My Pride and Joy Rowe R-84 Clapton special

[Andy J]

I thought I might post a pic of my pride and joy...Although it's currently still in progress,I'm proud of how it's turning out.I acquired a 1980 Rowe R-84 Tempo Juke... ugly as sin, but working and FREE!I decided to customize it,and after tossing ideas back and forth with my fiancee, decided to make it the Eric Clapton Special, being we are both fans of old Slowhand.I ripped out the old lighting system,which was only a couple of fluorescent tubes, and went to town, installing colored c.f.l.s,color changing LED lights, LED strip lights. At one time, jukes were something to LOOK at, as well as listen to...Think of the old Wurlitzer bubblers, Rock-Olas, and AMIs of the '40's and 50's. WHEN did they get so boring? But I digress.....I designed the artwork myself but Unfortunately, the colors don't show well in the pics. I hope you like it, and I am interested in any feedback!Thanks! Andy J.

[_] [V] [-]]

Hi Andy J,
Welcome to the board!

I'm rather new here too and I'll bet we catch a little sneering for this but, so what.
I think your modified Rowe is very cool!
Guess I should disclose that I've been working on a similar project with this exact same model machine.

Most collector types aim for restoration to original factory specs and poo-poo any type of customization.
It's not much different than when kids started 'chop toping' their '51 Mercurys back in the day. Of course that led to the Jumping Bean cars with spinning rims and other such atrocities of automotive engineering that we see today but...
It's all a matter of personal taste. Art for art's sake.

Jukes were something to LOOK at, as well as listen to.

For what it's worth, I agree 100%. And these models were pretty boring to look at.
Their sole purpose was to collect quarters and make sound. They were good at both.
Looks like yours is missing at least some of the coin collecting parts (metal hamster tubes)
I removed my tubes and selection board as well, but kept all the original parts in case I ever decided to revert back to the original butt-ugly condition. I also removed all the panels by the amp and power supply to open up more of the inner workings.
I'm very interested in how you strip the woodgrain from the front panel. Mine seems to be coated in plastic.

I'd also like to see more details of the lighting and the artwork mods you've done on this machine.
The artwork on the lower panel looks very cool! Do you do this type of work yourself?
I can't quite make out what is over the selection display panel.
More Pics!

[Andy J]

Well, first, I would like to thank everybody who has given their approval.I did what I did because, first, It is UGLY AS HELL. Second, it's a common machine, and of no great value. I agree with originality on a lot of things. I have a 1948 Oldsmobile Fastback coupe with 55,000 original miles, and would NEVER molest it. I also have a lot of antiques that I would never touch.But I could never have this in my home looking like it did!I did remove the coin op system,(saved it all) and use the reject button to give out credits. I took the reed switch setup out of the coin acceptor, and mounted it to the side of the reject button bracket, using existing holes. then I made a small arm mounted on the plunger using the existing hole on the end,that trips the $1.00 coin lever.Everything in that respect can easiy be reverted to original The glass design is just decals, and I used a razor blade to get under one corner, and pulled....when I got to a tough spot, I put a little Goof Off into the crevice where the decal met the glass, and let it work in. once it's off, a lot more goof off and rags took the remaining adhesive away. Then I wiped down with rubbing alcohol to remove goof off residue, and was left with clear glass. The bottom art is made from 3 different pictures, depicting him throughout the years, and a lot of photoshop time.I had it printed and applied at a local sign shop. The upper glass above the titlestrips is just " rice paper" patterned window film I got at Home Depot. I also moved the power supply from the left front to the big empty space on the right created by removing the coin op mechs.to make room for the new lighting. I will post more detailed pics soon,but I want to get the new colored t-mouldings and strip leds installed before I do. probably within the next week .

[Andy J]

Details...

[Ron Rich]

One comment--I don't think moving the PS is a good idea, as they tend to get hot, and that may cause records to warp---
Ron Rich

[Andy J]

Hello Ron... I never thought of that...I'll box it in and add another vent out back....Can't put it back now.I was going to remove the housing around the amp, and thought of that,but not for the p.s.! There is the plastic cover right behind the p.s. maybe I'll throw a CPU fan in for good measure.....

[ami-man]

Hi Andy,

The jukebox you started withwas a 1980 Rowe Ami R-84 Prelude and as you say not a good looking jukebox.
If you source out a sound to light unit out of the R-83 Disco jukebox that used 110 volt 13 watt ES lamps for the front panel.
The R-92 uses the 110 volt lamps on that sound to light unit as well.
The above is just a thought, your jukebox looks a lot better.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[Andy J]

I'm sorry, it is a Prelude. I had thought about using a Tempo- Disco lighting unit, but wanted the colors, and almost everything I used I had on hand, saving $.....The things that aren't installed yet are things I had to buy, and am still waiting for. Thank you for your Input!
Andy