Modyfying a Abu 6500CT reel

[Pereira]

Is this reel able to be modified in anyway?

[MarkR]

Hi dude,

ABUs are reels that are easily modified. They are simple to take apart and tuning parts are readily available. What would you like to do with your reel, casting, light bottom, light jigging? Which CT model do you have? I think 3rd party tuning parts are available for almost the entire reel except the sideplates and brake plate.

Cheers,

Mark

[stickbom!]

Word of advice, the last thing you wanna do is swap the stock drags for leather ones... sure to screw up the pinion big time. I've seen dozens of ABUs smashed up internally due to leather drags. If you must, order some Carbontex from smooothdrags.com for your 6500. I just bought some for my Sunset Orange 4500 but kinda lazy to tear the reel apart lately

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Word of advice, the last thing you wanna do is swap the stock drags for leather ones... sure to screw up the pinion big time. I've seen dozens of ABUs smashed up internally due to leather drags. If you must, order some Carbontex from smooothdrags.com for your 6500.

Actually...... I've always wondered Isn't it simply that the ABUs are not up to the strains of fishing with braided lines, and the drag modifications, be it leather drags or any other material, simply accelerates the destruction of the pinions?

Perhaps the newer generation reels like the Morrum & the Record may fare better, but IMHO, best is to leave them reels the way they are & fish them as is. They are decent reels for their price (Not referring to the "collector's" editions) & they cast like a dream. Anglers may want to change the drag washers to get more consistent drag setting, waterproof material so it don't get jerky when wet (sounds kinky ), longer lasting, etc., but I would certainly not reccommend them not to "mod" the drag because they want MORE powerful drags for their ABUs. Fact is, need higher drags??? Buy something else. I may be completely wrong, but I think the myriad of crushed pinion gears; not just from ABU reels, are the result of anglers fishing their reels beyond their intended tolerances with modified drags with under rated braided lines rather than anything else.

What's your take on this ABU Guru MarkR?

[stickbom!]

I'm no technical wizard but somehow when the thicker leather washers are in place, ABU's have a problem engaging properly after you make a cast. It's a nightmare when you thumb the reel in free spool and try to engage it after a fish picks up the bait. I've swapped carbontex into my Scorpion and have no problems so far (touch wood) and I'll be swapping out the drags from my Sunset orange tonight.

I totally agree that swapping drags for the wrong reasons is bad for your reels health Personally I'm upgrading cos the stock drags in my 4500 is getting jerky. The Sunset Orange is a present from wifey so much keep it in tip top shape

[Pereira]

If i wanted to put a power handle, it would be possible right.
Any shops does Abu Mod?

[stickbom!]

I think Sabre has some original ABU Power handles. You'll need to pick up the parts and DIY.

[MarkR]

You’re absolutely right Mak.

The basic design of the Ambassadeur reel hasn’t changed in decades. Most Ambassadeurs do not employ one-piece machine cut frames, several reels still come with chrome frames, the brake plate design hasn’t altered much since the Record 5000 (a fifty year old reel by the way), drags still leave much to be desired and for some reason the choice material for Ambassadeur main gears appears to be aluminium. I could go on but it’s clear that Ambassadeurs just aren’t built strong enough for heavy use with PE/GSP lines. The Morrums and some JDM Mamiya ABUs (the 8000 J-speed was marketed as a jigging reel) looked promising a couple of years ago but judging from what’s coming out of the ABU factory currently, suggests to me that executives at Pure Fishing have decided ABU should remain a low to mid-range price bracket brand, targeted at the masses and holiday fishermen. Indeed, it’s common to see ABU rod and reel combo sets sold in “action-figure packaging” at almost every Wal-Mart these days- some of these combo sets even end up as bargain bin specials. Today’s Ambassadeur certainly isn’t a pocket rocket and it isn’t super value for money either. For the price of an Ambassadeur, I feel that you can get a better reel incorporating newer technology from manufacturers like Tica and Okuma- such a let down for a brand name that was synonymous with quality and performance in the 70s and early 80s

I believe that the only niche market ABU has today is in the field of tournament casting. The 55 and 65CTs are still very popular with distance casters; the smaller morrums and some 25 series Ambassadeurs are also the choice reels of many tournament plug casters. I suspect that one of the main reasons why Ambssadeurs are still very popular in tournaments casting circles is because they are easily tinkered with. Amabssadeurs are easily assembled and disassembled; many parts are also generic and can be swapped/interchanged between different models. This nuance has contributed to the widespread availability of third party tuning parts from several companies like Avail, B-trap and Smoothdrag. Unfortunately for ABU collectors, this pecularity has also contributed to the prevalence of fake Ambassdeurs on Internet auctions.

I still own several Ambassadeurs but these are stored away in a glass shelf, my interest in the Ambassadeur and ABU brand is now purely historical

Tight lines,

Mark

[stickbom!]

Mai ani kuan leh... I have a new C4 with a chio chio Japo powerhandle on it you know Happen to like it bery much... loaded it with YGK PE2 somemore Actually its funny how the Japanese actually jig with those tiny 55/65s. Look damn funny You should come my place and watch some of those old jigging videos Mark

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Mai ani kuan leh... I have a new C4 with a chio chio Japo powerhandle on it you know Happen to like it bery much... loaded it with YGK PE2 somemore Actually its funny how the Japanese actually jig with those tiny 55/65s. Look damn funny You should come my place and watch some of those old jigging videos Mark

Mikey,

I'll come over but only if you stock up on loads of espresso, otherwise i'll definitely not be able to get through those old jigging videos

Now that you've proven the Penn 950SS rulz...are you gonna prove that the Penn Baja Special can be used for Popper tossing too...WAHAHAHA

[MarkR]

For Mikey

Scans from the very last Mamiya catalog

[MarkR]

Check out the little pic of the Amberjack next to the Big Water Classic series reels

Mikey, perhaps you'd want to try one of these reels the next time you go Amberjack hunting

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by stickbom!

........ Actually its funny how the Japanese actually jig with those tiny 55/65s.........

IMHO, I think it is a matter of choice and they simply want to be different, not because the 55/65s are the best reels to use for jigging. Just like the full glass Bass rods with the fancy handles that come out of Japan. How can such rods possibility be better in terms of sensitivity of a thru-handle full graphite rod? Anyway, I can still remember when Shimano blew the Ambassadeurs away with the launch of their Calcutta series.

When it comes to this "genre" of tackle choice, it definitely isn't a question of normal logic (passion and the need to be different rules here); nor affordability, because the Mamiyas, the power handle & the mods that go into those reels and those retro rods ain't cheap. Sure, the ABUs can be used for jigging, but if there are better alternatives around, why not use it. Otherwise, it's akin to using the Motorola "brick" phone instead of using a Razr. Having said that, there is certainly a nostalgic allure to it though

[Narc]

"simply want to be different" and "nostalgic allure" ..... I like these descriptions.



Mike, you've been singled out here! Woohooz!

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by Narc

"simply want to be different" and "nostalgic allure" ..... I like these descriptions.



Mike, you've been singled out here! Woohooz!

Yo Narc,

You must be having a real bad weekend. Don't sabo me ....... not singling out Mikey dude. Just making a general observation about the Japanese penchant for retro. The lack of fishing must be driving you nuts huh? Hahahahahaha!!!!!

Best regards,
Makaira

[Narc]

Originally Posted by Makaira

Yo Narc,

You must be having a real bad weekend. Don't sabo me ....... not singling out Mikey dude. Just making a general observation about the Japanese penchant for retro. The lack of fishing must be driving you nuts huh? Hahahahahaha!!!!!

Best regards,
Makaira

Aiyo Makaira.... don't be overly conscious la!!! I just like the terms you used... as for mikey, he was singled out by MarkR!

hohoho....

[stickbom!]

no lar... Baja Special is for bottom bashing yeah what Makaira said is true. Its not really about which rod/reel is better built or designed. Its just the feel you get from using it.

One thing I can't deny, I'm weird when it comes to tackle choices Thank goodness non of those "retro" gear I own has failed me so far. Next project will be using the decade old Stella 10000H that I still have... for jigging.

By the way Mark, that 8000C J-Speed looks really nice... wonder if I can ask Santa for one this Christmas. LOL

[aH KIM]

Yo can anyone advise is there really the 10000c j-speed in the first pic.
how much would it be locally??
Mi lookin for abu reel but dunno which 1 best.....




CHEERS........

[stickbom!]

Ah Kim, the Japanese ABUs are definitely not worth the extra $$. Trust me I was just quoted SGD$450 for a "Japanese Market" chrome 6500CS Rocket. "Export" chrome 6500CS Rocket is only $175 .

[MarkR]

Hi Ah Kim,

There's no 10000C J-speed, only a 1000CL Special (chrome version of the 10000 CL for JDM). I believe only an 8000C J-speed and 9000CL J-speed were made- these were single speed high gear ratio (5.2:1?) reels with silver spools. I agree with Mikey, JDM ABUs not worth the $ unless u want to collect.

cheers

[aH KIM]

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Now where does all the abu reels made in and the assembly at which country???
Mi finding those that made i sweden.
The last old batch 10000c series.
hard to find it now.