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Decoding Ambassadeur Numbers: please contribute

17K views 18 replies 8 participants last post by  Brackish 
#1 ·
Ok the first number is width right? A 6000 is wider than a 5000. Ok

Now the 500 means higher retrieve ratio? As in a 6500 is faster than a 6000 right?

And then "C" means it had bearings and if there is no "C" it's just bushings?

Is there an ambassadeur 7500?

Feel free to volunteer any info on what these model numbers mean. Thanks
 
#3 ·
The retrieve on a 6000 is the same as a 6500 and the 5000 is the same to on Abu's there 5:3:1 on all 3 I have all 3
Really? Ok that's good information then. What does the 500 mean?

Also I think a "600" means thumb bar?
 
#5 ·
Here is some more info to look over Wesley, just something I found online and looked like a good read

Glossary of Abu Garcia Ambassaduer Reel Terminologies


6.3:1 ~ 5.3:1 = The Gear Ratio of 6.3:1 (High Speed - Low Torque) is Not recommend for heavy fishing conditions (Fish Bigger than 5 Pounds). The Gear Ratio of 5.3:1 (1 turn of the Handle = 5.3 Turns of the Spool). is the most common and the most dependable Gearing Ratio for a Ambassaduer Reel. Check this Site For Further details:
A = Small arbor spool, larger line capacity than the standard spool (for example 5000A)
AB = Anti-backlash, (for example 5600AB) – This design really stunk! Short lived!
B = Small arbor spool, larger line capacity and a line out alarm (for example 5000B)
BG = Big Game ~ Note: In My Opinion ~ The Best 9000 and 10,000 Series ABU Reels were the “Gold” BG Series with – Dual Anti-Reverse Dog Eared Clips + These Reels Were Lighter than ANY 9000 or 10000 Series ABU Reels + They could handle 5 to 10 more Pounds and were similar to a Penn International Reels at 1/3 the cost
C = Reel was Manufactured with 2 ball bearings in the spool or around the spool axle depending on spool design ~ Note these are also on Ebay with BRASS BUSHINGS NOT BEARING ~ So Ask some Questions Sports Fans!
CI = Reel produced for Independent dealers – No Longer Available
C3 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse (the 7000C3/7500C3 reels have two ball bearings at the ends of the spool axle plus a third ball bearing around the crank shaft)
C4 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool, one ball bearing in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse
C5 = The reel has two ball bearings in the spool, two ball bearings in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse
CB = Self-centering – disengaging level wind (for example 4600CB) 1980’s - ( Designed for Cabela's Stores )
CL3 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse ( Designed for WalMart Stores )
CS = C stands for ball bearings ( Two ball bearings in the spool plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse ), the S is short for "Sports", as in "6500CS Rocket”
CT (C3)= Non level wind model and has two ball bearings in the spool plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse ~ Except the 7000CT to the 10,000CT reels have two ball bearings at the ends of the spool axle plus a third ball bearing around the crank shaft (for example BG9000CT)
D = Direct drive - Drag works only when your hand is off the handle grips. (For example 5000D)
DA = Direct drive with palming side plate
DL = Deluxe = Gold plated model ~ $$$$$$ AND THEN ADD A FEW MORE $$$$$
GR = Graphite construction
HCL = The H stands for High-speed, the CL for ball bearings and level wind, as in "Big Game 6500HCL" Note: This is different from CL3 Which was Designed for WalMart Stores
HS = High speed reel ~ Old School lingo 60's + 70's + Early 80's ~ Gear Ratio of 5.3:1 ~ ( for example 7000HS ) GREAT REEL!
HSI = High Speed with Infinity spool design
HSN = High speed narrow frame reel - (for example 7000HSN = Gear Ratio of 5.3:1)
I OR i = International = Manufactured in China = Beware ~ these reel are Cheaply Manufactured! ~ Currently found on 7000 to 10,000 ABU Reels ~ ( for example 7000i ) ~ Also the Current Abumatics ~ ( for example 276i ) ~ These Reels Are All Currently Manufactured in China ~ NOT SWEDEN!
IAR = Instant Anti Reverse (for example 2500CIAR) ~ Old School lingo 60's + 70's + 80's ~ ABU Reels of today, Such as the C3 – Which comes standard with the reel
IVCB = Infinitely Variable Centrifugal Brake – This design really stunk! Short lived!
J-speed = the "J" stands for Japan, the J-speeds (8000/9000/10000) are high-speed saltwater reels made for the Japanese market with a 5.2:1 Gear Ratio ~ $$$$$ ~ HOT
KC = The KC Series - These reels were made for K-Mart. They include the ABU 6500 KC1 (Lime Green), KC2 (Sunset Orange), KC3 (Electric Blue), and KCC or Custom Catfish (Electric Blue with a Catfish on the Palm side Plate). The Colored version have been discontinued but the - KC3 is still available in the Silver or Aluminum Color. ( Designed for K-Mart Stores )
L = Level wind (for example 6500CL, 9000CL; originally used for the 9000CL and 10000CL to indicate that those models had a level wind ~ Old School lingo 60's + 70's + 80's + 90's ~ Note: This is different from CL3 Which was Designed for WalMart Stores
LC = Line counter reel
LD = Lever drag reel
LDN = Lever drag reel with narrow frame
MAG or Magtrax = MAG Cast Control - These reels have a setting that goes from 0 to 9 - (0 = Free Spin and 9 = Slows the spool greatly). This is a great Feature - I have several Reels with a MAG's and I normally set them to - between 1 and 2 - For "0" Backlash
SP = Sprint 6.3:1 gear ratio
ST = Striper model - This is a standard 6500C model with a decal on the Palm side plate
W = Winch 3.8:1 gear ratio OR Late 80's to 90's – It meant a WIDE Spool Reel

Abu Garcia reels come in the following sizes: 4x00, 5x00, 6x00 - The X in the size when replaced with a 5 represents a push button (for example 5500 or 6500) free spool release model and a 6 is a thumbar (for example 5600 or 6600)free spool release model.
 
#17 ·
Here is some more info to look over Wesley, just something I found online and looked like a good read


C4 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool, one ball bearing in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse
C5 = The reel has two ball bearings in the spool, two ball bearings in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse
Jon
thank you for contributing this but I just now saw this and wondering are there really levelwind bearings?
really idk...
also I dont understand the abu c3 and c4 notations anyway.
lets take a C3.
I use to wonder if they actually counted individual ball bearings....like each ball. Now I presume they dont. as in each unit counts as a bearing. so a c3 would have a bearing unit at each end of the spool axis. ok that is two. then the third is on the gear sleeve ie drag stack
if that is correct then on a C4 where is the fourth bearing?
also are they calling the IAR (instant anti-reverse) a bearing?
 
#6 ·
Here is some more reading....

Glossary of Reel Terminologies




A = Small arbor spool, larger line capacity than the standard spool (for example 5000A)



AB = Anti-backlash, (for example 5600AB)



B = Small arbor spool, larger line capacity and a line out alarm (for example 5000B)



C = Reel has 2 ball bearings in the spool or around the spool axle depending on spool design



CI = Reel produced for Independent dealers



C3 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse (the 7000C3/7500C3 reels have two ball bearings at the ends of the spool axle plus a third ball bearing around the crank shaft)



C4 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool, one ball bearing in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse



C5 = The reel has two ball bearings in the spool, two ball bearings in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse



CB = Self-centering, disengaging level wind (for example 4600CB) 1980's



CS = C stands for ball bearings, the S is short for "Sports", as in "6500C Sports Rocket



CT = Non level wind model



D = Direct drive - Drag works only when your hand is off the handle grips. (For example 5000D)



DA = Direct drive with palming side plate



DL = Deluxe = Gold plated model



GR = Graphite construction



HCL = The H stands for High-speed, the CL for ball bearings and level wind, as in "Big Game 6500HCL"



HS = High speed reel



HSI = High Speed with Infini spool design



HSN = High speed narrow frame reel



IAR = Instant Anti Reverse (for example 2500CIAR)



IVCB = Infinitely Variable Centrifugal Brake



J-speed = the "J" stands for Japan, the J-speeds (8000/9000/10000) are high-speed saltwater reels made for the Japanese market.



L = Level wind (for example 6500CL, 9000CL; originally used for the 9000CL and 10000CL to indicate that those models had a level wind.



LC = Line counter reel



LD = Lever drag reel



LDN = Lever drag reel with narrow frame



SP = Sprint 6.3:1 gear ratio



ST = Striper model



W = Winch 3.8:1 gear ratio



Abu Garcia reels come in the following sizes:

1x00, 2x00, 3x00, 4x00, 5x00, 6x00, 7x00, 8x00, 9000, 10000. The 7x00 and up models are larger reels, with the 7x00 holding 300 yds of

Berkley Big Game 25# line and the 10000 holding well over 300 yds of Big Game 40# line.



The X in the size when replaced with a 5 represents a push button free spool release model and a 6 is a thumbar free spool release model.

Note that other size designations have been used. For example the 521/522/523, 821/822/823 or 1021/1022 made during the eighties, or the

Ultra Mag I, II, III, IV, V, VI. "1" or "I" means a 4000-size reel, a "2" or "II" means a 5000-size reel, a "3" or "III" means a 6000-size reel and so on up.
 
#7 ·
Good posting Jon. The only thing I disagreed with was the comment about the letter I or i. I doe mean International but as in the 7000ic3 does not mean cheap or lesser quality. I have (4) 7000s. Three were made in China and I see no lesser quality between the Chana made 7000s and the Swedish made 7000s.

Note this DOES NOT include the 6500 model. The 6500 made in China version like the "S" is nothing more than a cheap entry level model and should be avoided by serious fishermen. If you buy from Ebay, watch closely. They are there and some sellers try to make them harder to identify by avoiding pictures with the "S" in it. If it is listed as a brand new 6500 for $59 beware.

good luck
Spring is right around the corner.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the awesome help everyone. Here is a reel that I have that has no markings on it and I need to order some centrifugal brakes for it I'm not sure what to order I may have to just order some and go from there until I get it right.
Bumper Auto part Tire Automotive tire Automotive exterior

Bumper Auto part Rim Vehicle Wheel

Tire Bumper Rim Auto part Automotive exterior

Why would there be no model number on this?
Maybe it had a decal for the model number at one time? Idk it doesn't matter to me I just need some little brake doodads it does seem to cast okay without them though.
Automotive exterior Bumper Vehicle Auto part Car
 
#10 ·
Ok looks like my old black 5500C is missing a decal found this one on eBay showing the decal. I guess in the early days they used decals before engraving the number
Fishing reel Recreation
 
#15 ·
Wow! Got my first ABU about 1971 and still have three today. I've never had a clue what all those things meant and really didn't care, the reels simply work and work for a long time. Never knew till recently that any were made in China either. I thought they were all made in Sweden, say's so on all of mine. You guy's are waiting to long between bite's! You not only have time to read that stuff but time to worry about it to! :)
 
#16 · (Edited)
OK wait.... The 10,000 going toe to toe with an International from Penn? I admit I didn't know the "BG" version even existed since I'd never seen anything beyond a 7000, and had no clue they did a "Big Game" version. But saying it's going to stand up to a Penn International where they go up to 100 pounds of Drag with a massive Spool, on a reel that, as far as I can tell on Ebay maxes out at 20 pounds of Drag and isn't particularly big... The Catfish Edition has the same amount of Drag (20 pounds) and it may well be 1/3 the cost, but it is also about 1/5 the Drag and a LOT less spool capacity for line.

From what I've seen they are discontinued now? Does Abu Garcia make actual big Reels?

===================

EDIT:

LOL never mind. I went to their site to look up if they made any actual big Reels, and saw their Catfish special, and the "beast" one.... 15 to 20 pounds of drag max, and line capacity ..... Bro I just saw one of these things that are 500 dollars and had less than 200 yards of 17 pound mono capacity.....

I guess when I heard "Big Game" and "Penn International" I got confused / Excited thinking I wasn't giving Abu a fair shake but I don't think any of these things would take on the things you could with an International, or a Tiagra.

I'm still kind of new to some of this, did Abu Garcia make bigger Conventional Reels back in the day? I saw the 10000 on Ebay but I wouldn't exactly use that for the open Ocean like you do with an International, or Tiagra, or a TLD.

I went to their main website, and opened up every Conventional Reel, and Round Reel that they have listed and read through the specs to check drag and line capacity.
 
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