Newell Reels: The History of Newell Reels
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-af37twbvKfE/Tgm5y7JjtCI/AAAAAAAAAHg/XGQey3OeOeA/s400/carlnewell.jpg)
SOURCE : http://newellreels.blogspot.com/2011/06/newell-reel-history.html (http://newellreels.blogspot.com/2011/06/newell-reel-history.html)
Newell Reel History at a Glance
Disclaimer... LOL ... I'm not an expert. If I'm uncertain of a "fact", I state so in the sentence. Also, I'm sure that I've probably left out some information. One must understand that in post P series Newell's there were minor mods being made on a continual basis. Also, I'm not as "schooled" on the C or S series reels. My apologies up front for any inaccuracies. Enjoy.......
Carl's main business has never been in fishing products. His main business was injection molding. He started his fishing product line as a hobby since he used to be quite a fishing enthusiast.
AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS FOR PENN REELS
Before Carl began to produce reels, he made aftermarket products for Penn reels. These included bushing cups as well as anodized aluminum bases, posts and spools. These were sold separately or in kits. In addition, he produced kits that included side-plates (with SS bearing cups) to fit the 500 Jigmasters. This was called the 300-C. It came in '99 size as well as the 500 (338) size. I believe you could also get them in kits for the 322 and 344 sizes. These aftermarket parts made the Penn's lighter and stronger.
BLACKIE SERIES (approximately mid 70's thru early 80's)
These were the first reels manufactured by Carl. They're referred to as the Blackie series since there were no stainless steel (SS) rings around the side-plates. The highlights of this series included:
- Aluminum reel bases, spools, posts, star and handle. The spools had a metal hub for the metal clicker. The posts had holes bored into them to decrease weight. The handles were all solid aluminum.
- SS parts included: jack handle, main gear, pinion gear, dog, clicker set, bearing cups, bridge assembly, bridge sleeve.
- Gear ratios - 4:1 and 5:1
- Unitized bridge assembly....i.e. no flying dog springs
.
- Main Gear/Bridge Sleeve - The bottom of the main gear was recessed so as to be able to accommodate a 4th fiber washer. This fiber washer made contact with a fixed SS washer on the bottom of the bridge sleeve. Therefore, this was a 4-stack drag system with Jigmaster size washers.
- Model Numbering System - There was no letter to designate this series...i.e.) 220-F
In addition to the F designation, there may have been a T designation also, I'm not sure. F designated 5:1 and an M designated the reel as 4:1 All model numbers as well as the "Newell" and "ball bearing" logos were inserts.
- Models: 220-F, 229-F, 235-F, 322-F, 332-F, 338-F, 338-J (or FJ), 344-F, 344-J (or FJ). The J stood for jigging. These "J" models came with a ss top bar.
- Pros - High quality, light aluminum components, high quality ss parts, great free-spool, quality control was excellent. I believe the fiber washers were high quality also.
- Cons – Side-plates often cracked in areas around screws if tightened too much. Side-plates could also chip due to material rigidity. There were no SS rings. High maintenance was required to keep corrosion away.
P SERIES (approximately early 80's thru mid to late 80's)
This was the next generation of reels made by Carl in his Glendale plant. The highlights included:
- Aluminum reel bases, spools, posts, star and handle. The star, though still aluminum, was slightly different and the aluminum handles now had holes bored into them. The side-plates were redesigned to be thinner and not as rigid as the Blackies.
- SS parts were the same as the Blackies. In addition, Carl added SS rings to the new side-plates.
- Gear Ratios - Same as the Blackies.
- Unitized bridge assembly - slightly different than the Blackies.
- Main gear/Bridge sleeve - Pretty much the same as the Blackies. I believe the circlip on the top of the bridge sleeve was different. Mains were either SS or brass. Also, some main gears came with a brass (I believe) insert. This helped with heat dissipation.
- Model Numbering System - The P was the letter designation in front of the model number - i.e. P220-F. In addition to the F, I believe there was also an M and T designation after the model numbers. The models came in 5:1 and 4:1 gear ratios. All logos on the plates were still inserts.
- Models - Same as the Blackies except for the P designation. Also, the 400 models were introduced - P440, P447 and P454.
- Pros: Same as Blackies. The side-plates were vastly improved.
- Cons: High maintenance to maintain corrosion resistance.
G SERIES (approximately late 80's to early 90's)
The 3rd generation of Newell's was made with a new idea in mind. Namely, to make the most corrosion resistant reels made. Graphite composition was to become Carl's new obsession. Beginning especially with the G series, minor changes were made to production reels without changing series.
- Graphite bases, spools, posts, handle and star.
- Changes/Variations - Early G's had an all graphite base with a brass foot drilled into the base, otherwise they were all graphite. The graphite spools retained the metal hub. The posts had logo inserts. Early G handles retained the P series aluminum handle, followed by an all graphite handle (red line) with the N logo insert in the knob, followed by an all graphite handle (red line) and no knob insert. Screw fittings for the knob were not recessed. The G322's only had P series aluminum spools. Carl never made a graphite spool for the 322 models.
- SS parts - Early G's retained the SS jack handle, followed by a new graphite topped jack handle. The early G's retained the SS clicker set, followed by an all graphite set. I believe the very early G's also retained the P main gear. Therefore, it could accommodate a 4th washer. Later on, the main gear was no longer recessed on the bottom. Therefore, this was now a 3-stack system. The bridge sleeves were now brass without the fixed SS washer on the bottom for the 4th washer. The SS bearing cups were unchanged.
- Gear Ratios - No changes.
- Unitized bridge assembly - Pretty much the same as the P's I believe. There may have been minor changes where the G and P assembly's were not interchangeable.
- Main Gear/Bridge Sleeve - See SS parts section.
- Model Numbering System - The letter G was the model designation in front of the model number....i.e. G220-F.
- Model Numbers - Same as the P's except for the G designation
- Pros - Same as P's, high quality parts and quality control were excellent. Weight was reduced due to the graphite components. The reel was much more corrosion resistant, had better free-spool, more natural bait presentation due to the lighter spool.
- Cons - Some graphite breakage
"NO LETTER" SERIES (approximately early 90's through mid 90's)
4th generation Newell reels. There weren't many changes in this series from the G series except for one very important factor...quality control. While this was still a fairly decent series when it came to quality components, the quality control begins to fall apart about this time.
- Graphite bases, posts, spools, stars and handle.
- Changes/Variations - The graphite bases remained pretty much the same, with no SS foot yet. The posts no longer had the "Newell" logo insert. Instead, they were now engraved with white lettering. The spools, while remaining graphite, no longer retained the metal hub, instead, it was changed into graphite. The handle now had a white line instead of red. The side-plates no longer had logo inserts. They were now engraved with white lettering.
- SS Parts - The jack handle retained the graphite top. The clicker set was plastic. This was the last series to retain the SS bearing cups.
- New Models - 500 and 600 series....533, 540, 546, 550....631, 636, 641 and 646.
- Gear Ratios - 200/300/400 series came in 3.6:1 and 5:1. The 533 came in 4.6:1 and 5.5:1. The 540 came in 3.2:1, 4.6:1 and 5.5:1. The 546/550 models came in 3.2:1 and 4.6:1. The 600 series came in either 3:1 or 4.2:1. There was also a short run of 322-5 and 322-3.6 size reels made.
Some were designated as 322-5 (or 3.6) while others were designated as "300". These were the numbers engraved onto the side-plates. Old P series aluminum spools were used. Some spools spread due to incorrect mastic mixing at the factory. Most spools, however were leftover P series spools and they were fine.
- Unitized bridge assembly - No major changes.
- Main gear/Bridge sleeve - 200/300/400 main/pinion gears retained the same 3-stack jigmaster size drag system. The 500 models used a larger main/pinion gear that had 4/0 size drag washers, actually a bit larger. The 500's used a 3-stack system. The 600's used the same size drag washers as the 500's but the main gear accommodated a 5-stack drag system.
- Model Numbering System - The "no letter" series didn't have a letter in front of the model numbers. Also, instead of an F, M or T to designate the gear ratio, the actual gear ratio number would follow the model number. I.e.) 220-5
- Model Numbers - No pre/post letter designations. 500 and 600 models were added to this "no letter series (see New Models).
- Pros: Pretty much the same corrosion resistance as the G's. One more metal part was removed from the models, namely, the metal spool hub. Again, Newell's goal is to produce the most corrosion resistant reels.
- Cons: Graphite breakage continues, especially the 550 model bases and all model handles.
"C" SERIES (approximately mid 90's thru late 90's)
5th generation models are introduced. Quality control is still a major concern. In addition, SS components are now a major issue. Inferior SS is now corroding while sitting in the retail outlets. Bearings are also a weak point. This series is widely considered to be the weakest of all series.
- Graphite bases, posts, spools, stars and handles.
- Changes/Variations – An SS foot is added onto the graphite base to help stop cracking issues. The handles, while retaining the white line, now have a recessed screw on the knob. The former models had the screws actually protruding from the knob hole, thus causing rubbing against an anglers' hands.
- SS Parts - The last remaining external parts, namely the bearing cups, are now replaced with an adjustable left plastic cup and a fixed right cup. The right cup can no longer be taken off. Instead, the right plate must be disassembled to reach the right bearing.
- New Models - None. There was another short run of 322-5 (or 3.6) reels made. The side-plates were designated as "300". Some of these 322 aluminum spools spread because there was one bad batch of mastic made at the factory. Most spools were taken from leftover P series spools so they were fine.
- Gear Ratios - No changes.
- Unitized bridge assembly - No changes.
- Main gear/Bridge sleeve - No changes.
- Model Numbering System - The C preceded the model number in this series. The exception was the 300 (322) models.
- Model Numbers - No additional models were added to this series. I believe that toward the end of this series (late 90's), the 400 models were discontinued. However, this may have happened during the next generation.
- Pros - The SS bearing cups were now replaced with plastic ones, therefore bringing Carl one more step closer to the corrosion resistant pinnacle.
- Cons - Major SS corrosion problems ensue along with other quality control issues. Graphite breakage continues, along with the plastic bearing cups.
"S" SERIES (approximately late 90's to present)
- Graphite bases, posts, spool, stars and handles.
- Changes/Variations - The reel base screws now "go thru" the base. An adjustable left SS bearing cup is available at an additional charge. Also, during this time period, an aftermarket aluminum handle is made in the 400 size. This size will also fit well on the 500/600 models. Make sure you add some Loctite to the screw and do NOT let the Loctite touch the plastic areas.
- SS Parts - no changes.
- New Models – None
- Gear ratios - no changes.
- Unitized bridge assembly - Changes made, I believe, for the new screws. Plates were also modified.
- Main gear/Bridge sleeve - no changes.
- Model Numbering System - An "S" now preceded the model number.
- Model Numbers - As stated in the C series section, the 400 models may have been discontinued during this time. It may not have affected certain regional markets (i.e. Hawaii).
- Pros - Again, from Carl's standpoint, the reel has become as corrosion resistant as possible.
- Cons - Quality, Quality, Quality........lack of quality parts and quality control.
Currently, there are a limited number of "new" P series reels. I haven't seen any so I really can't comment. I believe Carl made the aluminum parts out of 6061 aluminum stock this time around. I've heard the aluminum parts are better. I've heard negative comments about the holes on the posts. The mains are a 3 stack system, not 4 like the original P's.
Thanks for this, Dave --
And, great information -- and as far as I can tell -- very accurate.
Great reels, great man, great organization, great concepts based on actual usage --
Best,
Fred
Yup, I wrote that years ago and posted it on another board in November 2003
Quote from: Tunacious on November 21, 2014, 07:19:03 PM
Yup, I wrote that years ago and posted it on another board in November 2003
I remember that post. Was great then and still is.
(I remember my reply to it also. The internet was a different place then. Coincidentally, ez2cDave happens to be the one of the first internet aquaintances. (something about some purported Fin-Nor one-offs or prototypes you'd come across, Dave... early 2000 or so. On some board based in Florida..?))
Quote from: Tunacious on November 21, 2014, 07:19:03 PM
Yup, I wrote that years ago and posted it on another board in November 2003
And I copied and saved it at that time! May Allcoast RIP.
stickied! many thanks!!!!!
Quote from: Robert Janssen on November 22, 2014, 12:52:14 AMCoincidentally, ez2cDave happens to be the one of the first internet aquaintances. (something about some purported Fin-Nor one-offs or prototypes you'd come across, Dave... early 2000 or so. On some board based in Florida..?))
That would have been the St. Augustine Surf Fishing Board, hosted by the late George "Gowge" Pope . . . I moved to NC in 2006.
That Fin-Nor "prototype" reel turned out to have been a "pirated" version, made by an employee of Fin-Nor. He later found himself fired and sued by Fin-Nor. He lost in court, but a handful of reels were sold. I was fortunate enough to find one, which I later sold to a collector in Texas for an "undisclosed amount" - LOL !
Someone please enlighten me. If Mr. Newell had such severe problems with quality control why are these reels so sought after. ???
Out of the 80 or so that I have owned I have yet to find a problem. Best reel ever made in my opinion. I fish some of the earliest P and G series on a regular basis and fish them hard. The first one that I bought in 1992 was a 540 3.2 and is still my go to every day bottom reel. The grouper and snapper I posted Thursday were caught with it and thousands of fish before those. Still has the original bearings but I did upgrade to Bryans 5 stack drag which is nice and added the delrin.
Quote from: jdimig on March 29, 2015, 08:53:03 PM
Someone please enlighten me. If Mr. Newell had such severe problems with quality control why are these reels so sought after. ???
You are right -- If they were not good reels -- they would not be so strongly sought after.
However, as Dwight has said (Newell Nut) -- these are some of the best reels ever manufactured.
They are not for everybody -- some folks just need a metal winch type mechanism to bring in a fish.
However, the Newells are strong, lightweight, built with superior metals, rust resistant, and easy to service.
No reel is perfect -- but a Newell is an extraordinary reel for anglers who know the Offshore Game -- and enjoy a superior reel.
Carl Newell was 35 years ahead of his time with his innovations -- and built a very fine company. I wish someone would revive the product line -- it would do well, I believe.
Just my opinion based on some experience with the products and the cult-type following these reels enjoy.
Best,
Fred
I have between 40 - 50 Newell's in my closet as of now. I enjoyed servicing every one of them. I just finished a S533-5 for a friend just for giggles & sending it to him in the morning.
Mike
That model (Newells Fastest Retrieve) caught a freezer full of king mackerel this winter for me.
The only big mistake that Carl Newell made in my opinion was the long cross bolt design that did not have enough nickel in the long cross bolts. If not properly maintained the original cross bolts will rust badly and break. If you have one this happens the best solution is a Tiburon frame. I have a few of those reels and never had a problem but I know to maintain them properly.
Yes I also was lucky with the through bolts. They came out fairly easy & I greased the Heck out of the Cross Bars before putting them back.
Mike
Quote from: jdimig on March 29, 2015, 08:53:03 PM
Someone please enlighten me. If Mr. Newell had such severe problems with quality control why are these reels so sought after. ???
I'm the one that wrote that article many moons ago for another website. First off, I'm a long time Newell guy and still am. I was usually at their Glendale plant monthly to stockpile parts etc. and even spoke with Carl a few times and took plant tours.
While at his fishing shop in Burbank during the 80's, Dennis Bunker convinced me to try out a Newell....so I purchased a P220 and have been an avid fan ever since. Prior to this I was a Penn guy, like the majority of other fisherman. We didn't have all the choices back then as we do today. ;D
In a nutshell, Carl's main business, injection molding, suffered. He had to downsize, losing very knowledgeable, long time people. An entire 2nd shift was slashed. The fishing side was also adversely affected. It was during this time that the quality control at the plant went down...it's just a fact. :( Why do you think Carl eventually made a 'new' P series reel? Because of the outcry of many of us. We were clamoring for the old P parts and reels. We were telling him that we didn't want all the graphite, instead we wanted the much stronger aluminum. 8)
Why are Newells so sought after? Supply and demand. ::) Since Newell closed shop and Valley Mfg. decided to stop producing reels, there is no longer any supply....both in reels and more importantly IMHO- in parts. The demand is high, the supply is low...Econ 101. Therefore, prices go way up...see ebay. ;)
Newell parts are hard to come by . . .
Quote from: jdimig on March 29, 2015, 08:53:03 PM
Someone please enlighten me. If Mr. Newell had such severe problems with quality control why are these reels so sought after. ???
I can enlighten you. :)
This is the first time I've had a negative comment about my article. First off, I believe Carl Newell was a genius. At one time, I wanted to write a book about him. He's still missed. He was a self made man who was always thinking outside the box. He was also a character who talked my head off! After seeing some of his ideas (a bait caster) in person that never came to fruition, I've got nothing but respect for the man. :)
Don't shoot the messenger...I'm not knocking Newell reels...just pointing out the historical facts...with personal examples and first hand antidotes from the factory. You took a quality control fact (inferior ss batches; downsizing experienced staff) and attempt to equate "Quality control issues does not equal popularity of product"; therefore, there were no quality control issues. This is faulty logic and inaccurate. ;)
It's natural to want to defend our reels of choice. I use to be very defensive about my Newell's...but for many years now I just don't care what someone else thinks. In recent years, most every trip I go on, someone is asking me if I'd like to sell any of my Newell's. ;D
I've owned and fished many Newell's over the years: Blackies, P's, G's, C's and NL series. I'm now down to about 20 Newell's. I now own and fish the P's and NL series; wish I didn't sell my G's. The blackies are not used.
I've only had 2 issues with a Newell - a broken thin belville (on a C series) from the factory and a broken graphite clamp that I over tightened on a jig stick. Besides the one broken part from the factory, I've never had any other issues with Newell's. They will continue to be my reel of choice for the type of fishing I do. I'm not knocking Newell's...only pointing out historical facts. Every reel manufacturer goes through good and not so good periods in their reel development. You and I may have never experienced reel failures or defective parts...but that doesn't mean it's never happened. :o
After the belville issue, I began to take apart each reel after purchasing to insure that there weren't any issues. What I found on other C series that I purchased was corrosion on the main gear...these were brand new, unused reels, purchased at a fishing shop. I replaced them. I also know that this happened quite a bit for the C series and early S series. I knew people that did reel repair at the factory and they told me the stories. They say it was due to batches of inferior ss. Thankfully, Newell did address the issues. They hired a first rate shop manager who was also a great ocean fisherman. Again, you may have gotten a good batch of ss on your C series. If you did...great...but that doesn't mean there weren't issues with some batches of ss and didn't affect other folks. ???
Out here in so cal we did have quite a few broken graphite handles, broken graphite left bearing cups and some blown out side plates due to frame flexing. Many of the broken handle issues happened while grinding away on wahoo. The frame flexing came on larger tuna, which in all fairness the reels were never designed for. Many (most?) failures occurred on long range trips where larger tuna (over 100 lbs) and wahoo were encountered. I do know that this same shop manager at Newell was able to strengthen the graphite handles since he was an avid long range fisherman and knew of the breakage. He strengthened the graphite handle, tested it with the long range fleet and put it in production. He told me of the problem and replaced all of my NL and C series handles at no cost. This says a lot about a company when they discover a problem. It's how a company addresses a problem that separates the good ones from everyone else. :o
I love my Newell's and Penn's and Daiwa's and Pro Gears and Shimano's. ;D Since 1984 I've only experienced one defective belville from the Newell factory as well as a couple main gears from corrosion. I know what the historical facts are for each series based on first hand info from those in the know. These facts represent the big picture....all reels from all series from across the country. While my experiences are overall very positive and so are others on this board, that doesn't discount the facts of others experiences. Maybe this has to do with the type of fishing the long range fleet gets into. ;)
there are some things that i would have done differently if i were president of newell, but carl was boss, not me. he did it the way he wanted. it's the market that determines a man's success or failure, not any one individual. if he were still around today, i think he would be please by the premium price that his reel still command. that is certainly no small measure of success.
Very true...
Please accept my most humble and profound apologies. I none of my comments were meant to be critical of you, Carl, your article or Newell reels.
tunacious pretty much nailed it. and thanks for the history/model info. very useful. I regretfully sold all my newels about 5 yrs ago, and have been replacing them as I find them. I've got a pretty good set now, and they are great for the local offshore and inshore fishing I do. they are very simple and easy to service, and with the frame and drag mods, are very light, strong reels that cast as well as anything, better than most.
Quote from: alantani on November 22, 2014, 03:54:11 AM
stickied! many thanks!!!!!
AND, in keeping with my new "personal procedures" . . . Here it is as a Downloadable PDF file !
Tight Lines !!!
Nice, Dave!
Best,
Fred
;D
I like it.
It's been a while since I first read this thread and I enjoyed reading it again.
Tunacious did a very nice job on the Newell History article.
I have several of the P220's G220's, P229's P322's, and P332's. And one S229.
My sons have learned to appreciate them too, and have borrowed some of them many times. I have also gifted them a few. :)
I started with the P220's, and still like the P series. But after getting a few of the G220's, I think I like the G220's just a little bit better.
What's your preference? Blackie, P, G, NL, S ?
Personally, I think the G's were the best series! However, at this point my only Newell is a P229. I had G 220, 229, 332 and NL 220.
I am about even on the Gs and no letter ones. I like the earliest Gs the best with the SS jack and clicker. The slight negative is the 8 tooth dog sprocket and I have upgraded mine with Tom's 10 tooth sprockets.
I am not a big fan of Cs and long body bolts but my first Newell 540 3.2 was C and it now sports a tib frame. That reel has caught thousands of fish and still runs like a new reel. It is a workhorse that I have fished since 1992. My other most used Newell is the first year G338 with the red labels. That one has hauled in a mess fish too and is my flatline (drift line) reel. They never fail me.
I took my p220 and p332 fishing yesterday. I bought them when they first came out and they still are my favorite reels. I have s g nl's but I just like the aluminum better, they just seem smother and quieter. The cast very well and the drags are smooth, better than before with the upgrade kit.
I also have all the different variations of the s332-5 and don't really notice any difference in performance between them. The thru screws are a PIA and it would be nice to be able to adjust both bearings but other than that they seem about the same. Thankfully I've never had any corrosion issues except with an s except s533-5 someone gave me that sat for years with salt water intrusion.
I've wondered why there are so many variations of the s series, bearing caps and cups, thru screws, phillips head and slotted screws.
I also have g and nl 332's and can't tell any difference between in the way they perform and the s series.
If I could change one thing it would be that wacky screw size. I'm not an engineer so maybe that's the only size that works but it would be nice to get screws at the hardware store.
I have only owned S-series reels. They seem to be a bit easier to find. It is easy enough to upgrade most parts to your liking, and mine have served me well. I imagine I might like the P-series more, and feel like I would like the Blackies the least.
The 5-40 thread pattern came from Penn reels, and the only exception is Penn used chrome plated brass screws where Carl opted for the stainless. I agree that it would have been better if he had used 6-32 assembly screws, but the only area that would be different is the bridge plate only has about 2 1/2 threads for the 6-40 screws, so I can see the need for the finer threads.
On the Cortez Conversions I found a supplier that has 5-40 Fillister head screws 1/2" in length, and that really helps speed up the assembly of these reels.
Quote from: foakes on November 21, 2014, 05:08:53 PM
Thanks for this, Dave --
And, great information -- and as far as I can tell -- very accurate.
Great reels, great man, great organization, great concepts based on actual usage --
Best,
Fred
Fred & All,
I added a downloadable PDF file to the original message in this thread. Also, for convenience, I have added it here, as well !
Tight Lines !
You are awesome Dave.
On the other hand, I can't look at it again....I'll start collecting Newells too!
Quote from: Rancanfish on August 27, 2016, 02:29:39 PM
You are awesome Dave.
On the other hand, I can't look at it again....I'll start collecting Newells too!
You KNOW it will be " whispering in your ear " . . . " READ me, READ me, oh PLEASE, READ me . . . You KNOW you WANT it, SO BAD ! "
LOL !
Quote from: Newell Nut on August 27, 2016, 01:59:14 AM
I am about even on the Gs and no letter ones. I like the earliest Gs the best with the SS jack and clicker. The slight negative is the 8 tooth dog sprocket and I have upgraded mine with Tom's 10 tooth sprockets.
I am not a big fan of Cs and long body bolts but my first Newell 540 3.2 was C and it now sports a tib frame. That reel has caught thousands of fish and still runs like a new reel. It is a workhorse that I have fished since 1992. My other most used Newell is the first year G338 with the red labels. That one has hauled in a mess fish too and is my flatline (drift line) reel. They never fail me.
I also have a G220 with a 10 tooth sprocket. It's pretty much my favorite one out of the 220's that I have.
Landed a nice 25lb YT with it last season.
Can anyone explain why some have the red on the side plates where the model numbers, newell, and ball bearing inserts are? Are those older models? What does the red signify?
A few G's had red badges I think, Don't know that it means anything but I could be wrong. If you're asking about the P322's on BD pretty sure the guy painted them.
Quote from: Swami805 on July 10, 2017, 01:08:56 PM
A few G's had red badges I think, Don't know that it means anything but I could be wrong. If you're asking about the P322's on BD pretty sure the guy painted them.
Yes, exactly why I'm asking.
The Gs with the red badges were the first year of the Gs.
I sold a couple of of G series reels a couple of years back for a friend that had red badges that were stock and not painted. If I remember correctly the first run or two had the red badges strait from Newell. I have no idea what your looking at on BD but I know for a fact that some early G's did come with the red badges and silver lettering.
I still have a G229 that my dad bought in 1985 or 1986 that came with red badges from the Newell factory.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on July 10, 2017, 05:38:27 PM
I sold a couple of of G series reels a couple of years back for a friend that had red badges that were stock and not painted. If I remember correctly the first run or two had the red badges strait from Newell. I have no idea what your looking at on BD but I know for a fact that some early G's did come with the red badges and silver lettering.
Same for the P series?
Pretty sure just the G's. It's easy to paint the badges, pop them out of the plate,spray paint them red,wipe the paint off the raised silver parts. Dollars to donuts the guy on BD painted those. Ask him
Quote from: r8rs4lf on July 11, 2017, 01:35:16 AM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on July 10, 2017, 05:38:27 PM
I sold a couple of of G series reels a couple of years back for a friend that had red badges that were stock and not painted. If I remember correctly the first run or two had the red badges strait from Newell. I have no idea what your looking at on BD but I know for a fact that some early G's did come with the red badges and silver lettering.
Same for the P series?
Newellnut may know better but I think the red badges were the same as on the P's as the first run G's that came later. Then Carl went to the black badges for later G's and others. If I remember correctly the red badges came back when Carl went to the later made red colored reels but the lettering was white and font used for the lettering was different. Same for the purple and pink. I'm not 100% sure about this but in my mind I think that's how they came.
Now I held 3 or 4 clear Newell's in my hand when Valley Manufacturing sold them after they bought Newell Reels. To this day it still haunts me that I did not buy the lot on site. And, I don't remember what badges they had but if my feet were held to the fire I'd say they had the black badges with silver lettering.
The only other red on a black Newell I've run across is the red trim on the no-letter 322. Badges vary a little. The ones I've seen either have white or nothing if they're molded in and white or silver on loose badges. Could be anything floating around lots of strange newells pop up
So going off the information I'm getting, the early P series 322's (may have) came with red badging, then went to black and silver badging, then went back to red badging for the early G series? Is that right?
Has anyone seen/held a factory red badged P series 322? I understand that anything is possible these days as far as painting them, etc., but I'd like to know if they came red from the factory.
Don't know if this topic was asked/answered elsewhere, but I gather the "Newell" of these reels has no tie to Newell Brands, the huge outfit that now, through Pure Fishing, owns Berkley, Pflueger, etc.
Frank
I still use the G440 that I bought In the 80's, fir Albacore. Put a Tiburon frame on it a few yrs ago. Scored a 338 m w/ a Sabre rod and a G220f for $ 120 today.i like Newell's a lot also.
Quote from: russ1962 on August 27, 2016, 01:10:52 AM
I have several of the P220's G220's, P229's P322's, and P332's. And one S229.
My sons have learned to appreciate them too, and have borrowed some of them many times. I have also gifted them a few. :)
I started with the P220's, and still like the P series. But after getting a few of the G220's, I think I like the G220's just a little bit better.
What's your preference? Blackie, P, G, NL, S ?
A New-ell fan?
Son landed his first-ever pelagic on a Newell this past weekend. The small lever drag Talica II on 30# wasn't getting the job done with the smallish less-than-frisky bait, so we dropped down to my P220F on 20# and that was the ticket. He landed 3 nice Yellowtail, and really liked the reel. I might try to get a custom rod for it, and maybe beef it up with a Tiburon frame and Bryan Young drag stack, for his 16th birthday coming soon.
Looks like he's gettin' the job done !!
Quote from: Crow on August 12, 2019, 09:38:05 PM
Looks like he's gettin' the job done !!
Yup. Have a short video clip, but it doesn't upload here.
Wondering if I should upgrade and gift the p220 or the G229?
Maybe more line capacity and frame/drag upgrades make G229F more versatile? 🤔
Quote from: FishNinJay on August 12, 2019, 10:07:57 PM
Wondering if I should upgrade and gift the p220 or the G229?
Maybe more line capacity and frame/drag upgrades make G229F more versatile? 🤔
I always liked the 235 but then, of course I am a Penn 140 Squidder fan . . .
Tight Lines !
Quote from: Newell Nut on March 30, 2015, 10:34:11 AM
That model (Newells Fastest Retrieve) caught a freezer full of king mackerel this winter for me.
The only big mistake that Carl Newell made in my opinion was the long cross bolt design that did not have enough nickel in the long cross bolts. If not properly maintained the original cross bolts will rust badly and break. If you have one this happens the best solution is a Tiburon frame. I have a few of those reels and never had a problem but I know to maintain them properly.
Are you referring here to the "S" series? For ex.. the S 332-5 ?
I'm debating getting one of these, to upgrade with a Tiburon frame for 40-50lb uses.
Thanks.