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Silver Age Jukeboxes
I feel that the Silver Age of jukeboxes began in 1948 with the introduction of
the Seeburg M100A. The last machines of this era were the DS100 and DS160 of 1961. These
machines are featured below. Books applicable to each machine are listed
following the description. Please note that the year listed below is the year in which the machine was first produced.
It would be considered as the
following year's model. The prices came from a January, 1964 Seeburg Phonograph
reference sheet, which was basically a sheet listing various features of each
machine.
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M100A 100 Selections, 78 RPM.
Introduced December, 1948.
Price: $995. Pricing: 1 play, 5¢.
2 plays, 10¢. 6 plays, 25¢.
The machine
that put Seeburg into the forefront of jukebox design. At a time
when the competition could offer 20 or at most 24 selections, Seeburg
shocked them all (Wurlitzer, Rock-Ola, and Rowe/AMI) with a proven
100-selection mechanism. This machine would play either side of 50, 10-
or 12- inch 78 RPM records. The record sizes could be intermixed in any
proportion. The other manufacturers were left scrambling to catch up,
taking years in some cases. Since this novel mechanism was
interesting to watch, it was featured in the machine's design, located
right up front and at the top where you could watch it do its thing.
With the introduction of this machine, Seeburg took over leadership in
design and new features, never looking back.
The basic mechanism (but with 200 selections) had
been used as the basis of Seeburg's SICM (Seeburg Industrial Commercial
Music) system, and proven in the field for a full year before the introduction
of the jukebox version. The mechanism itself had been in development
since 1939 (with a four-year hiatus known as World War II).
Many of these machines have been converted to play
either 45 RPM records (by changing out the mechanism) or to play 33 1/3
RPM 12-inch albums (by changing the gearset and installing a stereo
cartridge.
There was also a hideaway version of this machine
(HM100A) introduced in September of 1949, which cost $795. A hideaway is
a jukebox designed for use with Wallboxes. It has no Selector or Pricing
Unit, is in a plain cabinet, and has no speakers (except a small one for
testing the amplifier.
Books applicable to this machine:
None |
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M100B 100 Selections, 45 RPM.
Introduced October, 1950.
Price: $975. Pricing: 1
play, 5¢. 2 plays, 10¢. 6 plays,
25¢.
Fast-forward to 1950. Seeburg worked with RCA to introduce the 45 RPM
record to the public, while claiming that they would only go to 45 RPM
when the public demanded it. Styling-wise, this is a warmover of the
M100A design. This and all later machines until 1986 used the same basic
mechanism. Later machines would introduce 200 and then 160 selections
(using a wider base plate and magazine) and newer pickups (including
stereo), but the basic design remained the same for
36 years! Talk about a well-designed
and bullet-proof machine. Also, the selection system would be updated as
technology permitted. The original selection system used 100
magnet-operated levers to indicate that a selection had been made. In
1955, this was replaced with the famous Tormat (having no moving parts).
Finally, a semiconductor memory replaced the Tormat in 1978.
There was also a model M100BL, identical
except that the cabinet wood is lighter in color (blonde), and the
mechanism is green and its cover is silver. The front mirrors have a
bluish tint. Thanks for Pat Miller (no relation) for passing this
information on. It was
introduced in October, 1951, and cost $1050. A hideaway version (HM100B)
was introduced in July, 1951, and cost $862.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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M100C 100 Selections,
45 RPM.
Introduced May, 1952. Price
$1050. Pricing: 1 play, 5¢.
2 plays, 10¢. 6 plays, 25¢.
A brand-new
cabinet design featuring rotating color cylinders in the translucent
pilasters to attract customer attention.
A hideaway version of this machine
(HM100C) was introduced in May, 1952, and cost $862.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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100W 100 Selections,
45 RPM.
Introduced September, 1953.
Price $1050. Pricing: 1
play, 5¢. 2 plays, 10¢. 6 plays,
25¢.
Yet another warmover of the M100C cabinet, this time with bright graphics on the
pilasters.
A hideaway version of this machine
(H100W) was introduced in September, 1953, and cost $862.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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HF100G 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Introduced September,
1953. Price $1095.
Pricing: 1 play, 5¢.
2 plays, 10¢. 6 plays, 25¢.
This is a warmover of the M100C cabinet, with the translucent pilasters replaced
with stainless steel. Probably, many operators complained of customers
breaking the pilasters with their barstools or feet.
With this model, Seeburg introduced the
first coin-op 'high-fidelity' system, with an improved amplifier and
multiple speakers. A 15-inch woofer and a 5-inch tweeter were used, with
the low-frequency sounds directed to the woofer, and high frequency
sounds went to the tweeter.
A hideaway version of this machine
(HHF100G) was introduced in January, 1954, and cost $895.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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HF100R 100 Selections,
45 RPM.
Introduced August, 1954.
Price $1095. Pricing: 1
play, 5¢. 2 plays, 10¢. 6 plays,
25¢.
A hideaway version of this machine
(HHF100R) was introduced in August, 1954, and cost $895.
Brand-new
cabinet design, featuring maximum visibility of the mechanism
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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100J 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Introduced August, 1955.
Price $1095. Pricing: 1
play, 5¢. 2 plays, 10¢. 6 plays,
25¢.
The 100JL
was introduced in October, 1956 and is similar, using a different mechanism, selector, and color
scheme. Its price was $1145.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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V200N 200 Selections,
45 RPM. Singles cost 5¢, Extended Play (EP) records cost 10¢.
V200D 200 Selections,
45 RPM. Singles cost 10¢, EP records cost 15¢.
Introduced August, 1955.
Price $1195. Dual pricing.
Here,
Seeburg introduced three major innovations: 200 selections, dual
pricing, and the
solid-state Tormat memory. Just when the competition had caught up with
100 selections (some had temporarily eclipsed Seeburg with 120), Seeburg
turned around and offered 200 selections. For Seeburg, this was a
simple change, just revise the base casting and put more separators
in the record magazine, especially as compared to everyone else, who
would have to redesign their entire carousel systems to keep up. But to
keep cabinet width reasonable, the spacing between records was
decreased, making the entire mechanism a bit narrower. This also
helped to cut down on the 'dead time' between records. Dual
pricing offered the possibility of charging more for playing an EP record, having two selections per side. The Tormat used computer memory cores to
remember which selections had been made but not yet played, replacing
the magnet-operated levers used in the previous machines. Another
innovation is the motor-operated selection drum. With 200 selections, a
significant amount of cabinet would be taken up by the title strips.
Instead, 40 selections are displayed at a time, with five push-button
switches used to move between selection groups. The groups included: Hit
Tunes, Rhythm & Blues, Folk & Western, All-time Favorites, and Classics
& Varieties. The motor-operated drum sometimes gave problems, so
aftermarket suppliers such as Wico, Inc., offered a 'flat-top' kit to
replace the upper portion of the cabinet with a title board displaying
all 200 titles. Unfortunately, this detracts from the value of the
machine. The horizontal
grille bars of this machine, shows the Detroit styling influence,
similar to the automobiles of the time.
There was also a hideaway version of
this machine (HV200) introduced in August, 1955. It cost $975.
The VL200
was introduced in October, 1956, and is similar,
with different cabinet and mechanism colors. This machine featured an
improved version of the Tormat selection system, which was simplified,
and made more reliable. Its price was $1295. As in the V200, there were
two versions: VL200N with nickel play
singles, dime play EPs, and VL200D with
dime play singles and 15¢ EPs. There
was also a hideaway version of this machine (HVL200) introduced in
October, 1956. It cost $990.
There was also a kit to replace the TSR1
(Tormat Selection Receiver) of the V200 with the improved TSR3 used in
the VL200. Machines so converted were called V200X.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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KS200 200 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing
KS200H 200
Selections, 45 RPM, Single Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
KD200 200
Selections, 45 RPM. Dual Pricing.
KD200H 200
Selections, 45 RPM, Dual Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
Introduced March, 1957.
Price: $1325.
New
cabinet design that still used the rotary drum title strip setup of the
V. Unfortunately, a printed
circuit board system was introduced for this model and the
L100 (see below) which proved to be
unreliable. The combination of the early printed circuit board
(PCB) material, eyelets to make connection between the top and bottom
sides of the PCB, solder flux, and the high temperatures from the tubes
caused many intermittent problems with the electronics in this machine.
Many of these problems were caused by service personnel flexing the PCB
when installing new tubes, which led to broken PC traces. Once repaired
and with caution observed when servicing, these machines continue to
entertain their owners.
The Detroit-inspired styling is readily
apparent with the three tailfins below the selector.
There was also a hideaway version of
this machine (HK200).
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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L100 100
Selections, 45 RPM.
L100H 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Accepts half dollars.
Introduced March, 1957.
Price: $1095.
With this
model,
Seeburg introduced the two model concept: 200 selections for the
top-of-the-line locations, 100 selections for smaller locations and
export. This machine also featured the electronics on PCB, and shares
the reliability problems of the KS/KD200. Both machines, if properly
repaired with special attention paid to insuring solid connections
between the components and PCB, will give years of solid listening
pleasure.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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101 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Single pricing only.
Introduced January, 1958.
Price: $1095.
Note this
picture is the same as the previous one. The difference between machines
is that the 101 did away with the printed circuit board amplifier and
selection receiver, reverting to the tried-and-true directly wired
chassis. Seeburg would not return to using printed circuit boards until 1968, with the introduction of the LS2, even though all
machines built after the 1964 LPC480 were all solid-state, removing the
heat source (the tubes) which was so problematic with the KS/KD200 and
L100.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book |
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161S 160 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing.
161SH 160 Selections, 45 RPM. Single Pricing.
Accepts half dollars.
161D 160 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing.
161DH 160 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
Introduced January, 1958. Price: $1275.
Seeburg
introduced what was to become its and industry's standard number of
selections, 160. EP (Extended Play) record play was featured, using a dual pricing
unit to permit those EPs to be charged at a higher rate. EPs had two
songs per record side.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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201S 200 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing.
201SH 200 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing. Accepts half dollars
201D 200 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing.
201DH 200 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing. Accepts half dollars
Introduced January, 1958.
Price: $1350.
Note the
styling similarity between this machine and the 161 preceding. While the
cabinet is wider to accommodate the 200 selection mechanism, the most
notable difference is the number of 'tail lights': the 201 has three,
while the 161 has only two. The taillights are identical to those used
in the KS200 and KD200. The cabinet is also similar, but the selection
drum has been eliminated. These two machines are the high point of Seeburg's Detroit styling influence. This will be the last 200-selection
machine built by Seeburg for several years. Only in 1982 did Seeburg
offer another 200-selection machine, the low-production
VMC.
There was also a hideaway version of
this machine (H201).
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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220S 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing.
220SH 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
220D 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing.
220DH 100 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
Introduced October, 1958.
Price: $1420
This machine
and the 222 (following) were the first jukeboxes to offer stereophonic
sound, which Seeburg made a big deal of with the 'Channel 1', 'Channel
2' prominent styling cues. Otherwise, the cabinets are very similar to
the preceding 161 and 201.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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222S 160 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing.
222SH 160 Selections,
45 RPM. Single Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
222D 160 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing.
222DH 160 Selections,
45 RPM. Dual Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
Introduced October, 1958.
Price: $1575.
See comments
above regarding the introduction of stereo sound. Actually, the stereo
effect was minimal given the separation between channels (on the order
of about two feet). This would finally be addressed with the
DS100 and
DS160 of 1961 (see below), the last of the 'Silver Age' machines. Note the virtually
identical appearance between this and the 220. The main difference is
the additional panel of title strips above the mechanism.
There was also a hideaway version of
this machine (H222).
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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Q100 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged. Machines
equipped with the Auto-Speed from the factory were
AQ100. Single Pricing.
Q100H 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged. Single
Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
Q100A 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged.
Accumulative Pricing, which means that several coins could be inserted
before selections were made.
Q100AH 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged.
Accumulative Pricing. Accepts half dollars
Introduced November, 1959.
Price: $1325.
This and the
Q160 (below) introduced the 'Little LP' concept, replacing the EP 45 RPM
records having two selections per side with a 33 1/3 7-inch record with
three selections per side. In order to play these records, an optional
Auto-Speed electronic power oscillator was required, to change the
frequency of the AC power to the mechanism motor from the nominal 60 Hz
(U.S.) to about 44 Hz. For Europe and Japan, the motor Mains supply was
changed from 50 to about 36 Hz. When so equipped, the model number became AQ100
('A' signifying Album play). The albums were the standard 7-inch diameter,
but had a smaller center hole (5/16 inch) versus the nominal 1 1/4 inch
center hole of the 45 RPM record. The smaller hole prevented the
mechanism clamp arm from inserting completely into the record, closing a
switch to activate the Auto-Speed. Many 45 RPM singles in Europe also
use the smaller center hole, requiring the use of a 'dinker' to permit
them to be played machines equipped with the Auto-Speed.
This model introduced a new cabinet design.
Mechanism visibility is starting to be restricted, with more space taken
up by the title strips and graphics.
There was also a hideaway version of this
machine (HQ100SR).
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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Q160 160
Selections, 45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged.
Machines equipped with the Auto-Speed from the factory were
AQ160. Single Pricing.
Q160H 160
Selections, 45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged.
Single Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
Q160A 160
Selections, 45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged.
Accumulative Pricing.
Q160AH 160
Selections, 45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with optional Auto-Speed engaged.
Accumulative Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
Introduced November, 1959.
Price: $1490.
When equipped
to play albums, the model number becomes AQ160.
Note the extended top panel to mount the
additional title strips. Other than that, the cabinets are identical.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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AY100 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Single Pricing.
AY100H 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Single Pricing.
Accepts half dollars.
AY100A 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Accumulative
Pricing.
AY100AH 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Accumulative
Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
AY100U 100 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Universal Pricing.
A new Pricing Unit was introduced, which gave much more flexibility in
determining cost per play.
Introduced October, 1960.
Price: $1490.
With no Auto-Speed, this machine becomes the
Y100.
The Universal Pricing version of
this machine (AY100U) was introduced in
April, 1961. A hideaway version of this machine (HY100UR) was also
available.
Same basic cabinet as the Q100,
Q160.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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AY160 160 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Single Pricing.
AY160H 160 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Single Pricing.
Accepts half dollars.
AY160A 160 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Accumulative
Pricing.
AY160AH 160 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Accumulative
Pricing. Accepts half dollars.
AY160U 160 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Universal Pricing.
Introduced October, 1960.
Price: $1512.
With no Auto-Speed, this machine becomes the
Y160. This
machine introduced the 'Artist of the Week' program, in which every week
a different artist was featured, along with a small album cover at the
right of the vertical panel. Here, the additional title strips are
positioned below the vanishing mechanism viewing glass.
This is the first Seeburg machine to be
named by the marketing department. Its name is 'Artist of the Week'.
The Universal Pricing version of
this machine (AY160U) was introduced in
April, 1961. A hideaway version of this machine (HY160UR) was also
available.
Same basic cabinet as the Q100,
Q160.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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DS100U 100
Selections, 45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged.
Universal Pricing.
Introduced December, 1961.
Price: $1530.
Very similar to the DS160 below. Photo provided by Patrick
Jordan. Thanks, Patrick! The only exterior difference between this
machine and the DS160 is that the title strips below the small mechanism
viewing window have been deleted, and replaced with graphics showing
un-attached hands playing instruments. The instruments are (left to
right) trombone (my oldest son plays a mean trombone!), clarinet, trumpet, and
guitar. These graphics are identical to those on the AY100, above. 'DS'
stands for Directional Stereo.
Same basic cabinet as the Q100,
Q160.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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DS160U 160 Selections,
45 RPM native, 33⅓ RPM with Auto-Speed engaged. Universal Pricing.
Introduced December, 1961.
Price: $1572.
Artist of the Week is again a big deal. Note the 'ear' speakers, to the
left and right of the top panel. Each speaker could be positioned so as
to direct the sound away from the machine, giving a better sense of
stereo separation. The ear speakers give this machine its name:
'Directional Stereo'.
Same basic cabinet as the Q100,
Q160.
This is the last machine of the 'Silver
Age'. The next year Seeburg introduced the LPC1 'LP Console'. Click
here
to see it.
Books applicable to this machine:
Mech book
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