I bought a jukebox - Videokarma.org TV - Video

radiotvnut · #1 10-23-2014, 05:29 PM

Yesterday, I went to one of the local flea markets and couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted a jukebox just like the one in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTbqdUbBbg

The flea market box is definitely a project (rust on the speaker grille and back cover, filthy dirty overall, one of the selector keys is missing, small piece of veneer chipped off the side of the cabinet); but, at $40, I decided to take a chance on it. They wanted $50; but, I got them down to $40 (they said it had been there about 3 weeks). The parts should be worth that much, should it not be worth repairing. Judging by the song titles still in the title strip window, this unit was in service at least until the mid-to-late '80's.

I've paid for it; but, the biggest problem is going to be getting it home. I don't drive, don't own a truck, and the only person I feel comfortable with asking who owns a truck works as a delivery person for a local drug store 6 days a week. You wouldn't think that in 2014, that there would be that big of a demand for drug delivery; but, this drug store has two drivers on the payroll and they generally stay busy, 6 days a week. My friend said that he'd be glad to help me; but, it will have to be during a time when deliveries slack up. The main thing that makes me nervous is that it's still sitting at the flea market and some shady character might rip off the "SOLD" sign and rip me off of the thing or the owner will suddenly get the idea that it's worth big money. Everyone at the flea market knows me and knows that I've already paid for it; but, I'll feel a lot better when it's over here instead of over there.

I've been wanting a jukebox to play with for years; but, it seems that every one that I find comes with a big price tag. I've even seen clunkers from the '70's and '80's that looked like they had been left outside and the people who own them think they are worth upper 3 and lower 4 figures.

There was also an early '80's Rock-Ola 488 that looked in decent shape; but, it was a little too new for my wants and they wanted $275 for it. They said it worked; but, you had to fiddle with it to get it to work.

Back to the one I bought, if my friend does not come through with the truck in the next day or two, I may have no other choice but to rent a truck and have my Mother drive me down there to pick up the jukebox. I'm generally not one who feels comfortable with asking people for favors such as this; but, I've known this guy for a few years, am all the time helping out with fixing stuff of his, and he's told me to let him know if I need help picking up something. If this flea market was open on Sunday, it wouldn't be near as big of an issue because that's the only day he's not making deliveries.

Jon A. · #2 10-23-2014, 07:06 PM

That's a very nice unit. The super at my old place also repaired jukeboxes and arcade machines.

I know how you feel. I always worry about getting my local classifieds treasures until they're actually in my possession. Not one TV has slipped through my fingers though once the details were agreed upon.

radiotvnut · #3 10-23-2014, 07:58 PM

I talked to my helper and we're going to try again for tomorrow (I'm not holding my breath). If tomorrow falls through, it will be Monday before we have another chance (unless I find some other help). Maybe I should make a "cash paid for 30 minutes of your time and use of your truck" post on facebook.

Jon A. · #4 10-23-2014, 09:22 PM

Kijiji is overrun with ads for delivery services. I've never checked for them on CL, that's pretty dead here.

radiotvnut · #5 10-25-2014, 04:13 PM

I finally got the '65 Rock-Ola home. It has some issues; but, I've seen much worse. I haven't gained entry to the inside; but, I hope it's all there and restorable. For $40, I think I did OK.

Electronic M · #6 10-25-2014, 07:11 PM

Nice find. It reminds me of a Seeburg LPC1 that I could acquire for 100$ locally, and would if my folks were not convinced that it is too heavy and big for a guy that owns ~11 TV consoles to keep and move

Paul Knaack · #7 10-25-2014, 08:48 PM

Great find, Thats 1000 dollars worth of fun for 40 bucks

dieseljeep · #8 10-26-2014, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Knaack

Great find, Thats 1000 dollars worth of fun for 40 bucks

I bought an AMI 55G. It's known as one of the least valuable of the mid-50's machines, but I always liked that model. A lot of them survived. They were probably in use for twenty years. PP 6L6 amplifier, large horn tweeter on top and 15" bass speaker, mounted on the bottom, facing the floor.

Dude111 · #9 10-28-2014, 09:23 PM

Very nice

Electronic M · #10 10-29-2014, 12:16 AM

You know you could probably get a decent used truck,van or SUV for 1-3K$, and could probably raise that by selling a portion of your collection...You also would have more room to store new stuff you find, and you would not have to rely on others to help you transport your finds.

I had similar thoughts regarding putting some of my collection to that end, and was going to follow thru...before I got my internship this summer, which gave me more than I expected a summer of selling could.

radiotvnut · #11 10-29-2014, 12:23 AM

I'm seriously thinking of investing in a decent used small truck. That way, I won't have to beg for help when I need to go pick up a big piece of vintage electronics or when we need to pick up something big for the house. It will, of course, double as a fallback vehicle if/when the main vehicle is in the shop.

dieseljeep · #12 10-29-2014, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I'm seriously thinking of investing in a decent used small truck. That way, I won't have to beg for help when I need to go pick up a big piece of vintage electronics or when we need to pick up something big for the house. It will, of course, double as a fallback vehicle if/when the main vehicle is in the shop.

You still have to beg for help, to lift one of those heavy mudders.
I also have an appliance dolly from Harbor Freight, to move those big items.

KentTeffeteller · #13 11-02-2014, 10:19 PM

radiotvnut,

I wish I lived near. We'd team up. And go score together and have fun fixing them. Love your videos. And you are my kind of guy.

DavGoodlin · #14 11-12-2014, 03:10 PM

Nice find!

1965 makes it just the right vintage for some great 45s to be loaded into it.

I saw one outside a flea market last week. Maybe some parts you need?

sampson159 · #15 11-12-2014, 08:38 PM

i need the entire gripper assembly for that grand prix on the left.i have the same one and it has been sitting for years.also have a seeburg lpc 1 that i got from an ebay auction.love jukeboxes!