I came across this today and thought it looks just like an Ambassadeur. Does anyone out there have any knowledge of it? Can anyone confirm that Ambassadeur made this reel for Sears and it got resold under a different name? Here is the link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/175146450191?ViewItem=&item=175146450191
Sears never made any reels.
However, they contracted with other companies such as Shakespeare, Zangi, Alcedo, and others — to do trade reels with their name, or Ted Williams on the reels.
Without looking into this further — it could be an Ambassadeur — or more than likely, a Daiwa.
Others on our site will have more info for you.
Best,
Fred
It was made by Daiwa. Basically the same reel as the Millionaire, made for TW under the Sears logo.
There's an interesting story about how after Daiwa came out with the original Millionaire Len Borgstom went to Daiwa and took parts from a Millionaire and Ambassadeur, mixed them up and made two functioning reels. Daiwa's lawyers left the room and Daiwa made a couple of changes. They're still practically the same reel, though.
Thanks Fred and Tom, I wasn't aware of the history involving Daiwa and the Millionaire. Very interesting indeed...
I have two 560 Ted Williams and they are not like that. Mine are millionaires as I have the exact same reel to the 560 and it's a 6H. I also have a few others and they all look like each other pretty much. That one looks really different. The thumb screws, the spool tensioner and the cast button are different.
Maybe I'm wrong. This one says it's made in Japan. Nice reel too.
https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/617106433/vintage-ted-williams-model-540-bait?show_sold_out_detail=1
Because it's a knock-off there is a slight chance you might find a replacement part for a Ted Williams reel.
Quote from: Breadfan on February 07, 2022, 07:20:33 PM
Maybe I'm wrong. This one says it's made in Japan. Nice reel too.
https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/617106433/vintage-ted-williams-model-540-bait?show_sold_out_detail=1
Well of course, where were Daiwa's made?
Quote from: MarkT on February 07, 2022, 08:03:27 PM
Quote from: Breadfan on February 07, 2022, 07:20:33 PM
Maybe I'm wrong. This one says it's made in Japan. Nice reel too.
https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/617106433/vintage-ted-williams-model-540-bait?show_sold_out_detail=1
Well of course, where were Daiwa's made?
JAPAN
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Naval_ensign_of_the_Empire_of_Japan.svg)
A Couple of Daiwa Millionaires from the past.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/36/20463_07_02_22_11_15_48_36289355.jpeg)
Quote from: Midway Tommy on February 07, 2022, 06:29:48 PM
It was made by Daiwa. Basically the same reel as the Millionaire, made for TW under the Sears logo.
There's an interesting story about how after Daiwa came out with the original Millionaire Len Borgstom went to Daiwa and took parts from a Millionaire and Ambassadeur, mixed them up and made two functioning reels. Daiwa's lawyers left the room and Daiwa made a couple of changes. They're still practically the same reel, though.
That's a very interesting tidbit of history, thanks for sharing!
I love my Millionaires. I have three 6H models and I use them for surf fishing. Two of them are under the "Ted Williams" name have 560 on side plates. I actually (dare I say?) like them better than Abu 6500's. I fish mine hard on the beach and have yet to have any problems out of them. They have unintentionally landed some giant sting rays! You don't see many parts for them but working ugly ones come up from time to time for parts.
Quote from: Midway Tommy on February 07, 2022, 06:29:48 PM
It was made by Daiwa. Basically the same reel as the Millionaire, made for TW under the Sears logo.
yep, thats correct.
I have the Ted W. 535 reel and searched for a bit of story when I got it, found out they are a replica of Daiwa millonaire reels, just different stickers ;D ;D
nice little reel, I havent used it, tho. I have too many on that size.
This is interesting. Does anyone know when these reels were produced? Ted Williams must have done a bunch of licensing via Sears in the 1960s(?). I have had passed down to me a Ted Williams branded Winchester 120 pump shotgun from Sears - my recollection is that it was from the 1960s but I could be wrong. The soft case bears an impressed signature in gold. Is anyone aware of other sporting goods that Teddy Ballgame licensed with his name?
I had his book The Science of Hitting as a kid and it made me a big fan of an already long retired ball player.
Quote from: Squidder Bidder on February 08, 2022, 09:59:05 PM
This is interesting. Does anyone know when these reels were produced? Ted Williams must have done a bunch of licensing via Sears in the 1960s(?). I have had passed down to me a Ted Williams branded Winchester 120 pump shotgun from Sears - my recollection is that it was from the 1960s but I could be wrong. The soft case bears an impressed signature in gold. Is anyone aware of other sporting goods that Teddy Ballgame licensed with his name?
I had his book The Science of Hitting as a kid and it made me a big fan of an already long retired ball player.
He developed, tested and endorsed much of Sears' sporting goods, equipment & supplies from 1960-1970. You'll find lots of Sears sporting goods items with his name attached.
Does anybody here happen to have a collection of the focused Sears The Fishing Equipment Catalog, issued from roughly 1967 onward?
Or, did Ted Williams issue any catalogs or lists of their own?
It seems that Southern Tackle was reponsible for part of the TW business. Did they have a brochure, list or catalog?
.
Quote from: Squidder Bidder on February 08, 2022, 09:59:05 PM
This is interesting. Does anyone know when these reels were produced? Ted Williams must have done a bunch of licensing via Sears in the 1960s(?). I have had passed down to me a Ted Williams branded Winchester 120 pump shotgun from Sears - my recollection is that it was from the 1960s but I could be wrong. The soft case bears an impressed signature in gold. Is anyone aware of other sporting goods that Teddy Ballgame licensed with his name?
I had his book The Science of Hitting as a kid and it made me a big fan of an already long retired ball player.
From what I have read my Daiwa 6H (or the Ted Williams 560) was produced in 1975. Yours looks a little older. If old Sears catalogs from the late 60's through the late 70's could be found I am sure we could narrow down most of them. Of the three 6H's I own, two of them are the Ted Williams 560's and the stickers are different between those two. That tells me that possibly they were issued more than one time.
Quote from: Breadfan on February 09, 2022, 01:29:41 PM. ...If old Sears catalogs from the late 60's through the late 70's could be found...
I know where they are, online. All Sears Summer and Winter main Catalogs from essentially all years. They do not however include the specialized Fishing Equipment Catalogs.
Just hold on a bit; i'll go find the link in a while.
Added:
Here... The catalogs are searchable (read the instructions! Single search term only. No quotation marks.) Using Fishing as a search term works well, and it is good to click page by page so you don't miss anything.
https://christmas.musetechnical.com/
.
The Ted Williams 540 is a Daiwa Millionaire V. This was the first one and the one that ruffled Abu's feathers. I have taken one apart next to a 1971 Ambassadeur 5000. The spool release mechanism looks identical right down to the springs. The pinion and main gear are different,the Daiwa has a 3.6-1 gear ratio and it uses one large drag washer, a Penn 6-309 works, it also has 2 ball bearings. I tried the Abu pawl in the Daiwa and it worked but didn't try any other parts. The next series of Millionaires were a complete redesign with a different brake plate and release parts and 3 hard fiber drag washers. The power handle was standard on the Sears models but an option for the Daiwa. This second series of reels also had options of ball bearings or bushings, high or low speed models and 2 different spool widths. I have several of these and still use them regularly.
Quote from: Midway Tommy on February 08, 2022, 10:46:15 PM
Quote from: Squidder Bidder on February 08, 2022, 09:59:05 PM
This is interesting. Does anyone know when these reels were produced? Ted Williams must have done a bunch of licensing via Sears in the 1960s(?). I have had passed down to me a Ted Williams branded Winchester 120 pump shotgun from Sears - my recollection is that it was from the 1960s but I could be wrong. The soft case bears an impressed signature in gold. Is anyone aware of other sporting goods that Teddy Ballgame licensed with his name?
I had his book The Science of Hitting as a kid and it made me a big fan of an already long retired ball player.
He developed, tested and endorsed much of Sears' sporting goods, equipment & supplies from 1960-1970. You'll find lots of Sears sporting goods items with his name attached.
I have some old free weights in my house that I believe belonged to my uncle...I've had them for years. I just now made the connection that each weight says "Ted Williams Sears & Roebuck".
Interesting article on
Ol Teddy
HERE (https://www.espn.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=4524957)
If he ever comes back will probably need some Excedrin.