Columbia 222 Export Model

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CarlosV
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Columbia 222 Export Model

Post by CarlosV »

Got this in France, it is a model made for the Asian market. It may actually have been assembled in Asia, but the tag has no hint about where it was made. As you see, it is a hybrid between the different Columbia models made in England, basically a 113 but with a Plano reflex arm, the HMV needle compartment and an old fashioned Columbia soundbox. It is as heavy as the 113, basically a boat anchor, with a nice sound. The exterior is quite nice, in gold and green, as would suit the tastes of Asian customers.
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nostalgia
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Re: Columbia 222 Export Model

Post by nostalgia »

Congratulations, Carlos.

This is a good looking specimen of the Nippon Columbia Model 222, manufactured in Japan.

I have seen them from time to time on Japan websites, but most often they are not this good looking.

You will see it listed in the Columbia thread, where I tried to prepare an index of Japan ( plus UK/US) Columbia portables

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=44585&hilit=list+of+japan+made.



It also was shown on a photo in this unique Japan Columbia thread, but the photos in the thread are not longer there,

so it is nice to see it back where it belong, on the forum.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=44519&hilit=columb ... l&start=20

epigramophone
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Re: Columbia 222 Export Model

Post by epigramophone »

You have a very attractive variant of the 220, which as you say was based upon the 113a. Here are the two for comparison :
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Phono48
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Re: Columbia 222 Export Model

Post by Phono48 »

Nitpicking, I know, but the 220 on the right has the case clasps the wrong way up! All Columbias with the folding winding handle have the clasps mounted "upside down" so that you don't lose the skin on your knuckles when winding.

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Inigo
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Re: Columbia 222 Export Model

Post by Inigo »

Looks like the turntable of the 220 is smaller than the one in the 113... I love the huge turntable of the 113... it looks so elegant when you play a 10" record...
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epigramophone
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Re: Columbia 222 Export Model

Post by epigramophone »

Phono48 wrote: Wed Aug 24, 2022 1:40 pm Nitpicking, I know, but the 220 on the right has the case clasps the wrong way up! All Columbias with the folding winding handle have the clasps mounted "upside down" so that you don't lose the skin on your knuckles when winding.
It is too late to rectify the 220's case clasps, as it has been sold and replaced by a much rarer 113 :
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CarlosV
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Re: Columbia 222 Export Model

Post by CarlosV »

Thanks to Nostalgia and to Roger for the information on the origins of the machine, it confirms my suspicion that it was made in Asia. And indeed is seems identical to the 220, dressed in a more colorful case.

Inigo, indeed the turntable is smaller than that of the 113, it is a 10 inch identical to other Columbia portables of the period. The weight is the same, though, heavy as a bag of bricks.

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