Paul at Your
Jukebox Co has a passion for restoring these classic jukeboxes
to their original glory.
Here Digger
talked to Paul about this love of jukes which sees him with
the best of both worlds - running
a thriving business where there's a strong customer demand and
great personal satisfaction in providing quality restorations.
Digger: What is your background
Paul?
Paul:
I have been working in professional audio for over 20 years
designing mixing consoles and power amplifiers for recording
studios, bands and music venues. Growing up in the 60’s was a
big influence on me, especially the music, and so when the
chance to work in the music industry arrived I jumped at it.
Working with musicians and promoters you soon realise there is
no second chance in a live performance so the equipment they
use has to work reliably night after night. This, indirectly,
was a good grounding for jukebox restoration!
Digger: Can you please tell us
how Your Jukebox Company started and how the company has
evolved into what it is today?
Paul: In the mid 70’s a friend ask me to fix a jukebox he had
acquired. It was a classic late 1950s machine that was good
fun to dismantle and rebuild. It worked and sounded great
after wards and we spent many hours listening to it. Years
later, my wife happened to mention she would love a jukebox
which was a surprise to me as I didn’t know she had any
interest in them! So I came by a very run down Wurlitzer that
after 6 months was playing music again. We were so pleased
with it I caught the bug and bought another jukebox and soon
friends were asking if I could find one for them too. It then
occurred to me that using the skills I had learnt in my audio
career I could combine with my fascination of jukeboxes and
start a business.
Digger: You sell, hire and
repair Jukeboxes. Are these (and the parts) getting more
difficult to source?
Paul:
I think it’s like most other restoration businesses, when
you start looking you’d be surprised what you find. There are
various parts around, some reproduction parts are being made
and the rest is up to ingenuity!
Digger: You have some other
unique options and offerings, such as Music For Schools and
Customisation. Please tell us more.
Paul: I realised when starting my company that there are already
some very good jukebox restorers that had been around for a
lot of years. For me to break into this specialist area I
wanted to offer something a little different. Not all
customers want a visible mechanism jukebox from the 50s or the
prices they demand. By taking a 60s or 70s jukeboxes, fully
restoring them but creating a completely new look, that can be
themed to whatever the customer wants, makes a great
alternative.
Custom jukeboxes have helped establish Your Jukebox Company
for its quality and reliable restorations which lead to
enquiries from schools. It has been long accepted that music
in a learning environment stimulates and creates a more
receptive atmosphere. Jukeboxes, although not the first thing
you may think of, play music, have historic relevance, are a
great piece of mechanical engineering and are great fun for
the students to use. They also look good in the school
entrance! I must stress that the custom jukes do not detract
from my classic restorations which I believe equal the best
available.
Another feature I added to jukeboxes right from the beginning
was a CD and mp3 connection. This lets you play music from
other sources through the jukebox which gives a similar sound
to the vinyl records. This is a great addition as you are not
limited to the records you have.
Digger: Why is vintage, retro
and nostalgia so popular in so many people's lives and why are
Jukeboxes so evocative of decades past?
Paul: I think because modern technology has no lasting value. As
soon as you buy, say, a computer it quickly dates and is
superseded by a better one. The pleasure of jukeboxes is
strongly linked to the vinyl they play. A 7” record has
something special about it especially when played on a bright
chrome plated jukebox. The modern equivalent, an mp3 file, can
be down loaded and added to the other thousand tracks that a
player can easily store and somehow loses its value.
Digger: What advice would you
give to somebody planning to buy a Jukebox?
Paul:
Buying a jukebox should be fun and be a long term
investment. A bargain is a reasonably priced purchase that
will work and sound good for many years rather than something
cheap that will have problems. A bad experience could put the
owner off ownership but unfortunately this does happen when
buying unseen or without a warranty. Take some time to look
around, see what appeals to you and go along to inspect it. I
always encourage customers who have just started thinking
about a purchase to see and hear my jukeboxes which always
gives them a pleasant surprise.
Digger: Where are your
customers coming from and what customer feedback/comments do
you get?
Paul:
A diverse cross section of
people. I have had a good few 40, 50 and 60th birthday
surprises, couples that just want to play or start collecting
vinyl records, and families that have ‘just the right spot’
for a jukebox in their house. This is where the mp3/CD
connections work well as the kids can plug in their phones and
share their choice of music. The great reward of restoring
jukeboxes is the immediate pleasure the customer gets as soon
as it is delivered. I have put a few testimonials on my web
site and purposely choose those from customers that have owned
their machine for a few years. It’s clear the enjoyment
doesn’t go away but if anything increases. They generally
won’t ever part with their jukebox!
Digger: What impact has The
Internet had on your business?
Paul:
It’s certainly opened up the market as a lot more people
today are aware of old jukeboxes and can easily find out where
to get them from. This, I think, is typical of most specialist
industries but you need to look out for the inevitable scams.
A typical advert may read ‘was working perfectly until last
week’ and a quick look inside you see parts missing or clearly
never worked for many years. It’s back to looking for quality
first and then the price.
Digger: What are the best
aspects of running Your Jukebox Company Paul?
Paul: Without a doubt delivering a completed jukebox to its new
owner. Its great seeing the reaction when it’s turned on and
the first record is selected.
Digger: What are your plans for
Your Jukebox Company in the future?
Paul: Build on the reputation I have gained in the last decade
which means supplying ever better restorations at affordable
prices – the two go hand in hand. I can see a demand for the
custom jukeboxes I offer in promotional and advertising work
which will be fun. I get great pleasure working with jukeboxes
and providing them to delighted customers is what I look
forward to.
Classic Jukeboxes,
Custom Jukeboxes, Music For Schools, Premium Collection
Have you always wanted a jukebox, seen one at a party
recently or like the idea of playing your treasured 45's
again? Or maybe a jukebox for your company entrance,
board room, exhibitions?
Whatever your
reason, here you will find a variety of different models
and styles of vinyl playing jukeboxes from the 50's
through to the 80's
All jukeboxes are
finished to a high standard with a commitment to quality
and reliability securing your investment for the future.
info@yourjukebox.co.uk
Tel : 07763 719646 |
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