1948 Wurlitzer Model 1100 Jukebox: An In-Depth Tour of a Wurlitzer Classic

[@roelheijmans]

Just when you thought this video couldn’t get any better he puts on some Elmore James tunes, wow what a beautiful machine and what a great and detailed tour!

[@UncleDoug]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it, Roel :)

[@TheGuitologist]

This is unbelievably immaculate. I can't wrap my head around it. Doug, you are a Renaissance man and I admire your eye for beauty and your restoration skill.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, Brad. This was one of the last jukeboxes I restored, and I really tried to do a nice job. Please see my other jukebox videos.

[@TheGuitologist]

I am going through all of them, Sir. I somehow missed these videos back when I was really binging on your stuff every day. You have quite a collection of immaculate examples and you clearly are a meticulous operator. Was jukebox restoration a business for you or a hobby?

[@UncleDoug]

It was a hobby that turned into a business. I ended up quitting my "day job" and focused entirely on buying, restoring, and selling vintage jukeboxes, slot machines, phonographs, clocks, neon signs, etc. for about 11 years......then lost my enthusiasm and became a school teacher.

[@TheGuitologist]

A creative person follows his whims.

[@andrewgillis8572]

Yup, Doug is zen-and-the-art-of amp tech. But IMO you guys both have talents many professional broadcasters do not - for proper English grammar when ad-lib, and, for common sense. Zing.

[@reeltoreelrules]

this always was my favorite of the Wurlitzer model. so beautiful. more so than the 1015. and that is beautiful too

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, R2R.....glad you like it.

[@antonipelaez1053]

That's brilliant. Love that Elmore James was played

[@UncleDoug]

He's the king, Antoni :) Way ahead of his time.

[@AROSFC]

Taking 'advantage' of the quarantine period, I found this older videos of Uncle Doug....spetacular jewels.

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you enjoyed it, AC.

[@StephenBohmann]

What a fantastic restoration. Thank you for sharing

[@UncleDoug]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Stephen.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

This is truly a work of art. Amazing level of mechanical and electrical engineering went into it.

[@UncleDoug]

davida1hiwaaynet Thanks, David.....glad you liked the jukebox :)

[@rrennick8853]

Uncle Doug ... Greetings...I have an 1100 for the past several years...it is in good "NON" restored condition and works just fine...can you share what this unit may be worth as I may have an interest in selling...Dick Rennick, [e-mail] ... Thank you

[@rrennick8853]

Uncle Doug ... I reside in the Inland Empire of Southern California...Thanks

[@UncleDoug]

Dick, it's virtually impossible to give an accurate estimate of value without being able to inspect the jukebox carefully. I suggest that you check Ebay to see what selling prices have been for jukeboxes similar to yours. I would think that California would be a good selling place. Best of luck

[@rrennick8853]

Uncle Doug ... Thank you for your most prompt response...I have looked around on ebay and find that I have something of value...as stated, it is in GREAT unrestored condition and all works...I am sure that if I took the time to follow what you did, it would increase in said values...I will keep looking and Thank you

[@navyspook79]

Beautiful piece of work. Things were made of high quality back in those days.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Gerald. Yes, indeed, they were well made.

[@mcquality55]

Thanks for the tour! Great machine and an excellent restoration!

[@UncleDoug]

+mcquality55 Thanks so much, McQ.....glad you enjoyed it :)

[@peko8092]

Thank you uncle Doug for that great demo of the best ever looking jukebox made

[@UncleDoug]

My pleasure, P. Thanks !!!

[@jukeboxeddie1]

Nice job Doug. I have a grade 1 W1100 that was restored in 1981. The walnut cabinet and Di-Noc trim was restored to perfection. The door frame is made of metal so there no warping. When you take the door apart the frame is very impressive. Strong. The 3-point wheels are not so great -- machine could easily tip. The sound quality is excellent -- I found mine already converted to 45rpm so I left it that way. I also have the original back door mural and gold side foil. Looks perfect. Mine was restored to coin play AND free play -- my choice -- just flip and switch and you got one or the other. Fun to hear the coin grinder moto-drive and then the coin "plunking" down into the coin box. Ka-plunk! Never tire of hearing that...

[@UncleDoug]

Very interesting, Ed. Thanks for sharing. I definitely agree that the 3-caster system was a bad idea. Apparently Wurlitzer agreed, since they quickly went back to the original 4.

[@jean-francoisduval1907]

This is the most beautiful thing i have witnessed

[@UncleDoug]

Wow, thanks, J-F.

[@bobqualls257]

This an absolutely beautiful machine, Doug. A work of art, really. You did it justice.

[@UncleDoug]

Bob Qualls Thanks so much, Bob. I'm glad you like it :)

[@williambock1821]

The complexity ,beauty, and cost of these machines goes to show just how much people value music and what they’ll do to get it.

[@UncleDoug]

Yes, indeed.....and they made millions of dollars for their operators.

[@richardlucero1265]

love vintage juke boxes!, and old consoles, glad there other people who enjoy these classic vintage music machines! bty, gorgeous juke box!:)

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Richard :)

[@columbia8390]

Wonderful "tour" of the mechanism and intricacies of the 1100. I am just looking at purchasing a very original one and this has given me encouragement. Thank you for this well done video!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks !! You're welcome, C.

[@jamestongas3554]

First time seeing this video. OMG the insides look like they're brand new so clean. Awesome to have all those backdrops and gold foil still there and looking great. And that Cobra tone arm is saving those records from the weight of those old clunkers in years before this. 👍👍👍

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for sharing, James. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Thank you for a great tour.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Adam :)

[@SharkoonBln]

Well, that´s probably the 50th time I ´ve watched this video. Video quality is not all that great, due to low resolution. But *man* , that nice soothing voice combined with all that knowledge and the intricate mechanism... Very, very soothing!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much for your nice comments, SB. This was a fairly early video. In my later videos, the resolution is much higher.

[@pauljames5914]

That's my favorite jukebox of all time!

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you liked it, Paul.

[@markmarkofkane8167]

Really fascinating. If I were rich, I'd buy a restored jukebox.

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you like them, Mark. You don't have to be rich.....they cost far less than typical used car.

[@laurenjackson8374]

I LEARNED SO MUCH

[@UncleDoug]

Glad to hear it, Lauren.

[@laurenjackson8374]

i watch this every morning

[@BonanzaN3214C1]

Awesome video, of a timeless classic, well done sir

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, BN :)

[@Smoothancool]

A beautiful machine from the year I was born! A fascinating tour.Well done!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much S&C.....glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Smoothancool]

Uncle Doug Cheers!

[@douglashoops2301]

Thank you Uncle Doug ❤

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, D.

[@alanspagnolia9474]

A TOTAL treat to see such a gorgeous 78 RPM juke-box playing (and your field-trip :) Very informative AND; I believe you should get on your hands and knees and Thank ALMIGHTY GOD for Blessing you with such a RARE piece of history !!!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Alan. Glad you liked it. It should be noted that although God may have been involved, my contribution was hunting it down, buying it (in incomplete, non-working condition) for a substantial sum, transporting it to my shop, completely disassembling it, and then spending thousands of dollars and several hundred hours restoring it.

[@irusman62]

thats really interesting about the lacquer decal, looks like Birds Eye maple burl, very cool! just like the slot machines in Vegas, you can’t but marvel at the device and put your money in to watch it all function. As a kid I would just be mesmerized by them.

[@UncleDoug]

They made a fortune one play at a time.

[@jukeboxeddie1]

Hi Doug - Caught your video again -- one FYI regarding the record trays. In the industry, the technical term/jargon for these trays were called "Carriers" -- obviously to carry the record from the main stack to the center and back again after playing. I have a grade 1 W1100 that I restored in 1982 -- it was a grade 4+ when I found it. It was missing the front plastic pilasters and I had Kunkel in Texas make them from scratch. It took 3 tries to get them right, but they are perfect -- you can see the "waviness" effect as they turn and reflect light off the center metal piece. Your videos are always great -- accurate and informative. My current project is a 1937 Rock-ola 12- selection Rhythm King. The quality build of this cabinet is astounding -- when you take the cabinet down to its skeleton you can see just how incredible it was made -- it was the first jukebox to use a Crystal stylus(designed by Rock-ola) and the first jukebox amp to use noise cancellation circuitry.

[@UncleDoug]

Greetings, Ed. It's always good to hear from you. The late 30's Rock-ola's and Seeburgs were indeed built like tanks. I was not aware of the noise cancellation circuitry.....way ahead of its time.

[@jukeboxeddie1]

@@UncleDoug I restored a 1937 Rhythm King that was incomplete and non-working. I have over 2000 hours into it -- it is now a museum quality American icon. I hadn't played a note in 80 years. If you give me your email address I can send you a video of this extensive rstoration. My email address is [e-mail] After intyervirwing retired engineers from decades ago they tiold me that Rock-ola used "notch filters" which were capacitors targeted to eliminate all noise in mid-range frequencies. I had the great John Weisner restore the amplifier and he kew how to install the caps to create the desired effect. The fidelity of the Rhythm King is nothing short of sensational! Ed Liss

[@Gasoline85]

These classic Jukeboxes are works of art!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, G85 :)

[@Gasoline85]

You're welcome :)

[@andrewgillis8572]

Uncle Doug This thing comes from that Tonnawanda plant that was almost a mile long - and no wonder when you see the maddening complexity of the rig that came to the shipping dock; at the loading dock Wurlizer started with hoppers of pure raw materials.I know its all just stamping and sub-assembles, and they probably took lessons from Sorensen and Ford. Still amazing and really a gift to the world. Crazier process is the making of vacuum tubes by hand with tweezers - this jukebox alone needs 6. All handiwork and there are still zillions of tubes NOS in box

[@UncleDoug]

+andrew gillis Thanks for the informative input, Andrew.

[@lesd40]

Fascinating! Thanks for a very complete tour!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Les :)

[@benadams6332]

Great video, thanks, such a nice jukebox. In about 70 years someone will restore and describe an early iPod with the same love and care.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Alfred. You make an interesting point. Being old, I guess I'm prejudiced and wonder if any modern devices offer sufficient design excellence and "soul" to warrant a meticulous restoration. Are Philco Predicta TV's, 1957 Chevrolet's, Fender tweed amps, and Wurlitzer jukeboxes sought out for restoration because they are masterpieces of design.....or simply because they are old? I do, however, wish that I could accurately predict what items will be highly valued in the future, so I could buy a bunch of them :)

[@BirkinIdk]

I have to agree, and not to mention how unbelievably hard, if not impossible, it would be to restore any sort of smart device. Personally, I'm not entirely into the jukebox scene, but I do fancy the low, glowing look of them. I do, however have quite a sweet spot for arcade cabinets. In my experience with arcade cabinets, I'd like to think that people generally like such things because of not only the novelty, but the look they give off. There's just something about these machines that attract a certain group of people. Cheers.

[@vanillaexplosion99]

Seriously doubt it. No soul almost in anything built today just like the people.

[@chasey218]

So fascinating! I repaired my old mechanical slot machine a few years ago. (Not a full sized one, more of a personal novelty one made in Japan) Now I want to find a jukebox to fiddle with.

[@UncleDoug]

Good luck, Chase. Jukeboxes are extremely complex, but hopefully you'll be successful in finding and restoring one.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

Same red RESET button is on my 46' Wurlitzer ORGATRON SERIES 31 Electrostatic Keyed-Reed organ for the huge Selenium Rectifier for the electrostatic charge on the reeds. I am almost finished restoring it:) Great videos you have:) Have a great WurliTzer holiday season!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, and likewise on the holidays, Paul :)

[@learnerlearns]

Fascinating! Nostalgic too.

[@UncleDoug]

+Learner-Learns Yes, indeed. Thanks, LL.

[@Organgrinder1010]

Fascinating! Thank you!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome :)

[@rebfan9200]

I just love this video so much. Thank you for posting it. I have 2 Seeburg's, C, R, but I love all of em!

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you enjoyed it, Reb.

[@TheGuitologist]

...and the Elmore James to top it off. This is what you call 'taste'.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Brad :)

[@Dan79istheman]

Another great video Doug! And topped off with a great track..

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Dan. Glad to see there are some Elmore fans out there......

[@kgsalvage6306]

It's a snowy day here in Pennsylvania. I had to sit down and watch a couple of your earliest videos. You did just as good of a job then as you do now. Boy, they definitely over engineered them, didn't they. Definitely a work of art. I actually have a Zenith console stereo that I've been restoring. It has the cobra head tone arm. It's one of there earlier ones that actually has reverb. Well, enjoy the warmth down there. Kennyg

[@UncleDoug]

Best of luck with your project, Kenny. Reverb in a console stereo......my dream come true :)

[@frankymcdonald3081]

This makes me want to tear into my magnavox micromatic console. thanks for the insperation uncle doug.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Franky. Good luck with your project !!

[@64mung]

SWEET!!! Nice work!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks :)

[@laurenjackson8374]

good content!!!!!!!!!!!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Lauren :)

[@wogalwogal]

wow ty for the post i used to fix these and rowe ami ,, and pin ball tables ,, again ty for taken the time to post ,, ( loved the screend pre-amp )

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, W4 :)

[@jubypeck8443]

this is amazing

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you liked it, Juby.

[@steveomusicman6645]

awesome Thanks Doug!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Steve :)

[@lookoutleo]

what a beautiful piece of art . i was offered one of these in the 1980's i'm mad i didnt take it :) the only one ive owned was a rowe ami from the mid60'd with a valve amp, had an amazing sound , now i know where the old tom and jerry cartoons got an idea for jukebox interior, its this type. thanks for posting

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Leo.....glad you liked it :)

[@ggiaimo2439]

Hi Doug, I know that I commented previously on your tour of the selection mechanism of your Wurlitzer 1015. Your 1100 is absolutely gorgeous....something I can tell that you are extremely proud of...to me it is a real museum piece of history. Thanks so much for sharing! I followed your advice and cleaned all 8 slider switches in my Encore selector. I know that they are all working correctly as I checked them with my meter before reinstall. Unfortunately I am still having problems making 6-8 selections. Phooey! While I had the Program Selector apart to clean the slider switches, maybe I should have taken apart the Contact Molding Switch? Maybe this is where the selection problems exists? I am afraid this is going to be a small nightmare to take apart :( Any ideas and help you can provide for troubleshooting, etc. would be greatly appreciated. In my troubleshooting process, would my next step be to go to the 33 prong Selector plug (with Selector connector unplugged) and check specific pins while activating the selection keys and program selector button? Do you have any specifics that you can tell me about where to read voltages\continuity during this step? I see you have an original schematic...mine is a copy and impossible to read the numbers assigned to each pin. PS - What do you use to lubricate the heart-shaped selector cam and bushing? The selector wheel and pin? I am a new electronics student of yours, and I look forward to learning what I can from your great videos!

[@UncleDoug]

G Giaimo There are several other possibilities, GG. Have you checked the circular solenoid bank to be sure that the rods associated with selections 6-8 are free to pop out when their electromagnets are energized? Is the wiring to the 6-8 EM coils intact? If all this checks out, then the male and female Jones plug connectors need to be checked for good contact as well as the integrity of the wiring within the cable(s). Good luck.

[@martynh5410]

Very nice overview of an outstanding condition 1100! I know someone who has one of these. It works and they they let their youngs kids play with it :( Sadly, they wont sell it to me!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks :) Too bad you couldn't rescue it, Martyn.

[@frankromero5581]

I like your vid . i never knew about the workings . thank u 🐢

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Frank.

[@frankromero5581]

Your welcome 👍

[@frankromero5581]

Your welcome 👍

[@homosexisnotgodsbest4u964]

I'm absolutely amazed that you have the lights in sync, I've seen these models before, but never with the lights moving in sync

[@UncleDoug]

+HomoSex is Not Gods Best 4U You have to start the colors in synch, and then rely on the motors to turn at the same rate.

[@jukeboxeddie1]

Doug - Regarding noise cancellation circuitry by Rock-ola in their 1937 Rhythm King model, it is amazing that RO engineers were able to isolate specific narrow frequencies in the sound spectrum and cancel out any noise while not affecting the quality of the play. This was a tremendous technological feat at that time -- think about it - when you want to reduce noise/scratch you usually turn down the treble but you end up muting everything -- RO designed circuitry that targets only those frequencies on the sound spectrum, usually in the mid-range, and eliminates those sounds without changing the quality of the music played. At that time 78rpm jukeboxes only had headroom of 5000Hz or cycles on the sound spectrum -- namely because the recording technology was still years behind the playback technology. But a jukebox was always faithful to whatever was recorded, so if microphones in the mid-'30's could only capture frequencies well below the normal range of the spectrum i.e., 5000 hz; jukebox manufacturers had to "dumb down" what they were capable of doing at that time because they were years ahead, but the recording industry was still lagging behind. When microphone technology improved by the late '30's the sound spectrum was able to reach higher ceilings. As a primer, the sound spectrum ranges from 20(bass) to 32,000 cycles or HZ. Most people can hear to about 6-8000cycles before things start to drop off. Dogs of course can hear higher, much higher, but dogs don't buy records or drop nickels into a jukebox either. (LOL) Ironically, jukebox manufacturers made amplifiers that far exceeded anything that humans could possibly hear. In 1954, the Seeburg model R could capture any sound recorded from 20 to 25,000 cycles with less than 3% total harmonic distortion(THD). Why would they make an amp that exceeds specs beyond what human hearing can register? And in 1960, the Rock-ola model Tempo II had an amp whose range was 20 to 60,000 cycles or Hz. This is nuts! Why would they do that? It bothered me for years, and no one seemed to know the answer. However, I was finally told by an old-timer(technician) who knew this stuff from its heyday. He told me that the higher the cycle rate on the sound spectrum, the lower the THD distortion rate. Pretty impressive. So, going back to the '37 Rhythm King, it shows that jukebox manufacturers had the right attitude and quality standards. But it also proves that short of live music, there is no other way to hear it than on a vintage analog jukebox. Long live the Great American Jukebox!

[@UncleDoug]

Amen, Ed. Thanks for the very informative input.

[@mrnikau1]

It's a beautiful thing!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Ian :)

[@TuneStunnaMusic]

Fantastic restoration, great in depth look, and thanks for turning me onto Elmore James. Got another sub!

[@UncleDoug]

Welcome aboard, Tune Stunna. Elmore rules !! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and hope you also check out the other jukebox videos on my channel. Thanks for subscribing !!!

[@laurenjackson8374]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO

[@UncleDoug]

Glad to hear it, Lauren.

[@richardmcleod5967]

The Cobramatic Tone Arms were the most unique of just about any Tone Arm ever designed, especially with the "Eyes of a Cobra Snake".

[@UncleDoug]

Quite so, Richard, and a huge improvement over the 3 1/2 ounce electromagnetic cartridge.

[@richardmcleod5967]

@@UncleDoug It almost looks too small as its' predecessor's were so much larger and heavier.

[@davewilson6324]

Uncle Doug, I'm a little behind watching your latest and greatest posts here at YouTune. The Wurlitzer 1100 was last jukebox that was designed by the great Wurlitzer contract designer Paul Fuller. Fuller was the genius behind the cabinet designs of the 1930’s and 40’s Wurlitzer’s. The 1100 is not my favorite Wurlitzer but it's one of the best sounding of the 1940’s Wurlitzer jukeboxes due to its lightweight Zenith Cobra tonearm with the seperate pre-amp. Before the Cobra tonearm came along, jukeboxes use a heavyer tonearm with a nail for a needle. The the jukeboxe's 78 RPM record had to be replaced all the time until the lightweight Zenith tonearm came along. I have to tell you, I started to get a migraine headache from watching the part on the 1100's rotating Encore selector. As you know, I owned and restored an 1100 back in the late 1980's. I must of work on that selector for two months trying to get it to work correctly. I had to totally take the selector apart and putting it back together several times. Your statement about the selector being overdesign is correct. Wulrlizer was always overdesign stuff to get around some other companies Paten. As always, thanks for sharing your collection with us! David

[@UncleDoug]

David, thanks for your detailed and informative comment. The Encore Selector is indeed a nightmare to work on......

[@bullthrush]

A beautiful machine, impressive amount of original trim. It looks like the only real difference to your 1500 is the selector button system.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, BT. I think you are referring to the model 1015, and yes, other than the method of record selection, the record playing/changing mechanisms are virtually identical. Wurlitzer used this same 24-play mechanism in all its console jukeboxes from late 1937 through 1948. Cabinet designs varied greatly, as well as selector systems: rotary (see the Model 24 video), keyboard (most common), push button (1015), and the unique flipping-title-board style found in the Model 1100.

[@piotrekkaszkur3812]

Super

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Piotrek.

[@jason681174]

Beautiful

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Jason :)

[@SuperCarver2011]

I think this is the model I saw on the Wurlitzer 1950 video tour of their factory in North Tonawanda NY. (This is available on KZbin). I never realized how big this operation was. I guess during that time, it was the "GM" of Jukeboxes, pianos, organs and accordions to mention a few of their excellent products. Sidenote trivia; The CEO of Gibson came from Wurlitzer (Dekalb IL) and at that time Gibson was a small manufacturer of musical instruments. A lot of changes have occurred over the last few decades, the Wurlitzer jukeboxes were manufacture discontinued in 2013 in the US, but continued in Germany by a German manufacturer. Gibson acquired Wurlitzer purchase of this German manufacturer in 2006. It's kind of ironic that one of the innovators at Gibson came from Wurlitzer originally in 1948 (Piano/Accordian in Dekalb), and now it has gone back through various changes of ownership to Gibson. Canadian quarters..they were not fake, made of silver at that time but they were a bit thicker or larger. Not sure if they would get down the coin chute, but I guess that the bars did not want Canadian coins used, as they were hard to exchange at their banks so not desirable. Elmore James: "Early in the Morning" blues. Mississippi blues slide guitar artist.

[@UncleDoug]

SuperCarver2011 Foreign coins were generally rejected by the aptly named "Slug Rejector" that immediately preceded the coin grinder.....which gave the appropriate number of credits for each (genuine) coin. Thanks for your informative input.

[@SuperCarver2011]

Fascinating descriptive nostalgia trip back in time, Uncle Doug. Beautifully crafted piece of art deco Americana. These were state of the art back then and just like the pin ball machines..were the mainstay of any good bar/restaurant that attracted it's young customers in droves. The mechanical complexity of these machines is a testament to the mechanical designers utilizing logic relays to operate motors, coils and solenoids in sequence. These were High fidelity "cadillac designs" of their day. The 45rpm record came out in 1947 by RCA to allow single hits per side to be selected and the LP not long after. The old 78 rpm was phased out by 1968. You mention that you dropped a quarter in the coin slot. Curious; what would it cost to play a selection back in 1948?..a nickel? Side note trivia: Ted McCarty, CEO of Gibson from 1948 to 1966 (responsible for many of Gibson's guitar innovations during that period as well as the GA amps worked for Wurlizter for 10 years from 1936-1947.

[@UncleDoug]

+SuperCarver2011 Thanks for the historical review, SC. Yes, it was 5 cents per play up until the 1960's I believe (my knowledge tapers off at the 50's). There was even a 6 plays for a quarter feature initiated in the early 50's. I had no idea that McCarty worked for Wurlitzer.....very interesting.

[@seeburgm100a]

A little useless information. The Wurly 1100 being a post war jukebox borrowed one of it's new design features from the WWII B-17 Bomber. The B-17 used a plexiglass nose. The window of the "Shell" shaped W1100 is made from that same new "plexiglass" and borrowed heavily from the bomber design as well as it's bomb shell shape. This was to capture that familiarity of WWII bombers. It was and still is a great looking box! with one of the more visible golden age view windows. Compare it to the "Victory" models that re purposed old jukeboxes during WWII when materials were not available and production was turned to defense.

[@jukeboxeddie1]

As I recall when NY Telephone raised the price for a public telephone call from 5 to 10 cents in 1951, jukebox operators followed suit for single plays -- 10 cents for 1 play; 3 plays for 25 cents

[@johnm893]

love it just suscribed....

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, John, for your nice comment and for subscribing :)

[@411Soulman1]

thanks

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome

[@fxt363]

Sensational!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, TD :)

[@lylejohnson1093]

Pete's Candy Kitchen in Clinton, Iowa had a Wurlitzer with buubles in the lights on each side and records like this.

[@UncleDoug]

+Lyle Johnson What a nice combination, candy and music :)

[@Muswell]

Wonderful mechanics. Welll done on the restoration. Money aside, how on earth do you bring yourself to part with these beautiful models when you've worked so hard on them?

[@UncleDoug]

Greetings, Boots. When I was restoring and selling jukeboxes as a full-time business, I had no choice about selling them since it was a business. I did keep about a dozen of my favorites for many years, however, and now that I am getting older (and can't take them with me) I have been slowly selling them to collectors.

[@411Soulman1]

Are those black metal tunes 6SR7. AWESOME!

[@UncleDoug]

They are probably either 6J5, 6SJ7, or 6SN7 tubes, S1. The very early forms of many vacuum tubes had a metal outer shield that looks like Lincoln's top hat :)

[@RCALivingStereo]

Very nice doug but would be great to see abs hear them play :)

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, RCA, but I don't understand the second part of the comment.

[@RCALivingStereo]

@@UncleDoug Sorry Doug it’s the curse of the autocorrect :) I was saying you did a excellent job of showing these beautiful machines but would like to see them play and the working as they play :)

[@UncleDoug]

@@RCALivingStereo Watch some .my other jukebox videos, RCA.

[@jlucasound]

If you need warrantee work done, you will need a DeLorean! (With the "Mr. Fusion" attachment). Great Scott!!

[@UncleDoug]

To be honest, JL, I doubt that the warranty work was very good even in the 1940's. Most jukebox operators made the rounds every week, tuning up their own machines and changing records. You really couldn't send parts back to the factory because it took too long and you were missing out on revenue while the machine was out of order. Any operator "worth his salt" could do all his own repairs.

[@aircommuter7633]

Good informative video. I have a a very nice 1080A 1948, when it had been sitting I decided to lube it and get it going I was moving the mechanism from below and apparently pushed it up a little too high and it locked in the up position and I cannot tell where the lock is located, can you help?

[@UncleDoug]

I'm sorry, AC, but diagnosing such a problem is impossible long distance. I advise that you analyze the situation carefully from all angles and try to determine its cause. Good luck.

[@rhodeswayne55]

so amazing what's not to love I would sale a lung or something for A wurlitzer as beautiful as yours fantastic video

[@UncleDoug]

+wayne rhodes Thanks, Wayne. It's great to hear how much you enjoy watching and hearing these old jukeboxes play :)

[@pegorcutt4016]

Great video! Our 1100 needs a new main drive gear. Can you post a video to show how to remove the mechanism or how to replace the gear? Thanks!

[@UncleDoug]

Replacing the fiber drive gear is a very complicated task, Peg, but I'll keep your suggestion in mind if I ever do need to replace one.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

[ After writing this I remembered I wrote to you on your bias-shifting tube tremolo video. The Wurlitzer electrostatic free-reed organ 53'-61' used a unique TUBE VIBRATO circuit described in the WURLI 4600 article link I mention below. DO SAVE THESE RARE ORGANS JUST AS YOU WOULD ANY FINE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OR JUKEBOX] I have two Wurlitzer electrostatic reed organs, one of which is the model they are working on in the 1950 Wurlitzer Factory Tour that is posted on KZbin. A must see! Actually the exact model I have is a WURLITZER SERIES 31 'ORGATRON' ELECTROSTATIC KEYED-REED from 1946 ( their first year of ES reed organs, as they were the successor to the great Wurlitzer theater pipe organ, which the TPO's were discontinued because Wurlitzer retooled the factory to make bombs for WWII and sales were already down due to the massive success of the "portable" HAMMOND TONE WHEEL ORGAN introduced in 1936.) You can read a very in depth article of the WURLITZER ELECTROSTATIC FREE-REED organ at the NORTH SUBURBAN HAMMOND ORGAN SOCIETY (NSHOS). Click on the TECHNICAL ARTICLES PAGE and click WURLI 4600 . The free-reed design came in 1953' as an attempt to compete with the Hammond organ sales. Hammond organs were revered for their instant snappy attack, which was afforded from the fact that all 91 tone wheel generators were live from the instant the organ was turned on. The original Wurlitzer electrostatic keyed-reeds only became live when a key was depressed and air put the reed in motion. Note that the reeds were not used acoustically, but instead a 300 volt charge was placed on the reed and the flowing of the electricity in and around the reed created a capacitance circuit which gave a potential to ground. They used flat head screws for 'pick-ups' placed within proximity to the reed and attached a wire to the screw which then went to the amplifier, where further tone shaping circuits were added. Each reed had 3 different screw head pick-ups and depending on where the pick-up was placed determined the 'tone' of the organ voice. In one spot it sounded more FLUTE like, another was more STRING like, and another was more REED like. These three voices represent the 3 of the 4 voices that a real pipe organ makes- FLUTE/TIBIA, STRING, REED ( which includes the horn voices). In fact the only VOICE that the organ does not represent is the DIAPASON, which ironically is the ONLY voice that is unique only to the organ. However it is easy to create a Diapason by combining the 3 voice families of flute/reed/string. So the organ that is described in detail at the NSHOS ( the WURLITZER 4600 article) is the answer to the sluggishness of the keyed-reed design. On the free-reed organ ALL REEDS ARE LIVE AND IN MOTION FROM THE MOMENT THE ORGAN IS TURNED ON. This is accomplished by the reeds being placed in several hermetically sealed cast aluminum enclosures, where a vacuum is placed on the enclosure. Then these enclosures are then placed in a soundproof box made of cellotex fiber ( I think they used a different name though). Since the vacuum is low and the box is airtight, the reeds stay like new indefinitely and never go out of tune due to the fact that they are not vibrated intensely. Now instead of Wurlitzer saying that the only purpose of the reed was to create a FREQUENCY to be manipulated electronically, they said the only purpose of the reeds was FOR THEIR HARMONIC CONTENT. That is a big difference. In fact it is a very vital difference between the electrostatic reed design and all other electronic methods of creating organ tone. The WURLITZER ELECTROSTATIC REED organs differ in that the reeds produce subtle harmonic overtones which lend to a far more interesting listening experience. The FLUTE tones are the fundamental voice of an electronic organ. The Hammond tone wheel organ produces ONLY flute tones, as the tone wheels produce only sine waves. The way the Hammond achieves voices other than flute is that the draw bars on the organ approximate the overtones which are present in real instruments of the orchestra by raising and lowering their position. It is explained better at the NSHOS site on the TECHNICAL ARTICLE- HAMMOND TONE WHEEL ORGAN. I happen to have a Hammond X66 organ as well and there is also an article for the X66 at the NSHOS as well in the technical articles. To produce the fundamental tones for the X66 it uses 12 tone wheels instead of 91, and the 12 tone wheels are sine wave output just like an a traditional Hammond tone wheel organ, but on the X66 the sine waves are distorted into square waves. The square waves are then used to create the formant triangle and saw tooth waves for REED,STRING, AND DIAPASON. To make the FLUTE ( draw bars) voices the square waves are converted back to sine waves. Crazy, I didn't even know you could make a square wave into a sine wave.

[@UncleDoug]

+paulj0557 Thanks for the very lengthy and detailed comment, Paul.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

Uncle Doug You're welcome and thanks for your great videos!

[@ludeco-fx135]

Hello uncle doug. I have a 1100 but the TT shaft is not coming up 100%. Do you know how to adjust the cam position so the lift arm pushes the TT shaft all the way up ? Tnx!

[@UncleDoug]

Yes, but it's hard to verbally explain. The turntable lift has an eccentric with an Allen set screw. Get a mirror and flashlight.....find an adjust it.

[@ludeco-fx135]

@@UncleDoug yes i did that(the part with the spring on it) but that’s not the problem. Problem is where the CAM is located.

[@UncleDoug]

@@ludeco-fx135 Put a 1/4" metal spacer between the platform that lifts the turntable shaft.....and the tip of the shaft.

[@irusman62]

Absolutely fascinating machine. im wondering if the play counts are sent to ASCOM so artists can get their royalties, and the owner of the jukebox have to pay ASCOM

[@UncleDoug]

No royalties, as far as I know, but the play tally was used to determine the "Jukebox Top 10" every week.

[@Muswell]

Just watched this again ! I'm fascinated as to how it let you choose 3 or 5 choices depending on what coin you put in. How does it do that? How does it remember your choices after the first one? Would also LOVE to see how the buttons actually select the record -- is that viewable from the back - that "flapped wheel" ??

[@UncleDoug]

There is a machine called "coin grinder" inside the jukebox with three entrance slots, one for a nickle, dime, and quarter. Once the coin enters the grinder it is spun around the outside of a rubber wheel and the nickle closes one switch, the dime closes two, and the quarter closes five. For each switch closing, the jukebox will play one song. The selections are made by a big drum with 24 solenoids, one for each record. When you select record number 8 by pushing a button, the 8th solenoid pushes out a pin that will stop the jukebox selector and make it play the 8th record. Then it pushes in, or cancels, the solenoid pin. Once all the pins have been cancelled, the jukebox shuts off.

[@Muswell]

@@UncleDoug Wow. Love it.

[@bucyruserie1211]

Thanks for the tour Uncle Doug, Really nice machine. I had to laugh to myself when you said "over engineered"..... The whole unit is over engineered! I mean today you can carry around 1000 songs in your pocket. I was curios if you restored all your jukeboxes or if you got this one in it's current condition? And finally although this and the 1015 are great units, of the ones you showed I liked the early P10 the best... not quite sure why though. Happy Holidays to you and yours Doug

[@UncleDoug]

+Bucyrus Erie12 You're quite welcome, BE. Yes, Wurlitzer always seemed to find it necessary to use 150 parts to perform the same task that other manufacturers could do quite well with only 10 or 12. I did personally and completely restore each of the jukeboxes in my videos. Some were in awful shape to begin with, and some were a little better, but all of them required at least 1 to 3 months of hard work to complete. I'm glad you appreciate the P-10. Lots of people never see past the flashy 1015 and 1100, but to me, the early "woody" jukeboxes are some of the most interesting and subtly beautiful of all. Likewise.....happy holidays to you and your family :)

[@alangray2568]

What is the service switch for on the junction box? Does that establish credit?

[@UncleDoug]

It disconnects the motor so you can service the selector mechanism without starting the play cycle.

[@MelancoliaI]

Which do you prefer, this or its more iconic cousin? I'm leaning toward this...love the huge window, color cylinders and gothic-window shape

[@UncleDoug]

My favorite jukebox of all would probably be the Wurlitzer 750, Mel. It was compact but beautifully designed.....with the Gothic window shape you mentioned.

[@zumytubes]

Hi Uncle Doug, I just got my hands on basically this same 1948 model 1100 & I can only dream of doing such a great restoration job as you have! My question is I am looking for some missing parts such as the coin dispenser and coin box, bulbs, etc. I checked with Victory glass and some other ebay guys and was looking for some more resourcess. any information is helpful!

[@UncleDoug]

You might try Bill Butterfield at Musical Fun for Everyone in CA. The coin grinder is going to be difficult to get....they are exceedingly rare and expensive. Try Bill. If anyone has your parts, it's him. Good luck.

[@thepaulhenderson]

I really appreciate your sharing this marvelous beauty! You should be VERY pleased with your work, and the ultimate record played was perfect, too! I personally prefer late 50's & early 60s models, but watching this and seeing the incredible detail you brought back to life. Watching the interior of the rotating lights reminded me of those color wheels we had for our aluminum Christmas trees back when I was a boy in the '60s. Do you happen to know what would be "the best" of these 78 Wurlitzers of this type, and what was the highest capacity discs available?

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much for your very nice comments, Paul. We too had one of those crazy illuminated aluminum trees back in the day. The most popular Wurlitzer jukebox is the model 1015 (see my video on it), and the rarest and most valuable would be the model 950 (I can't afford one :). All the classic Wurlitzers played only one side of 24 different 78 RPM records.

[@thepaulhenderson]

​@@UncleDoug Thanks! I never knew they all had the same capacity, let alone only one side. You might like to look into cutting your own 78s! Maybe finding a cutter that needs work and restoring it. That way you could press any rarity and not have to worry about damaging a rare record. Heres one of several videos demonstrating it. It would be cool cutting your favorite songs by a particular artist and rotating them. Thanks again for the info, and saving this old beauty! kzbin.info/www/bejne/imjRfJSVlq2siJo

[@UncleDoug]

@@thepaulhenderson Thanks for the suggestion, Paul. I'll keep it in mind in case an old record cutter becomes available.

[@reeltoreelrules]

This is my favorite whirlitzer jukebox. Are replacement stylus hard to get?

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, RtoR. I don't know. I have several NOS cartridges and haven't tried to buy any in many years. They may be hard to get now (?)

[@TheGuitologist]

Are the bulbs on a series string in these?

[@UncleDoug]

No, they're wired in parallel, so if one fails, the rest remain illuminated.

[@TheGuitologist]

It's amazing how many different systems all have to work together in one of these to create the overall impression. They had to design ALL of this stuff. It's mind-boggling. Some guy had to design it on paper and then figure out how it would all go together. Imagine how proud you'd be if you had been part of that process.

[@UncleDoug]

Indeed. There were no computer-assisted design programs back in the 30's......just good old-fashioned engineering skill.

[@himax2001]

Perfect looking machine! Bravo! I have just picked up a Wurlitzer 1100. In need of restoration, chrome, amp, and veneer work on the sides. I have a problem that no one else has an answer for. This machine came with out a volume control box. I just has a volume pot mounted in a small box. I am trying to locate parts to make one but one part has me stumped. The schematic shows two chokes, volume pot, several caps and resistors. One of the chokes is a 7H and the other one (a coil, no frame, possibly no core) is a 0.155H coil. I have managed to locate a NOS 7H choke, a reproduction volume pot and of course the caps and resistors should be fairly easy, but I cannot for the life of me find a 0.155H coil. (Wurlitzer p/n 50538 ((L2 on the schematic)). Any ideas where I could find one or a suitable substitute? Or for that matter a complete Volume control box? As you can probably tell this is about to go over my head. I can build this if I can find the part. I have been told that I could eliminate the 0.155H coil and the cap that parallels it, but it seems to me that I would loose the low end bass if I do. I really want this jukebox to sound original. Any ideas? Thank you!! David

[@UncleDoug]

Greetings, David. On most early Wurlitzer jukeboxes, you can gut the VC box and convert the tone arm and sound system to a modern, diamond stylus. On the 1100, however, due to the unique Cobra sound system, with separate pre-amp, etc. you're better off with the original VC (or a re-created one, as you are doing). A good source of parts is: Bill Butterfield at [e-mail] If you can't locate an original, intact VC unit, then I would fabricate a metal box of correct dimensions and build the VC circuit within it. In my 1100 schematic, the L-2 coil is 7H and the L-3 coil is 0.155H, which is opposite of what you stated. Regardless, if you can't find the exact coil, I would simply get the closest one possible and then experiment with the value of the capacitor (C-14 on my schematic) that is in parallel with it. Mouser Electronics has an excellent selection of induction coils. They may have exactly what you need. Good luck !!!

[@markaustin4370]

Beautiful, but didn't understand the tray on the door for the ole?

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, but I don't understand the question, Mark.

[@666rossel]

Hey Doug I have a Wurlitzer 1100 and the clutch pin broke off and I have to replace it do you have any suggestions where I can find help or have any videos on how to change out that part

[@UncleDoug]

Not really, 666. Simply pay close attention, take photos and notes while you disassemble the mech, and then reverse the process. Verbal advice is generally useless.

[@666rossel]

Thanks for the advice Doug

[@AL-Fritz]

Hey Doug I was just wondering what song was play in the jukebox I'd like to know. This is a very beautiful machine you got here thanks for sharing!

[@UncleDoug]

+The Gilson Station You're welcome, GS. Glad you liked it. As I recall, the tune was Early in the Morning by Elmore James.

[@AL-Fritz]

+Uncle Doug Thank you its a really good song

[@UncleDoug]

Yes, Elmore James was way ahead of his time. His records are as good (actually better than most) and up-to-date as any modern blues and rock releases.

[@moodyga40]

Is there a mute circuit on the amplifier

[@UncleDoug]

No, the muting between records is performed by a leaf switch that grounds the signal. It is located near the tone arm shut off lever.

[@TerryMcKean]

I think the name of the tonearm pickup's unique operating principle is "variable-reluctance". Thanks for sharing, Uncle Doug... this 1948 sure is in awesome condition. I just re-watched your video about your 1934 Wurlitzer, too... that one is practically mint-condition-looking, too. Awesome scores on getting those sets. How are they doing nowadays? :-)

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for your knowledgeable input regarding the pickup design, Terry. The Wurlitzer 1100 has since been sold to a viewer, while the 1934 P-10 is still happily nesting in my living room.

[@TerryMcKean]

​@@UncleDoug Right on, and you're welcome. I learned about variable-reluctance pick-ups because years ago I used to have a Zenith TV/radio/phonograph combo-console circa 1951, and it's 'Cobra-matic' turntable had the variable-reluctance pick-up in it, too. :-)

[@UncleDoug]

The same cartridge and circuit were indeed used on home phonographs as well as jukeboxes, Terry. The ultra-light-tracking (for the time) cartridge was a real life saver for records.

[@TerryMcKean]

@@UncleDoug Definitely... the console played records beautifully, with superb bass response from the big speaker under the TV screen ... and I remember that the speed control for the Cobra-matic turntable was infinitely variable, instead of the usual 4-position stepping system.

[@TerryMcKean]

It was back in the '80s when I had that big blond-colored cabinet set... big ol' heavy thing... 16 inch TV screen... the diand-shaped Zenith radio dial bezel with the audio tailoring switches on either side of the tuning dial..sure was an awesome set. :-)

[@johnjames4591]

Very nice presentation. Where did you find it? You should have played one of the Top Songs of 1948: Buttons and Bows Nature Boy Ballerina A Tree In The Meadow My Happiness Twelfth Street Rag It's Magic You Call Everybody Darlin' It's Too Soon to Know Texarkana Baby A Little Bird Told Me Because Good Rockin' Tonight Near You Love Somebody image of Little White Lies Run Joe Bouquet of Roses You Can't Be True, Dear William Tell Overture Sweet Georgia Brown The Woody Woodpecker Song Underneath the Arches

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks. I don't recall where it came from, John. I do have a few of those tunes in my jukeboxes.

[@Truckguy1970]

Why do some tubes such as the 2 black pre-amp tubes have metal cases? I seen some with glass and some with metal,is that for RF shielding?

[@UncleDoug]

Most of the early tubes had metal cases that were grounded through one of the tube pins. Yes, this was an attempt to shield the inner components of the tube from RF and EM interference. Later forms of these tubes were generally produced without the metal shields.

[@Truckguy1970]

Ok gotcha! :)

[@bobm9043]

sames insides as the 1015 I always called this model the " Robbie the Robot" machice

[@UncleDoug]

Other than the sound system, coin grinder, tone arm, and selector mechanism, the actual player mechanisms are quite similar.

[@tubical71]

As you go for Amps as well, in my opinion restoring an amp is like service a bike, while resoring a Jukebox is like service a car.... As I ´ve restored some Hammond tonewheel organs myself, restoring an Instrument Amp is just fun ;) I never want to watch one if your juke videos, just because i really want to have one. Not one of these old 78rpm a newer one for 45ers would be great, but they are *very* expensive here in germany especially one of these wurlitzers. But as you played one of this records....how cool Elmore James....it´s ´dust my broom´ -- try this: *F8GwPuKL0e0* here in YT ;) If i only knew that it will be save sent to you, i got a real hard to get german pressed fast instrumental blues, played as an encore by a that day famous ballroom dance music group, usual playing those boring cha-cha things....but then they came out with a fast *violine* guided blues on a b-side of ?? ( i do not care!) And its on 78rpm it would fit into your wurly just perfect.

[@UncleDoug]

Greetings TC. I fully understand your desire for a jukebox. That same desire led me to not only collect a bunch of them, but finally quit my "normal" job and go into business full-time, restoring and selling them all over the world.....including several to Germany. I'm also glad to hear that there are Elmore James fans all over the world, and I will listen to the record you recommended. Re the rare 78 RPM record you mentioned, I think it would be way too expensive and risky to ship it from Germany to Texas, so it's probably not feasible, but I really appreciate the thought. Thanks again for your input....:))

[@Rustytales]

Hello, You did a first-class restoration job! I found the same jukebox for sale but the plastic dome and side plastic panels are damaged there. Could you tell me please, is it possible to find these parts, and if so, where? Does anyone make a reproduction of these parts?

[@UncleDoug]

I believe that Victory Glass Co. still offers reproduction plastics, OS. Give them a try on the Internet.

[@homosexisnotgodsbest4u964]

I thought phase inversion would be handled by the rectifier tube, please explain why there would have to be a separate tube for that

[@UncleDoug]

+HomoSex is Not Gods Best 4U The rectifier and phase inverter are two completely different components. Please watch my video on how tube amplifier circuits work.

[@jerryunderwood4693]

when did they add the flipover feature so than both sides could be played?

[@UncleDoug]

+Jerry Underwood In 1949, the Seeburg Model A could play both sides of 78 RPM records. By the early 50's, Seeburg, Rock-ola, and Wurlitzer could play both sides of 45 RPM records. They never "flipped" the records, they simply played the top or bottom (record horizontal) or left or right (record vertical) sides.

[@jerryunderwood4693]

Tks for the info do you know of a video of a 78 side b playing the unit I remember form my area in central Il was the serberg 100

[@UncleDoug]

You might try looking for a video of the Seeburg Model A-100 from 1949 playing a record, Jerry.

[@RichardW-III]

What a nice time machine with all the original items and so clean too! I do have a question, when the power switch is off is your coin grinder still getting power? Mine when I turn it off, the grinder keeps power. It will process coins and then light the make selection light but everything else is fully off. It has me scratching my head that can't be right.

[@UncleDoug]

I think that Wurlitzer wanted them to accept coins at all times to avoid a blockage in the coin chute if coins were inserted and not processed. The way yours works is correct.

[@RichardW-III]

@@UncleDoug Thank you for that QUICK reply!

[@UncleDoug]

@@RichardW-III Our pleasure, Richard :)

[@kensims4086]

does it say anywhere how many plays a 78 can take before they wear out and need to be replaced for a jukebox? always wondered that, and how much of that change went to the mob..

[@UncleDoug]

The Wurlitzer 1100 used a light-tracking tone arm, Ken, so records would last for hundreds of plays. Previous models used a huge electromagnetic cartridge that tracked with a steel needle at 3.5 ounces.....and wore out records after 10 or 20 plays. The "mob" preferred jukeboxes, since they are a cash-only business, so they could launder their illegal income. No doubt some of the machines would "magically produce" thousands of dollars each week.