Jukebox Serial #'s and Estimated Production for Major Manufacturers

After years of research, the following is the most complete estimates of jukebox, remote selector and speaker production anywhere. These estimates form the basis of the production figures found in every major Jukebox guide, but those found here are more up to date (through December 22, 2001) and much more extensive.

Through this page you can access tables which show the serial number ranges and estimated Production for every major model of jukebox related production. These tables can be accessed by clicking on the Highlighted Names Below. As the tables are very large, be patient during loading:

• AMI/Rowe: Covers every major jukebox model from 1936 -1988, some remote equipment from 1940 - 1976.
• Rock-Ola: Covers every major jukebox model from 1935 -1989, most remote selectors from 1941 - 1985, and 6 speakers, primarily the Tone Columns. Since data was available, "receivers" from 1952-1960 are also included.
• Seeburg: Covers every major jukebox model from 1933 -1986, most remote selectors from 1940 - 1986. No estimates for Speaker production is included.
• Wurlitzer: Covers every major jukebox model from 1934 - 1974, Canadian jukebox production, most remote selectors, bases and cabinets from 1940 - 1968, and most speakers from 1940 - 1962.
• Other Manufacturers: Includes Mills, Gabel, Filben, Holcomb and Hoke, Packard, Capehart, Chicago Coin, Williams, Ristaucrat, Cameron, United, Sonata, Scorpitone, Keeney, Buckley, Chantel, Jupiter, Evans. As this is based on only 440 data points for ALL the manufacturers combined, it is not as inclusive as the "big four".

Basis of Production Estimates

The pages that follow are the result of the active project I have undertaken to collect and analyze serial numbers.It is based on 16,239 serial numbers as shown in the table below which includes approximately 2600 new numbers submitted via this website. The number of serial numbers give an indication of the amount of data used in making the production estimates, though at times, it can be misleading, for instance, AMI/Rowe used a distinct starting number, so each additional "high" serial number directly relates to better production estimates.

Initial Overall Production Estimates

By taking the serial number estimates from each table for the major four manufactures, I have been able to estimate by year and cumulative, the production of the "big four". The Cumulative jukebox production by 5 year periods is shown below. This information is taken straight from the tables included in this site, and account for 1,950,000+ jukeboxes. As the cutoff for this analysis is 1979

Cumulative Jukebox Production 1935-1979
	AMI/Rowe	Rock-Ola	Seeburg	Wurlitzer	Totals
1935-39	13,675	34,125	73,000	170,252	291,052
1940-44	14,525	53,875	98,200	235,975	402,575
1945-49	35,000	89,850	190,050	332,075	646,975
1950-54	89,425	111,975	303,625	393,025	898,050
1955-59	138,050	152,890	375,100	478,325	1,144,365
1960-64	180,225	218,630	447,875	531,825	1,378,555
1965-69	214,075	300,680	508,525	579,425	1,602,705
1970-74	262,500	367,055	568,025	626,875	1,824,455
1975-79	293,850	430,500	609,025	No Production	1,960,250

The period production for the same "Big Four" manufactures is shown below. The "Heyday" of Jukebox production was 1935-1939. 1940-44 was low only due to the lack of production due to WWII and the fact all Jukebox manufacturers shifted production to war related materials. Wurlitzer held a dominate position from 1935- 1947. 1945-1949 would have probably exceeded '35-'39, as 1945 had minimal production due the ending of WWII. The production for these years was driven by Wurlitizer's 1015/1100 and Seeburg's Trashcans (146-148) and M100A. Seeburg took over jukebox dominance in 1949, with the release of the M100 series, the first 100 selection jukeboxes and held that position through much of the '50's. Wurlitzer made a brief comeback, with a multitude of models to celebrate their 100th Anniversary, but started long slide which resulted in their closure in 1974. After 1974, Wurlitzer Gmb of Germany. Rock-Ola was always "in the game" keeping other manufactures on their toes, but never was a major leader. AMI/Rowe can be best described as the "tortoise" (of the tortoise and hare") steadily moving along. Today they remain the only viable manufacturer of the original big four.

Period Jukebox Production 1935-1979
	AMI/Rowe	Rock-Ola	Seeburg	Wurlitzer	Totals
1935-39	13,675	34,125	73,000	170,252	291,052
1940-44	850	19,750	25,200	65,723	111,573
1945-49	20,475	35,975	91,850	96,100	244,100
1950-54	54,425	22,125	113,575	60,950	251,075
1955-59	48,625	40,915	71,475	85,300	246,315
1960-64	42,175	65,740	72,775	53,500	234,190
1965-69	33,850	82,050	60,650	47,600	224,150
1970-74	48,425	66,375	59,500	47,450	221,750
1975-79	31,350	63,445	41,000	-	135,495

What Models were Most Popular?

If popularity is defined as "most produced" the following table should give a good insight. Seeburg dominates with 7 of the 12 models, Wurlitzer with 5. Neither AMI or Rock-Ola made the "cut". This analysis is restricted to unique models. It becomes far more complex if you combine "similar models. For instance the M100 Series of Seeburg, all of which are in the top 12 are basically the same model, likewise with the Seeburg "Trashcans" (146, 147, 148) which had a significant production. Wurlitzer and others also produced model variations, where on the only difference was number of selections or the selection/sound system, this again would change the "ranking". If you are so inclined, all the information you need to produce your own ranking is included on the tables on this site.

Copyright Notice: Though I am making the serial number and production information freely available for your personal use, it may not be published (electronic, print, other) without my express written consent, which I normally provide with the proviso that some attribution is made and a "plug" to assist me in my serial number research.

The inComplete Jukebox