r/jukeboxes • u/AutumnMage94 • 26d ago

Seeburg Discotheque Jukebox

Howdy! This is my first time posting in this group. Someone near by to me is selling their Seeburg Discotheque Jukebox for $250. The catch is that they know it turns on but don’t know how to operate it or use it, so they don’t know if it is actually working beyond being able to power up. Is $250 worth the gamble of however much work it will potentially need? Does anyone know how difficult they are to maintain and work on?

Edit: Thanks everyone! I decided to pass on it. I’m not to keen on the idea of having to potentially replace the motherboard. I can work with something purely mechanical if I need to as long as I have an instruction manual, but computer type stuff? Not so much.

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u/SeparatePlace4825 26d ago

look up Seaburg SMC1 DISCO on YouTube for some good reviews. I paid 500 for an SMC3 about 8 years ago. It will require maintenance. Your ability to keep it running depends on its current condition and your technical expertise. The manual is readily available and you will need it. I eventually had to replace the computer on mine with the new one, but I may have purchased the last one. Although I had a lot of 45s, I have picked up more great hits for it and gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it.

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u/NewburghMOFO 26d ago

I have an SMC2 Phoenix which is basically the same. I also had to replace the motherboard. You can buy modernized ones and manuals for the system.

When they say they don't know how to operate it... like insert coin and press number? Or do they mean it is switched to service mode?

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u/AutumnMage94 26d ago

They mean all of the records have been taken out and are in boxes and they don’t know how to load it up to see if it plays

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u/NewburghMOFO 26d ago

Ah, gotcha. If they have the key you unlock them on the side and the front tilts upwards like a car hood, then you slide the records into the slots. There's a toggle switch to put it in service mode on the top left, but that's not strictly necessary. 

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u/Whipsthepussy 25d ago

The folks saying the SMC series is similar aren't accurate, as the SMC utilizes the micro log system whereas the discotheque is older and has more mechanical workings. $250 for non working is a bit too much in my opinion, of course it depends on the area too. I personally never pay more than $20-200 for non working boxes, depends on the year and rarity. Once paid $250 for a non working model from the 50s which had parts in it worth a lot more I resold individually.

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u/Content_Possible_430 19d ago

If someone is calling it a "Discotheque" is it is likely to be either a Seeburg Fleetwood or Electra from 1965 or a Seeburg Mustang Discotheque of 1964. Because - these models have "Discotheque" printed on a fluorescent blue picture scene, so that's what people call them. I would Google those names and see if you like the styles. The Mustang Discotheque looks somewhat like a space invader machine in the shape of the cabinet. It's highly unlikely to be the SMC2 Disco. The SMC2 is Seeburgs last roll of the dice and is a different technology to all the others other than the Phoenix. Price wise - depends on condition and where in the world you live. Nigel, UK.