Question About Buying A Wurlitzer & The Jukebox Market

[pianoman]

Hi everyone, new here. I’m considering purchasing a completely refurbished Wurlitzer 1100 and would appreciate some guidance before making a decision. It’s up for $5,000. I understand this is a pretty good deal, but what I was wondering is whether it’s a good investment. I respect the notion of, “This is a passion, not an investment”, but I would hope it can be both. Owning one of these have always been a dream of mine, but I want to be economic too before dropping $5,000 into anything. I don’t plan on selling it, but if I have to in the future, I was wondering if it’s safe to assume I’ll get around the same price that I paid for it. Can anyone experienced in the jukebox market tell me where the market is today, and where it might go in the future? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thank you

[Ron Rich]

Hi Pianoman,
In my humble opinion--down-- is the only way it can go, and has been going, for years---- younger people have very little to zero interest in it-- Ron Rich

[juke46]

Ron is correct, I believe. We purchased our first machine in 1972. The vending company we purchased it from thought we were insane and very skeptical. Comments such as "why would you want one of those in your home" were made. One friend thought all jukeboxes were gangster owned. Then the machines became very popular. I suppose things like the TV show Happy Days and the movie American Graffiti came along and lots of people suddenly wanted a jukebox. That desire is a lot less these days. There are many alternate ways to listen to music today other than a vinyl record or even a CD.

We are now ancient and have completed our jukebox buying and selling. We still have seventeen machines hanging around in the house. It is still very enjoyable to play (exercise) them and real loud too! We'll let the relatives and the estate sale people worry about it all when that time comes. We have had wonderful adventures and fun with driving vacations always chasing jukeboxes around. We met "old" Operators with great stories about jukeboxes. Some of these "old" guys had amazing stories of jukeboxes and operating "coin-op" equipment. I think we even made some money but doing the restorations was the real enjoyment. That is over now. We are now the "Ancient Old" ones.

There are still people who do enjoy jukeboxes very much. We certainly do! We have given our Nephew two machines for his business office. His clientele still ask questions and admire them but no one has ever asked him how or where to buy a jukebox. We'll keep the machines we now own until the end. The Nephew can worry about those machines and hang onto the ones he really likes and wants.

[goldenagejukes]

Hi Pianoman,

In 1990, I bought a mint 1100 for $7500. It has given us much pleasure over the last 30 years. It's turned on every night in our family room along with our 750E. The lighting ambiance is both colorful and soothing. If I had to sell the 1100 today, I suspect that I'd get $5000 for it. Not a great investment but I have no regrets. The intangibles are worth much more than the dollars.

Bill