[oldschoolbasser]

Here's a few pics of my latest project.I bought this reel on Ebay for $28,and up-graded it with new gears,bearings,side plates,spool,and handle. I haven't shown any 5500C's,but they hold a special place in my heart because they were the first Ambassadeurs I used when I started bass fishing in the "70"'s.The "73" Big A is my favorite because of the way Ambassadeur is engraved,and the dark Grey color.I will be doing more 5500C's in the future with different color side plate as well.

[KcDano]

Nice Looking reel! Fine job on the rebuild as well. My first nice reel way back was 5600 with the red thumbar! Are you able to get new endplates or you refinishing and/or re-annodizing the old plates?

[oldschoolbasser]

I can get new side plates for most Ambassadeurs.I tried finding a place to anodize them,but was unable to do so.What reel do you need side plates for?Let me know,and I'll try and find them for you.Thanks for the feedback.It's nice to see others with the same interests in these "Great" reels.

[KcDano]

I tried many years ago to get some plates for a old 60's red ambassadeur 5000, I was told that there where none around, unless you stumbled upon some n.o.s.. I do know that there are plates for many op 70's models. I was reallyt inquiring to find out if you had refinished those plates yourself. There is a person I think in Florida or the west coast that is re-anodizing reels in some wild colors. I was hoping you might be doing this yourself, and would like to hear more about the process. Thanks for the info and keep rebuilding the ambassadeurs, they look great!

[oldschoolbasser]

You're probably talking about Don Iovino.He has his side plates anodized in some nice colors.He will build you any style Ambassadeur, in any color you want,but the are pretty expensive.What's the fun in having someone do it for you?I'd rather do it myself,and enjoy the fruits of my labor.If I can find someone who will anodize side plates,I'll let you know.If you still want side plates for your reel,let me know the model,and I'll see if I can find some for you.

[KcDano]

That is the guy! Thanks Again!

[JSC]

Great looking ... but one thing that caught my eye was the good old Red 5000 and the the good ol black one (the bearings on the black one were the first ball bearings on the Ambassador series and they were bad .. replaced them with Red bushings and you were in business) ... I "Palmed" them and have a permeanent calouse from the tension knob.
JSC

[oldschoolbasser]

Here's my 5600C that I added new side plates to.

[oldschoolbasser]

JSC,you're right about the old bearings,but with the new bearing out on the market my 5000C works great! I retired the Red 5000 "Big A",but I still use my 5000 4 screw.I like bushing reels with heavier baits like jigs and blades.I also like the slower retrieve ratios that these reels have,they're great for deep diving crankbaits.My workhorse reels are my 15 and 2500C's,5000 4 screw,5000C,and my "73" Big A 5500C.These reels can be updated to make them even more fishable than they already are.