AMI E-120 Jukebox Rebuild - Part 1 - Project Introduction and Unboxing

[@robertisrael338]

I like the original rotating color cylinders the best

[@lovatomi]

Hi Bob. Just picked up a 53 e120 in Minneapolis. I started looking at this juke in 2019 and was very pleased to find these videos were made in the meantime. I've done a lot of guitar amps, but never a jukebox. Looking forward to starting the journey and thanks for the super helpful videos!

[@XORBob]

Michael - great to hear. It's definitely one of the most fun projects I've done. I think you will have a blast. Send some pictures of what you are starting with.

[@lovatomi]

@@XORBob mine came from an American legion hall in Webster WI. From the look and smell of it, it spent a few years in an abandon building. Filthy! But it's all there. Just started cleaning. All the rubber coated wiring is crusty and disintegrating. Pleanty of work to do! Not quite sure how to send photos!

[@XORBob]

Michael - I was thinking about your comments. Do you have the original manual? If you don't, it's worth every penny. I would definitely buy one off ebay. Also, it sounds like you are going to be re-doing all the wiring. I used too large of a gauge wire in the main area (14Ga -- thinking that would hold up better to the repeated cycling). However, it turned out very hard to route correctly through the wire holders. I got it to work, but I should have used lamp wire (16Ga, I think). It would have made the job much easier.

[@lovatomi]

@@XORBob Yep I was able to track down the original manual through the internet archive for free. They don't make manuals like they used to! Very good tip on the wire. I think I heard that in one of your videos and will definitely go that rout. Keeping track of all the connectors that plug into the selector switch assembly is making my head spin

[@XORBob]

@@lovatomi Did you ever get it working?

[@sp1068]

Looks really nice. You should see what was done to mine. Painted flat red inside on the walls with big yellow flowers. Looks ridiculous. And I think they added a switch to the front of it. Haven't looked at it yet as I've been on other machines.

[@XORBob]

Ugh! Doesn't that drive you crazy. This one was painted all-white too. I had to strip off a lot of paint, but I think it was house paint. So, it wasn't so bad. You've got to get rid of the red & yellow!

[@louhouck4189]

I have had my Model E for almost 50 years....YIKES! The tone arm has started to skip the lead-in record grooves. I think it's the result of the relay re-setting (hammering down) the selection lever. I thought I remember seeing a tone-arm snubber in the manual, but have not been able to find it. Any ideas? Thanks!

[@XORBob]

My first thought is that there might just be some adjustment issues. The tonearm has quite a few adjustments including one little rubber bumper that seems to move easily. You might check right around the tone arm spindle. I’ll take a look at mine and see what I can see

[@XORBob]

@Lou Houck, I would try adjusting the tone arm a little before digging into it too far. It's possible it got moved a little by someone handling it. The good news is it looks pretty easy. There is a small pivot screw under the tone arm -- just where it meets the actuating lever. I believe that allows you to move it right or left. If you just adjust it a little out, I believe with some trial-and-error you can get it to sit properly on the start grooves. (wish I could attach a pic, but a pic is on page 30 of the manual [fig 28])

[@davidstallworth4800]

I am looking at buying a E120 that does not work but is complete- the buttons do not actuate the machine. How did your rebuild work out? I love your vids and will use them to help me.

[@XORBob]

The rebuild worked well. I think I still have an issue as there is a lot of static when the unit is moving to find a new record. I think it has a relay to isolatee the amp so non of that static is picked up. That may not be actuating. I just need to dig back into it. One thing that is nice on the E120 is that the wood really came out nice.

[@XORBob]

If there isn't any real damage to the wires and buttons, you probably can get the buttons working again. They seem pretty bulletproof. In fact, I found the problem of getting those working was actually in the mechanism that the bottons hook into down at the main junction box. It needed cleaning and contact repair.

[@cadillackatta1]

Hello Katarina from Sweden. I have a question about this jukebox. We cant get it to pick up the plates. What can we do, i`ts like it get stuck, when the jukebox go to pick up plates. Help

[@XORBob]

It's hard to tell based on your description. However, I'd break it into two things: Either the spacing is off of all the components (In which case, in the original manual, see Fig 29 "Interrelationship of Mechanism Components". It shows how to align everything.). Or the problem could be actually in the lift mechanism on the moving sled assembly. For that, I'd probably remove all the components, clean them well, and make sure the contacts are all aligned and cleaned.

[@XORBob]

If you would want to post of video of what's happening I'd be happy to take a look. Take the video showing it happening from both the front and back. Then post it to KZbin and reply to this string with the link.

[@XORBob]

One more thing: You might watch this video for more details on how that's supposed to work back there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHezcoNsjKZoatE

[@jorgemadueno9864]

Nice project!... I just found and bought one myself and will follow your progress for inspiration. If you could give me some advice/info on parts (repro/original) suppliers it would help me so much since I am new to this type of restoration. All the best!

[@XORBob]

Jorge, I would recommend subscribing to and reading the Jukebox List Server: lists.netlojix.com/mailman/listinfo/jukebox-list. You subscribe to the service and can send it questions via email. Also, I use eBay for most all my parts. And I would definitely find the manual for your Jukebox. It's invaluable for figuring out what's going on. Best $29 you'll spend. Usually, they are on ebay. BTW: What Jukebox did you get?

[@MrMe4444444]

The original woodgrain was faux finish.

[@eyeofthedragonoregonfireop3973]

Do you have Facebook by chance I just got one as well and would love to send u some pictures and ask some questions if I could

[@XORBob]

If you post your FB username, ill PM you.

[@eyeofthedragonoregonfireop3973]

@@XORBob facebook.com/jason.mccall.79