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Posts: 787
Location: Delavan, WI | Ok guys, I know this is not a new topic just lookin to see who's had the best experience with Garcia reel repair in the last few years besides the factory??? |
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Posts: 202
Location: Rhinelander | sportsmans in mosinee, look in the back of musky hunter or wait for someone here to give you the number |
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| Bobs Rod & Reel in Madison WI |
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Posts: 7038
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=39... |
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| I have been taking my reels to Bob's since the mid 1980's..This is Bob's 40th year in business. I've never found anyone who can tear down,clean & rebuild an Ambassadeur like the shop owner(David Digney)..
Bob(his dad) passed away in November 2001,so David runs the ship now.....
His current price for tearing down,cleaning,& re-lubing a 5500C3/6500C3 runs $18.95,plus $4.00 for the new "Next Generation" Ambassadeur drag washers...
Plus this year,i found out he offers a 10% discount on all services if 4 or more reels are mailed in/ or delivered...
his website is "www.bobsrodandreel.net"  |
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| is Bobs for sure still open? stopped over there tuesday, closed, called yesterday got the answering machine.
maybe he's out of town? |
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| Bobs hours now are 10am -4pm,will be 5pm starting April 1st(No Fooling!)
Saturdays he's there 10am-2pm...
I know he got nailed by the cold bug good,and anyone can get that.....
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| Chuck Brod at Sportsman's does a great job. I send all my stuff to him during the off-season and have always been very satisfied. The info:
www.sportsmansrepair.com
715-693-6634
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Posts: 3867
| The older 5000 and 6000 series reels are pretty easy to work on. Abu has exploded diagrams on thier website and you can order replacement (and upgrade) parts from a number of folks out there. I like HatterassOutfitters, check out their "reel candy" section, amazing stuff. |
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| Currently,i try to be in my shop 10am-4pm (Monday-Friday) and Saturdays (10am-2pm) from February-October...
If im not in my shop,i might be at the Doctor,getting my blood drawn,as i'm on blood thinners and meds for my heart...
I'm running a special from January & February for cleaning & servicing.10% off on reels,1 or 100..The more you bring in,the more you save...
Just mention this reply or print it off & bring it in...
I'll be re-stocking my shop,starting in January,so by late March/April rolls in,i'll have a good selection of terminal tackle.rods & reels in stock... |
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Posts: 372
Location: On the River | Another vote for Sportsmen's Repair they have been repairing my reels for 25 years |
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Posts: 20218
Location: oswego, il | http://www.davesreelservice.com/
Dave's Reel Service gets my vote and is close to the original poster. |
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Posts: 253
Location: On the water | Corens Rod & Reel Repair in Chicago. |
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Posts: 537
Location: Gilberts IL/Rhinelander WI | I would not recommend Coren's. If you don't have them there already they probably won't be ready by the Musky Opener.
Dave's reel service is you're way to go. Vernon Hills. Not too far for you. |
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| I've been patronizing Bob's Reel in Madison,since they moved into his current location(Winnebago Street)in 1984...Usually the 1st week in March,i take in all my reels(usually 10 -12)for a complete cleaning & lubing.David uses Super Lube on the gears,and Tri-Flow for a light oil. Quality lubrication....
Last year,he started custom building Ambassadeur 6500C3's,with a variety of end cover colors,a Power Handle or double paddle,5.3-1 or 6.3-1..Sells them for a reasonable price of $109.00 (only about $10.00 more than the "factory silver" stock reel)....Oh,he also charges $14.95 to clean/lube spinning reels, and $7.95 for clean,lube,and line on spincast reels...VERY AFFORDABLE!!!!
Bob's gets my vote  |
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| I think another option that nobody mentioned is doing the repairs yourself. If it's a C3 or C4 or Record, they are very simple to take apart, clean, and diagnose.
I think back in the day Reelman posted step by step instructions complete with where to grease, where to oil, and what to look for if you're having issues. The clutch arm inside can wear which keeps you from engaging the reel, the gears get worn down, etc. When you find a part that needs replaced, there are a couple sites on the net that help you search for part numbers via a diagram and also order the parts you'll need. Trust me, it costs less than sending it anywhere to have it done for you. And there is a great added benefit to knowing how to do it yourself...you can repair your reels on the water when you need to.
I have three C4's. Two are on the water with me whenever I go out. And I also take spare parts...the ones that would typically go bad (clutch arm). If I'm out on the water whether it be near home for a day or in Canada for a week, I know that between the parts inside the two complete reels I bring, and the spare parts I take along, I will always have a reel that works...period.
My brother keeps telling me I need to buy a Curado...I can't. I haven't had to buy a new reel in three years...and when I do buy a new one, I'll buy another C4 and my oldest reel will be used for spare parts. |
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| Sorry...Ranger mentioned repairing your own reels. Anyone know where to find that old thread of the step by step instructions. At one point it was anchored at the top of the page. |
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Posts: 1270
| Halfpint, actually while I have given quite a few tips on repairing Abu's I think the post you are talking about was by Chuck Nelson. I would also second learning to repair and mantain them yourself as it's quite easy to do and then if something happens on the lake you can probably fix it yourself. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | Viking Rod & Reel in Nisswa, Al Libera, 218.963.0360
Been taking my stuff to AL ever since I got tired of stocking parts! 1984 or so. Al does reels by the 5 gal pail in just a few days. Throughly cleaned, lubed and ready to rock. Never had a complaint. Jake |
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| Gary Legal’s Reel Repair, also does awesome reel repair work in the Sauk City, WI area. I now go to him religiously for all my repair service work and cleaning. Affordable and super fast turnaround. He’s a genuine good down-to-earth guy that knows his reels (especially Abu) down to the frame. No disrespect to Bobs Rod & Reel (where I used to go) but Gary has fixed reels that David wouldn't mess with.... under warranty or not under warranty. He’ll let you know what’s wrong and what needs to be replaced beforehand and will give you his honest opinion on the situation.
I’d recommend him to anybody. He also builds custom rods and will fix rods (guide eyes and cork handles) at the best rate around that I’ve found. Give him a call @ 608-393-4813
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| If someone wants to go to someone else,fine..As for not repairing a reel under warranty,its this simple...
If its a Abu-Garcia,that i cant repair or needs parts that i cant get,then i send the reel into Pure Fishing.In most cases,Pure Fishing(which is Abu-Garcia,Penn,Shakespeare,Mitchell) will replace the reel and when i get it back,i either mail the reel out or call the customer...
If its a reel that needs warranty,and i dont do warranty service for that company,if i'm not going to be reimbursed,i'm not going to that particular repair...
Currently,i have health issues,and i'm trying to get my shop re-stocked with new lures,rods & reels as quick as i can..I'm on heart meds,i have no health insurance,so somethings take precedence ......
BTW,i'ts been said,that i do warranty repairs and have parts for Gander Mountain reels.UNTRUE!!!. I even contacted G.M.,and the clerk acknowledged that there are no parts for Gander Mountain reels...
Currently,i'm a Warranty Center for Abu-Garcia & Mitchell.Zebco & Shimano wanted me to buy $4,000 each in stocking extra parts..
(Sorry,i'm not in a position to do this)
David Digney/Owner
Bobs Rod & Reel
In Business since 1969 |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | There are some good shops, but one can also fix them yourselves. It doesn't take long to learn how either.
If its on warranty and a major problem, I'll send my ABU reels to a repair shop. Otherwise, I fix them myself. ABU reels are so easy to fix. I can usually tear down, clean, and repair one in about 20 minutes. That is about how long it takes to put one in the mail. They aren't exactly rocket science.
I traded some lures for a couple of 5600 ABU reels last spring. They guy thought the reels were frozen and only good for parts. Between the two, they needed only a half dozen parts and a good cleaning. It cost about $35 for the parts and a half dozen lures I never used, and I ended up with two fully functional 5600 ABU reels.
I'd recommend learning how to clean and repair ABU reels yourself.
Good luck. |
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| Anybody ever hear of a guy who called himself John's Rod & Reel(aka Steve's Rod & Reel,Prestige Rod & Reel).This guy was a real dandy!..I took 3 reels to him for cleaning(thought i'd give him a try..well that wacko cost me over 200.00 in replaced reels...looked as if they were soaked in Kerosene and set on fire..
His saying was,"I'm 100% computerized"..well he's 100% nuts!
He told me he was going to put Bobs out of business..ya right!
BTW,Mr. Johns Rod & Reel(John Kaczmarek)has a rap sheet over 5 pages long,and once,was slamming CCMI on his website...
Not anymore...no more website either... |
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Posts: 83
Location: Antioch IL | Dave's Reel Service gets my vote. it is the only place i go. |
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Posts: 458
| trolling king - 1/6/2011 6:20 AM
Dave's Reel Service gets my vote. it is the only place i go.
Another vote for Dave's. |
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Abu Garcia reel repair