Ambassadeur 2500C (A-A25-00C-0-094-N-R)

An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Sep 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.
Sep 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example of the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced. It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q.
The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.

Ambassadeur 2500C (A-A25-00C-0-096-N-R)

An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Sep 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.
An interesting High Speed Decal sighted on this special Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C which marks the end of the Classic Small Ambassadeur era.
Sep 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example of the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced. It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q.
The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.

Ambassadeur 2500C (A-A25-00C-0-098-M-R)

An example of a rare Ambassadeur 2500C produced in Sep 1984, the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced in limited quantity for her Japan customers; EBISU. This was also the only model created with a Copper-Plate.
An interesting High Speed Decal sighted on this special Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C which marks the end of the Classic Small Ambassadeur era.
Sep 1984, Nil Revision: A fine example of the last classic Ambassdeur 2500C ever produced. It was also interesting to note that all the Ebisu Ambassadeur 2500C produced in 1984 had her last foot number of 0 replaced with an inverted Q.
The last Classic Ambassadeur 2500C schematic printed and was never changed even though parts like her Sideplate do.

Ambassadeur 5000 (A-A50-000-0-095-N-R)

Mr Simon Shimomura shared in his book, “The Ambassadeur and I”, page 23 that the sideplate was a “Very unusual 5000? Characteristics reflect those of a 6000 or 5000B. Approximately 200 pieces can still be found at the factory”. This book was published in 25th June 2000.

Indeed, this is an interesting Ambassadeur 5000 produced in October 1981 (first version) during the keynote year of ABU’s History.

This is 1981, the year Len Brogstrom sold his remaining shares to Incentive and left ABU; after 25 years of leadership in the company. The future of ABU remains uncertain.

ABU started seeing red in mid 1970s. While we knew that ABU will never waste any of its parts, it has became evident during these years. Many of the models printed on the hard boxes were seen to be pasted over with the decal of another model; a bid to save cost from reproduction of new boxes.

This is exactly what happened to this particular model. A unique “5000” decal was pasted over the sideplate of an Ambassadeur 6000.

One of the 200 “unusual 5000 Sideplate” found in ABU Factory.

This ‘5000’ decal was unique not only because it is uncommon, but also because of how it was produced. Unlike the foil decals seen during the late 1970s to the 1980s, this decal is neither Smooth nor Rough (Smooth Decal refers to the Ambassadeur Decal Models while Rough refers to the Rough HighSpeed Decal with horizontal strips). Measuring 11mm (L) by 4.5mm (W), you can see that this decal is a hybrid, with horizontal strips running across the number ‘5000’ only.

An example of a Ambassadeur 5000B Sideplate.
An example of a Ambassadeur 6000 Sideplate.

I have seen 3 of the sideplates and 5 of these assembled Ambassadeur 5000 over the last 10 years.

So could this be a reel put together with the parts available? I will say yes, but really not possible unless I am proven otherwise from the few reasons stated below,

1. The assembled parts are really quite peculiar to the year of manufacture and they are not easy to find. Case in point will be the 68mm ‘Bullet’ Style Counter-Balance Handle. This handle is different from that of those used in 1974 (to be used without retainer), these handles are found to be used on Ambassadeurs produced in 1981 (an example will be the Ambassdeur 1500C produced in 1981),

An example of a Rare 1981 Fish Box in its unassembled condition.

2. This is the only correct matching Fish Box (used only in 1981) I have seen thus far,

3. While it may still be possible to change the sideplate of the above mentioned reel to that of an Ambassdeur 5000A bearing the same foot number (811000), it is just not economical; unless deliberate. That being said, getting a matching Fish Box is also another challenge, and

4. There are a total of 4 reels seen with identical parts and this cannot be just coincidental.

So how many of such assembled Ambassadeur 5000s are there; I am keen to find out!

Left Spool Cap: Mesh (Embossed) with Slit, which was only used from 1972 to about 1975.

The 2 possibilities are,

1. This is not an original part to this reel produced in 1981, or
2. This is an old part used by ABU which may be possible since (a) ABU never waste its parts and (b) This is a critical year for ABU and the factory is getting rid of all her old parts.

Simon Shimomura氏 彼の本の中で共有されている”The Ambassadeur and I”, 23ページのサイドプレートは”非常に珍しい5000?特性は6000または5000Bのものを反映しています。工場では、まだ約200個が見つかります。この本は2000年6月25日に出版された。

確かに、これは面白いですAmbassadeur 5000 1981年10月(初版)に、ABUの歴史の基調講演の年に制作されました。

今年は1981年です。Len Brogstrom 彼の残りの株式を売却したIncentive そしてアブを去った。25年間のリーダーシップを経て、会社でのリーダーシップを発揮しました。ABUの将来は依然として不確実である。

ABUは1970年代半ばに赤く見始めました。私たちは、ABUがその部分を無駄にすることは決してないことを知っていましたが、これらの年の間に明らかになりました。ハードボックスに印刷されたモデルの多くは、別のモデルのデカールで貼り付けられていると見られました。新しい箱の再生からコストを節約するための入札。

これはまさにこの特定のモデルに起こったことです。ユニークな「5000」デカールがサイドプレートの上に貼り付けられていたAmbassadeur 6000。

この’5000’デカールは珍しいだけでなく、どのように作られたかもユニークでした。1970年代後半から1980年代にかけて見られたフォイルデカールとは異なり、このデカールはスムーズでもラフでもありません(スムースデカールはAmbassadeur ラフがラフを指している間デカールモデルHighSpeed 水平ストリップ付きデカール)。11mm (L) × 4.5mm (W) を測定すると、このデカールはハイブリッドであり、横ストリップは「5000」の数字だけを横切って走っていることがわかります。

私はサイドプレートの3とこれらの組み立てられた5を見てきましたAmbassadeur 5000過去10年間で。

だから、これは利用可能な部品と一緒に置かれたリールだろうか?私はイエスと言いますが、私は以下のいくつかの理由から他の方法で証明されていない限り、本当に不可能です、

1.組み立てられた部品は、製造年に本当に非常に独特であり、彼らは見つけるのは簡単ではありません。ケースインポイントは68mmの「弾丸」スタイルカウンターバランスハンドルになります。このハンドルは1974年に使用されたものとは異なり(リテーナーなしで使用される)、これらのハンドルは上で使用されるAmbassadeurs 1981年に生産された(例はAmbassdeur 1500C 1981年に生産され)、

2.これは私がこれまでに見てきた唯一の正しいマッチングフィッシュボックス(1981年から1984年の間に使用)

3.上記リールのサイドプレートを、そのリールのサイドプレートに変更することは可能であるが、Ambassdeur 5000A 同じ足番号を持つ(811000), 経済的ではない。意図的でない限り。そうは言うが、一致するフィッシュボックスを手に入れることもまた、もう一つの課題であり、

4.同じ部品で見られる4つのリールの合計があり、これは単に偶然であってはなれません。

だから、そのような組み立てられたの数Ambassadeur 5000 存在します。私は見つけることを熱望しています!

Small Abu Ambassadeur

The Ambassadeur 1500C and 2500C described in this section refers to Small Ambassadeur reels produced from 1989 till Present (for Small Ambassadeurs produced before 1985, please refer to Classic Abu Ambassadeur, Ambassadeur 1500C & 2500C Series).

With the absence of Small Ambassadeur from the global market for about 4 years, her production resumed in 1989. By this time, the rights to market Abu products in Japan had been transferred from Ebisu Fishing to Olympic. Olympic was a tackle manufacturer and Japan agent for many reputable brands like Fin-Nor, Heddon and Luhr-Jensen from 1989 to 1993. This however was short-lived.

In 1993, Olympic merged with Mamiya, a manufacturer of photographic equipment; the merged company was rebrand as Mamiya-OP. Like ABU in the early years, Mamiya-OP focused a lot on sales and advertising. They produced lavished catalogs (mainly in Japanese) with high quality images, informative description and details; the company soon shot to fame, distributing a total of 105,000 small Ambassadeurs in 31 different designs over a span of 7 years.

On the request from Mamiya-OP, ABU began producing small Ambassadeurs with colors and design never seen before. Colors like Gold (or champagne), Blue, Red and Green were included into the family together with the ‘CI’ model which was produced only for Independent dealers. Additionally, Instant Anti Reverse (IAR) bearing made by German manufacturer INA was also introduced for the first time on these Small Ambassadeurs. With these mass production happening, some issues arise from the initial batch of Ambassadeur 2500CI produced in 1996 where problems associated with out-of standard spool and drive-shaft were evident. These problems were soon overcame within the next year or so after Mamiya-OP returned many of these out-of-standard reels and have them replaced.

With the collapsed of the Asset Price Bubble in 1991, Japan experienced the ‘Lost Decade’. Through the rippling effect, Mamyia-OP announced the withdrawal of fishing tackle business in December 2000. This is when Pure Fishing assumed the control of distribution for ABU Tackle in Japan.

Production of the 1500C IAR and 2500C IAR continued into the Pure Fishing era until late 2003 before Pure Fishing took a 3 years break. Production resumed in 2007; this time with a classic design. Small Ambassdeurs produced in the Pure Fishing era is often sighted with Large ABU emblem, 5-Prongs Straight Cut Star-Wheel, 4.7:1 gear ratio, ‘Oil’ stamped handle retainer nut and round handle knob pin light those used in the classic years.

Like those produced in the initial Mamiya-OP years, a significant number of out-of-standard reels were also produced (other than the Elite Models) during the Pure Fishing era. While many were retained and sold, others were returned and many of these later found their ways into online platform in the later years.

Amabassadeur 1500Cそして2500C このセクションで説明する「小さい」を参照Ambassadeur 1989年から現在まで生産されたリール(用小さなAmbassadeurs 1985年以前に制作された、クラシックを参照してくださいAbu Ambassadeur, Ambassadeur 1500C & 2500C Series)

スモールアンバサダーが約4年間世界市場に参入し、1989年に生産を再開。この頃までに、日本でのアブ製品の販売権は恵比寿漁からオリンピックに移されました。オリンピックは、1989年から1993年までフィン・ノー、ヘドン、ルーア・ジェンセンのような多くの評判の良いブランドのタックルメーカーと日本のエージェントでした。しかし、これは短命でした。

1993年、オリンピックは写真機器のメーカーである間宮と合併した。合併した会社は、間宮OPとしてリブランドされました。初期のABUと同様に、間宮OPは販売と広告に重点を置きました。彼らは、高品質の画像、有益な説明と詳細を持つ豪華なカタログ(主に日本語で)を制作しました。同社はすぐに名声を得て、7年間で31の異なるデザインで合計105,000の小さなアンバサダーを配布しました。

間宮OPからの要請により、ABUはこれまでに見たことのない色とデザインを持つ小さなアンバサドゥールを生産し始めました。ゴールド(またはシャンパン)、ブルー、レッド、グリーンなどの色は、独立したディーラーのためにのみ生産された「CI」モデルと一緒に家族に含まれていました。さらに、ドイツのメーカーINAによって作られたインスタントアンチリバース(IAR)ベアリングもこれらの小さなアンバサダーに初めて導入されました。これらの大量生産が起こると、標準的なスプールとドライブシャフトの外に関連する問題が明らかであった1996年に生産されたAmbassadeur 2500CIの最初のバッチからいくつかの問題が発生します。これらの問題は、間宮OPがこれらの標準外のリールの多くを返し、それらを交換した後、すぐに来年かそこらで克服されました。

1991年に資産価格バブルが崩壊した日本は「失われた10年」を経験しました。波打つ効果を通じて、Mamyia-OPは2000年12月に釣具事業の撤退を発表しました。 これは、ピュアフィッシングが日本のABUタックルの流通の制御を引き受けたときです。

1500C IARと2500C IARの生産は、ピュアフィッシングが3年の休憩を取る前に、2003年後半までピュアフィッシング時代に続きました。2007年に生産を再開。クラシックなデザインで今回。ピュアフィッシング時代に生産された小さなアンバスデュールは、多くの場合、大規模なABUエンブレム、5-プロングストレートカットスターホイール、4.7:1ギア比、「オイル」スタンプハンドルリテーナーナットとラウンドハンドルノブピンライトで見られます。

初期の間宮-OP年に生産されたものと同様に、ピュアフィッシング時代には、(エリートモデルを除く)大量の標準外リールも生産されました。多くは保持され、販売されましたが、他の人が返還され、これらの多くは後にオンラインプラットフォームへの道を見つけました。

Ambassadeur 1500C (A-A15-00C-0-001-N-R)

This is the first time an Ambassadeur reel was marketed entirely for the Japan market under the rights of Olympic.

Termed as a replica under the ABU Japan Catalog, these Small Ambassadeurs only seen minor change; mainly on the exterior.
A thicker Foot Pillar was also observed from all Small Ambassadeurs produced from now onwards.
A Handle which only exist for a short period of time.
A new smooth spool was observed to be used starting from the Olympic era.
Produced in 1989: The first of a new era.

This was the era where ABU adopted the new technology of welding the Foot Pillar to her frame; instead of soldering them like her predecessor.

An example of how technology evolved: This is an early frame where the welding marks were either absent or faint as the initial batch of Foot Pillars were welded to their frames under low current; a slower process.
A 1989 Ambassadeur 1500C schematic diagram sighted with an error to her handle; #4524 was used exclusively for classic Ambassadeurs. This Counter Balance Handle with round knob was never given a Part Number.

Ambassadeur 2500C (A-A25-00C-0-001-N-R)

This was the first time an Ambassadeur reel was marketed entirely for the Japan market under the rights of Olympic.

Termed as a replica under the ABU Japan Catalog, these Small Ambassadeurs only seen minor change; mainly on the exterior.
A thicker Foot Pillar was also observed from all Small Ambassadeurs produced from now onwards.
A Handle which only exist for a short period of time.
A new smooth spool was observed to be used starting from the Olympic era.
Produced in 1989: The first of a new era.

This was the era where ABU adopted the new technology of welding the Foot Pillar to her frame; instead of soldering them like her predecessor.

An example of how technology evolved: This is an early frame where the welding marks were either absent or faint as the initial batch of Foot Pillars were welded to their frames under low current; a slower process.
A 1989 Ambassadeur 2500C schematic diagram sighted with an error to her handle; #4524 was used exclusively for classic Ambassadeurs. This Counter Balance Handle with round knob was never given a Part Number.
A 1989 Ambassadeur 2500C schematic diagram sighted with an error to her handle; #4524 was used exclusively for classic Ambassadeurs. This Counter Balance Handle with round knob was never given a Part Number. Additionally, the Part Number for Direct Shaft Bearing was also changed from #7080 to #19361 and #3904 washer was also removed from this schematic diagram. No on knows for sure why were there 2 schematic diagrams printed for the same reel and also if these 2 reels do exist like what the schematic diagram indicated.

Ambassadeur 2500C (A-A25-00C-0-008-N-R)

A rare example of an officially termed “Black Special” model.
A new smooth spool was observed to be used starting from the Olympic era.
Produced in 1990:

This was the era where ABU adopted the new technology of welding the Foot Pillar to her frame; instead of soldering them like her predecessor.

An example of how technology evolved: This is an early frame where the welding marks were either absent or faint as the initial batch of Foot Pillars were welded to their frames under low current; a slower process.
While the same part number #8722 was used on the Counter Balance Handle for these Black Special Ambassadeur 2500C, this handle was not the same as that used on Ambassadeur 5000C, 5001C and 6000C in the classic years.

Ambassadeur 2500C (A-A25-00C-0-010-N-R)

A rare example of an officially termed “Black Special” model.
A new smooth spool was observed to be used starting from the Olympic era.
Produced in 1990:

This was the era where ABU adopted the new technology of welding the Foot Pillar to her frame; instead of soldering them like her predecessor.

An example of how technology evolved: This is an early frame where the welding marks were either absent or faint as the initial batch of Foot Pillars were welded to their frames under low current; a slower process.
While the same part number #8722 was used on the Counter Balance Handle for these Black Special Ambassadeur 2500C, this handle was not the same as that used on Ambassadeur 5000C, 5001C and 6000C in the classic years.