ABU got back to me...would you believe..it is a WALMART USA and Australia model....it is called the 6600CL "Brute"...hahaha...anyways it is still an excellent reel but Walmart has it for regular price of $80 (spoke to a store in bellingham about it)...maybe worth keeping an eye if it ever goes on sale...who knows..they might drop it to $65 or something...

anyways...it feels a little less exotic now..oh well...