oldschoolbasser

I guess Fishes in trees doesn't know that A being the 1st letter in the alphabet, is also the the 1st letter in the best round reels. Granted the newer reels are crap with the exception of the Record,and C4 Series. But my older Ambassadeur round reels have been proven bass catchers for over 40 years,and are still going strong! I can also get parts for these reels if something breaks,but the only 2 parts that have ever worn out are the pawl,and anti-reverse dog. My Ambassadeurs can match the Calcuttas lure for lure. Their designs aren't modern,but they're timeless.

Daiwa knobs will fit on these handles,but you have to change the bearings as the Basszone bearings are larger than the Daiwa bearings. I believe they are the same size bearings as the Revos.

I contacted them,and they told me that the Daiwa cork knobs would fit their handles. The stock knobs aren't bad,a little on the hard side. The Hawgtech handles I bought are a better buy,and the accents matched my new reels perfectly!

Not all of the newer round reels are heavy. The Morrum Series of reels are surprisingly lightweight as are the older models like the SX Series.Another great thing about Ambassadeur design is that it's evolutionary so parts from newer reels can be used to replace older worn out parts such as dual bearing worm gears to replace worm gears with plastic bushings. Carbon fiber handles,lightweight spools, and frames can shave weight off the reels.Try that with your low profile reels. I think within the next few years you'll see some changes in the construction of round reels utilizing lighter weight components like frames and side plates to bring their weight down. The basic design has been around for over 60 years,and I don't see their demise any time soon.

As long as the major manufacturers build them, people will still buy them.As a Ambassadeur man,I will never stop using my round reels as they are an extension of my body LOL!That being said, I do have 2 Megabass round reels,a Monoblock Bespoke Topaz,and a Black Jungle Lin 25th Anniversary model because I appreciate the workmanship, wnd quality those reels possess. I use my 15-2500C's for worm and shakey heads,and my 4500- 4600C's for jigs,cranks,and blades.I build my own reels now as parts are readily available, and the aftermarket has stepped up the game providing me with custom made parts to upgrade my reels. I have over 75 round reels,and I continue to build more. I've been using them since the "70's" and I will never stop using them as they have caught so many fish for me.As for how they sit on the newer trigger grip handles, it's not a problem for me as I hold the rod above the reel. Most of my rods are the older Phenix rods with the offset Fuji graphite pistol grip handles,so the reel sits lower,and the balance with these reels is perfect. Yeah they don't have. 8.1 gear ratios,or weigh 6oz,but they catch fish,and that's all that matters. Reading a lot of the post,you'd think how'd we ever catch fish before the advent of the newer reels,what with our 20lb reels with only 4.7:1 gears,and only 2 bearings! Not to mention our ridiculously short 5 1/2 foot rods lol!

It's a 4 hr drive from where I live. I usually spend the day in SLO,them hit TW on the way home. Friendly staff,and I get to see all the tackle 1st hand so I know what I'm getting. Last time there I got a tour of the warehouse, man I want to live there lol!

No problem John,if you need any help let me know.

Violet and Pink. BTW I buld both bushing and bearing reels.I actually like bushing reels for jigs and blades.My largest bass came on a bushing reel, so there's a lot of sentiment behind those builds.

Violet and Pink.

It's actually Violet color, but I do have it in pink. These were colors made for the JDM Ambassadeurs.

12 bearings, swept carbon fiber handle, lightweight line guide,and cog wheel, Carbontex drag washers, bearing supported drive shaft, cog wheel, and worm gear. Custom light weight frame, side plates, and star drag wheel, Supertuned,my most radical Ambassadeur to date...............BTW one of my Alltime favorite Ambassadeurs is my "81" 4600 AL. 2 bushings, no bearings or upgrades. Bone stock,but one of the smoothest reels around.

If you like fishing plastics, I would recommend the 15-2500C's, Round Black Max,or Promax reels. For heavier baits like cranks or spinnerbaits I would go with the 45-4600 Series reels. All of these reels are easy to work on, and upgrades are available. I have a friend who is making parts for these reels. Dual bearing worm gears for the 15-2500C Series reels, and bearing supported drive shafts for the 15-2500,and 4000-6000 Series reels. He's also made skeletized line guides! BTW, my 45-4600 series reels have 11 bearings, and are Supertuned for added smoothness. 20 years from now, you'll probably still be able to get parts for these reels lol! They're the Zombies of the reel world, they just won't die!

They still catch fish! I've been using mine since the 70's, and they still work great. Ambassadeurs being more Evolutionary than revolutionary, the newer upgrades are easily added to older reels like dual bearing worm gears, and bearing supported cog wheels, plus there's a lot of Aftermarket parts available like spools,, handles, and bearing upgrades that improve their performance. I use 1500-2500C's for all my finesse techniques, and 45-4600's for all other baits, and lures.

Thanks, these are my Exotics, Avail spools and dual bearing cog wheels,dual bearing worm gears,,Hedgehog Studios Air bearings, carbon fiber handles, and side plates from the Japanese market. 2 of them even have bearing supported drive shafts which are made by a buddy of mine in Australia.

Super tuned Ambassadeurs. 4500's,4500C's, 4500D's,direct drive,2500C with 6:1 gears, and my 1st Custom 4600C,a converted 5600C narrowed down on a chrome frame.

That is my latest "Custom" 4500C. It has the new Hedgehog Studios Air bearings,Avail spool,dual bearing worm gear,and cog wheel,driveshaft bearing,Studio Composite handle,and sandblasted Violet side plates. Supertuned,and really smooth

Thanks Goose, the 4 pin driveshaft is one of the best upgrades for the reel, and also one of the cheapest. Carbontex drag washers are also good to have. I would suggest the 5.3:1 gear upgrade, but those parts are nearly impossible to find. These 2 upgrades alone will make your reel perform better, and will help you catch tons of fish. I've been using mine since the 70's and the still catch fish. With a little TLC these reels will last a lifetime.

I also do the larger size reels too

I love my 1500-2500C's for worm fishing with light weight worm set ups. I've gone to the "Dark Side" with a lot of my Ambassadeurs. My "Custom" Green 2500C with bearing,spool, handle, and gearing upgrades.

What color? I just finished 3 with Copper side plates like the 4000D,and teal side plates with the sand blasted finish

eBay has one on sale now for $399

I have over 70 Ambassadeurs from stock to full blown "Customs" with 11 bearings. They're not only great to fish with,they're easy to work on,and there are a lot of trick parts you can find on line like spools,handles,and bearing from Japan,but also factory upgrades as well.