custom ambassadeur

[oldschoolbasser]

Here's a few of the reels I've been working on.A Teal 5600C, a Red and a Gold 4500C.I've also built a Bronze 4000D and a custom 4500D.I don't have pics of those 2 yet,but I'll post them when I do.If I screwed up and you can't see the pics email me,and I'll send them to you.

Edited May 14, 2008 by oldschoolbasser
adding pics

[Spike-A-Pike]

Hello oldschooler

There are 2 posts titled Inserting Photos Into Forum Posts in the How To area. Both are pretty straight forward, but if you need any help, let me know and we'll get it figured out.

Good luck.

[oldschoolbasser]

Thanks Bruce.I tried to follow the instructions from the help section,but being computer illiterate I guess I screwed it up.Any help with posting the pictures would be greatly appreciated.I think the guy would like what I've done to my reels,and since there aren't a lot of postings for reels,it would be a nice change of pace.

[oldschoolbasser]

Hope these pics came out O.K.1 Sunset Orange 4500C,3 Silver 4500C's,Black,Red,and Gold 4500C's.1 4500,Teal 5600C,Brown 5500,Bronze 4000D,with matching frame,and Custom 4500D.

Edited May 18, 2008 by oldschoolbasser

[oldschoolbasser]

Here's some more reels.Red,and Gold 4500C's,Teal 5600C.Black 4500C with Custom White knob handle.Brown 5500,and Bronze 4000D

Edited May 18, 2008 by oldschoolbasser

[Spike-A-Pike]

Well oldschooler,

I'd say you got the attaching photos to a post thing figured out. Very nice collection of reels; I see several still have line on them... I take it you still get some use???

When you say fixing up, are you referring to getting them painted, are you upgrading internal components, repairing them to original factory specs, some of all of the above? Just curious.

[oldschoolbasser]

Thanks Spike for the help.As for up-grading the reels ,I replace all worn gear,washers,other parts as needed.The bearings are replaced with ABEC-7's,and the worm gear is up-graded to C5 bearing supported gear.The side plates are actually factory plates with the decals changed to match the model.These reels still get some use,but with parts harder to come by,I'll use some of my newer reels instead.I currently have 43 older Ambassadeurs from the "70" and "80's,so I have plenty to choose from.Here's some of the newer reels.These have bearing up-grades,and Lews BB1-N handles.The 2 Silver reels are actually 5500C's narrowed to 4500C's.I will be changing to worm gears to C5 bearing supported soon.All the frames have been changed to the chrome style.I love the way these reels fish,smooth as silk,with plenty of power to crank the big ones in.

[Spike-A-Pike]

I don't know if you've popped into the Member Submitted Tutorial forum, by way the "How To" button on the main menu bar, or not? If you have, you may have noticed a distinct lack of information on maintaining, modifying, or upgrading reels. If you have the time when your working on your reels, could take the time to photograph and describe what your doing to the reel.

It is one area that we have absolutely nothing to explain the maintenance, care, and feeding of a healthy reel. What do you think, are you up to it? I really think it would a big help to all the member. Let me know.

Great looking photos by the way.

[JSC]

Having been in the Retail B&T way back when Ambassador 5000 was king (6000 was not until you took the bearings out and put in 5000 bushings) ... and later as a Jobber Salesman for many years watched the evolution of the Line of Ambassadors and I had really forgotten how many there have been until seeing this Extra Good Collection ... My old Red One And Black One have been put away for safe keeping.

JSC

[thedude]

those look great. Are you painting them? They almost look like they are powdercoated or annodized? (I assume they are aluminum).

[oldschoolbasser]

These are factory anodized plates,which I'm sure are aluminum.It's funny that the higher end reels only came in Silver,and the lower end reels had all the cool colors.Finding the NOS side plates is getting harder all the time,but I can find the newer ones with no problem.The Green 4500D was never a production model,and only a few were made.I was able to secure a decal for this model,so I was able to build the reel.As a fan of the 45 series of reels,this one was a nice addition.I'm going to build a Bronze 4000D with the narrow frame also.Since this model is the only 4000 with a 5000 size frame,I think it would look good in a narrow frame.

[oldschoolbasser]

I still have all my 2500C's that I bought in the late "70's",and most of my "80's" reels also.I've up-graded the bearings and handles,and they still feel new.I've also added the chrome frames to give them a more solid feel.I don't mind the extra weight,and prefer the heft the frames add.These reels represent a link to the past,and their innovations,and designs continue on today.

[Tony Maxwell]

I bought 2 Ambassadeur 1500C reels back in the late 70s. Not only do I still use them, but I have added 2 more 1500Cs that I found on Ebay, and a 2500C. I started bass fishing way before thumbars were thought of and, as I am left handed, find the button on the frame side works just fine for me. These are the reels I use for pitching cause they work better than the new reels I have tried.

[oldschoolbasser]

Tony,I couldn't agree with you more!Although these reels are more than 30 years old,they still perform as well as some of the newer reels out today.They handle light line and lures without a problem,and have enough power to pull the big ones in.I use mine primarily for worm fishing.Out here in Socal we have a lot of clear lakes where light line is a must.The newer reels are just too fast for finesse fishing where slower retrieve is need.I've up-graded mine with ceramic bearings,and I'm going to add 4 post drive shafts to engage the reel faster.I'll post some photos of my 15 and 2500C's later.

Edited May 20, 2008 by oldschoolbasser

[oldschoolbasser]

Tony,heres some pics of my 1500C's.I have 1 mint with box,my every trip reel,a Blue 1500C IAR from Japan,a Nostalgia Series from Japan also,and a Standard 1500C with Burgundy side plates added on.

[oldschoolbasser]

Here's my 2500C collection.The Blue and Red reels are IAR models.Originally Silver I added the colored side plates.The Burgundy one is a Standard model with side plates added also.The others I just replaced the old side plates with new ones,and there's a Don Iovino in there also.