How to accurately value your vintage or antique Jukebox
Have you found this article asking “What is my jukebox worth?” or “Who appraises old jukeboxes?”? You’ve come to the right place! National Jukebox Exchange has been in the collectible jukebox business for over 40 years and can help you understand the value of your machine.
What gives a Jukebox value? There are four main factors that determine the value of an antique jukebox, rarity, design, condition and features. Depending on these factors, your jukebox may be worth $100 or $10,000.
Valuing the rarity of a Jukebox
Most mainstream jukeboxes were mass produced, some more than others. For instance, the most well-known jukebox ever made was the Wurlitzer 1015, with over 60,000 units produced in just a few years. Subsequently, several companies in recent decades have made tens of thousands of reproductions of the 1015. There are other machines, like the Wurlitzer 950 which was made during World War II in limited numbers due to the wartime effort. Since there are far fewer 950s and there are 1015s, the value of the 950 is much higher than the 1015 in the modern era. There are many other examples similar to this, however, rarity doesn’t always positively affect the value of an antique jukebox. There are some examples of rare machines that just aren’t worth what are similar rare machines might be worth in a lot of of that ways into the design of the machine.
How Design Impacts Value of an old Jukebox
Jukebox are a marvel of not only design, but also engineering. From the elaborate metal Castings to the ordinate wood carvings, and the elaborate, mechanical inner workings, a lot of effort was put in to accept a coin and play a song. The design of a machine can happily affect the value of a jukebox as jukebox collecting is just as much about presence as it is function. Design can also go hand-in-hand with age. Design styles from the different errors can easily be affected by opinion of the end user. 1940s jukeboxes used a lot more wood with smaller metal Castings where as 1950s machines used a lot more metal and not as obvious word. As time went on jukebox became boxy, boring and ugly in the 80s and 90s, thus lowering desirability from collectors.
Condition of Your Jukebox Can Change Everything
The condition of a jukebox between the metal chrome parts, the ability of the mechanism to work, condition of the veneer, finish and paint work, if applicable, and missing parts can all factor in to the value of a machine. Typically today, antique jukeboxes are found in the state of disarray. The hours of restoration, cost of new parts and labor have to be factored in when placing of value on a machine.
Features that Make Your Jukebox Value Rise
Jukebox come in all shapes and sizes and with all different kinds of features. The biggest feature that may affect value is the amount of records that I can hold. Some machines had 24 records, some had 100 and some had 200. To a jukebox collector, typically having the ability to play more records and one machine without changing them out is much more desirable. There are other features such as cartridges the ability to play 45s and 33s, Stereo sound and more they can all play into the value of a jukebox.
How Can you Sell your Antique Jukebox?
If you are in need of a jukebox, appraisal please contact us with photos and a description through our appraisal form that can be found here. National Jukebox Exchange offers free appraisal on any and all jukeboxes.