeburg Model "R" Jukebox

1954 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "R"
100 Selections

Most everybody likes the "R". It has classy period styling and 5 speakers. Besides an improved Hi-Fi amp the "R" went to a permanent magnetic speaker system using various sizes. Previous Seeburgs used a dynamic 15-inch speaker. Thus the "R" was better capable of reproducing the "highs".

Some production units had UTAH and others JENSON brand speakers. Jenson was a very popular consumer brand at the time. The Pickering (red head) cartridge introduced the year before on the "G" model was retained, making this one very modern HI FI juke.

Lots were sold and even today the "R" registers as one of the more desirable of the '50s jukes. Like many jukes of the '50s, the coloring on the "R" cabinet was bland. In fact many manufacturers of the day used a type of Polaroid photograph decal as the final finish. That way all cabinets of a specific model were identical.

This particular unit had one original nice side and one that had too many scratches in the decal. Therefore, we opted to take it down to the original veneer and stain it. It came out dang nice so we clear coated it after that.

As for the burl wood effect that originally came as part of the decal set covering a portion of each side as well in the front below the grill we applied, with heat, a commercial grade vinyl designed to last many years, even outdoors. It won't shrink like contact paper that some folks apply.

As for where this specific juke came from, let's just call it an orphan. It and a Seeburg "JL" were discovered huddled together in a corner of the shop a few months ago. No one seems to know from whence they appeared or if they came in at the same time. This jukebox is looking for the attention your family can give it.

1962 Rockola "Empress" Jukebox

1962 Rockola
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "1496"
"Empress"
120 Selections

This is a great little stereo jukebox. By this time Seeburg had hidden the ablity to see the records play, but Rockola was late to the game. But, today that a good thing because eveybody would rather see the jukebox play the records. It's a part of the charm of having a jukebox.

This is a very 60's looking machine with lots of chrome and colors.

1965 Rockola
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "430"
100 Selections

This is one very rare machine. We believe Rockola was the only jukebox company that ever made wall mount 45 - rpm jukeboxes. There were three models produced in 1958, 1962 and 1965. We've sold more than 15,000 jukes since 1971 and have only seen 3 of them up close. We now own 2 of them.

This jukebox is fully contained with amplifier and speakers inclosed. It holds fifty 7 - inch records and playing both sides is 100 selections. The nifty part is if you have any of the "little LPs" or "Compact 33s" made from 1960 through 1971, they will play as many as 6 tunes per disc. You heard correctly: 6 tunes in STEREO at 33 1/3 RPM on a 7 - inch record. That could be 350 songs!

Originally this model is intended to have a remote speaker attached to it to provide stereo. We've modified it to do so with two 10 - inch full range speakers mounted, as originally, on the front door.

If lack of floor space is your concern, then this baby is the solution. It's only 18 1/8 - inches deep.

Be the first one on your block or in your state for that matter to have one of these nifty eye-catchers hanging on your pool room or apartment wall.

It comes with the original wall mounting bracket too!

1956 Seeburg Model "J L" Jukebox

1956 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "J L"
100 Selections

The 1955 J and 1956 JL (light color cabinet) Seeburg models moved away from the colors and flashy looks of previous Seeburg "C" and "R" models.

Through the years the "J"s seemed to take a back seat to these models. We at JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED on the other hand love them for their rugged cabinet with almost nothing to get broken easily like the fluted glass and plastics in the grill areas of the "C" and "R" models.

We've been using the "J"s for party rentals for nearly 40 years and they never come back broken. During the '80s and '90s, we had a fleet of 12 of them working their little butts off every weekend entertaining folks at parties in "So Cal".

When done right they can really crank out the sounds and pull it off all the way to the top. We like the very clean styling lines that are reminiscent of cars of the era. Think about a 1955 Cadillac El Dorado.

The "J"s had an improved Hi-Fi amp and great UTAH speakers. With two 12 - inch and one 8 - inch speakers, the right cartridge, they can sound amazing. We love the "J"s.

For the first 10 years of our company, folks would always ask me what juke I'd personally own if I could only have one. I'd answer: "a Seeburg "J". Luckily I don't expect to be in that position again of only having one jukebox in my collection.

Can't remember where this particular unit came from and it's been hiding in the back of the warehouse for quite some time. It was expected to be reconditioned for rental use.

We've redone the cabinet in its natural wood finish with a clear coat on top for protection. Because we like them for party rentals and keep them for ourselves, we seldom offer them for sale. It's just that our warehouse is busting at the seams and we need to reduce inventory … a lot!

1953 Seeburg "G" Jukebox

1954 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "G"
100 Selections

Following the tremendous success of Seeburg's M100C of 1952-3 came two nearly identical looking machines both introduced in September 1953 for the 1954 year. I wonder if the complaints that filtered back to the distributors regarding the fragileness of the front of the "C" had any bearing on the "100W" and "HF100G" being built considerably more rugged? Although the "W" had plastic pilasters, the noisy animation was even dropped.

The front of both the "W" and "G" was sturdy chromed metal and resembled the front bumpers of the cars of the day. That 'bumper' could probably hold its ground against the real front bumper of most of today's cars and even light duty trucks. The "G" went one step farther in ruggedness with stainless steel pilasters.

Ironically, those very features of the "C" that irritated jukebox operators of yesterday, (animation behind frosted plastic pilasters with round glass mirrors in the grill) is what drives buyers to seek out the "C" today.

Jukes can get pretty banged up while being drug from one location to another and pushed around in the shop. So a big difference between the "C" and the "W"/"G” was durability. Gone was the exposed wooden front covered only by a decal made from a Polaroid photograph. (You could order replacement decals).

From the earliest days, jukeboxes mimicked the styles of the new cars. So by 1954, with cars no longer having that "Tin Lizzy" look, it was natural for plastic to give way to chromed steel.

The "C" and "W" had basically the same sound system whereas the "G" was Seeburg’s first High Fidelity jukebox. It incorporated an advanced amp and tweeter with a primitive dividing network besides the 15 - inch woofer of the "C" and "W". The "G" did sound better. In fact we've even gone a step farther by adding one transistor. We might call it a "Hybrid".

1961 Wurlitzer "2500" Jukebox

1961 Wurlitzer
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "2500"
200 Selections

The 2500 series came along at a time when most jukebox manufacturers were beginning to hide their record playing mechanisms as well as the records. This was a transitional period for cabinet style. It was a time when rounded edges gave way to sharp corners. That said, the 2500 still seemed to have a "softer" yet classy look about it with its open, wide and rounded lid glass rounded front corner moldings.

By now, all the manufacturers had caught up with Seeburg in stereo and 200 selections, but by next year they were going to have to play "catch up" again following Seeburg’s switch to fully 'solid state' amplifiers. Therefore, the 2500 still had a nice powerful 2 channel, 'tube type' amplifier pushing two 12 - inch woofers and one 5 - inch round mid/high speaker.

This particular unit came from a large catch we made a while back. There was also a 2510 model in the bunch that we "parted out" expecting to need to need it to "rob Peter to pay Paul". However, all we took from the 2510 was the turntable motor and cartridge.

The cabinet is in nice "original" shape and the back doors look practically new. Half the time one or both doors are missing or have been pried open and bent with these models. We set it up to take coins, but it’s also easy to switch it to “free play”.

This is one very nice, good working, good sounding Wurlitzer.

1950 Seeburg Model "B" Jukebox

1950 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "B"
100 Selections

The "B" was introduced in Oct of 1950 for the 1951 year. It was a transitional juke between the "A" and the "C". The "A" was the last 78 - RPM jukebox Seeburg made and the "B" was the world’s first 45 - RPM jukebox.

Seeburg took essentially the same amplifier, Pickering cartridge and 15-inch speaker of the "A" and put it in a nearly identical cabinet, just not as wide. That was the point … size. Seeburg was the first with 100 selections in the "A" but strived for more tunes without increasing the size of the jukebox cabinet.

Earlier talks between Seeburg and RCA engineers lead to the creation of the new, smaller, faster 45 - RPM disc introduced in 1949. Thus with the smaller disc the wide "A" cabinet was shrunk down considerably while still accommodating the same number of (50) discs. Eventually Seeburg introduced 200 selections in 1955 with the V-200.

The "B" was nearly as good sounding as the "A" and continued Seeburg’s domination of the marketplace, through innovation, all the way through the '50s.

This unit was probably originally reconditioned about 15 or 20 years ago and done with a Southwestern motif. We chose not to strip down the painted cabinet even though it has some areas where the paint shows seems in the wood beneath.

Other than the freedom used on the cabinet the "workings" are all original. We've reconditioned everything operational and it works and sounds great. If you look out your backyard window and see cactus or want to add some music and color to a room, this is the juke for you.

1953 Seeburg "G" Jukebox

1953 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "G"
100 Selections

Following the tremendous success of Seeburg's M100C of 1952-3 came two nearly identical looking machines both introduced in September 1953 for the 1954 year. I wonder if the complaints that filtered back to the distributors regarding the fragileness of the front of the "C" had any bearing on the "100W" and "HF100G" being built considerably more rugged? Although the "W" had plastic pilasters, the noisy animation was even dropped.

The front of both the "W" and "G" was sturdy chromed metal and resembled the front bumpers of the cars of the day. That 'bumper' could probably hold its ground against the real front bumper of most of today's cars and even light duty trucks. The "G" went one step farther in ruggedness with stainless steel pilasters.

Ironically, those very features of the "C" that irritated jukebox operators of yesterday, (animation behind frosted plastic pilasters with round glass mirrors in the grill) is what drives buyers to seek out the "C" today.

Jukes can get pretty banged up while being drug from one location to another and pushed around in the shop. So a big difference between the "C" and the "W"/"G” was durability. Gone was the exposed wooden front covered only by a decal made from a Polaroid photograph. (You could order replacement decals).

From the earliest days, jukeboxes mimicked the styles of the new cars. So by 1954, with cars no longer having that "Tin Lizzy" look, it was natural for plastic to give way to chromed steel.

The "C" and "W" had basically the same sound system whereas the "G" was Seeburg’s first High Fidelity jukebox. It incorporated an advanced amp and tweeter with a primitive dividing network besides the 15 - inch woofer of the "C" and "W". The "G" did sound better. In fact we've even gone a step farther by adding one transistor. We might call it a "Hybrid".

Someone had already begun rebuilding this particular juke when we got a hold of it. So rather

than tear it down and start from scratch, we've corrected a few technical errors and completely rebuilt the workings.

Practically everything metal that could be removed, had already been chromed. Even the original stainless steel pilasters looked dang nice. We've also done a little cosmetic work to the cabinet. It's just about ready now, but here's the question for you:

If you're interested in this baby let us know if you'd like us to keep it original ($5295) or have us install quiet, colored, revolving cylinders and frosted plastic pilasters? With this upgrade, you get the "prettiness" of the "C" and ruggedness of the "G" for an additional $600 more. Your call.

1980 Seeburg "Phoenix" Jukebox

1980 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "Phoenix"
160 Selections

This 1980 Seeburg Phoenix is one great jukebox. With it’s disco ball rotating under high intensity spotlights it’s the life of the party. All you need is a dance floor.

1974 Rockola Model "456" Jukebox

1974 Rockola
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "456"
160 Selections

"The Sophisticated Jukebox".

At first glance it could easily pass for your folks old Admiral or Magnavox home stereo system. Remember the one that sat stately at one end of the living room?

Well this ain't your Dad's old AM/FM, 5 record, 3 speed changer. It's a 2 speed, 160 to 480 selection "retro" style juke that would just plain smoke that Westinghouse console from back in the day.

The stereo separation and killer sound that emits from this beautiful cabinet are unachievable in conventional jukes unless you connect remote speakers to them. The speakers are an amazing 31-inch apart! If you sit somewhere between 5 and 15 feet in front of this lovely beast, you'll be blown away by the stereo separation.

The rugged Shure M-44 cartridge (we used them in radio stations) sends its signal through a powerful (100 watt) solid state stereo amplifier into two 6-inch mid and high frequency speakers and two 12-inch full range speakers.

Although intended for use in fancy restaurants and classy lounges it came along during a time when jukebox use in exactly those places was waning. Thus not too many of this style were ever sold.

Then once they were retired from service by the jukebox operators, they tended to get banged around a bit. They normally ended up acting as storage since they had a nice flat top. Luckily that surface was a burn and mar proof polyester material. In the end they'd get torn down and stripped for parts that could be used in conventional jukes.

This particular unit has been in the living room of a sweet little ranch house in fashionable Porter Ranch in the San Fernando Valley of LA since it was new. The minor dings on the cabinet come from helping raise a family over 35 years.

The "innards" are spotless and the playmeter shows an accurate 3500 plays. As a comparison, a typical jukebox rented for a weekend party chalks up 200 to 500 plays in 3 days.

The mechanism is tried, true, dependable and simple. For a few bucks more, we'll throw in a nifty Rockola motorized remote control so you won't have to get up from your easy chair to turn it up or down, on or off or even cancel tunes.

So if you have a comfortable place in your home for the fun of a jukebox and the sophisticated look of a fine piece of furniture, this is it.

1957 Rockola Model "1455" Jukebox

1957 Rockola
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "1455"
200 Selections

Compact, cute and colorful.

This was Rockola's first foray into 200 selection jukeboxes and offered Seeburg's V/VL models of previous years some decent competition. It was considerably smaller and lighter which was achieved by using its Ferris wheel record basket configuration.

Even it's sound was competitive with other jukes of the time through the use of a huge 15-inch speaker in conjunction with a small high frequency horn. (AMI was the first to use a horn in it's great sounding F model of 1954.)

The 200 tune title strips in the 1455 are displayed at a slight angle in increments of 40 in a 5 sided rotating drum.

This particular unit is from the personal collection of a very talented Southern California

jukebox operator. And although one to always be trying technical experiments with jukes on his route, this one seemed to have escaped his trials.

It’s in amazingly nice, original condition. The top part of the side of the cabinet is all original, which by now would’ve been painted over 5 times. The bottom half is not originl, but in good shape. This is one sweet little juke.

1958 Rockola Model "1465" Jukebox

1958 Rockola
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "1465"
200 Selections

Once Seeburg came out with a 200 selection jukebox in 1955 all the other manufacturersfollowed suit with one of their own in 1957. This 1958 Rockola went one better than Seeburg with its light, compact cabinet taking up less of the valuable space in diners.

Employing the same tried and true mechanism Rockola had begun using back in 1952 this is one nice little juke. AMI actually used the same principle on its 1946 model "A". The 1465 also employs a rotating title strip drum like the Seeburg's.

The fact that we have way to many jukes is forcing us to sell some of the duplicates and ones that will require extra time to rebuild. Thus we’ll be selling this cutie in an "AS-IS" working state.

What's nice about this unit is that just about anybody can do the necessary work to bring it up to snuff and it could be a fun project for just about anyone.

It's been staying in the home of a British couple in Santa Monica for about 25 years. They were sad to see it go, but their new home was going to be smaller.

1978 Seeburg Model "Disco" Jukebox

1978 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "Disco"
160 Selections

This jukebox might just be the best sounding and loudest 45 - rpm stereo jukebox ever made. Unlike most jukeboxes with only cone speakers, the Disco also has horns. Extremely efficient, horns are capable of reproducing amazing highs. You'll hear sounds from your records you never heard before. It's killer amplifier will blow your socks off. With the Disco's unique shape and great colors it makes a stand out in any home.

The Seeburg Disco was the last juke made by Seeburg before the Stern pinball/video game company bought it in 1980.

1973 Wurliter Model "1050" Jukebox

1973 Wurlitzer
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "1050 Nostalgic"
100 Selections

I've got a lot to say about this baby and Wurlitzer on a whole. I'll start back in 1969-70 with the model "3400 Statesman". This was a good looking, good sounding jukebox with a lot of problems with the numerous micro switches. I believe this is the machine that brought Wurlitzer to its knees in America.

In 1973 a big time Louisiana jukebox operator offered to sell me 25 of these machines for $40 each. Even though he warned me of the problems, I jumped at the deal. They turned out to be pure lemons.

He had told me he purchased 400 of them and they broke down so frequently that Wurlitzer had sent a mechanic to stay in a motel in the area.

By 1972 Wurlitzer had the problems worked out with the model "3600 Superstar", but it was too late for Wurlitzer's reputation. They made basically 6 more models in the USA before closing down the North Tonawanda plant in New York around 1975.

One of those decent working machines happened to be the model "1050". This was sort of a salute to Wurlitzer's hey day of flashy "Bubblers" designed by Paul Fuller in the '40s.

It was a nice looking, good working unit but didn't necessarily sell very well. By 1977 after JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ® relocated to West Los Angeles, I was offered 10 of these units brand new in the crate for $1600 each.

By now Wurlitzer had sold the rights to build the "1050" in Mexico. It was called the "Soñata". This was an extremely bad reproduction of the "1050", made cheaply and assembled poorly. Personally they're "junk" to me.

Some unscrupulous sellers would swap the front glass that shown the "Soñata" name with one that said Wurlitzer in an attempt to pawn them off to unsuspecting buyers.
At this same time an Arizona restaurant chain, Googie's, approached JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ® to install nostalgic looking jukeboxes in their many locations.

Although I offered them the Wurlitzer's, they opted for the new "Soñatas". I had the first 3 drop shipped to Phoenix where it took me an entire day to make one of them work out of the three. The buyer cancelled the remaining order. Enough said about the "Soñata" here.

Back to the "1050". At this time JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ® was making a rather sizable splash in its new digs in Los Angeles. Numerous print articles and radio interviews brought us to the attention of the producers of a local TV program featuring Regis Philbin.

I brought a "1050" on his show and told Regis this was going to be a machine that would increase in value dramatically in the next few years to at least $5,000. I was offering that one for $3500.

A day or so later a lady comes into JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ® and wants to buy a jukebox for her celebrity husband, but it has to be a good investment. I sell her the "1050". Some day I'll have to tell you the story of that Christmas Eve delivery.

Later I ran across 2 real nice "1050’s" in Tucson, AZ, one of which I took home for myself. Then the bottom fell out for the "1050" with Wurlitzer's introduction in 1988-89 of the "O.M.T." (One More Time) built in Germany.

This was a sweet reproduction of the famous 1015 of 1946. All of a sudden the "1050" lost its value and although a few were offered to JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ® , none were purchased. In fact I sold my own and the other one right away.

Now we come up to present. In all our years in business, I believe we've only had 3 "1050" go through the company. In comparison, we've probably sold 300 or 400 of the Seeburg model "C". Off hand, I’d say "1050's" are awful dang rare.

The one we have now was purchased brand new for a home in fashionable Encino, CA. It is absolutely immaculate. Cabinet parts that would normally show wear are like new. This machine has never had a coin run through it and the clean cash bag reflects it.

The playmeter reads 004259 and there's no doubt those are the true numbers. It's one thing to find one of these for sale at a lower price, but to find one as immaculate as this is a rare find.

If you're like the celebrity back in 1978, looking for an investment jukebox that will, at the same time, give you years of enjoyment, this is the unit. We don't think you’ll find a cleaner, better working "1050" anywhere. And tell us this isn't a beauty? - Don

1952 Seeburg Model "C" Jukebox

1952 Seeburg
45 - RPM Jukebox
Model "C"
"Happy Days" style
100 Selections

By 1949, Seeburg had been instrumental in getting RCA to create 45 rpm records. Seeburg wanted to reduce the size of jukeboxes, to fit in small establishments like diners, while offering more selections than the bulkier 78 - rpm units. Of course when the first 45 rpm jukebox was introduced in October of 1950 it was a Seeburg. This was the model "B" and it’s successor in 1952, the “BL”.

The model M100 "C" was introduced in May of 1952 for the 1953 year. It was a "B", glorified with frosty white pilasters and revolving color wheels, but it took the world by storm. It turned out to be Seeburgs’ biggest seller.

The Family "C".

This wonderful jukebox has been entertaining friends and family in the home of Don Muller, owner of JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ®, since his shop rebuilt it back around 1980. Many a party was held with this beauty as the main attraction cranking out good old Rock and Roll. Freshly reconditioned, it's ready to start a new life entertaining new friends. Maybe even you and your friends?

The original cartridge has been updated with the later version Thorpe for great sound through the original 15-inch speaker. A newer model mechanism motor runs smoothly under the original mechanism cover. A rugged new motor runs the chain to drive the color wheel assemblies. New mirrors installed behind the mechanism. All coin equipment (including cash bag) in and working with a "free play" button installed to avoid burning up the latch bar solenoid.

Standing sentry in front of the speaker are the 100% original thick round mirror grill tubes, not the thin ones they make today or the metal plumbing pipes. Covering the speaker is real speaker cloth not some pretty fabric from a linen store. Speaker cloth doesn't restrict the sound the way fabric does.

As big as JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ® already was at the time this machine was rebuilt, nearly all reproduction parts were either made "in house" or exclusively for the company. One prominent item was the pilasters protecting the color wheels. And protecting is exactly what these pilasters do. They were hand made on a custom built wooden form using several heating strips to bend the General Electric Herculite plastic. You couldn't even kick these baby in. Never fear of children damaging the front of this gem.

Through the years we've seen all sorts of refurbishing jobs that time has taken a toll on. "C" pilasters were one thing but also on Seeburg "B" and "C" models the methods of covering the original wood cabinet went from contact paper and vinyl sheets that would shrink or loose glue to veneer that would get all nicked up.

Between 1978 and 1985, the craftsmen at JUKEBOXES UNLIMITED ® applied Formica brand laminate on many of the cabinets they did. Even three decades later these jukeboxes look exactly like they did the day they were sold. Formica can really take a beating.

In fact this is one of those Formica cabinets that actually did take a beating during the infamous 1994 Northridge earthquake in California’s beautiful San Fernando Valley. (See close up of said nick.) Aside from this flaw, this is one beautiful, good working, great sounding jukebox.

Once again, let's picture it in your entertainment area. Maybe even with a small dance floor in front of it? Where do you want to hang the disco ball? And chaser lights around the dance floor? Can't forget them! Oh, and then you'll want a strobe light somewhere.