Abu Garcia T5600c

[bulldog1935]

@redmeansdistortion

Fred Ribb's lore on the 1st Ambassadeur 5000DL (and subsequent CDL)

https://lurelore.com/freds/abu.html#section14

[redmeansdistortion]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

@redmeansdistortion

Fred Ribb's lore on the 1st Ambassadeur 5000DL (and subsequent CDL)

https://lurelore.com/freds/abu.html#section14

I was reading just that after I had posted my reply.  There's a lot of mystique surrounding the early deluxe reels.  What I found interesting was that there may have been multiples of #10, but nothing has been verified.

[lastmanstanding]

5 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Really nice things can burn a hole in your pocket.  

I figured out early on that Ted Godfrey had a superior design on the old-style conventional frame fly reel.  Aside from a really good externally adjustable click pawl, he invented the only design you could easily open up at streamside if your leader got between the spool and frame.  

 

I custom-ordered my Westminster for $450 through rodmaker JD Wagner, right after Ted had his first price increase.  I fished it for 5 years and sold it for $900

Here's what they sell for now.

I did basically the same thing with half-a-dozen quality fly reels, limited edition Hardy to 1917 Hardy.    The first c. 2000 St. George reproduction/ 500 was only offered to cane rod builders, and used c. '30's MOC and finishing, including ebonite grasp and brass foot - another score from JD - they were much nicer than the reels Hardy reintroduced 10 years later.  

 

I've started leaning way more into fly fishing the last couple of years. My grandfather was the only person in my family that knew how and he taught me the basics. He passed 4yrs ago and ever since then I've been fly fishing way more. I'm still not very good at it and I don't tie my own flies yet but I enjoy it more than I ever thought I would.

[bulldog1935]

@lastmanstanding

https://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/

 

[lastmanstanding]

@bulldog1935 Thank you for showing me that I'll definitely use it.

[Bigbox99]

On 6/7/2024 at 2:14 PM, lastmanstanding said:

so this guy is pretty much off his rocker.

Yes, welcome to ebay.  

[bulldog1935]

Ambassadeur collectors may be searching for your reel, but they know what it is, and they're looking for the nicest boxed reel they can find for the cheapest price.  As I said before, the decoration on the reel is worth up to $20 more than the mechanical equivalent ProMax 5600C.  (more people want 3600C, etc.).  

 

Those of us looking for (and/or building) Ambassadeur to fish are more interested in results than looks, and tastes here can vary greatly.  @redmeansdistortion often likes to build a Hot Rod Ambassadeur that looks completely traditional.  

I have my function goals, which may also change the looks greatly.  In the end, it's the mechanics of these reels we love.  

 

It's possible to build an Ambassadeur to out-perform a new high-end Daiwa, and they will still be here after the Daiwa is forgotten.  

[redmeansdistortion]

7 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

It's possible to build an Ambassadeur to out-perform a new high-end Daiwa, and they will still be here after the Daiwa is forgotten.  

Yep.  The general consensus among the uninitiated is that they are old technology and the level wind sacrifices performance.  In some cases, they are right.  The part they are not talking about is that the reel has evolved thanks to the aftermarket and bench tuning takes them into an entirely different league.  The immense popularity of the reel over many decades cemented a legacy that continues on.  The Ambassadeur holds records that even the latest and greatest by Daiwa or Shimano can't accomplish, and many of these records were set nearly 50 years ago to boot.  Where the Japanese engineer around smoothness and close tolerances, the Swedish engineer for sheer performance and reliability.  When I go brush busting through the sticks for a few days, my first choice is always a small Ambassadeur because I know it will work through everything short of a natural disaster.  They're also simple enough to service in the field if need be, with minimal tools at that.  It's the ultimate buy-it-for-life reel.