Being the Ambassaduer reel using dude that I am, Rvrfshr directed me towards a couple of the japanese fishing tackle sites where they are selling brand new Ambassadeurs with all the higher tech ABU Record insides, but the old school cases from the '60's and '70's...in all the colors they used to come in, and more.

Cool stuff if you are into vintage Ambassaduers!

http://www.japantackle.com/ABU/Abu_2500C.htm

http://www.japantackle.com/ABU/Abu_1500C2500C.htm

http://www.purefishing.jp/product/abu-r09-shimomura.html

http://www.purefishing.jp/product/abu-bait.html

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. None of that stuff is available in the USA.

Remember the old 1500's? Haven't seen those in a coon's age. Haven't browsed the sites yet but that's one of the first things I'd look for. Only bummer is it was a righty. used to be a great little light line summer run reel.

No doubt, all those old Ambassadeurs were cool.

Here are some of the new "old school" 1500's...

More 1500's...

Check out this one...it's a Champagne 5500D...and yes, just like the old green 5500D's, it is direct drive...

http://www.purefishing.jp/product/abugarcia/reel/shimomura/04_5500d_champagne.html

309 bones for a 2500C.

Zow.

I've got some vintage 1960's black and red ABU's with those stubby little cranks.

They will be catching pinks and silvers for the KeenEye Kids on the Kenai AGAIN this year.

"Daddy, it's a hanger!"

Thanks Todd. I haven't checked the links yet, but I've always wanted a classic 2600 - no star drag, and you turn the crank back a half turn to put it in freespool. I almost bid on a couple a few years ago on Ebay, but they were in pretty well used condition.

Sg

Cool! Thanks.

That's definitely one of the hardest find, at least in good working condition...I haven't seen a 2007 or 2008 remake of that one yet.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Search around on the Pure Fishing Japan site and you'll get to see pics of the new ABU Revo Inshore...which I think will be replacing the Shimano 300's in the collection...$305 from Japan right now, but will be available here soon.

The handle is on the wrong side!

Thats cool stuff. Ive been using 5500d s forever both plain and high speed, also some 4500d s. Taking two of them to Alaska in the am. Cant wait

I have a question. How easy is it to get parts and service for the Japanese Abus? I have a Japanese model Stella 3000 and although it is an awsome reel, when it needs servicing it has to go to Shimano because none of the warranty centers will even touch it, and when it goes it stays for a lot longer than the domestic model.-T

T-I have no idea...I've never actually bought one of the Japanese-only issues of a reel.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Dave...you mean the "right side"...right?

I have about 15 2500c reels, I use them all the time and will pick one of those up over a Calcuta most everytime I each for a rod in the boat. Easy to cast and easy to rebuild.
Mine range from the late 60's all the way to the new 2500's they put out a few years ago and all the parts are interchangable.

Yeah, I pirate parts off of all my old ABU's...I probably have the cases from about twenty, but have about ten fully operational ones...the rest are just for parts, which haven't really changed in 40 years...

The only non-stock parts I routinely use are the Super Smooothie drag washers...and they can make an old reel feel brand new again.

Fish on...

Todd

I used one of Brewers ABU's last weekend on the wind. I was impressed, worked flawlessly, didn't get a chance to use the drag.

Mf

Todd-
Where are you buying the supper smoothies these days?

Ambassadeurs are fine for plug reels but if I am doing a lot of casting I would much rather have a curado.

shimanos are the best reels for the money imo........