Need opinions and suggestions from the Jukebox owners and admirers

[Kilroy]

I know this is a Soda Machine forum, but I also know there are many members who also have, or want to have a juke box (or a couple) so I am asking for opinions from the group.
  Long story short, the project for the next few weekends is to complete the cabinet on my Seeburg HF100G. Sometime over the last 50 yrs, the gosh awful Zebra style veneer was painted baby poop brown. I think it was to accent the 70’s disco gold the mech cover and ends were painted, but I digress.

 The sides are two panels, the top part is recessed, while the top of the bottom panel is on a slight arc. Bear with me; I’m getting there. I look at different veneers, and found some nice oak, and maples that would look nice, but then I started thinking, hmmm wonder if I went with a two tone paint job, maybe a white/red or white turquoise combination. This could also be carried over to the mech cover and record holders (sorry, just don’t care for the original baby blue, and I had to pop for replacement plastics so they will need to be painted anyway)

I think either way would look good, it would be a little more expensive and more work to prep the cabinet if I go with paint, and while I’m a purist when it comes to restoring antiques, the original zebra style isn’t available, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s ugly.

And again, this isn’t a soda machine  related question, but I  this is a great group of talented people, and I’d love to hear any suggestions.

[Jim]

Jukeboxes have been redone in so many different ways it's hard to keep track of all the variety!
Although, I'm with you as far as being more of a purist in originality. Fortunately, more jukes have deviated from this belief than soda machine restorers!
I personally have seen a nice restoration in maple with a slight stain applied the upper arc section to offset the color. I would rather see you work with the wood look because if you are looking for something a little different, you can lightly color stain the veneer to get the look and still keep the wood grain.
Don't forget to get the reproduction color pilasters!
Lastly, have you checked all the usual jukebox restoration supply houses...?

[Pat Pixley]

 OH man all this is making my head hurt,    Lets just paint it orange and white
 and call it good    Ok Ok  sence you don't like the orangeand white idea, Then I would have to go with Jim on that   Maple or even a berch veneer.
 Those would be great.
   Pat

[VMC 81]

I would look at a two differnt woods or you could put one of the veneers at a angle to set it off from the second piece. This is how it is done on the Seeburge C. Or even still use 2 diifferent stains or leave on natural and stain the second piece. I would not paint it as that can make a Juke look cheezzy.

[BrianB]

Personally, I wouldn't paint it. I think you'll like it a whole lot more if you take the time to veneer it. Victory Glass sells "Zebrawood" Veener. There are also some induviduals on the net that sell pre-cut laminate kits for various jukes.

I had the same dilemna when I was restoring my Seeburg M100B. Half of me wanted to recreate the Zebrawood look. The other half wanted to use new veneer. I found out later that the original Zebrawood that Seeburg used wasn't even wood veneer but a very large "sticker" of sorts. Closer to a laminate material. So I decided to try my hand at veneering. After getting my box finished and back together, I wouldn't change a thing. 

Here are a few before & after shots of my "B".

[Jim]

Very nice job Brian!

Well then, it's looking like the wood veneer is the way to go!

[Pat Pixley]

Brian that is cool you did a great job.
Ok Kilroy  looks like the orange and white is out
and the wood veneer is in .
 Pat

[64 ragtop]

I stained the lower portion of mine and painted the top part. It isnt original but I like the way it looks. I will try to post a picture but I have never done that here.

[SIGNGUY]

Nice looking Jukes Guys... Love the restored, but also have place for the originals. Mine is a Seeburg G, that was used up until 1972 in a diner in north Minneapolis. It's 100% original and still works great.. probably would sound better if redone but I like the sound...for now.
I'm looking at a R unit this weekend... guy only wants 900 for it but it needs some cosmetic work, but it runs and plays as is? so we'll see..

[Pat Pixley]

Wow you guy's have some great looking Jukes ,  I really need to break down next year and
find one And then find some place to put it   

Pat