Abu Spool ID

[flysupplies]

Anyone have the reel for this spool? Trying to figure if it fits any Ambassadeur that I own.
Measures 37mm diameter, 42mm wide
(1 7/16 x 1 5/8"). I have 3 of them. Called Abu and the reels they said it fits are either the correct diameter or the correct width but not both. Pretty sure it's for a Sweden model. Thanks

[Ron Mc]

6500 C
6600 C
should fit all 6000 series reels with C for ball bearing

[Dr. Rob]

Yup. And they are right— dims are 39 mm diameter x 42 wide. Easy mistake.

And idunno if it would fit all 6XXXs, but definitely a lot of them until the mid-2000s, and maybe more.

.

[Ron Mc]

should be all except 6600w - black max
it will definitely fit 6600C4

[flysupplies]

Already tried it on my 6600c4. Like i said, width is good but diameter of the 6600 is larger as Rob said. The mystery spare spool in my 6600 leaves a gap. Same size difference in my 6500 striper trophy reel (which I have a correct spare spool for). Smaller diameter of the mystery spare spool. What reel to try next? Thanks

[Ron Mc]

you can find Don Iovino here - http://www.iovino.com/index.php/
He should have every variation in front of him, and has probably rebuilt one recently.

[flysupplies]

Is there a unique ball bearing model that is 6000 series wide but 5000 series in diameter? That could be the reel these spools will fit. I could notch a section out of the arbor to narrow them and they will fit my smaller diameter spool Abus fine.

[Ron Mc]

of course 5500 and 6500 are the same diameter and end plates with drives exchange.
I measured my black 6500C spool this morning, and didn't note the diameter difference.

I found this
http://www.lurelore.com/freds/abu.html#section3

Simon has said, "It's a continual process to find the two sequential serial numbers that define the frame change from 4-screw to 3-screw." My serial number research and supporting 6000C evidence continues to lead me to January 1968 as the date of the frame change. Between Simon and I, we hope to accomplish this through discovery of new serial numbers. If you own a 5000C with serial number between 35064 (4-screw) and 35158 (3-screw) please contact me using the address at the top of this site. Currently, I'm only 94 reels apart.
...
Researching the 6000C has allowed me to further my studies for the 5000C and the frame change. Below is a photo of one of the very first 6000C's produced in January 1968 with it's supporting schematic reflecting lot number 01 08 00. In my opinion, we now know the date of the frame change from 4-screw to 3-screw occurred for all models in January 1968.
...
According to Simon Shimomura's writings, most but not all 5000C 4-screw models have the silver colored spool arbor. My research indicates reels with this spool are almost always confined to those with serial numbers beginning with 1xxxx (5 digit.) Virtually all others will have a solid black spool. I once owned #26227 (below) new in the box with the silver spool arbor. The box bottom has the matching serial number to the reel. To date, it's the only one I've confirmed as original with 2xxxx as the starting digit. The box style below is European and does not come with the Garcia wedge shaped banner.

your spool may be rare and came from the first run of 6000C

[flysupplies]

Hell if I know. All the 6000c reels I see on the auction site have black spools. If I find one with a silver spool you may be right.

[Patrick Z]

It looks like an ultra cast spool (no spool axle) to me so that means 1980s or newer, right? What about a ProMax 6600?

[flysupplies]

You are close at 6600 but there is an axle. I found my reel that they fit the other day. It's a less common model. The s6600cl one piece aluminum frame reel. Bigger reel, smaller diameter spool. Go figure.

[Patrick Z]

Yes, the S6600CL is a successor to to the original ProMax series sometime in the early to mid-1990s (I have the smallest, ProMax 1600 model in this series). In the Ultracast reels, the spools have the ball bearings (or bushings in some cases) inside the spool and slide over a fixed axle (somewhat like the old Coxes or Shakespeare Tru-Axis) My reference was for the benefit of the above posters that were digging deep into Abu history with 4 screw versions, black spools, etc. Those take conventional spools with axles.

[Ron Mc]

thanks, my only Abu's are '95 CT's, and looked at all the aftermarket parts out there for rebuilding those.

What stands out besides the diameter is the spool not coated black.

[Patrick Z]

Hi Ron, yes I believe I remember your thread about your Abu project on the fiberglass flyrodders forum - sounded like an awesome reel for your purposes!

[Ron Mc]

thanks Patrick - they're very light and cast modern braid out of sight.