For decades, the jukebox has stood as an icon of design, engineering and cultural memory. Here at The Games Room Company, we don’t just restore jukeboxes, we revive them; each project is a celebration of craftsmanship and heritage, transforming a tired or forgotten machine into a vibrant centrepiece once again ready to fill a room with music and colour.

We are proud to work with some of the most important vintage American jukeboxes ever built, spanning the golden eras of jukebox design from the 1940s through to the 1960s. Each year, a select number of vintage jukeboxes are restored to true showroom condition by our highly skilled in-house restoration engineers, using traditional factory techniques alongside modern precision. These are not cosmetic refurbishments, but full mechanical, cabinet and audio restorations designed to return each machine to how it would have looked and sounded when it first left the factory decades ago.

No two jukeboxes are ever the same. Each machine has lived a different life. Some have stood in diners, dance halls, barbershops, pubs, clubs or private homes. Others have sat silent for decades. Our approach to jukebox restoration is never about erasing that history. We retain as many original parts and components as possible, renewing only what is essential for performance, safety and longevity. Every decision is made with respect for authenticity. The aim is never to rewrite the jukebox’s story, but to continue it.

Restoring a jukebox is not simply a technical process; it’s an emotional one. Every machine carries a story. Many haven’t played a note in decades. Our role is to honour their past while preparing them for a new chapter. Below, we take you behind the scenes of our meticulous jukebox restoration process.

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1. Assessment -
Understanding The Jukebox's History and Condition

Every restoration begins with a detailed evaluation. We carefully examine:

• Cabinet condition

• Mechanical functionality

• Electrical integrity

• Authenticity of components

• Any previous repair work

• Provenance, when available
  
  

This assessment shapes the entire project, helping us determine what must be preserved, repaired, or reproduced.

2. Disassembly - 
A Slow, Methodical Stripdown

Restoration cannot begin until the jukebox is completely disassembled. This is one of the most delicate stages, requiring patience and precision.

We:

• Label and photograph every part

• Document wiring looms

• Carefully remove fragile plastics and glass

• Isolate rare or irreplaceable components

• Prepare the cabinet and mechanical units for separate treatment
  
  

This ensures the machine can be rebuilt faithfully, with every piece returning to its rightful place.

 

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3. Cabinet Restoration -
Bringing Beauty Back to Life

A jukebox cabinet is a work of art in itself. Depending on the model, it may include veneers, hardwoods, glass, chrome trim, curved acrylic, neon tubes or silk-screened artwork.

Our specialists restore each element using traditional craftsmanship and modern precision:

• Structural wood repairs and stabilisation

• Veneer restoration, staining and lacquering

• Professional re-chroming

• Reproduction of missing glass or artwork

• Polishing or replacing architectural plastics

• Recreating original lighting effects
  
  

The aim is not to erase the machine’s history, but to bring back its authentic vibrancy.

4. Mechanical Restoration -
Reawakening the Heart of the Machine

Inside each jukebox is a complex electromechanical system that must be rebuilt with expert care.

Our engineers restore:

• Record carousel and selection mechanism

• Gear trains, cams and levers

• Turntable assembly and motor

• Tonearm and stylus system

• Coin mechanism (when present)

• Any worn bearings, bushings or rubber components
  
  

Once rebuilt, each mechanism is thoroughly calibrated to ensure smooth, reliable performance, often better than when the machine was new.

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5. Electronics & Amplifier Rebuild -
Returning the Signature Sound

The warm, full-bodied sound of a vintage jukebox is irreplaceable. To preserve this character, our audio engineers:

• Replace ageing capacitors and resistors

• Rebuild amplifier stages

• Clean and secure connections

• Test with oscilloscopes and specialist equipment
  Remove distortion, hum or imbalance

• Restore period-accurate sonic warmth
  
  

These amplifiers are built to run for decades, ensuring your jukebox performs beautifully long into the future.

6. Lighting & Plastics -
Restoring the Iconic Glow

The glow of a classic jukebox is part of its magic. We restore or reproduce:

• Colour diffusers

• Acrylic panels

• Neon-style illumination

• Decorative plastics

• Feature lenses and grille lighting
  
  

Whether warm and atmospheric or bold and colourful, we ensure the lighting matches the original factory design.

7. Reassembly & Testing -
The Final Orchestration

Once all components have been restored, the jukebox is reassembled with extraordinary care. We then run a rigorous multi-day testing process:

• Full selection-cycle testing

• Audio load and fidelity testing

• Mechanical endurance tests

• Temperature and vibration resilience

• Final calibration and tuning
  
  

Only when every element performs flawlessly does the machine earn the Games Room Company seal of approval.

 

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Three Restored Icons Worth Celebrating

To illustrate the depth of our work, here are three superb jukeboxes that embody the spirit of vintage restoration.

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🎶 1956 Wurlitzer 1900 “Centennial”

Marking 100 years of Wurlitzer innovation, the Wurlitzer 1900 is one of the most elegant jukeboxes ever built. With its sweeping glass canopy, Super-Vu record display and distinctive chrome flourishes, it’s a masterpiece of mid-century industrial design.

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🎶 1962 AMI Continental 200

A true design statement of the 1960s, the AMI Continental 200 blends futurist styling with exceptional mechanical engineering. Refined, space-age, and endlessly charismatic, it's a favourite among collectors who want a jukebox with real presence.

 

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🎶 1962 Rock-Ola Princess, Model 1493

Compact, charming and full of early 1960s personality, the Rock-Ola Princess is a timeless classic. Its distinctive styling and warm illumination make it an exceptional centrepiece and one of the most beloved models we restore.

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Why Our Restoration Process Matters

A restored jukebox is more than a collectible, it’s an heirloom, a conversation piece and a living piece of musical history. True vintage jukebox restoration takes hundreds of man hours and cannot be rushed. Every machine is restored to order, using traditional techniques and factory-correct processes wherever possible.

At The Games Room Company, we treat every jukebox with the respect it deserves, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern precision to create restorations of exceptional quality. Whether you’re seeking a showpiece for your home, a nostalgic addition to your business or a piece of cultural history, our vintage jukebox restorations ensure these iconic machines continue to inspire for generations to come.