If you....

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I think if push came to shove, then the one rod I would grab would be an 11ft Chimera Avon 1.5lb TC rod. I've had carp to 19lb floater fishing with it so it will handle most barbel likely to come my way, and it is soft enough in the tip to make fishing for chub, perch and crucians fun. Superb small water tench rod. Very similar to 1.25 TC Chimera avon but a touch more power in the middle and butt section. And a nice short handle which doesn't have 6" of wasted rod length sticking out behind my elbow. Bought second hand for £60 - it's a cracker. And the abbreviated duplon handle is even growing on me...

I don't know they do a 11ft 1.5lb Chimera Avon. I thought they only do 1.5lb in 12ft?

 

[Anthony James]

are the 850s and 1000s really that much better than the 1600 and 2600? I can't see much in it.

 

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I must admit I do like the Japanese GS

I have been told that the old gs and ss have completely different internal design and are not interchangeable

 

[Joe Winstanley]

I don't know they do a 11ft 1.5lb Chimera Avon. I thought they only do 1.5lb in 12ft?

So did I. One off build I understand direct from Harrisons.

 

[Paul Richardson]

Barbel specialist rods would be Chimera 3. Pike would be Harrison BB's 3.5 lb.

That's cheating..
But pike would be DLST X1
Chub & barbel - Torrix 1.25 twin tip
Just One rod - Chimera 3 - accept it won't chuck half a mackerel 50 yards but would cope with most my close- medium range piking

 

[Ady Brayshaw]

That's cheating..
But pike would be DLST X1
Chub & barbel - Torrix 1.25 twin tip
Just One rod - Chimera 3 - accept it won't chuck half a mackerel 50 yards but would cope with most my close- medium range piking

I'm a big bait adherent Paul. The Chimera 3 would be in bits with the size of baits that I used to use.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I have been told that the old gs and ss have completely different internal design and are not interchangeable

I’d struggle to believe that entirely given the bodies are near on identical the parts inside will be made to fit and I’d say they will share afew. The different shimano reel models all did the same.
Threw in a couple more bearings, changed the gear ratio and called it a GT

 

[Richard Isaacs]

are the 850s and 1000s really that much better than the 1600 and 2600? I can't see much in it.

I’ve had both the jap and Taiwan models completely apart side by side thanks to @Terry Harman and his vast collection of them needing some service and tidy up work.

Visually the differences are quite subtle. The main gear is different material and looks to be finished a little nicer on the jap models but there’s nothing between them really until…. You button them up and turn the handle.

I tried and tried to get the 2600 to feel like his 30 year old 1000’s and failed miserably. They are nothing alike and I can only put it down to part tolerances because visually they should of been the same.

Now don’t get me wrong, neither are well balanced or smooth compared to todays reels but the 1000 is tighter and everything is moving with minimal play and it feels a really really good solid wobbly reel.
The 2600 and 1600 are still great they still feel like they’ll do the business but they are more sloppy in comparison and it’s not wear or an obvious thing that is wrong with them, I’m gonna say they just don’t meet the same accuracy between moving parts working with each other.

If the machining tolerances on the SS2600 we’re say 0.05mm and on the 1000 they were 0.02 I would never be able to see that but through gear trains and mechanical movement I might definitely be able to feel it and that’s what I believe is the difference.

 

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I’d struggle to believe that entirely given the bodies are near on identical the parts inside will be made to fit and I’d say they will share afew. The different shimano reel models all did the same.
Threw in a couple more bearings, changed the gear ratio and called it a GT

It’s hard for me to believe as well, I am asking the guy who told me this if he can send the internal photos of both reel, will keep you updated.

 

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I’ve had both the jap and Taiwan models completely apart side by side thanks to @Terry Harman and his vast collection of them needing some service and tidy up work.

Visually the differences are quite subtle. The main gear is different material and looks to be finished a little nicer on the jap models but there’s nothing between them really until…. You button them up and turn the handle.

I tried and tried to get the 2600 to feel like his 30 year old 1000’s and failed miserably. They are nothing alike and I can only put it down to part tolerances because visually they should of been the same.

Now don’t get me wrong, neither are well balanced or smooth compared to todays reels but the 1000 is tighter and everything is moving with minimal play and it feels a really really good solid wobbly reel.
The 2600 and 1600 are still great they still feel like they’ll do the business but they are more sloppy in comparison and it’s not wear or an obvious thing that is wrong with them, I’m gonna say they just don’t meet the same accuracy between moving parts working with each other.

If the machining tolerances on the SS2600 we’re say 0.05mm and on the 1000 they were 0.02 I would never be able to see that but through gear trains and mechanical movement I might definitely be able to feel it and that’s what I believe is the difference.

That’s exactly how I feels between my 2600 and 750. I thought that might because the 750 is smaller so everything is more tight and less friction, the 1000 maybe different, but apparently it is not.

 

[Anthony James]

I think the only way I'm going to understand is if I buy one! I shall keep my eyes peeled thanks @Richard Isaacs

 

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I’d struggle to believe that entirely given the bodies are near on identical the parts inside will be made to fit and I’d say they will share afew. The different shimano reel models all did the same.
Threw in a couple more bearings, changed the gear ratio and called it a GT

This is what I’ve been told, “I don’t have photos I’m afraid, but I’ve owned and serviced/repaired lots of both. From memory the main shaft, anti reverse mechanism, pinion gear, pinion bearing, oscillating slider and more are completely different!”

 

[Alexander Shepherd]

I have been told that the old gs and ss have completely different internal design and are not interchangeable

I was told a long time ago probably incorrectly that gs meant graphite spool and ss meant stainless steel spool but the reel body and intervals where the same just different graphics . But not opened either to check as unfortunately I don’t own a gs. Well not yet.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

This is what I’ve been told, “I don’t have photos I’m afraid, but I’ve owned and serviced/repaired lots of both. From memory the main shaft, anti reverse mechanism, pinion gear, pinion bearing, oscillating slider and more are completely different!”

Fair enough. I can’t dispute it as I’ve never seen one.
Just Seems very strange to use two identical body types and redesign completely different parts to fit them.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I think the only way I'm going to understand is if I buy one! I shall keep my eyes peeled thanks @Richard Isaacs

I wouldn’t rush out Anthony if you’ve got the 1600 and 2600.
Yes they feel different and I’d like to say the older ones I prefer but I can’t deny it but the design inside is identical and one that’s been the same for years. You’ve got the newer models and they are still fabulous reels. I’d just carry on with them. They ain’t failing that’s for sure.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I was told a long time ago probably incorrectly that gs meant graphite spool and ss meant stainless steel spool but the reel body and intervals where the same just different graphics . But not opened either to check as unfortunately I don’t own a gs. Well not yet.

Yeah I was told similar too but instead of the material I was told it was to do with spool depth
God knows what it is. I’ll have to wait till someone buys one then offer them a complimentary free service so I can play

 

[Alexander Shepherd]

Yeah I was told similar too but instead of the material I was told it was to do with spool depth
God knows what it is. I’ll have to wait till someone buys one then offer them a complimentary free service so I can play

I have a ss 850 Richard not in use yet, if somebody has a gs850 not in use you could strip and do a comparison. If you have the time? It’s a pain added to you . I know you have better things to do.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I have a ss 850 Richard not in use yet, if somebody has a gs850 not in use you could strip and do a comparison. If you have the time? It’s a pain added to you . I know you have better things to do.

I’ve got 2 SS850’s so I’m ok there but if anyone does want a GS750 850 or 1000 serviced for the price of postage only then yes I’d be all to happy to pull it apart and Reveal the secrets

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I had some real beauts in that day between Terry and Jon’s collections

 

[Haydn Clarke]

I wouldn’t rush out Anthony if you’ve got the 1600 and 2600.
Yes they feel different and I’d like to say the older ones I prefer but I can’t deny it but the design inside is identical and one that’s been the same for years. You’ve got the newer models and they are still fabulous reels. I’d just carry on with them. They ain’t failing that’s for sure.

Rich,

I have a GS 850. You may remember I mentioned it when you dropped the feeders over. Sadly one of the gears (the nylon one that drives the spool oscillation) has been stripped so I’m guessing this makes it beyond just a normal service. Anyhow here’s a photo I took.