Old reels from the 40s-late 70s are the best quality wise in my limited experience, of course im lucky to live in a nordic country where these are dirt cheap usually. Something underrated are the old fishing rods, personally the best ergonomics i have experienced are with the old abu fiber glass rods with cork "furniture" and the metal "triggers". They just feel amazingly well balanced and comfortable compared to the newer carbon fibre fishing rods i have used, long as its not cold out.

Great video! Personally, I think the older Abumatics are much better. I would rather recommend the latest version of the 170 than spending your money on the latest versions of the Abumatic Max (X,STX,PRO). If you are looking for a left-handed spincast reel, I would recommend the Zebco Bullet or the Zebco 33 Platinum because I think you Will get a better reel for the money.

Great video Matthew. Very informative. I am looking forward to you making some new videos fishing with your Zebco reels.

thanks so much for the video! i just picked up an AbuMatic 80 from a thrift store for $7 and had no idea how it worked. was able to take it apart, fix it up, and i'm off to try it out. super informative!

i love the abu spin cast reels iv had a few of them over the years there awesome there built like tanks

Great Video! Thank You so much! This helped me a lot! I got the new one as a gift with no manual and didn't know how to take apart.

I have an old 3 bearing abumatic. Doubles as a boat anchor for weight, but smooth and nice close faced reel.

I've used the older abumatic for years with the gold top. It doesn't get any better than that!

I just aquired an Abumatic 475 in a lot of rods and reels that were purchased for $10. After closer inspection, the whole lot was junk, with broken rod tips and/or bad reels. The whole pile should have really went in the trash. The only salvagable reel was this ABU475. And there was one rod that was still intact out of 10. I cleaned it and oiled up and it works quite well! I might keep it in the shed on the lake for unplanned fishing.

Love your channel Mathew. As you seam to be the best resource for zebco and other spincast reals, have you thought about doing a video on what you would consider the best spincast reals of all time?

Matthew the 170 has a clutch for a drag It's cool

I like the old ones better than the new ones but big fan for ever with Abu Garcia even if Barkley owns them still good middle classes in Barkley line of poles and reels. PENN my favorite poles and reels. My abutomic i got for $5 because the line was stuck under the spinning bell it was still with the medium pole it was a combo the man told me when he bought it is in perfect condition for usd with cork handle. Don't even need cleaning just fixing. great investment for me.

I still have a ABUMATIC 41 & a ABUMATIC 141 from the 1960`s in use . As far as i know the only ABU made left hand crank ,, upside " ABUMATIC`s .

what size rod do you like for these reels ? and what kind? some say it's hard to reach the button on the new 170 with modern rods.

I'll save this one. Getting ready for ice fishing, now.

I have a batch of Zebco reels that were made in the mid 2000`s that strip out the screws in the frame when I catch a big fish on them . The screws are rough threaded like wood screws . I have to put Lock tight on them . What elce can I do?

Have you ever seen a Abumatic 150 gold . It doesn’t have a star drag . The only drag I have found on it is pull the handle back .

You wouldn't by any chance know how to re-spool these!? I have a spincast max Thanks

Can you do a service video on the Zebco Roam baitcast reel?

MATTHEW: DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO CLEANING A VINTAGE ZEBCO 909? DOES IT HAVE A LOW GEAR RATIO? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT REEL? THANK YOU.

Do you happen to know what size bearings the new abumatic uses on either side of the handle?

I’m having trouble with the drag in a 150 Do you have a video?

Matthew, I came across an ABU-AUTO SPIN 505 that has a forty lb. test

I wanted to get a good new Abu Garcia spin cast reel but apparently they only have two and neither one of them has good reviews on their website.

I have used both reels. The older one was my go to reel when I was younger. That is why I bought the newer ones because of so much quality in the older one. Big mistake. The newer ones seem like they loose and very cheap made. I never ever have contacted any makers of products. This newer reel was the only one. I gave away the two I brought. Waste of money. Hope this helps someone.

Hello Matthew, Have you received the reel I sent you? I have yet to hear from you. I know you are Busy working on your new Home. When you find the time, please let me know everything is all right thanks

Do you work on subscribers Reels ? Bobby

Matthew, Hello my Friend I would like you to know something about the abumatic 170 please be careful when you go after the Brake be careful lot of the small parts that make up the Drag all of the abumatic drakes on the 120s and the 170s are all the same and also the 505 spiner are all the same. Matthew nice video I hope you are not Agry with me just want to help you and all your friends

I've committed to not buy anything made in 🇨🇳 if at all possible & thankfully in fishing reels it's still possible

I prefer tthe older. I found the Swedish version was much moe dependable. Of corse with routine cleaning and light lubing after each use.