bethann
New member
This is Rickr's Mills in action! He took them with a small camera so their sm. but you can still see. Sorry no audio. The first one is from the front and the second one goes around the back.
Mills jukebox video
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bethann
New member
Wow you two that is super cool! Talk about Automatic.
Very interesting-Love how that TT works.Its a great "mechanical DJ" Mills novelty company(is that the co that built this neat JB?)also made a mechanical self-playing Violin box-You used it like a jukebox-put a coin in it and it would play a tune from an actual violin in the machine.Was all electric in action.Even read the music rolls electrically.An instrument sought after by mechanical music machine collectors.Becuase it was electric-like a jukebox-many survived.
kenmore1978
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,119
mechanical action
It looks the record is rotating both before and after the record is set on the turntable.
It looks the record is rotating both before and after the record is set on the turntable.
Mills Jukebox
Yes this jukebox was manufactured by the Mills Novelty Company,makers of slot machines back in the mechanical slot days. The model of the juke is an "Empress" made in 1939. It was given to me my my great aunt from League City Texas in 1965. I was 10 years old at the time. I restored it with the help of my first boyfriend in 1975,when I was 20 years old. The project took one year to finish,as someone had brushed several coats of paint all over this juke,even on the metal castings.It was an UGLY mess!(I have a before picture somewhere) I also gave the this jukebox a "spruce up" about 3 years ago. Cleaned and polished inside and out(again),replaced all the light bulbs(again),replaced the grill cloth (again),had the amp overhauled and the massive 17 inch speaker reconed(for the first time). Harold Hagan of "Always Jukin" magazine did the amp and speaker work,and did a great job. (as he always does) I am very picky about how things are overhauled,and I can always trust Harold with vintage jukebox stuff. He lives in Seattle Wa.,and it is worth the extra $$$ and trouble to send vintage electronics to him.
This jukebox was the start of my "vintage everything" collection,and I have been collecting unusual vintage things ever since.
Rick
Yes this jukebox was manufactured by the Mills Novelty Company,makers of slot machines back in the mechanical slot days. The model of the juke is an "Empress" made in 1939. It was given to me my my great aunt from League City Texas in 1965. I was 10 years old at the time. I restored it with the help of my first boyfriend in 1975,when I was 20 years old. The project took one year to finish,as someone had brushed several coats of paint all over this juke,even on the metal castings.It was an UGLY mess!(I have a before picture somewhere) I also gave the this jukebox a "spruce up" about 3 years ago. Cleaned and polished inside and out(again),replaced all the light bulbs(again),replaced the grill cloth (again),had the amp overhauled and the massive 17 inch speaker reconed(for the first time). Harold Hagan of "Always Jukin" magazine did the amp and speaker work,and did a great job. (as he always does) I am very picky about how things are overhauled,and I can always trust Harold with vintage jukebox stuff. He lives in Seattle Wa.,and it is worth the extra $$$ and trouble to send vintage electronics to him.
This jukebox was the start of my "vintage everything" collection,and I have been collecting unusual vintage things ever since.
Rick
turntable rotation
I replaced the original cartridge years ago. It now has a diamond needle. I had to lighten the massive tone arm by counterbalance with lead weight. This then made the reject "fussy" and I had to make some changes to that. Also the lighter tonearm would fly off the edge of the record when it was set down on the spinning turntable after the modification. So I installed a microswitch to stop the turntable anytime a record is held by the record changer.(watch the picture carefully and you will see)The turntable starts when (1.the changer puts the record back in the stack,and the stack moves.(2. the changer places a record over the stopped turntable. the tonearm sets down on the edge of the record, the changer lets go of the record,then the turntable starts to spin.
I replaced the original cartridge years ago. It now has a diamond needle. I had to lighten the massive tone arm by counterbalance with lead weight. This then made the reject "fussy" and I had to make some changes to that. Also the lighter tonearm would fly off the edge of the record when it was set down on the spinning turntable after the modification. So I installed a microswitch to stop the turntable anytime a record is held by the record changer.(watch the picture carefully and you will see)The turntable starts when (1.the changer puts the record back in the stack,and the stack moves.(2. the changer places a record over the stopped turntable. the tonearm sets down on the edge of the record, the changer lets go of the record,then the turntable starts to spin.
washendry
Well-known member
HI RICK,
I HAVE A SEEBERG 100 CIRCA 1953, I HAVE HAD THE AMP AND STEPPER UNIT WORKED ON, HAVE ALL THE NEW GRILL CLOTHS AND VINYL BACKGROUND PAPER TO REPLACE IT WITH (GOT REPLACMENT KIT THRU VICTORIA GLASS) JUST NEED TIME TO GET IT ALL DONE, YOUR MUSIC MACHINE IS A REAL KEEPER, THANKS FOR THE SHOWW!!!
KIM
I HAVE A SEEBERG 100 CIRCA 1953, I HAVE HAD THE AMP AND STEPPER UNIT WORKED ON, HAVE ALL THE NEW GRILL CLOTHS AND VINYL BACKGROUND PAPER TO REPLACE IT WITH (GOT REPLACMENT KIT THRU VICTORIA GLASS) JUST NEED TIME TO GET IT ALL DONE, YOUR MUSIC MACHINE IS A REAL KEEPER, THANKS FOR THE SHOWW!!!
KIM
Violono-Virtuoso
The Mills Violin player machine was built before the days of jukeboxes and phonograph records.When the record,phonograph and jukebox came about-the Violono-Virtuso was obselete.I have a book about them-how it works and even how to rebuild them.Was hoping to run into one someday.I have an interest in mechanical musical instruments.Cannot collect them-size and expense-but have many recordings of them.Your "Empress" jukebox is really cool.Glad your were able to get it and restore it.
The Mills Violin player machine was built before the days of jukeboxes and phonograph records.When the record,phonograph and jukebox came about-the Violono-Virtuso was obselete.I have a book about them-how it works and even how to rebuild them.Was hoping to run into one someday.I have an interest in mechanical musical instruments.Cannot collect them-size and expense-but have many recordings of them.Your "Empress" jukebox is really cool.Glad your were able to get it and restore it.
kenmore1978
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,119
Stopping the turntable
My paternal Grandmother's Packard Bell Early American stereo console had a changer (I found out years later that it was a called a Glaser-Steers) that would stop the turntable during the change cycle. Turntable would stop right after the tonearm was picked up at the end of a record, and start again after the tonearm had set down at the beginning of the next record. It also had a not very useful feature in that one could intermix 45's(with appropriate adapters inserted) and 12" LP's and it would automatically change speeds when it sensed what type of record was to be played next.
My paternal Grandmother's Packard Bell Early American stereo console had a changer (I found out years later that it was a called a Glaser-Steers) that would stop the turntable during the change cycle. Turntable would stop right after the tonearm was picked up at the end of a record, and start again after the tonearm had set down at the beginning of the next record. It also had a not very useful feature in that one could intermix 45's(with appropriate adapters inserted) and 12" LP's and it would automatically change speeds when it sensed what type of record was to be played next.
The TT being declutched during the change cycle would reduce wear on the record.An "audiophile" would love the Glaser-Steers machine.I could remember PB Hi-Fi consoles also used Dual and Garrard TT's.I would like to see the G-S TT handle the 33,4r RPM records intermixed.That would be interesting.That would be better then some of the DJ's I had to deal with at radio stations.At least the GL TT wouldn't try reclosing remote Tx OL resets on a shorted PA tube!!
Brings Back Memories
When I was a kid, our church hall had a jukebox that they used whenever they had events for the kids & teens. I can remember running up to it whenever a record ended just so I could get a glimpse of the mechanicals in action. Thanks for the videos Rick and Bethann.
When I was a kid, our church hall had a jukebox that they used whenever they had events for the kids & teens. I can remember running up to it whenever a record ended just so I could get a glimpse of the mechanicals in action. Thanks for the videos Rick and Bethann.
jasonl
New member
Got Judy?
I bet Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland would sound excellent on that jukebox.
I bet Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland would sound excellent on that jukebox.
jasonl
New member
Where's the title strips
BTW, where's the title strips for the songs? Or do you just guess?
BTW, where's the title strips for the songs? Or do you just guess?
title strips
Hi Jason,
I don't bother with the title strips as the juke only holds 20 records,and I change them out rather often. I just slide them out and take a peak before making the selections.
Sorry,no Judy Garland records. Under the rainbow would be a great selection for this juke however. The movie and the juke were both made in 1939.
Thanks,
Rick
Hi Jason,
I don't bother with the title strips as the juke only holds 20 records,and I change them out rather often. I just slide them out and take a peak before making the selections.
Sorry,no Judy Garland records. Under the rainbow would be a great selection for this juke however. The movie and the juke were both made in 1939.
Thanks,
Rick
Maybe I should resurrect a hunt for a JB that can play 45's I got a few large boxes of them from a radio station I worked at-Songs from the 60's guess a 60's vintage box would be good for them.And-its a better storage box-the box that can PLAY the records as well as storing them!That would sure be a good way to play those favorites!!A collegue here at work has some JB's have to talk to him!He rebuilds and restores them.
Mills Jukebox
Rick:
Excuse the silly question but....what is the front of the Mills made of? The light glows beautifully through what ever it is. Almost reminds me of mica or tortoiseshell.
Of course you know that because your great-aunt lived in League City (Texas) that just about makes us kin. ;-)
Venus
Rick:
Excuse the silly question but....what is the front of the Mills made of? The light glows beautifully through what ever it is. Almost reminds me of mica or tortoiseshell.
Of course you know that because your great-aunt lived in League City (Texas) that just about makes us kin. ;-)
Venus
Jukebox lights
Hi Venus,
This juke does have a nice warm glow. The colored panels are made of an unknown material to me. I have often wondered what they are made of. I had the juke tore down all the way 30 years ago,as I had to strip the cabinet then. The panels are very thick (appx 1/4 inch) and very heavy. They are also brittle as heck. I think they are some sort of semi- translucent colored bakelite. They didn't have plastic in 1939 did they? There are 9 forty watt full sized light bulbs behind those colored panels,so thats 360 watts. It's not putting out much light for that kind of wattage. Anyone care to guess?
Rick
Hi Venus,
This juke does have a nice warm glow. The colored panels are made of an unknown material to me. I have often wondered what they are made of. I had the juke tore down all the way 30 years ago,as I had to strip the cabinet then. The panels are very thick (appx 1/4 inch) and very heavy. They are also brittle as heck. I think they are some sort of semi- translucent colored bakelite. They didn't have plastic in 1939 did they? There are 9 forty watt full sized light bulbs behind those colored panels,so thats 360 watts. It's not putting out much light for that kind of wattage. Anyone care to guess?
Rick
