Music Jukebox
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| Music Jukebox |
Whether
the jukebox will make a comeback is open to speculation. They were
once focal points for socialising, and during the 1920s, restaurants,
bars and cafes were suddenly transformed. Music blasted from doorways
and a glimpse inside revealed people dancing and singing or standing
hunched over the machine. Jukeboxes are ingenious survivors of a past
age when designers and engineers worked competitively to lure the
public to wherever they were installed - and for over thirty years
they were certainly a way of life.
Today,
they form part of the furnishing in many homes. Collectors are
enjoying the sentimental charm of music being played by an old
jukebox - and the prices fetched in the salerooms are reflecting the
growing interest.
The John
Gabel Company produced the first coin- operated record player with an
automatic changer in 1906. It was a simple wind-up mechanism with a
40inch horn speaker for amplifying the sound and a visible phonograph
mechanism.
This
upstaged the earlier 'canned' music of the piano players and the
phonograph, which Edison invented in 1877, and led the way to the
jukebox in 1927. This was the year the Automated Musical Instruments
Company brought out a 20 selection, coin-operated, electrically
amplified phonograph that played both sides of 78 discs.
Fierce
competition between manufacturers came in the following years. The
J.E Seeburg Company brought out the 'Melatone' in 1927, which became
a disaster when the mechanism destroyed the records and had to be
replaced by the 'Audiophone' the following year. Then Homer E.
Capehart produced the 'Orchestrope' in 1928. Eventually, well-known
companies such as Wurlitzer, The Mills Novelty Company, Rock-Ola and
AMI introduced their machines.
Mesmerising
Mechanisms
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| Music Jukebox |
At the
same time as the introduction of jukeboxes, popular dance rnnusic was
already being enjoyed on the radio by many people in their hoimes. So
when loud speakers began booming out these familiar tunes frown
outlets where groups of friends could meet, there was an immediate
response from the public.
Not only
that, there was also the fascination of watching the mechanism of a
jukebox operating. People were captivated to see the tray swing out
over the turntable, which would rise up to take the disk and carry it
to the pickup arm, which would then swing across to play it.
Each
manufacturer made their own modifications to the system so there were
many variations to enjoy. Seeburg had a mechanism whereby the tone
arm moved between a stack of spaced records.
They then
changed this so that records slid out of a rack onto the turntable.
AMI devised a process where records were stored in a static rack
along which the record player moved.
The
record was picked out of the rack and placed on the turntable by a
mechanical arm. Being able to watch the mechanics of a jukebox was an
essential feature manufacturers insisted upon. Vast sums of money was
spent developing new models to make them
more intriguing in order to compete with their competitors.
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| Music Jukebox |
The
period between 1937 and 1948 was known as the 'Golden Age' of the
jukebox. The earlier drab designs in heavy wood cabinets, resembling
large radio consoles were now taking on a new look. Innovative young
designers were brought in to re-style the cabinets.
Magnificent
models emerged in translucent plastic together with any fresh
gimmicks or other conceivable enticing glamour the creators could
devise. A good deal of chrome was used, along w ith an assortment of
garish colours. There were push buttons to select a chosen record and
title cards popped up to confirm the selection. There were dancing
bubbles, flashing lights that changed colour and zebra- patterned
screens producing flickering effects - all accompanied by an
ear-splitting vibrant rhythm.
The
'Throne of Music' made by Mills resembled the illuminated front of a
streamlined locomotive and there were other makes influenced by car
designs. AMI brought out the 'Automatic Hostess' - an extra coin in
the slot would announce that a selected tune was dedicated to someone
nearby.
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| Music Jukebox |
However,
for nearly two years no new records were made - until it was agreed
that musicians would receive a royalty of one per cent of the retail
price of every record. As it happened, this action turned out to be
the first real threat to the jukebox. Although, at this time (he
machine was too established to be at risk of extinction. Then came
the second threat brought about by rapid advances in technology, and
following World War II the jukebox was doomed. Discotheques became
more attractive and entertainment in the home by way of hi-fi,
stereos, compact discs and television became a further threat.
The sad
thing is that may of these magnificent machines were sent to the
scrap heap for disposal, particularly in the early days as newer
models were designed. Fortunately some were salvaged and with many of
them having been lovingly restored
to their former glory they are now treasured masterpieces. But I he
sixty-four thousand-dollar question remains - where can they be found
and what do they cost? They are not the easiest things to pop along
to auctioneers, so sales are few and far between.
A
few years ago Bonhams did have a sale in London, however, at that
time a 1946/48 Seeburg 'Symphonola' with 20 record selections went
for £1,700 and another AMI, 'Model 11' made in 1957 with 200
selections sold for £2,200.
Buying at
auction could provide a collector with an excellent machine and many
of the jukeboxes mentioned above were in good condition and fine
working order. Then there are the fully restored machines, the
Wurlitzers, Rock-Ola, Seeburg and AMI's, sold at many outlets in the
country, which are rebuilt to a high quality and cost in the region
of £9,000.
When the
jukebox became popular with its non-stop churning of modern music for
teenagers, many parents criticised it severely and described it as
rubbish. Now the tables have turned.
The novel
fascination of music being played on a jukebox is something people
are now re-discovering and for many it is a status symbol. And who
knows, it may turn up as a focal point again when today's youngsters
realise it's a sound they haven't heard before!
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| Music Jukebox |
Price
Guide
The
following should be referred to as an estimated guide to values:
- IA SEEBURG V200, with 200 selections, 1955 - £8,000- 10,000IA ROCK-OLA 1422, 1948 - £4,000-5,000.
- IA WURLITZER P10 BANDMASTER, 1934 - £4,000-5,000.
WURLITZER
MODEL 1050, 1973 - £4,500-5,500.
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| Music Jukebox |
- It is advisable to become well acquainted with the design and complexities of jukeboxes before buying. The majority are American and an estimated 300,000 were in use there just prior to World War II.
- 'Bal-Ami' was a model made in Britain in the early 1950s. Others have been made here since then and also across Europe, many of them influenced by the American machines made by Seeburg and Wurlitzer.
- There will be modifications made to machines in the process of restoration - nickel being replaced by chrome for instance. Many machines may also have lost features of their original design and in some cases are imitations.
- On the plus side it is important to remember that the majority of machines were built to demanding mechanical standards and many jukeboxes from the 1940s are still in perfect working order.
• Be
aware that some modem jukeboxes are installed in 'vintage' cabinets.
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