Reviving and testing a 90's Ambassadeur Pro Max 3600

Probably the last reel video about the Max series. Other than these there are some special edition reels, like Tanabe Super Pro, witch i think is one SE derived from max series...

[@johnnywhite4341]

I just picked up one of the Ambassador ProMax 1600 series reels. I remember when the reel first came out in either 1992 or 1993 and $180.00 was the retail price. It was considered Ambassadors "Flag Ship" reel the year it came out. And it was one of the last Swedish made reels before they started having their reels manufactured in the Asian countries.

[@atmamaki]

Thats interesting, i think you are right, the Mörrum reel was released later so these must have been their premium reels in the beginning of the 90s! I do think they still make reels in sweden too, i recently purchased an ambassadeur 7000 compact. They claim it is made in sweden and there are other reels too. Their chinese made s and c(and i) - series (if I remember right) are horrible, i've had the chance to tinker with a few of them. The i/c series are big and clumsy, and the s series probably comes from a different factory altogether, they are completely different inside and the parts are not interchangeable with the originals The original c series are great, i've caught salmon with different c3 and c4 versions. My favorite is the c4 6600 performance dealer special. The chinese made i and c are larger, bulky and have seen them fail in the field. So careful not to mix these. What i'm saying, you have to be careful what you purchase these days, getting the old swedish reels has worked well for me too. Thanks for your comment!

[@johnnywhite4341]

@@atmamaki My plans are to start replacing all my newer reels with ProMax 1600's. Strip them all down and paint them and do bearing upgrades and possibly try to do a few with higher gear ratios. It seems all the newer reels these days were made with the intention of only performing for so l Iong and then to be tossed in the can. I know the ProMax 1600 had a 5.3:1 Gear Ratio and a 10lb./170 yd. Line Capacity. My question is what other sizes did they make other than the ProMax 1600 model? And would you happen to know the gear ratios and line capacities of the other sizes?

[@atmamaki]

@@johnnywhite4341 Your plan is crazy but i like it. I have likewise noticed the tendency of the modern reels to last a couple of seasons, thats why i love these old abus and shimanos. My knowledge is not very good when it comes to changing the gear ratios. The sizes to my knowledge for pro max (round) were the 1600, 3600, 5600 and 6600. If you look at the schematics, the main gear at least is exactly the same part from 1600 to 5600 sizes (21692). As at least in the nordic countries it seems typical you can easily obtain mostly gear enhancement parts for larger reels, like from 4500 to 6600, it might be possible that those parts also fit the 1600. But i am rather sceptical. Then there's the custom parts. There should be some high quality parts made for reels from 1500 upwards, but would have to ask the manufacturer if they'd be compatible with Pro maxes also. The reel is a bit different inside if you compare it to later mainstream abus, so hard to tell if the gear parts would be interchangeable. As for the bearings, they should be easily obtainable. I like your idea, i'll certainly inform you if i come up with some new information!

[@johnnywhite4341]

@@atmamaki right now I'm using Shimano Cardiff 100's & 200's. I have four of the early 80's Shimano Bantam 10-SG's which are about as basic as you can get for a bait caster. I fished hard with them for over twenty years and never had any major issues with them. If there was a way to replace the bushings with ballbearings I would go back to the 10-SG's.

[@johnnywhite4341]

@@atmamaki would you happen to know if the Round Black Max reels have the same frame size dimensions as the Pro Max? Or does the Black Max 1600 have a larger diameter or a wider frame than the Pro Max 1600?

[@jamespierson9312]

With the black max, just swap out the level wind bushing for bearings and upgrade the handle and you have a pro max. I have 4 of each, black and pro. Swapped the spool bearing for ceramic and all have the same level wind bearings. Changed the handles for some better ones and they all feel the same and cast the same now. Great little workhorses.

[@atmamaki]

You are right, you can probably upgrade it for better like that. The brake might be inferior, but the plastic parts are probably just a cosmetic thing. I still have a feeling I'd leave the BM home for salmon fishing, and pic one of its siblings or a calcutta.

[@user-my1bq5rj7e]

Добрый день,привет из России!!!)Подскажите какой размер подшипника на червячном валу в катушке:блэк макс bm3600c.? Да и какую ручку поставили в замен старой?

[@josephybarra3555]

What size are the two bearings in the level wind?

[@johnnywhite4341]

I just purchased a used ABU Black Max (round reel) for $25.00 and it doesn't have a scratch or rub mark anywhere on it. I'm looking for as many of the ABU Pro Max and Black Max reels as I can find. Doesn't matter if they are in dead or alive condition.

[@johnnywhite4341]

​@user-my1bq5rj7e if I'm not mistaken any handle from the ABU reels of the early 80's to the mid 90's should work on these reels.

[@Tom-lc3ng]

I just acquired this reel today, fortunately mine is fairly clean...thanks for sharing this video, really looking forward to taking mine out

[@atmamaki]

Congrats for a fun reel! Been taking the Pro Max 3600 and a Calcutta 100b out for winter fishing lately. Pro max does better since Calcutta has such a small line guide it freezes up and is more difficult to clean sub zero. Thanks for the comment!

[@Tom-lc3ng]

@@atmamaki I live in southern Florida, so I don't have the freezing problem...lol