Help me choose a Jukebox

[sleeeper]

Folks, It started with a garage sale that had a Rockola 474. Looked ok and worked but missing some cosmetics. Then it went to a Rowe R89. Got some good feedback on that one. I just went through 26 pages on ebay, craigslist and every web site I can find looking for the best one in my budget. 250.00 to 700.00. I love the visible mechanical action of some older seeburgs but I think they may be to expensive and I do not want a unit that plays cd's. I also want something dependable and not an ongoing project. I am in eastern pa. and don't mind traveling a couple of hundred miles. Anybody want to jump in and help steer me in the right direction. What are your favorite choices with that budget. Thanks for your help in advance.

[ami-man]

Hi Sleeeper,

Being as you are in the USA with a budget up to $700.00 you should be able to get a range of jukeboxes not like in the UK where everthing is over priced.

Yes the visual mechanism jukeboxes look great (well some of them) but unless it is a visual mech on one of the jukeboxes after the mid 80's you will have to have it serviced every 6 to 12 months to keep it running. On the 80's and 90's jukeboxes where the mechanism is computer controlled then the mechanical adjustments and more to the point mechanical failures are minimal.

It is true I prefer Rowe Ami but after saying that I think other than Seeburg they are the best sounding jukeboxes and once the electronic boards are checked over will give you years of great service.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man  

[wink of an eye]

i agree with amiman
the later models rowes are much easier to work on
than the older ones
this is my forth rowe and love these machines
i once had a rockola jukebox from 1955
it looked great and had a visible mech
but it was a nightmare to work on
if you have a chance to get the R89 from i think 1985 , grab it and forget about the rockola
with a manual you should do most of the repairs yourself