The Complete Buyer's Guide to Rowe AMI Collectible Jukeboxes
Vintage jukeboxes take you back to a simpler, sweeter bygone era. Besides providing nostalgia, they also deliver music old and new in a classic, unvarnished way that's no longer available with any other device. Rowe AMI has been among the foremost makers of jukeboxes since 1927, with many of its classic vintage models still in high circulation and demand among collectors and music lovers alike.
Types of Rowe AMI jukeboxes for sale on eBayRowe AMI jukeboxes built between 1927 and 1962 were capable of playing 78 rpm or 45 rpm records. As of 1962, Rowe AMI jukeboxes could play 45s or 33 1/3 rpm record albums. As of 1982, they could play CDs. For the technically inclined, every Rowe AMI jukebox is differentiated by its cartridge, amplifier, tubes, and specifications of the type and number of music selections it offers, as well as its aesthetic design.
When is it wise to buy a Rowe AMI jukebox used?Rowe AMI still makes jukeboxes, so you can always buy a brand-new unit if you're looking purely for practicality, contemporary style and convenience, but it can be difficult to find any collectible Rowe AMI jukeboxes built in 2006 or earlier that are sold brand new. Almost invariably, if you're purchasing collectible Rowe AMI jukeboxes, you'll be buying them used, so be sure to examine the jukebox carefully before making a purchase. Read the listing thoroughly and ask the vendor questions if you're unsure of any details so that you know whether a particular Rowe AMI jukebox for sale is damaged, broken, missing parts, or not in working condition.
What are some particularly notable Rowe AMI jukeboxes?One of the earliest and most distinct Rowe jukeboxes was the Singing Towers, built in the early 1940s. It features a double stack of playing mechanisms, each holding up to 20 selections. Other distinctive Rowe AMI jukeboxes include:
- Rowe AMI R92 Jukebox - This classic Wall-Ette style Rowe jukebox was produced in 1988 and includes the "Golden 92" and "Sapphire 92," which play 33 1/3 and 45 records; the "La Combo," which plays 45s and CDs; and the "Video Jukebox"; which plays CDs and video CDs.
- MM-1 Jukebox - Also known as the "Music Merchant," this wallbox was produced in 1967, plays 33 1/3 and 45rpm records, and depicts a lighted cityscape on its face with an image of a bridge.
- "The Nostalgia" - A reproduction of a vintage jukebox design built between 1995 and 2006, the bubble design of this Laser Wallstar jukebox hearkens back to old Wurlitzer machines.