Determining The Value Of Your Vintage Jukebox

Jukeboxes were all the rage in previous decades, providing visitors to the local bar, diner, or soda shop with lively music at the push of a button. Since the jukebox is becoming a rare form of entertainment, it's no wonder that the market for vintage jukeboxes is high in demand. If you happen to own one of these amazing pieces of history, read on to find out how you can get a better idea of what it might be worth.

Value Factors

Much like other collectibles, the price tag for a vintage jukebox depends on the condition, make and model, age, and rarity. Prices can range from a mere one hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. The determining price tag will depend on most of these factors combined along with the current market demand. Almost every jukebox has a unique quality to it in terms of appearance, but looks can be deceiving. Working models tend to bring in more money than non-working ones, but this isn't always the case. Your particular jukebox could be worth more than someone else's even if it's a newer model if the condition is better. Classic versions from the 1940's and 1950's tend to be in the highest demand, since this is when the jukebox was really at its peak.

Condition Grades

Jukebox conditions come in grades 1 through 3, as well as a grade called partsbox. The partsbox grade simply means that the unit is really only able to be used for the internal parts in order to restore other jukeboxes. A grade of 1 means that the unit is new looking and can typically be found with new old stock models. New old stock means that the item is confirmed as vintage but it was never used or played with, so it's still in pristine condition. A jukebox can also earn a grade of 1 when it has been professionally restored to its original glory. For grade 2, the unit is still in good condition but has not been restored and may show some signs of use or wear. The unit should work well and is typically priced at about half the asking price of a grade 1. Grade 3 means that the jukebox still has all of its major parts and it is working well, but it will need some work mechanically and cosmetically. These can typically bring in a price of about twenty to thirty percent of that of a grade 1 unit.

Ages And Styles

While age does play an important role in determining a jukebox value, the style can weigh more heavily on the asking price. Jukeboxes with a visible mechanism tend to be worth more than those with a hidden mechanism. Cabinets with a curved or ornately carved dome will be worth more than those with a boxier, more plain rectangular shaped dome. A jukebox cabinet with a finish of fine wood, chrome, or vintage plastics can hold a fairly high value, while those with a laminate finish will hold a lesser value. If you're thinking of selling your vintage jukebox, have a professional appraiser take a closer look to determine just what it might be worth.