Typewriter Talk / Citizen SU4 Electric - What Are Your Opinions... ?

**Posted by Pete E.** 24-1-2022 18:50:14

Would like to hear about any experiences folks might have had with the Japanese-made Citizen SU4 electric typewriter...

Either from a use/ownership perspective or a repair/service perspective or both ?

I keep running across some (on-line) and am just curious if the Citizzen SU4 is worth a pursuit.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 24-1-2022 18:51:15

The typewriter-case guy in me says..."go for it" !

**Posted by Uwe** 25-1-2022 14:06:51

As long as it isn't an Eco-Drive model, it should be good...

**Posted by Pete E.** 20-5-2022 18:01:27

Finally get to try a Citizen S4-U in-hand in my home in the next week.

This one is in good shape and had a typing sample so seems to be operational.

Original owner never mailed in their registration card.

More about this Japanese electric when it arrives and gets serviced on my work bench.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 29-5-2022 12:45:24

Got my new-to-me Citizen S4-U electric typewriter and case on the work bench today for a spa-day. This machine is made in Japan probably in the late 1970's.

Cannot find much about these...but will keep digging.

This sleek machine is fast, snappy, fairly quite, and very precise and can out-type me for speed all day long.

I really like typing on this electric.

It weighs in at 21.6 lbs. without its case weight. Case is well made, study and robust and has a plush lining inside to cradle the machine.

Nice feature of touch-control lever in a cut out in the bottom panel along the front of the machine which you can access with your figure without lifting up the machine. In line with the Shift-Lock key-tops.

With the removal of 4 screws and 4 rubber feet and their screws, the entire bottom panel easily comes off for cleaning and access to the motor and 2 "notched" drive belts. I was able to find replacement belts at my local sewing machine shop. I like how "sure footed" these notched belts are. No slippage on the drive pulleys as the pulley's are "toothed" as well.

Glad I added this Citizen S4-U electric to my collection.
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**Posted by robmck** 29-5-2022 17:37:30

Very nice! I love that case.

How does this compare to other electrics you have. I don't have any electrics yet, so am watching discussions here to get a sense of what I might want to start with. (Though, I admit for purely aesthetic reasons, I really like the SCM 5TE).

**Posted by Pete E.** 29-5-2022 18:05:36

Rob,

I now have six (6) electric machines. Here is how I would rate them...

All are keepers...some a bit better than the others.

1. Olympia SGE-35
2. Tie between Hermes 10 and Olympia SGE-A62 (SGE-50 variant)
3. Citizen S4-U
4. Facit 1840
5. Olympiette SEP (made in Japan). I love its CR lever.

I went through another 3-4 Japanese made electrics. Some Nakjimas and a Brother. Felt they were too light-weight and jangaly. Got them running and gave them away to kids around our place.

I do want to add a Smith-Corona one day. They also have a CR lever. Went after this one on SGW and bid up to $ 80 or so...but someone wanted it for $ 302.
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**Posted by robmck** 29-5-2022 19:49:34

Thanks for the rundown; this is helpful.

I, too, watched that 5TE explode past what I was willing to pay.

**Posted by Pete E.** 30-5-2022 09:37:23

If we have any architects or industrial design folks in our Forum...

Would this Citizen S4-U fall into the "Brutalism" school of design ?

**Posted by Pete E.** 30-5-2022 09:49:40

Seems to tick off some boxes in such a Design...

Key Elements of Brutalism :

Blocky, heavy appearance
Simple, graphic lines
Lack of ornamentation
Utilitarian feel
Monochromatic palette
Use of raw exposed concrete (and sometimes brick) exteriors
Rough, unfinished surfaces
Use of modern materials such as steel, glass, stone, gabions
Small windows
Modular elements