Anyone got a Columbia 160 portable?

[ColoradoPhonograf]

I was looking at Baumbach's book on Columbia portables. I don't see a model 202 listed or pictured in the book. They had a tone arm mounted near the rear of the machine instead of the ones pictured like the 163 model. They had a nickle plated inner works in a smaller sized case. Does anyone know if this model was a later lineup in the portables available from Columbia? The one I'm referring to has a viva-tonal reproducer in a red colored case.

Thank you,

ColoradoPhonograf

[muffinass]

Came across a 161 on Craigslist.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/atq/1630735277.html

Sorry to revive this thread after so long, but I just found this exact same Craigs List Columbia portable for sale and I was thinking of buying it - from a different source, obviously.

Can anyone confirm whether the case cover & latches were indeed changed? Is it worth the price if it is in great working condition?

[beaumonde]

If identical to that one from 2 years ago, although the photos are tiny, I have never seen a covering of that pattern, and so bright, so I suspect it was a custom refurbishment at some point. Also the color base doesn't quite match the interior blue, as the original would have. But frankly it looks more interesting than the faded and often torn black/dark blue fabricoid covering that would have been originally found on these. I note that the handle has been matched with the same pattern. I don't think this will adversely affect the value too much, as these are not terribly valuable to begin with...

Seeing this forgotten thread I contributed to so long ago, I should pull out my 160 a bit and spin some discs.

[muffinass]

If identical to that one from 2 years ago, although the photos are tiny, I have never seen a covering of that pattern, and so bright, so I suspect it was a custom refurbishment at some point. Also the color base doesn't quite match the interior blue, as the original would have. But frankly it looks more interesting than the faded and often torn black/dark blue fabricoid covering that would have been originally found on these. I note that the handle has been matched with the same pattern. I don't think this will adversely affect the value too much, as these are not terribly valuable to begin with...

Seeing this forgotten thread I contributed to so long ago, I should pull out my 160 a bit and spin some discs.

Beaumonde, thank you for the reply. Unfortunately I contacted the seller and I'm out of luck - he doesn't ship to Canada.

Funny you mention their value as being on the lower price range...I always imagined the Columbia 160/163/113a as being high-end, considering the gold plating I've seen on some of them. (not sure which model offered that)

I missed out on a Columbia 160 on eBay about a year ago (sold for more than $300, shipping for Canada being around $100) and have been absolutely craving to add it to my collection.

How often do they pop up in the US? I imagine one could find them sold at the Union show, but for someone like myself who can't afford to travel down to the States, I'm left with seeking them out on eBay.

Any tips/pointers in the right direction of finding one would really be appreciated!

[Victrolaman]

I found a nice one this past sunday paid 75 for it, i just finished rebuilding the reproducer with new gaskets and this weekend i will clean and regrease the motor and spring. To me the sound quality on these for a portable is very nice. i will post some pics of mine before and after when i get it finished.
Mine by the way is the 160

[muffinass]

I found a nice one this past sunday paid 75 for it, i just finished rebuilding the reproducer with new gaskets and this weekend i will clean and regrease the motor and spring. To me the sound quality on these for a portable is very nice. i will post some pics of mine before and after when i get it finished.
Mine by the way is the 160

Bah! Can't believe how easy it is to find one of these in the US.

Did you buy it through Craigs List?

Also, I noticed that the tone-arm for the 161 varies from being either a (slightly curved) straight gold-plated tone-arm, or a twice-curved brass version.

Did they come in different versions or am I confusing the model numbers?