Long before the Select-o-matic was the Selectophone. The first jukebox that was selectable? Not sure---even the date of this machine is argueable (some have it coming out in '34, the same year the Deluxe came out). This is the first Selectophone, that is for sure.
As you can see she was in pretty good shape for an old girl. This was a pretty easy restoration- she came pretty complete. The spacers between the records were cracked and swelled, which made the spacing all wrong. And crooked. It was a challenge to get them all the right size so the tonearm would be able to play each record and not scratch across it during reject.
You know, there are several schools of thought. There are those that buy a jukebox based on the "night light" effect and others who want to play them. Don't get me wrong, I like to look at them but I also love to play them! I have different models because I like the different mechanisms. This is one of those I have because I like the mechanism. All the records spin and the tonearm moves up and down to the different records to play the one you select, You gotta love it.
The cabinet was sweet. Just some scrapes and a cigarette burn. I need to work on the amp now---sounds tinny. I changed the cartridge to a rebuilt crystal. Totally invisable but lighter on the records. Who wants to share the secret to more bass?
This was on John Durfee's website for a couple of hours when I saw it and snagged it. I was looking for a Deluxe Selectophone at the time, not having ever seen this model which came out before the Deluxe.
Please do not post these photos anywhere without my permission. Thanks.
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