Abu Garcia serial decoder

[GRiver]

Hey does anyone here where the serial number decoder for Abu Garica is located 

I picked up an Abu Garcia 6000 at an estate sale, it’s a little rough cosmetically. 
I just going to use it for trolling.

I’m want trying to find out a little history on it, if anybody knows the website for some information about it.

 

 

[bulldog1935]

Fred Ribb is the place to start - 

https://lurelore.com/freds/abu.html#section4

 

this is 4500C, '78, February, no revisions (same as previous lot - '77)

 

show us a photo of the reel

[GRiver]

Thank you @bulldog1935 I go check that out. This serial number is 100500.

Thank you

G

[bulldog1935]

6000 uses a different lot code - the "Earliest" lot code on Fred's list.  

10 is October, 05 is actually 1965, 00 is no revisions.  

[GRiver]

If your reel has #1, 3, 5, 7, 9.......it is most likely ca.1958

If your reel has #1, 3, 5, 7, 10.....it should fall between 1959~1961.

If your reel has #2, 3, 5, 7, 10.....it should fall between 1962 and mid~1964.

 

If your reel has #2, 4, 6, 8, 10.....it should have a lot number. If it does not, the frame is most likely a replacement

I don’t quite understand this part @bulldog1935

So my reel is a 1965? Is that good or bad? 
I don’t know much about Abu’s

[bulldog1935]

It's a bushing reel -no bearings - but they're good reels with good bushings.  

Many aftermarket suppliers make bearing-size bushings to turn later -C reels into your reel.  

Some people prefer casting heavy weights using the slower bushings in place of faster ball bearings.  

 

They used serial numbers for first production, beginning 1954-ish.  

They switched to lot codes in the '60s, changed the lot codes to begin with the actual year in the '70s.  

Note if your reel was '50s, there would be a "Record" stamp on the tail plate.  

 

If you notice, I defer to Fred who knows more than I do - he defers to Simon Shimomura, who knows more than he does.  

[GRiver]

@bulldog1935 is the tail plate  where it fits into the reel seat

[bulldog1935]

this is a '50s Ambassadeur tail plate with the Record stamp.  

Ambassadeur began as an upgrade to their Record direct drive baitcaster (no freespool).  

They bought the Record trademark when they bought Thommen spinning reel, the design they evolved into Cardinal.  

 

 

(Fellow-Swede Thommen was the earliest A/R spinning reel - the knurled knob on the handle engages a one-way friction washer on the mainshaft).