The oldest jukeboxes date back to the 1920’s, making them almost 100 years old. As a consumer, it can be exciting to buy a piece of music history that is so old. Before you pull the trigger, there is one word to keep in mind: condition.

As you shop estate sales, don’t expect to come across a large number of jukeboxes. With the right level of patience, however, you will eventually find what you are looking for.

When shopping for a jukebox, you will find machines in a variety of conditions. These include:

·      Fully restored. This is the cream of the crop, as it means the jukebox not only looks good but is also in working order (just the same as when it came out of the box). This is the most expensive type, as the condition means you don’t have to do any work.

·      Good condition. While not fully restored, a jukebox in good condition will have most of its original features. Furthermore, they work reasonably well and are priced lower than those that have been fully restored.

·      As-is. These jukeboxes don’t offer much in terms of appearance and functionality. What they do offer is a good jumping off point for somebody interested in a restoration project. Best yet, jukeboxes in this condition are the most affordable.

If you come across a jukebox at an estate sale, don’t hesitate to inspect each and every inch of the machine. And of course, find out if it works before making a purchase.