mal wrote:Wurlitzers are reputed as being the best Jukebox by far
Been advised if buying privately to beware as a lot of people are selling when a certain drive part is rooted, this part costs about $2.5k + to replace, and comes from Germany ???
I wuz also advised not to buy a JB from auctions or ebay
Retail price for a decent Wurlitzer is about $8k
Dont wanna spend $8k
Saw a few 2nd hand ones around the traps for about $3k
Why are these JBs about 5 grand cheaper than a Wurlitzer ?
Im prepared to spend about the $3k mark, but dont wanna end up with a lemon
Mal, Wurlitzers are like the Rolls Royce of Jukeboxes. Every other make is a mere Barina. However, if you don't mind having a Barina in your lounge room (hmm, this takes me back to Psybers' gay remark now), then you will be fine.
Remember that RoweAMI, Seeburg, Rock-OLA and some of the other old companies aren't manufacturing parts any more, hence they're cheaper to buy. The mechanism inside might look cumbersome but it's pretty simple. It's all belt driven. So parts can be obtained from anywhere.
Wurlitzer parts can still be obtained (from Germany). Also, the expensive Wurlitzers will increase in value as I mentioned before. Mine wont.
The classic Wurlizters with the neon lights are worth a mint now.
Personally I'd ring Amusement Worx or Dickesons and ask for a 'reputable' brand of JB. Then you've got two choices, see if they have one that you can buy from them or buy one off of Ebay. Either way, Amusement Worx will be able to fix it up for you. You should be able to get away with one that works for under a grand. My mate bought a Wurlitzer for $1100, I bought mine around the same time for $330.
Oh, the other thing if you are going to buy a vinyl JB - go for a JB that holds 100 records.
This is the model I obtained....
http://www.pinballrebel.com/archive/ami ... ukebox.htm