Penn SS or Z reels made in USA. Jump in Value/Desrability

Started by Fishgolfman, June 12, 2020, 06:07:28 PM

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Fishgolfman

Noticed on the big auction board the high value of all the penn ss or z reels made in USA. Great reels as I have a half dozen workhorses In the ss class and all the z class. Was looking for a 420 ss...Why the value jump. Almost makes me want not to fish them and just store them.

foakes

Nearly any quality small Microlite Spinners from one of the Proven manufacturers -- are in great demand.

This would include -- Penn, DAM Quick, Mitchell, ABU/Zebco Cardinals, and a few others.

These are very high quality reels that if manufactured today to the same standards and materials -- would be in the $250 to $300 range.

So they become a good value to use or collect -- as the value of these little reels with the same engineering as their big brothers -- is very desirable for knowledgeable anglers.

They are good investments.

Best,

Fred
The Official, Un-Authorized Service and Restoration Center for quality vintage spinning reels.

D-A-M Quick, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco Cardinals

--------

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. The second rule of fishing is to never forget the first rule.

"Enjoy the little things in Life — For someday, you may look back — and realize that they were the big things"
                                                     Fred O.

wfjord

Exactly as Fred said. Those 1st generation Penn greenie & Z spinfishers and the 2nd gen SS spinfishers are built so solidly that they last many decades.  Other than the plastic drag and handle knobs, they are all metal with strong gears --and have a cult following.  I still have and use all of those I bought brand new from tackle shops decades ago, in addition to quite a few others I got off ebay.

I've been watching prices of them regularly on the 'bay for several years and they definitely go through periods of fluctuation in demand, price, and availability.  I think what people say about them on various message boards has some degree of effect on demand, too. 

Still, I know far more fishermen who consider them archaic and want the latest, lightest new reels on the market with much higher retrieve ratios and infinite anti-reverse bearings (and lots of plastic).

A couple years ago, for purposes of my own, I made notes of sale prices over a six month period in 2017-2018 on 714 & 714z spinfishers.  The price on a 714 greenie ranged from $42 to $66 on the lower end, and $136 to $210 on the high end.  714Z prices during that period ranged from $51 to $95.  There's a price point I set for myself when I'm looking at any reel.  Ultimately it's what one can afford and how badly they want it, but in some cases those prices on ebay are pure extortion.  It's all relative, too ---compared to high quality vintage fly reels, those vintage Penn Spinfishers are huge bargains.

Finding a good reel on the auction bay for an acceptable price is ultimately a matter of selectivity, patience, and timing. And a willingness to raise the bar a bit on how much you're willing to spend.


Alto Mare

Quote from: Fishgolfman on June 12, 2020, 06:07:28 PM
Noticed on the big auction board the high value of all the penn ss or z reels made in USA. Great reels as I have a half dozen workhorses In the ss class and all the z class. Was looking for a 420 ss...Why the value jump. Almost makes me want not to fish them and just store them.
You have good taste, the ones on the doors are SS models.
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=1059.msg18377#msg18377
I also have all the Z series, except the 707Z.

Best,
Sal
Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

Cuttyhunker

Looks like my old Penn 700 is going to last about two years longer than a rock, butt ugly on the outside well loved on the inside, the old girl still fishes every year.  Priceless!!
Doomed from childhood

Fishgolfman

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. BTW I don't have a 707Z , my bad. Did not know of its existence. Probably need to buy a Penn book on vintage penn reels as well, if I collect them. I just am leaning to fish them..braid is great on the reels too..I don't use anything great than 30lb power pro on the reels of 712-716 series as well.

Swami805

The prices on Newells has gone up about 30% too with some getting some crazy numbers. Might be all these fisherman staying home and using their $ they would have spent fishing on gear. Next best thing to fishing is buying gear!
Do what you can with that you have where you are

Jenx

I just went on Ebay to see what my 430ss is going for. There is one at auction right now that is up $96. That thing will probably crack $100, and it's not NOS, nor does it come with its original box.

That's a lot of money for an ultralight reel that is over 30 years old. I doubt I'd spend that much money on a modern trout/pan fish reel.

foakes

Quote from: Jenx on June 27, 2020, 10:08:44 PM
I just went on Ebay to see what my 430ss is going for. There is one at auction right now that is up $96. That thing will probably crack $100, and it's not NOS, nor does it come with its original box.

That's a lot of money for an ultralight reel that is over 30 years old. I doubt I'd spend that much money on a modern trout/pan fish reel.

That might be true, Jenz --

But it is also true that the tough little 430 - 420 size reels will still be bringing in the fish -- when the new Tupperware plastic marvels will be buried in a landfill.

Materials, parts availability, engineering, simplicity, and proven capability for generations -- is what separates the drama of has-beens and wanna-be slick reels -- from a trusted old friend.

As we get the chance to restore, service, and use these old Penns -- and other quality brands from the 60's - 70's - 80's -- we could realize that the cheapest reel is not always the best reel.

There is a reason why that old Penn 430 is around $100 -- the bidders know the reason.

IMO.

Best,

Fred
The Official, Un-Authorized Service and Restoration Center for quality vintage spinning reels.

D-A-M Quick, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco Cardinals

--------

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. The second rule of fishing is to never forget the first rule.

"Enjoy the little things in Life — For someday, you may look back — and realize that they were the big things"
                                                     Fred O.

Bryan Young

Personally, I'd pick a Penn 420SS or 430SS over one of those expensive ultra smooth Shimano $200+ ultralight reel any day. It may not be as smooth but it will be fishable and live longer than my grandkids if take care of.
:D I talk with every part I send out and each reel I repair so that they perform at the top of their game. :D

Jenx

Quote from: foakes on June 27, 2020, 10:28:06 PM
Quote from: Jenx on June 27, 2020, 10:08:44 PM
I just went on Ebay to see what my 430ss is going for. There is one at auction right now that is up $96. That thing will probably crack $100, and it's not NOS, nor does it come with its original box.

That's a lot of money for an ultralight reel that is over 30 years old. I doubt I'd spend that much money on a modern trout/pan fish reel.

That might be true, Jenz --

But it is also true that the tough little 430 - 420 size reels will still be bringing in the fish -- when the new Tupperware plastic marvels will be buried in a landfill.

Materials, parts availability, engineering, simplicity, and proven capability for generations -- is what separates the drama of has-beens and wanna-be slick reels -- from a trusted old friend.

As we get the chance to restore, service, and use these old Penns -- and other quality brands from the 60's - 70's - 80's -- we could realize that the cheapest reel is not always the best reel.

There is a reason why that old Penn 430 is around $100 -- the bidders know the reason.

IMO.

Best,

Fred


You don't need to sell me on the durability of these old Penn reels. I own a 720 and a 430ss for a reason. But at what point does the price surpass the value? In my opinion these reels are no longer worth their inflated asking prices.

You mention these old reels are more durable than the cheap plastic reels commonly made today, and you would be correct. However, at the price these reels are going for now you can no longer compare them to cheap plastic spinners. The Penn Battle II reels are made of metal. These metal reels are smoother, cast better, are braid friendly, and have better drags. I mention the Penn Battle II because I can now buy a brand new one for cheaper than what that 430ss just sold for on ebay ($110).

Granted I would rather accidentally drop a 430ss into the ocean than a Battle, but I don't consider the 430 a saltwater reel, at least not for type of ocean fishing I do. The push button spool release the smaller 430ss and 420ss feature is a potential point of entry for salt and fine grains of sand to get into the drags, which is why I only use mine in freshwater.

foakes

Everything you are stating is absolutely correct and true, Jenz --

I guess some of us just like using the older and simpler stuff we have enjoyed for a lifetime of fishing.

I also fish for enjoyment -- and have never used $$$ as a yardstick for evaluating the tackle that I prefer to use.

Lots of choices.

Best,

Fred



The Official, Un-Authorized Service and Restoration Center for quality vintage spinning reels.

D-A-M Quick, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco Cardinals

--------

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. The second rule of fishing is to never forget the first rule.

"Enjoy the little things in Life — For someday, you may look back — and realize that they were the big things"
                                                     Fred O.

Alto Mare

#12
Quote
You mention these old reels are more durable than the cheap plastic reels commonly made today, and you would be correct. However, at the price these reels are going for now you can no longer compare them to cheap plastic spinners. The Penn Battle II reels are made of metal. These metal reels are smoother, cast better, are braid friendly, and have better drags. I mention the Penn Battle II because I can now buy a brand new one for cheaper than what that 430ss just sold for on ebay ($110)
Quote

I would not compare the Penn Battle II to the 430ss.
Can't judge a reel by its shell alone.

I mentioned a few years back to Steve at Penn why they don't run the spool shaft all the through the body and into a bushing at the rear, his answer was that it would be too costly.

I'm not knocking your Penn Battle II, I'm glad it is working out for you.
Any new reel you would purchase, no matter what the cost is, it will feel much smoother than the older reels, the only problem is that that smoothness is short lived.

I like the older reels better, but this is just my personal opinion.

Sal

Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

oc1

Take a new reel out of the box and just go fishing?  Where's the challenge in that?
-steve

Aiala

I have all the original SS models 420 thru 850... some NIB... BUT I have never been able to lay my hands on an all-metal 440SS. Supposedly they do exist, but if so, they're true unicorn unobtanium.  :P

~A~

I don't suffer from insanity... I enjoy every minute of it!  :D