Hi Newbies !

[Ron Rich]

Hi Newbies !

Welcome ! If anyone has further advice to add, please feel free to do so ! ONLY if you are SURE it is correct ! (Many instances of incorrect stuff out there--)(YouTube is the worst offender, IMHO). Wrong info, IMHO, is worse-er-er then zero information ! It's quite alright to guess, as long as you note it is a "guess"--you may jog someone else's memory !  If you have a "guess", say it's a guess !  Also--when your axk a question here, or are asked for more info--provide it, or do whatever was asked, and supply feedback !  Do not make up names for parts-- use the name the juke maker used in the Service Manual, or parts catalog, to prevent mis understandings ! If you don't have the correct "books"--GET them before, asking questions, so we can correctly understand the problem  (see below).  Tell  us if the phono has been "modified" --and how--

 

If, you have not already done so, please visit the User Introductions section here, and comply with the requests in the "must read" (red-pinned), sticky" !

EDIT: I got taken back by a question I was azked-- I do not care about "likes", nor "followers"-- at this point (11/21) it's late in my life, and I realize a lot of what's up here is my opinion-- you may chose to dis-regard it, should you wish-- you also should think about it, and state so, if you dis-agree !  I have no desire to be "immortalized" -- I just want all to be safe, at all times, and hopefully to be able to preserve a jukebox(es?), even after I am gone from the face of this earth.  I also, want all to know--I am NEVER, rong-- just not alwayz write !  Have fun-enjoy your music !  (Ron Rich) 

Note: 3/19/22 The end for me is "near"-- I hope you all reading this will be able to fix your phono's long after I'm gone-- USE this forum-- READ it-- Ron Rich

"PLUG--UN-PLUG", NOTHING WITH THE POWER ON !!!!!!!!!!!!! ----  "Adjust" NOTHING, that has not first been cleaned, and properly lubricated  !

If you want "help"--Help us provide it-- Tell us if this item is "new to you", or has been working for awhile in your possession ! Be specific with the phono's model number-- look at the ID tag ! Fill out your profile as requested, in our "User Introductions" section--your "location" (country), CAN make a difference in a response !

"--I just got it--dono where to start--" Start with the fuses--be sure they are the correct size and type, as specified in the Service Manual, you have already purchased from one of the suppliers listed below !  Next --look for fire damaged components- if point to point wiring--  sniff-- smell smoke ?? PC B's-- check for burned traces -- If  so do not plug it in, till you find out what has burned !  When you first power it up-- I suggest the amp not be powered at this point-- Use a "dim light protector", or a Variac, the first time--If OK-- you can now add the amp , and re-check it as it "warms up".

I suggest that you should have both a good quality "Analog", and "Digital", meter, today-- read the instructions so you know what you are doing (more, or less, in some cases -LOL)

For purposes of my "sanity", I ASSume that all who are reading this, can 1. Read, understand, and converse in simple American English. 2. Do have a basic understanding of "electricity", and "mechanics". Also I  ASSume that you know the brand and model NUMBER, of your phonograph, and can read  a simple schematic !

The purpose of Jukebox Addicts, is to help YOU, fix your jukebox-- It will require YOU, to do your homework and READ The (red pinned) "stickies" at the start of each section-- your question(s), may well be answered there , & the other printed material, and, answer, ALL questions, posed to you !  Speaking for myself-- I dis-like redundency, and usually will just quit answering your probes, if the above is not done !  READ The Factory "Manuals" ("RTFM") !  I will not re-write what is written in your manual! I find that ALL the "Utube" vid's have many errors in them-- mostly made by people who have very little experience !

I recognize that "everyone needs to start somewhere"--so I strongly urge "Newbies" to start with "the book", for their make/model unit. IMHO it's best to purchase the "whole package" from one of the "legit" suppliers--two of whom, in the USA are, victoryglass.com, and, alwaysjukin.com -- Others are listed here in the FAQ's section (EDIT--Be sure to ask supplier if this manual "covers it all--" Some of the RockOla's and some AMi's should include separate schematics sheets !).( for Seeburg equipment, I have written two guides, and my late friend Tony Miller has written volumes. Tony's guides are still available through Victory Glass, Mine are available there, and elsewhere too, also directly from me) . "Online" stuff either "free", or paid, is usually very poor, IMHO.  Other info is available all over the place--see the list of world wide suppliers, in the next post. below. Seeburg PFEA models, only, had a separate schematic sheet enclosed with the Manual Package.

IT IS "TAKEN FOR GRANTED", THAT PRIOR TO ASKING QUESTIONS HERE, YOU HAVE OBTAINED, AND READ, THE SERVICE MANUAL" PACKAGE "("RTFM" !) ! If you do not have the manual, WAIT, till after you have received, and read it, before asking questions !

(EDIT--got a "nasty note"--accusing me of "making money on the sale of Service Manuals"-- NOT TRUE-- I make nothing, from any sale, of the Service Manuals, anywhere, nor do I sell them !  I do sell and make a small amount from both of the Seeburg Guides, I have written--more if purchased directly { for info, or, to purchase :[e-mail]} --I also make a profit on the GEN 2 Seeburg MCU's I build and sell  !, plus any parts I may sell---- see my "parts for sale" posts).

SERVICE MANUALS in most cases, were written for the pro service man, who regularly attended factory service schools, at that time--and usually were written PRIOR to the model's introduction ! Service manuals usually don't use the "marketing", or "sales name" of the model, but do use the MODEL "#", as shown on the ID tag on the phono's rear, outside wall.  Sales/marketing names are often re-used --thus it becomes very confusing if you refer to your machine by it's "name" only !  Service manuals are often "error prone" -- see our "known errors" posts here, in the FAQ's.  Add to it, should you find an error -- please post it there ---Also, note: Service Manuals often do not re-print what was in a prior manual as it was ASSumed (by the maker) that the service man had copies of the earlier manuals ---

Purchase/READ the info, so you can use the terms in the factory manual, INcluding the model #, as stated above ! --then ask questions using manual's terms/names, so we all can communicate (NOTE: Speaking for myself--I have zero ability to read minds, therefor will not answer vague questions using non factory terms. I urge others to do the same as, IMHO, wrong advise, is worse then no advise !). Also---

I further suggest that you should read all other posts in this, the FAQ section, as well as in the "User Introductions" section, as it answers MANY questions (including WHERE to purchase, the correct manuals !)!

BTW, If you have just purchased the phono, be sure you know how to, and, DO, properly, prepare it for transport. I also suggest you read "Scams" in the off topic section, BEFORE, purchasing ANYTHING jukebox related !

If you "need parts" , I suggest you not purchase "on line" (ePay), if possible- Contact the suppliers listed here in the FAQ's section-- Online parts are marked up to cover fees !!

Sorry if I appear "gruff"-- I normally won't answer questions that are covered by any printed material. I had to read it all, and so should you !  I also realize that this post has become redundant-- sorry-- but for some reason "some people" STILL do/can (?) not comply  with simple requests ?? ( )

Repairing these machines is NOT magic--It requires some knowledge of what should happen when, in the sequence of operation. If you wish to pursue it, READING, will be your "homework" !

REMEMBER, a "JUKEBOX" was made for only ONE reason, NO, Not just to play records -- but to, MAKE MONEY !  ( No juke was designed to play for "free" ! That's not legal ! )

NOTE: One MUST have a basic knowledge of "electricity" to work on Jukeboxes ! One can get seriously injured, or "kilt", with out this knowledge !  If you don't have the skills. please call one of the "repair people", listed in the FAQ's section---

"ADJUSTMENTS"   Almost never need "adjusting"  If you don't understand something, it is most likely that "adjusting it" will cause more harm then good--RTFM First !

HINT: Do NOT destroy/remove the cabinet lock(s) !  Pass keys are available for most jukeboxes, if the lock is the original Purchase a key from one of the suppliers listed here in our FAQ's section !! 

Ron Rich

[Ron Rich]

If you are writing for help, INclude as much info as possible ! Start with the MODEL "NUMBER". This should be on the rear of the cabinet usually on some type sticker. L@k at it carefully, and include ALL info it provides there, here. If you don't know what should happen, when, you can't communicate it to us--no one here is a "mind-reader", so read the manual(s), and your chances of getting help are much improved !

--- And, BTW, PLEASE-- If you have not already done so--, Enter your location in the profile section, and, sign your posts ! (See "posting rules" in our "User Introductions" section).  Ron Rich

[Ron Rich]

Business model of the "Jukebox"-----
As I was not around in the beginning, the first part is only a guess, from what I have heard.
When they first became popular, the 4 major companies building them had a large problem-- they could not afford to supply technical support to the whole nation, nor could they do a good job of supplying product, to the nation--let alone the world. Thus all* of them offered franchises to distribute their product in "exclusive areas**". Most "distributors" also, had problems in supplying tech help, but were required to have a repair facility, and "factory trained" techs., as well as a stock of parts  So-- they sold their product to "operators" who either were technical minded, or who hired "techs." Distributors, usually in conjunction with the factory, held "service schools" for their customers techs. on a somewhat regular basis-- especially after the release of the yearly "new model(s)" ( I taught many of these in the 1970's for Seeburg). As a rule, Seeburg, AMi, and WurliTzer, discouraged sales of their product to individual "location owners", as it had been proven, that a good operator, over the long run, would achieve greater profits, as he was concerned only with the jukebox, not the operation of the location.

Direct sales to locations was attempted many times--ALWAYS with the same results--failure of the company attempting this !

* RockOla, always the "outlaw", would "call anyone" who  purchased 10, or more phono's at once a "Distributor", and had no "requirements".

** this arrangement under went a legal challenge, and the "exclusive area" portion of the Distrib. agreements, within the USA, was declared invalid, in the 1950's Ron Rich

[bobnewyork]

When I was working for an AMi Distributor in the late 70's and 80's I used to conduct service schools for our operator customers based primarily on my own experiences on location and in the shop. I was always partial to AMi jukeboxes over the competitive models because for me it was the easiest and most practical to service " On Location ". With the models of that time all service could be done from the front of the machine. Part of my discussion concerned different remote volume control and speaker configurations to enhance the sound and profitability of the machine. My service schools usually went on for a full 8 hour day. With the introduction of the 125 Watt " goof proof " amplifier I would crank the volume all the way up and put a dead short on the output as we would break for a 1 hour lunch ! After lunch I would show that the amp did not burn up and still played normally. I would also dissasemble the mechanism to the level of sub assemblies, explaining my experiences in the field with potential difficulties and how to remedy them. This went over very well with operators and their service personnel. As I also did installations I devoted part of my talk about installation experiences.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Bob,
Our service schools were somewhat different. They were held "after hours" and were generally about 5 hours long, with a break in the middle for a buffet dinner. They usually concentrated on one section of the jukebox such as the pricing, or the selection system, or the mechanism itself. We also did a segment on the "electronics" ( amp and "control center"). We would hold a "newbies school", every once in awhile, and one for "advanced techs", once in awhile. All other schools were geared to the "route-man/tech". We generally had 25 to 50 in attendance- this was by "invitation & reply" only ! (sometimes the can vending machine, somehow got loaded with beer ?) Ron Rich