Yuddzy Posted May 5, 2022 Author Posted May 5, 2022 1 minute ago, WRB said: Pre 2000 Abu Ambassaduer were Swiss made reels. After that time period Abu started having parts made in China, followed by being assembled in China. The issue with anything made in China is counterfeit metals and parts, no traceability. My favorite Abu reel was 2500C sweet reel. The 4500C was my work horse reel from the late 60’s until early 90’s about 35 years. I can’t see using the Abu Ambassadeur reel today beyond nostalgia reasons or a hobby to customize these reels. The older reels don’t have instant anti reverse, the handle moves backwards until a dog locks. The reel are very basic and easy to tune and clean, but heavy compared to today’s casting reels. The Shimano round reels like Cardiff A are priced around $100 and a far superior reel out of the box imo. Tom There's a lot of pre-2000s ambassadeur reels with all of the modern features on them. Durability, serviceability, functionality all seem to be there. I don't mind the weight too much, an entire rod and reel together weigh pretty little to me. The post 2000s reels still made in Sweden seem to be well liked, but I've never owned one. 2 Quote
Yuddzy Posted May 6, 2022 Author Posted May 6, 2022 A quick Before & After to close this one out. It went back together easy, very pleasant reel to work on. Cleaning was the hard part, the level wind was especially bad. I'll probably install a carbontex drag system later this year. First 3 are before of course, last 4 are after. 2 Quote
Big-Bass Posted January 21 Posted January 21 On 5/5/2022 at 2:24 PM, WRB said: Pre 2000 Abu Ambassaduer were Swiss made reels. After that time period Abu started having parts made in China, followed by being assembled in China. The issue with anything made in China is counterfeit metals and parts, no traceability. My favorite Abu reel was 2500C sweet reel. The 4500C was my work horse reel from the late 60’s until early 90’s about 35 years. I can’t see using the Abu Ambassadeur reel today beyond nostalgia reasons or a hobby to customize these reels. The older reels don’t have instant anti reverse, the handle moves backwards until a dog locks. The reel are very basic and easy to tune and clean, but heavy compared to today’s casting reels. The Shimano round reels like Cardiff A are priced around $100 and a far superior reel out of the box imo. Tom Abu round reels are produced in Sweden not Switzerland (Swiss). There are a few models made in China but production in Sweden stands to cease in 2025. Pure Fishing in just sold to China with distribution heading to Poland. Abu 2500C reels debuted in 1976 in the catalogs but 1975 in the foot numbers. 4500C reels debuted in late 1976 with the majority of reels having foot numbers from 1977 so forth. If you can't see the customizing of these smaller Ambassadeur reels than perhaps you haven't looked into modifications to one of the most popular platforms that exists on earth for BFS and finesse techniques. 2 Quote
Super User WRB Posted January 21 Super User Posted January 21 Sweden stand corrected again! I gave all my 2500C, 4500C 70’s vintage to Don Iovino for his reel business 25 years ago. Tom Quote
Super User bulldog1935 Posted January 21 Super User Posted January 21 only Ambassadeur S was made in China From years of tuning these for wide range, BFS to surf, my very favorite result is '77 4500C and I have a gang of fun variations 2 Quote
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