This is what I found-None of it comes from me, I just stole the info someplace else !!

Is that why mine is CL3, instead of just C3?
The CL3 model designation is exclusively found at WalMart. So when they, Walmart, discounts them, other retailers can't point their fingers and say "why are they selling it so cheap?!?!?!" And Abu can respond that it is a different model.
The differences between the CL3 and the more widely distributed C3 are:
The exterior side plates are polished less on the CL3.
The spool tension cap is chrome plated with cross-hatch knurling on the C3, and the CL3 has a bare finished aluminum cap. The CL3 spool tension cap is much easier for me personally to grasp and adjust.

Coincidentally, all of the Abu reels at my local WalMarts are drastically reduced in price. New in box 5500's for $49, 6500's for $54.00.

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The CL3 model designation is exclusively found at WalMart. So when they, Walmart, discounts them, other retailers can't point their fingers and say "why are they selling it so cheap?!?!?!" And Abu can respond that it is a different model.
The differences between the CL3 and the more widely distributed C3 are:
The exterior side plates are polished less on the CL3.
The spool tension cap is chrome plated with cross-hatch knurling on the C3, and the CL3 has a bare finished aluminum cap. The CL3 spool tension cap is much easier for me personally to grasp and adjust.

Coincidentally, all of the Abu reels at my local WalMarts are drastically reduced in price. New in box 5500's for $49, 6500's for $54.00.

One other difference I would like to mention, that is important to some and totally unimportant to others, is the resell price.

Although a CL3 and a C3 might be almost identical (except for cosmetic differences detailed above), the resell value for a C3 is higher, as most do not know what a CL3 is or how it compares internally to a C3. Check out prices on eBay to see what I mean.
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Ding Ding we have a winner!

If you doubt that a wmart reel has the same internal parts as other Abus (not including the bearings or bushings) go to Southwesternparts and pull up schematics from 2 reels and compare.

They are the same.

It is a myth that wmart has Abu make reels with cheaper parts.

I agree! I have looked for hours on the internet trying to prove that the ambassadeurs from walmart are different somehow. But anyplace you can find parts listings for them has no identifying numbers that differentiate between Walmart reels and any others you can find. The only difference when looking up parts is the year the reel was made.

The differences between the CL3 and the more widely distributed C3 are:
The exterior side plates are polished less on the CL3.
The spool tension cap is chrome plated with cross-hatch knurling on the C3, and the CL3 has a bare finished aluminum cap. The CL3 spool tension cap is much easier for me personally to grasp and adjust.

Coincidentally, all of the Abu reels at my local WalMarts are drastically reduced in price. New in box 5500's for $49, 6500's for $54.00.[/QUOTE]

I just bought one of the 6500 CL3 reels a couple months ago on clearance at a Walmart. This one looks and has the same specs. and internals as the C3 reel, but mine had a couple other differences.

1) the spool is gold anodized
2) the star drag is gold anodized
3) priced at $40 each!

I posed the same questions here after I bought it, getting about the same responses. The polished silver with the gold anodized spool and star drag makes for a pretty trick looking reel. The only thing I regret is not buying a couple more!

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its funny that they mention ebay. that is actually why i was asking because ive been bidding on a few and was seeing the cl models going for less. i guess after reading that then there is no reason to shy away from them. thanks again for the info!!

i just found this one on there -

http://cgi.ebay.com/GARCIA-ABU-AMBASSADEUR-5000-FISHING-REEL_W0QQitemZ160170455388QQihZ006QQcategoryZ108153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

same here...i dont have my reels with me (at school) but it is red, im pretty sure it is a 6000...caught a 17 pounder the first night i used it...which is the hardest thing to do....