Seeburg 1952 Jukebox Model M100C
This particular M100C was rescued from a bar in Brooklyn NY in the late 1970s. It worked on and off over the years with it's then new owner with various small repairs. When it recently made it to our shop for restoration we discovered its internals and mechanism mostly untouched which is always a good thing. The outside though had seen much better days and was almost completely stripped of its original finish. It definitely was a 'bar machine' because of the many nicks, dings, and steel pillars that were installed. It needed a complete overhaul and lots of elbow grease to return it back to it's former glory. It came to the right place.
Rebuilding the amplifier board and switch board was first. All new capacitors were installed along with the large motor capacitor for the mechanism. Both chassis's were cleaned and polished up after the recapping. While the rear deck was off the speaker and speaker mount were removed. I soon discovered that the animation motor and color wheels were long gone. Only a few parts were left of the original factory colored pillar animation. The mounting brackets, gears, and the long brass bar that kept the two separate color wheels synchronized. Not feeling to bad about this I then removed the steel pillars that were obviously installed after factory. This was sometimes done because people would get upset when there selection was not played and kick the jukebox. This would damage the fragile plastic pillars and lead eventually to the installation of the more durable metal pillars in bar units, which covered the mesmerizing light show. I soon rectified this drawback by purchasing the new and much quieter reproduction colored pillar animation. Replacing the ugly old pillars also gave me the option to select which style of pillar I wanted to have for the replacement of the steel. I choose the stained glass white finish which sparkles with the color animation.
Intallation of the new pillars was alittle work. The new pillars had to be sanded down here and there to fit properly. They are formed slightly tall and need to be fitted. I used a cheap hand sander and a dremel tool to bring down the top if each slightly and after some time I got them to fit snugly but not to tight. The design of the new colored wheels could not be easier. They literally snap in and out of place and simply plug in to work. They stay synchronized and look amazing when on. I must mention this was the easiest part with this restoration. Read on for what was the worst part.
Before the new pillars were installed the jukebox was laid flat on its back on car jacks a foot or two off the floor. This made it possible for the bottom casing to be completely stripped and veneered at a comfortable level. This is a must because applying new veneer takes a great deal of time. Many small pieces of veneer had to be cut and fitted. Curves and seams require time and patients. There are many of these near the bottom front and if there is an issue it can be easily seen. Once the bottom was finished it was placed upright again. The large side panels of the jukebox were done with one large continuous piece on each side. That was the most fun part on the cabinet to veneer and the most rewarding. The wood grain pattern of the veneer really came out on this large surface. At this point more than half the cabinet is finished and the cabinet really started to look good. Applying new veneer was a ton of work but it still was not the worst part of restoration.
While looking online at other people's Seeburg M100C models I noticed how nice and chrome like there metal trim was around the music selection panel. I assumed that it had been re-chromed that way. This particular Seeburg's trim was nicked and dinged from the bar years it seen. It turns out that the trim is not chromed at all but polished. The trim is thick aluminum and can be buffed and polished to a chrome finish. This was a messy and time-consuming job. I would first sand off the years of oxidation, scratches, nail polish, etc, with 600 grit. Then use four zero metal wool pad to smooth out the surface. Then buff with brass polish to an almost mirror like finish. My hand hurt after several nights of this and I ended up wearing most of the brass polish but really made an improvement to the trim. This was messiest part of restoration but not the worst. Brass polish does not taste good nor does aluminum come out of your skin easily.
The next big step in restoration was the mechanism and it's compartment. The old gold foil lining was faded and peeling from the years. This was more work than expected. In order to remove the old foil and install the new foil properly everything had to be removed from the compartment, frame and all. I used the old foil pieces as templates to cut the new material to size. I soon realized that too much glue is bad. Just enough is key. If there were too much it would cause the new foil's pressed square pattern not to pop back after being pressed into place. It would also prolong drying time. With the new foil in place the jukebox really started to look gleam. With the mechanism out I repainted the blue frame and cover. The yellow paint was in good shape and just needed a good cleaning. I swapped out the old yellowed burnt Seeburg 100 mechanism logo with a reproduction that was an exact duplicate. I did a complete lube job on the mechanism itself and polished all hardware associated with the frame.
So after months of work and time I came across the worst part of the restoration. When the Seeburg was played it would have audio for a few seconds then disappear. The mechanism would work great, it would select records fine, but it just would not play. I checked over the recap work in the amplifier many times. The R1 resistor on the amplifier board would get red hot. At first I thought it was the choke coil on the speaker was shorted. It checked fine when unplugged but it could always be shorting with power while in circuit. So I bought a really expensive NOS speaker online and it still would not play for more than a few seconds and then fry R1. I was fried along with the resistor. This is the worst part of this restoration. The Seeburg looking great but just won't play with no reason why. Finally after many hours while lying on the cold cement floor looking at the internals of the amplifier board I figure out one of the large electrolytic capacitors is labeled in reverse. Shiny metal side is negative! This means it is in backwards and won't let voltage flow. I reverse it and 10 seconds later the Seeburg M100C jukebox is blares back to life waking the neighbors. It is always the simple fixes that are the best!
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| Do have a jukebox that needs service or restoration? Please feel free to give us a call. We are located in Upstate New York and do local house calls. Pick up and delivery is available. Our number is 518-466-8673 or email us at info@thirdbayradios.com | |
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