[Jukebox-list] Encouragement for Jackie

[Gary Young]

Hi Jackie, great to hear you got the Wurlitzer. I
bought a W2204 a few years ago from a friend. I think
he saw me coming though. I kept thinking why is this
so cheap and why is he so keen to shift it. In a
word...TERMITES. This machine came from the Carribean
at some point. I found Jamaican coins in the coin box
dating from 1976. Judging by the title strips for the
records, I guess the box was still playing round about
this time. There was a huge metal bar across the coin
box which took some effort to shift. This was probably
the worst condition jukebox I have ever had and dont
want another. With lots of help, I did manage to get
it to work, but spent too much money on it and became
fed up, cut my losses and sold it on. Things I had to
do or had done by someone else...all new chrome, all
new cabinet side and base, rebuilt amp, all new tubes,
new cartridge. New Flourescent lights.  Replacement
Lexan plastic for dome. Make new plastic deck covers
(originals are even harder, to find than AMI
Continental MK1 front glasses) Purchase and fit new
AVC switch and plug. Purchase new screen printed side
glasses. Purchase all new (repro) selection buttons.
Purchase new 110v to 240v transformer, new cycle gear,
tt drive wheel and belt for UK use. Purchase new tt
rubber bushings and mounts. Take apart and clean main
mech motor (check/replace carbon brushes). Clean and
lube mech. Take apart, clean and lube tt motor. Clean
and adjust all contacts. Make and fit new copper "duck
bills" for the lift arms. Check, clean and lube roller
bearings that turn the carousel. If your mech is the
same or similar to the w2204, you can partially take
the base plate off the mech to clean the contacts in
there, but be very very careful not to dissasemble it
any further as I was told you need a special wurlitzer
tool for this and you wont get it back together easily
without it. You might want to get proper advice on
this from the real Wurlitzer gurus on this list before
attempting this task. One thing we found to be crucial
was cleaning and setting up the contacts on the button
bank correctly according to the manual. This box
summed up in a word...NIGHTMARE. There was however
some satisfaction in managing to get the thing going,
having initially nearly broke down in tears when it
was delivered. Thankfully the climate here in Scotland
is too cold for the termites to have survived their
journey. Its one of the few ocassions I can be
greatful for our weather. A few invaluable (if rather
expensive) lessons well learned...save my money, pay a
bit more and buy a box in better condition next time.
Oh, nearly forgot, also make a check for TERMITE
damage. So Jackie, good luck, and hope this is of some
help. Dont be discouraged. I think, with some help
form our fellow contributors you should be able to get
your machine up and running. Your machine is one of my
favourites of this era. A real nice looking box.

Gary


		
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