Look what i found

[BrianB]

BrianC -

I'm in the middle stages of restoring a Seeburg M100B. If you are interested in getting your Master Amplifier recapped/repaired to send it to Jukebox Friday Night in Cochran, Georgia. The man who runs the outfit is Bill Bickers. He's been repairing amps and the like for over 30 years and has a super fast turn around time (4 days!)

I recapped/repaired my Master Amplifier for my Seeburg 146 that I traded and had no problems. I really didn't have the time for the "B" Amp. So I sent it off to Bill for some TLC and had it back less than a week later.

If you need any references for parts or people that can help, give me a shout! Sounds like Terry knows what's goin' on also.

Bill Bickers is a great guy, who does great work on amps and receivers.
if you have the time you can order cap kits for the amp and the receiver from bill and restore the amp and receiver by yourself. it`s not that difficult.

[bcharlton]

Thanks for the "sound Advise". I broke down the Seeburg to the cabinate.  That was more work then I expected.  I thought restoring 180 indiidule candy trays was time consuming.  I will try re-capping the amp and getting new tubes

[BrianB]

BrianC -

On your Master Ampflifier, if you want to keep a "stock" appearance from the outside, I would recommend leaving the metal can cap's in place. You can either cut the wires and use terminal strips to mount the new lytics underneath or you can remove the cans, gut them and then stuff the new cap's inside.

I take it from your last post that you've read some of Bill's articles, he's awesome. His kits are really good and if for some wierd reason it's missing a cap or a value is wrong, he'll make it right. When I was about 99% of the way done restoring my Master Amp for my 146 I found out that one of my transformers had a bad secondary. Turned out it's considered one of the rarer ones around. I called Bill and within three days I had used but good one in place for a great price.

[audiobeer]

What are the "R"s selling for these days?

[BrianB]

On the low end you can get an "R" for $500-$600. The average that I've seen them go for lately on Ebay and at auction/swap meets has been between $850-$1300 and that's for an unrestored box in very nice condition.

The low end boxes being sold at higher volume places are priced that way because they really know what they have into it and they know how the market is for a good restorable box that somebody is willing to invest some coin into.

Conversely, just like soda pop machines, you have guys that will sell you one of their restorations for $5000. They are really nice and turn key, but also like soda pop machines you have to really scrutinize what somebody considers a "restoration". There are people out there that will sell a box that has had the amp/selection receiver rebuilt and all of the exterior cosmetics redone but when you open the cabinet up, nothing has been done except a general cleaning. Not good.

You can also get lucky and find a private seller who just want's to get rid of it for super cheap (or free!) and you end up getting a steal.

[audiobeer]

Well if anybody ever has a "R", "J" or a "G" and especialy a "C" and it works please let me know!

[bcharlton]

Just an update on the restoration of the Seeburg.  After just three days here is where I'm at.  I ordered a veneer and re-cap kit.  I am going like  a bat out of #### and I do not know what I am doing.  Is there a bottle chute or a condensor deck on these things.  Oh, I will picking up my Seeburg C (if the deal still goes through) next week.  I have to write a check for this one however.  I love the price on the C but it is not a done deal until it is in the back of your truck.

Wish me luck.

Brian C

[bcharlton]

There are a lot more pieces then I expected.  Anyone volunteer to help me put this thing back together?

Brian C

[audiobeer]

I have a roll of white oak veneer that I was going to use on A "B" but i just stained and refinished the cabinet instead. Is that what you are using?