Jigmaster with thumb screw release on left side plate

[Sulla]

My buddy told me he got a jigmaster wraith the easy release thum screw on the non handle side of the reel. I e never seen this or heard of it. Is this very common? Are there any benefits to it being on the le side?

[Rancanfish]

Older 500S probably.  Is it red?  I have both, and don't see an advantage to either.  Maybe more parts available for later series as far as side plates, etc. 

[Sulla]

It's a red one

[Shark Hunter]

It is not that uncommon Bill. It was just another variation. I have a couple.
The 500S had the takedown screw on the non handle side. I think they did it to make the reel lighter.

[thorhammer]

 You may be pleasantly surprised to see the S has some stainless guts that the later L's do not. If memory serves, I asked similar questions of Mike Quinn at Penn when I got my first one. He told me they were made about 1972-1974 with Delrin plates rather than bakelite. My experience is that about everything is interchangeable except the plates and rings.

[Maxed Out]

You may be pleasantly surprised to see the S has some stainless guts that the later L's do not. If memory serves, I asked similar questions of Mike Quinn at Penn when I got my first one. He told me they were made about 1972-1974 with Delrin plates rather than bakelite. My experience is that about everything is interchangeable except the plates and rings.

  Good info Thor

  I think you're right about brass parts in later "L" models, but I do know the early L models had steel internals. I prefer the early models that have the thumbscrew located on the drive side.

 I've always wondered if you could use a 500S tail plate and older 500 head plate, so you'd have quick take apart from either end lol

[Sulla]

You may be pleasantly surprised to see the S has some stainless guts that the later L's do not. If memory serves, I asked similar questions of Mike Quinn at Penn when I got my first one. He told me they were made about 1972-1974 with Delrin plates rather than bakelite. My experience is that about everything is interchangeable except the plates and rings.

  Good info Thor

  I think you're right about brass parts in later "L" models, but I do know the early L models had steel internals. I prefer the early models that have the thumbscrew located on the drive side.

 I've always wondered if you could use a 500S tail plate and older 500 head plate, so you'd have quick take apart from either end lol

That was exactly what I was thinking. That would be pretty cool to have quick easy acces from both sides!

[Tunanorth]

Not 1972, it was for about 18 months in 1982-83.
The reason was that the take down on the non-handle side allowed the reel to be partially assembled by robot, while the traditional design had to be hand-assembled.
As mentioned, the sideplates were delrin instead of bakelite. 
The public hated it, and it was a sales disaster, switching back relatively quickly.

[nelz]

I've always preferred it on the left plate, go figure.

[thorhammer]

I love the S; they feel more substantial to me than L's and i always try to get them for donor reels due to SS innards.