Yes nice way to put it Billy
abu rubbish
- Thread starter rocketman
- Start date
Seems to me its all about quality control. When Abu was taken over by Pure Fishing imho thats when the quality went down hill. They relied on the Abu name but used inferior materials in their production. If Penn are still turning out quality gear even though its made in China then the problem is with the parent company not the factory manufacturing the reels.
Its a shame that Abu have gone downhill so much but at least we still have Daiwa and Penn producing quality fishing tackle.
Its a shame that Abu have gone downhill so much but at least we still have Daiwa and Penn producing quality fishing tackle.
FISHERMAN
Well-known member
Ive got a swedish made 7000c bergandy its a second reel for back up for my saltist just incase. Bought a abu ag seven a while back was a decent reel but wudnt cast very far build quality was ok sold it on ebay . The lad was over the moon who bought it. Was from s/land. Heard that they are no were near wat they used to be
<(Andy2009)>
Well-known member
I bought a second-hand Abu 6500 c3ct Mag High Speed for £42 in mint condition a while back. Bare in mind that these reels are chinese built, it was a hell of a little reel. It would cast superbly, had good line capacity, both mag and centrifugal breaking, and a very fast retreive, 6.3:1, hense 'high speed'.
In the time I had it, it never let me down, and I achieved some cracking casting, putting baits big distances.
Although I did sell my Abu a while ago to fund to get my beloved Penn 515 mag2, knowing me I will definately be getting another 1 (or 2
), either another 6500 mag high speed or a 6500 Mag Pro. 
In the time I had it, it never let me down, and I achieved some cracking casting, putting baits big distances.
Although I did sell my Abu a while ago to fund to get my beloved Penn 515 mag2, knowing me I will definately be getting another 1 (or 2
), either another 6500 mag high speed or a 6500 Mag Pro. 
TerryC
Well-known member
Dibs on buying a 9000c if the doctor come knocking on the door for you
I have a old 6500c3 ct elite, got no issues with it, had a 5500 c3ct mag elite too, wish i kept it to be fair!
Aye clean them up with an ultrasonic bath I got from Aldi (they selling them again now). Best way for cleaning bearings I ever found. Small jar of precision parts cleaner pop the bearings in for 8 minutes, dry them then a small tube with yellow rocket fuel in for another 8, pat them dry and bingo. Great for frames as well just don't put your tongue in to see if it tingles
InCodweTrust
Well-known member
Design dictates build
Design dictates build
I understand what your saying, and agree with the sentiment on retail cost, but do not forget it is the design criteria that dictates what is produced.
A cheap, tinny, design will, result in a cheap, tinny, product regardless of which part of the globe it is manufactured / assembled in !
It is solely down to the controlling company what design criteria, and therefore end quality is achieved.
It's all about maximising margins.... Look no further than Garcia.....
Mitchell and Abu both top quality products... both taken over by Garcia... margins maximised...both companies good reputation traded on....quality goes into sewer... companies reputation quickly follows...sell companies before completely worthless...go buy another ???
Design dictates build
I understand what your saying, and agree with the sentiment on retail cost, but do not forget it is the design criteria that dictates what is produced.
A cheap, tinny, design will, result in a cheap, tinny, product regardless of which part of the globe it is manufactured / assembled in !
It is solely down to the controlling company what design criteria, and therefore end quality is achieved.
It's all about maximising margins.... Look no further than Garcia.....
Mitchell and Abu both top quality products... both taken over by Garcia... margins maximised...both companies good reputation traded on....quality goes into sewer... companies reputation quickly follows...sell companies before completely worthless...go buy another ???
Rocker
Well-known member
I have a few old abu's 2 x 9000c 7000c synchro, blue elite, and I recon I could just about drive my car over em and they'd still graft! I've put them through the mill over the years and theyre still going strong! I bought a 6500 ct mag (the red one) last year second hand and tbh its crap compared to my blue elite. Tinny end plates, crap handles, and I've taken all the magnets out cos its so slow! So I use my speedmaster instead. Rip Abu!
TerryC
Well-known member
I understand what your saying, and agree with the sentiment on retail cost, but do not forget it is the design criteria that dictates what is produced.
A cheap, tinny, design will, result in a cheap, tinny, product regardless of which part of the globe it is manufactured / assembled in !
It is solely down to the controlling company what design criteria, and therefore end quality is achieved.
It's all about maximising margins.... Look no further than Garcia.....
Mitchell and Abu both top quality products... both taken over by Garcia... margins maximised...both companies good reputation traded on....quality goes into sewer... companies reputation quickly follows...sell companies before completely worthless...go buy another ???
I totally agree, Waterford Crystal and Wedgwood made the same mistake. Its 'cos the bean counters end up running the companies.
ChrisH
Well-known member
I'm an ABU man through and through; I can't comment on the newer ones because I've never had one. I have six older ones; 4 x 7000c's and 2 x 6500 Sports Rockets. They're years old but I service them at the end of every season; complete strip down, every part de-greased and cleaned then re-lubed.
They do everything I've ever asked of them without a problem; and they have years of service left in them.
The older original ABU's will last a lifetime if looked after properly; and if they do break down, they are very easily fixed.
As I say; I don't know about the Chinese ones; but I certainly won't be changing my reels any time soon.
I know there are people who swear by Penn and Diawa; horses for courses I suppose.
Just my two penn'orth.
They do everything I've ever asked of them without a problem; and they have years of service left in them.
The older original ABU's will last a lifetime if looked after properly; and if they do break down, they are very easily fixed.
As I say; I don't know about the Chinese ones; but I certainly won't be changing my reels any time soon.
I know there are people who swear by Penn and Diawa; horses for courses I suppose.
Just my two penn'orth.
no probs with the new abu 6500,easy to do a total strip down,easy to get parts if you want to mod them.can set them up to run as slow or fast as you like.for clean beaches ect there spot on,just look after them,a quick rinse down after use.russ at blackdog great for parts and advice
fish fingers
Well-known member
the akios reels are basically abus and built the way the they used to be built i,ve got the 7,000 size version mags and centifugal can,t fault it brass side plates aswell
d-a
Well-known member
reels
reels
i still have a 9000 i bought from bagnals when they were on westgate hill the only trouble i have had with it i stripped the handle nut it had a castle nut with locking tag now its got the standard modern nut ive also got 4 mk1 and mk2 rockets the insides are all brass
reels
i still have a 9000 i bought from bagnals when they were on westgate hill the only trouble i have had with it i stripped the handle nut it had a castle nut with locking tag now its got the standard modern nut ive also got 4 mk1 and mk2 rockets the insides are all brass
D
Darnc
Guest
I have 3 Abu reels had them a long time all made in Sweden I just rinse them off after use, let them dry off and give a quick spray with wd40 and during the summer give a little clean and an oil inside ready for winter,Still going great.
big sid
Well-known member
Abu Garcia
Abu Garcia
I own two 7000C Syncro's. Bought the first one 25 years ago second hand from I.D. (Chillingham Rd) and the second a year later brand new from the same dealer. Still going strong a rinse after each use allowed to dry and a spray of WD40 and wiped over. I sent the oldest away to be serviced to Woodpott Ltd in 2011. As for one comment that the new reels are light I compared the old to the new 7500C3 its as heavy as the 7000C Syncro.
Abu Garcia
I own two 7000C Syncro's. Bought the first one 25 years ago second hand from I.D. (Chillingham Rd) and the second a year later brand new from the same dealer. Still going strong a rinse after each use allowed to dry and a spray of WD40 and wiped over. I sent the oldest away to be serviced to Woodpott Ltd in 2011. As for one comment that the new reels are light I compared the old to the new 7500C3 its as heavy as the 7000C Syncro.
sam harris
Well-known member
ABU reels are still made in Sweden but only for export to the U.S.A. and Japan. I was suprised when I went round their factory to find that all of the rods are made in China or Japan now. Very interesting place to see but only a few people working there now. The museum is worth a look if you ever manage to get across to Sweden. By the way ABU started out making meters for taxis, horse drawn ones, honest!!!!!!!.
dabcatcher
Well-known member
i have a pair of 7500s, pair of 6500s and a pair of 5500s and absolutely love using them.
but.... they are only used for specific tasks.
none are good as an all round general reel but brilliant at what i use them for...
the 7000s have 30lb straight through for the seriously rough stuff.
the 6500s are for using with my tip tornado,s over clean ground.
the 5500s have 12lb line on them for light lead work.
i also have a pair of 525s for general fishing over mixed ground.
every reel has something against it and its own limitations.
but.... they are only used for specific tasks.
none are good as an all round general reel but brilliant at what i use them for...
the 7000s have 30lb straight through for the seriously rough stuff.
the 6500s are for using with my tip tornado,s over clean ground.
the 5500s have 12lb line on them for light lead work.
i also have a pair of 525s for general fishing over mixed ground.
every reel has something against it and its own limitations.
john/r
Well-known member
the one i am selling with mono mag on plus captive bullet and 4 mm hardended spindle the sports rocket mk2 silver grey in colour by far the best imho.
