Like new; private owner, never commercially used.

More information:  Larry, (773) 549-2021

Please read before phoning:

If you’re shelling out for a top-notch jukebox, you’ve probably already done enough homework to know that Antique Apparatus is the company and brand name of the renowned reproduction styled after the original Wurlitzer model 1015 with changing colors and bubbles. This company, founded in the 1920s, bought the Rock-Ola company in 1992. To this day, you can’t buy a more respected name than Antique Apparatus.

After introduction of the CD in the 1980s (which largely replaced vinyl records), jukebox reproductions mechanically altered to play CDs became the craze. And that was great for bars, restaurants and public entertainment centers that required a huge selection for a wide audience. I nearly bought one of those. After all, it was the latest exciting technology. But I was so disappointed in the sound quality of a Time-Life 100-CD set of “remastered” oldies purchased for my prospective new jukebox that I changed my mind at the last minute, returned the CDs and bought the jukebox that plays real records instead.

Wise move! Not only are CDs on the way out (probably won’t exist 3 or 4 years from now), the novelty of the CD has worn off. People don’t want to look at a beautifully nostalgic jukebox and see CDs inside—they prefer authenticity. They want to see the 45s in that rack in the back that spins around to exactly the right record. They want to see the little arm pick it up and turn it down onto the turntable.

So playing this machine is about the experience. It’s about what you get to watch. For every-day listening, people now keep their music on their computers. But for nostalgia and a cool decor, it’s the jukebox, with it’s bubbles and swirling colors, that draws all the attention at parties.

Many CD-playing jukeboxes that were bought for commercial use are now for sale as businesses switch to mp3/hard drive technology. These machines were good money-makers, played incessantly in bars and restaurants day in and day out.

They got a lot of abuse. My jukebox has been in one spot all it’s life, in my home, and never used commercially. Further, it has never been used as my primary music source, but for the fascination of my guests. I stocked it with my favorite oldies, and and the usual scenario is that people wander over to the jukebox, admiring it, asking where I got it, and perusing the selections. Then I say, Wait... Let me turn down the house music and you can play it. The scratchier the records, the more delighted they seem to be—because it’s the real thing. Bottom line: this jukebox uses all the modern technology (computer chip to handle selections, movement, programming, etc.), but the part you SEE is the old-fashioned mechanics: the spinning rack of 45s, the arm, the turntable....

For years I’ve collected old 45s from second hand stores, and I probably have a couple of hundred or even more—not sure. Some of the more popular ones are duplicates for trading. All of those go to whomever buys my jukebox. No extra charge. (You can also buy new 45s, but those tend to be the remastered versions such as I experienced on the CD collection and wasn’t satisfied with.)

I need to part with this box for several reasons. Mainly, I badly need a treadmill (I’m an early baby boomer, if you catch my drift) and there’s really no other place to put my new exercise equipment. Plus my decor could use a new focus; it’s time for me to pass this particular nostalgia on to someone just getting into it. If you want a touch of quaint nostalgia for your home, just be sure you go with one that plays 45s. CDs are so much a thing of the past that, since 2006 already, Rock-Ola/Antique Apparatus has been manufacturing the same bubble-style reproduction without any mechanics at all—no CDs or records. All the music plays from a hard drive, and all you see is a screen; you can stand there and read the singer’s biography, but you can’t watch anything happen. What fun is that? Your perfect choice in a jukebox is the one I have!

So there you have it, a rarely-played jukebox that is in like-new condition, never abused, one owner. See it by appointment.

This jukebox

for sale....

Return to Sale Items

Jukebox like the one I have for sale, as often pictured in the movies.

$4700  (reduced price, firm) 

This is the acclaimed Antique Apparatus reproduction of the original Wurlitzer bubble style. No CDs! Plays 45 rpm vinyl records—oldies collection included (hundreds of records), plus supply of blank labels. Coin option—just program it as you wish. Also program the various selection & play order options. All chrome castings are real, not plastic. Full-open front door. Volume control & skip button accessible without having to open back door. Easily wired into your home stereo system if desired. Original manual included.