Abu Ambassadeur 5000

[sparky241]

guys i picked up an abu ambassadeur number 5000 for $20.00 at a local fishing store. my question is did i do ok? will this take braided line? is there breaks on this one and if so how do i change them? theres a number on the bottom 203277 if that helps any. it has a bit of rash on it but otherwise looks in good shape

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If the reel is complete you did well at $20. They auction off for $40+ regularly. There are 2 brake tabs on the spool. They are not adjustable but lots of guys just remove them completely. Braid is fine, just be sure to use backing. The level wind is does not disengage when casting so throwing light baits is out. Cleaning and tuning will maximize performance. 

[sparky241]

how do i clean and tune it? im new to all this so please help me

[Rangerjoe]

I believe that the 5000 was the red reel with bushings, no bearings. The bushings can be changed to bearings. The brake blocks are most likely white and can be changed to blue brake blocks to cast lighter lures.Depending on exactly what year your reel was made the gear ratio could be 3:8-1, 4:7-1 or 5:3-1. You can changes the gears from everything from 3:8-1 to 6:3-1. Lots of room to upgrade and a great reel to learn how to work on your own reels.

[flyfishman]

how do i clean and tune it? im new to all this so please help me

The old Ambassadeurs are a pleasure to clean and lube.  No springs to pop out or off during disassembly.  The spool would probably whine if you don't use brake blocks on the spool ends.  Check youtube videos to show you how to disassemble the reel.  I've been using two 5000C's for almost 40 years and still use the original fiber brake blocks that came with the reels. Tried small blocks and the original ones too, the spool is a tad noisier with the small blocks installed.  Abu used to include extra blocks with the reels. Just use a couple of light drops of oil on the level wind pawl and keep the accumulation of weed/algae slime off that worm gear and it will last forever with just a little care.  A little light grease on the inner gear cogs and brass pinion gear is all you need, no need to pack anything with grease.  Congrats, and enjoy using your vintage purchase. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

how do i clean and tune it? im new to all this so please help me

If you don't want to tinker with it you can send it out to me or one of the other guys. I get $22 (less 10% for members here) to strip a reel, clean it and relube properly. If want to DIY be sure to have a schematic in front of you before opening any reel. Take pics along the way, take your time, and leave plenty of time to complete the job (probably a couple hours first time out). 

[sparky241]

where could i get bearings to replace the bushings

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Bocabearings. Btw you got a deal. Id buy um 24/7/365 at that price

[Traveler2586]

Also, when working on a reel it helps to lay down a light colored hand towel as a work mat, it will stop small parts from running away from you.

[sparky241]

Awesome thanks guys. now what type of pole should I get for nearly all around use? M or mh?

[sparky241]

Awesome thanks guys. now what type of pole should I get for nearly all around use? M or mh?

[Traveler2586]

If your thinking of using Braided line, I would go MH for pulling the Bass from heavy cover or deep cranking.

 

I have an Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 that I picked up at an Estate Sale some years back; its been setting in a drawer in my workshop.  The reel has 800200 on the foot; can someone tell me what the foot number represents?

The reel is in great shape, like it was never really used.  The only problem is it's RH wind and I use LH, so that's why its been setting in a drawer.

[Crestliner2008]

I think you got a great deal myself. Very easy to maintain and will easily be passed down to your grandkids. They are tanks! Just 3 main parts to disassemble and clean. Simply unscrew the stand-out screws (with the knurled heads) and the side plate comes off. Do the other side the same way and that gives you 3 separate sections to strip & clean.

 

If any one section is extremely dirty, spray it heavily with WD-40. Let it sit for an hour. Then flush it with hot water. Then you can disassemble it easily, if you have any mechanical ability at all. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, there are loads of reel services available here and online. Just do NOT send it back to an "Authorized" Abu dealer! They'll soak you an arm & a leg for almost no real work.

 

I have owned six Ambassadeurs since the early 70's and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I've already passed one on down to a grandson. He'll pass it down to his. That's how good they are. And there isn't much anyone else - with a much higher priced reel - can do that you can't do with a little practice. Love your Ambassadeur. It's golden!

[Goose52]

I have an Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 that I picked up at an Estate Sale some years back; its been setting in a drawer in my workshop.  The reel has 800200 on the foot; can someone tell me what the foot number represents

 

A coincidence that I just web-searched on Ambassadeur 5000 foot numbers yesterday, trying to pin down the approximate production period for my 5000. As close as I could come (without buying the Simon Shimomura books) was that it's a pre-1964.

 

There were at least three systems used for foot numbers - yours looks like the final system:

 

80 - 1980

02 - February

00 - no design/production change

 

HOWEVER, if the reel has early features - it's possible that the foot number could be the 1st system (serial number) but that would place it as around 1964 or earlier production.

 

From what I understand, this is not an exact science.

[Traveler2586]

Great !  Thanks.

 

I don't know if the reel has early features or not, it looks very basic.

[sparky241]

I put it on a rod today and man I'm casting this thing awesome! This is way better than my bp caster I bought, almost no backlash at all

[Fishes in trees]

In olden times, I had one of those reels and I never did get any good at using it.  Couldn't get any distance and when I tried back lashes would happen.  I think that reel soured me on bait casters for a couple of years.  It wasn't until  the mid 80's, when I got a Shimano with magnetic brakes, that I finally got the hang of using a bait caster.  I had some buddies who also owned the same reel.  They liked theirs.  I would complain about mine.  They would pick up my reel, minutely adjust the cast control to their liking, fire off a few casts with no backlashes and hand it back to me - "There's nothing wrong with this reel. . ."

 

I ended up trading that reel and an 80's era Diawa flipping stick for a couple bags of  glaucoma preventative medicine.

 

I hope your experiences with that reel work out better than mine did.  

[FlipSide]

 

I ended up trading that reel and an 80's era Diawa flipping stick for a couple bags of  glaucoma preventative medicine.

 

Lol

[Landon Sumlin]

On 5/9/2014 at 11:48 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

If you don't want to tinker with it you can send it out to me or one of the other guys. I get $22 (less 10% for members here) to strip a reel, clean it and relube properly. If want to DIY be sure to have a schematic in front of you before opening any reel. Take pics along the way, take your time, and leave plenty of time to complete the job (probably a couple hours first time out). 

Couple things, firstly how do I know you won't just keep the reel and my money? Also what if the reel isnt complete like it needs new parts? Would I need to pay for those? If so I'm perfectly fine with paying for them but would you need to know the parts needed beforehand or could you look at the schematics and tell from when you strip it down?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

you don’t pay until the work is done. If you know you need parts you can send them too or I can order them once the reel is inspected. Yes parts are extra. I service reels that retail for north of $600 and none have ever gone missing. Lol

[Mobasser]

My first casting reel 2as a red ABU 5000. No thumb bar. I used it for a number of years.You did good for 20 bucks

[oldschoolbasser]

On 5/10/2014 at 7:39 AM, Traveler2586 said:

If your thinking of using Braided line, I would go MH for pulling the Bass from heavy cover or deep cranking.

 

I have an Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 that I picked up at an Estate Sale some years back; its been setting in a drawer in my workshop.  The reel has 800200 on the foot; can someone tell me what the foot number represents?

The reel is in great shape, like it was never really used.  The only problem is it's RH wind and I use LH, so that's why its been setting in a drawer.

Your reel was made in February of 1980,1st edition. 

[redmeansdistortion]

On 3/24/2019 at 8:03 PM, Mobasser said:

My first casting reel 2as a red ABU 5000. No thumb bar. I used it for a number of years.You did good for 20 bucks

Mine was a 5600 C3 with the thumb bar.  I got it as a high school graduation gift 20 years ago from my uncle.  I don't use it for bass much these days and have since moved to smaller Abus for that like the 1000, 3000, and 4000 sized reels.  Where it does see use is fishing pike, steelhead, and salmon.  This reel has brought in a countless amount of salmonids the last couple of decades and is usually in tow with me when wading and walking the river banks from August until May.