Watching Ebay and I noticed an Abu 30 with original case etc in Germany for 300 euros currently. They are very hard to get and the price seems low. What should it go for?
What should I also pay for a good Abu 20?
Abu Big Game Reels
No, that price is okay. That's about what they go for in very good to excellent condition. The other end of the scale is about $70 on ebay for a well-used unit a year or so ago, and around $350 for an absolutely pristine never-been-used 20 with box, case, manual, the works. That last one was on ebay just last week. See ended auctions. Saw a couple of parts-picked reels a few weeks ago, but don't know what they sold for.
Not sure what is going on with those reels. They're really cool; they happen to be my personal favorite. Truly inspirational. But the fact is that they were produced continually for eight or ten years from '76 to '84, and are unusual but not rare. I heard of a tackle shop in Ventura that had one with an asking price of $800. That is absolutely ridiculous, and you can quote me on it. So say $150 to $250 would be totally reasonable.
So anyways Robert, the reels do come up from time to time. Just be patient. Look for a useable reel rather than a showpiece, so you can actually fish with it. (maybe tune the drag though, and have someone crank out an aluminum spool for it to cut down the weight.)
Good luck.
Doc.
Not sure what is going on with those reels. They're really cool; they happen to be my personal favorite. Truly inspirational. But the fact is that they were produced continually for eight or ten years from '76 to '84, and are unusual but not rare. I heard of a tackle shop in Ventura that had one with an asking price of $800. That is absolutely ridiculous, and you can quote me on it. So say $150 to $250 would be totally reasonable.
So anyways Robert, the reels do come up from time to time. Just be patient. Look for a useable reel rather than a showpiece, so you can actually fish with it. (maybe tune the drag though, and have someone crank out an aluminum spool for it to cut down the weight.)
Good luck.
Doc.
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ABUBO
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ABU Big Game reels (20 & 30)
Hi...
To my knowledge the prices you mention Doc, is very true. And $800 is most rediculous, right ... or was is covered in 24 Carat Gold?
You go for it Robert, though the German prices are often a bit on the high end. You should be able to find a slightly used 20 or 30 for $250 - more or less.
I too would want at least one of those reels, but my financial situation is not for things like that at the moment - regrettably.
FYI: I was told that ABU had a lot of them destroyed from stock some years after the production ended, because they didn't sell as good as expected, so - even they were made for an eight year long periode, I do find that they are not all that common ... in Europe anyway. As for US it could be different .. you tell me
Regards,
Bo
To my knowledge the prices you mention Doc, is very true. And $800 is most rediculous, right ... or was is covered in 24 Carat Gold?
You go for it Robert, though the German prices are often a bit on the high end. You should be able to find a slightly used 20 or 30 for $250 - more or less.
I too would want at least one of those reels, but my financial situation is not for things like that at the moment - regrettably.
FYI: I was told that ABU had a lot of them destroyed from stock some years after the production ended, because they didn't sell as good as expected, so - even they were made for an eight year long periode, I do find that they are not all that common ... in Europe anyway. As for US it could be different .. you tell me
Regards,
Bo
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Stu Lawson
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Abu Big Game Reels
I sold an ABU 30 NIB about a year and a half ago to a U.S. buyer for $600, and I believe that to be a fair value.
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ABUBO
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Hi Stu,
I'm happy for you, Stu. That was a very good price indeed (i.e. for the seller )
In Europe you should and would be very happy (and lucky too) to get $400 or more for a 20 or 30 reel - even NIB. Only a few years ago they sold for less than $200, so the prices sure have risen since then. But obviously not to the US level. Maybe the exchange rate USD to EURO's has something to do with this, as the USD was about 20% higher then than it is today...
Bo
I'm happy for you, Stu. That was a very good price indeed (i.e. for the seller
)In Europe you should and would be very happy (and lucky too) to get $400 or more for a 20 or 30 reel - even NIB. Only a few years ago they sold for less than $200, so the prices sure have risen since then. But obviously not to the US level. Maybe the exchange rate USD to EURO's has something to do with this, as the USD was about 20% higher then than it is today...
Bo