Japan made shimano reels info.

[Gav the part time trucker]

hello any information helpful. I've started to collect a little collection of old shimano reels as I build my tackle back up. Nostalgia, looks etc. Started with my first real reel a Aero 2500m which i took apart as it started to wobble a little. And as a youngster wrecked it. But the love affair is still with me 30yrs later. I got a 2500m which wobbles worse than the original lol. A Aero match which feels much nicer. A Power aero hs , very smooth. A Super x match 3000 5.1.1 which is same size as Super match re 6.2.1. Which is a stunning reel. And I've recently got a Super aero 3000mr wow !!! Same size as aero match 4 ball bearings and feels stunning!!! I'm not a fan of the rear fighting drag just looks bulky but are these the best of these style reels the gtm ones. Is the Aero super match better than the super aero 3000mr?
The super x match seems a nice trotting reel, the super match re for bigger float fishing and super aero match 3000mr for light tackle set up. What are the best of this breed? The spools on the super x match and super aero 3000mr seem small to. Same as old m-2 spools are they right ?Any information on this topic is much appreciated

 

[rudd]

A nice set of reels, just beware of plastic worm spindel drives which some may have. Super Aero GTM has these and they break stopping spindle ging up and down.
All your models should be black XT7?
All basically same reel with improved features over time such as dyna balance, super stopper, more or better bearings etc.
I think POWER came into play with the new at time grooved power bail arm roller which upset Daiwa.
Also changes in gearing power/speed.
I have a few models strapped on rods and a bundle of spare spools - will try and dig out tomorrow for a look.
Any XT7 black shimanos seem to have a high value on ebay.
Was using a 4000 aero super match (I think?) yesterday with double handle - maggot feeder fishing.

 

[rudd]

PS - many models were made in malaysia
Had a little gold sticker on top of reel foot.

 

[Gav the part time trucker]

A nice set of reels, just beware of plastic worm spindel drives which some may have. Super Aero GTM has these and they break stopping spindle ging up and down.
All your models should be black XT7?
All basically same reel with improved features over time such as dyna balance, super stopper, more or better bearings etc.
I think POWER came into play with the new at time grooved power bail arm roller which upset Daiwa.
Also changes in gearing power/speed.
I have a few models strapped on rods and a bundle of spare spools - will try and dig out tomorrow for a look.
Any XT7 black shimanos seem to have a high value on ebay.
Was using a 4000 aero super match (I think?) yesterday with double handle - maggot feeder fishing.

Thank you, the aero match and 2500m are older. But I got them purely for sentimental reasons. The others feel far better reels a lot Smother. And to be fair they are very old, and as good if not better than a brand new shakespeare match reel I bought. But like you said they got better and better. Just wanted to know what the last of this breed. So they have all the toy's. What I've noticed is the newer ones all have a double blue/ purple stripes on rear . But was these the last of the black xt7 models. I also bought a symetre aero 2000 double handle rear fighting drag. Was very cheap so took a punt. Most probably its the ones that had that fault you was saying and is toast. Hey its taking me back to my teenage years and putting a smile on my face for a few quid.

 

[Gav the part time trucker]

Just seen a link , super x match 3000 hs 7.0.1. Maybe this was top dog ?

 

[endpeg]

Stradic was the top end Shimano reel of the time, I've still got 2 but dont use them much anymore.

 

[DFL]

I’ve got a few Rareniums in various sizes. lovely reels.

 

[grey]

Same as Endpeg, Jap Strads were the next level of Shimano's. Slightly stiffer bodies, all components were 'life - guaranteed'. Completely overbuilt using materials and technology that's considered far too impractical today. They'll outlast anything Shimano currently make.

Shimano's have place of manufacture cast into their foot. Nothing wrong with Malaysia made reels, but the ones made in Japan tend to have the additional quality of construction and components that those 'in-the-know' appreciate.

Absolute top end was the Shimano Stella's - they still are, but even the current bunch of select reels still made in Japan, sacrifice some of their longevity in favour of additional (albeit often temporary) smoothness. Modern reels require frequent servicing to keep their mechanics tip-top - it's all part of a sub-industry they created of servicing.

All these reels you mention were intended to give the buyer a lifetime of service... but of course, anglers back then were less likely to update their tackle as frequently. They're fantastic and I'm glad you appreciate them.

Anglers have been enticed into a world of consumerism by companies' false promises: newer is better... and we've fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

The world is changing its habits: at some stage, we will realise that repeatedly buying mass made tackle in the sweatshops of the world is irresponsible, unsustainable and not the way to continue. As consumer habits change, maybe more of us will resort to exploring and reusing the vast amount of tackle the country has amassed in sheds and attics.

Then maybe more of us will recognise how superior rods and reels made in the 90's and early 00s are compared to the majority of tackle that followed.

 

[Gav the part time trucker]

Same as Endpeg, Jap Strads were the next level of Shimano's. Slightly stiffer bodies, all components were 'life - guaranteed'. Completely overbuilt using materials and technology that's considered far too impractical today. They'll outlast anything Shimano currently make.

Shimano's have place of manufacture cast into their foot. Nothing wrong with Malaysia made reels, but the ones made in Japan tend to have the additional quality of construction and components that those 'in-the-know' appreciate.

Absolute top end was the Shimano Stella's - they still are, but even the current bunch of select reels still made in Japan, sacrifice some of their longevity in favour of additional (albeit often temporary) smoothness. Modern reels require frequent servicing to keep their mechanics tip-top - it's all part of a sub-industry they created of servicing.

All these reels you mention were intended to give the buyer a lifetime of service... but of course, anglers back then were less likely to update their tackle as frequently. They're fantastic and I'm glad you appreciate them.

Anglers have been enticed into a world of consumerism by companies' false promises: newer is better... and we've fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

The world is changing its habits: at some stage, we will realise that repeatedly buying mass made tackle in the sweatshops of the world is irresponsible, unsustainable and not the way to continue. As consumer habits change, maybe more of us will resort to exploring and reusing the vast amount of tackle the country has amassed in sheds and attics.

Then maybe more of us will recognise how superior rods and reels made in the 90's and early 00s are compared to the majority of tackle that followed.

Thank you for the reply , what i was after was top dogs of the black models . Before they turned different colours. I'm trying to buy them for a reasonable amount which is getting difficult. £20-30 bracket. I missed out on a super x match 3000hs. After doing a little searching for models ,I looked on ebay and it just was put on . Looked mint in box £50. Hour later it was gone. Should have bought it and sold others to pay for it. Bought 2 super match re 's got one for £20 and its much smoother than the first . These are going for £60-50!! Just got a symetre aero 2000 again £22 that is tiny. Was it a budget model? Has s/s spool , looks nice. Yes I'm of the same mind set, if it feels nice and does the job ill keep it until it breaks. I've had a load of ford cosworths that my nagging wife lol. Said to get rid of to much money tidy up in toys. Sold a sierra and escort for £20k .... now 100k ish .

 

[grey]

'Symetre' was a name that came to be loosely applied to Canal (or very light) tackle with additional finesse - though there's no hard and fast rules with Shimano's naming of tackle, they often use any name they have registered for a new range.

Even until recently, there was a Symetre 500, similar in size to your older 2000. To make it even more confusing, Shimano also had a Symetre FL reel available at the same time In 1000-4000 sizes, which bore no resemblance to the 500, and the 2000 model dwarfs your 2000 model from 10 years earlier!

Everything Shimano does is baffling - always has been, still is.

 

[Gav the part time trucker]

Just for any ones information there is a shimano super x match 3000hs on ebay. £50 , same guy as one i missed seen he had same pic again for a 3rd time !!!! Something is up. But it came today, its brand new. Think he has old stock . Messaged him he has 2 left. 7.1 ratio , rare find if any one is interested

 

[PearTree]

Absolute top end was the Shimano Stella's - they still are, but even the current bunch of select reels still made in Japan, sacrifice some of their longevity in favour of additional (albeit often temporary) smoothness. Modern reels require frequent servicing to keep their mechanics tip-top - it's all part of a sub-industry they created of servicing.

The definitive Stella was the silver 2008 SW range. The subsequent 2013 and 2019 models aren't anywhere near as good.

Certain parts for the 2008 model are becoming increasing difficult to find and I'm not sure you can even get a 2019 Stella serviced in the UK by Shimano. I've sold all bar one of mine and switched to the 2020 Daiwa Saltigas. I never thought I'd say this as I was also a devotee of the 2008 Stella, but the new Saltigas make them look and feel like flimsy toys in comparison.