Status update:
I sent Dan (ReelEx) the following reels:
* JDM Antares 71 HG
* JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 201HG
* JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 101HG
* JDM 2018 Calcutta Conquest 401
* JDM 2021 Antares DC XG
* JDM 2018 Morethan XH
* JDM 2018 Antares DC MD
It was the right call!
Dan's turn around time was amazing to begin with! I shipped the reels on Tuesday, he received them on Wednesday and I had them back before the weekend. The drag clicker of the two 2021 CCs were not working initially. Dan offered to take care of it free of charge and also serviced another reel free of charge as a courtesy call.
Dan called multiple times to get more information on the issues I was experiencing, gave additionally a lot of great tips and tricks and also shared interesting stories of his 20+ year experience! I can honestly say that Dan is just a generally good guy! I very much appreciate this in today's fast paced and shallow world!
So, how did he do?
* JDM Antares 71 HG --> after I moved the reel to its original rod (Megbass Super Destroyer), the noise was gone! Now this reel is the rock star that I was expecting from day one!
* JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 201HG --> This was the original reel that started it all. I was a bit nervous when I got it back today, since I was hoping that the noise was gone. AND YEP. Silky smooth and quite. --> Piece of mind!
* JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 101H --> Similar to the Antares 71HG, smooth and quite! A dream!
* JDM 2018 Calcutta Conquest 401 --> Didnt feel too much of a difference here, but the 401 did not have the noise problem to begin with. Just some good service was done here.
* JDM 2021 Antares DC XG --> This is a reel that I fished maybe for a total of 30mins since I got it from Japan last month. I only sent it in because I wanted to get it serviced, since I was planning to sell it. The reel was super smooth already, so I did not think anything was wrong with it. Well, Dan's inspection resulted in 4 dry & damaged bearings (X-Ship bearings in particular) that he replaced. He sent me the bearings back and I could see how bad they were. Some reels (its seems to be mostly Shimano, since I have not experienced this yet with Daiwas) that one buys from Japan, seem to get to us rather dry. And if one fishes just a bit with a dry bearing, this can have severe consequences. So, clean and lube them yourselves or send them to somebody like Dan right away!
Now this reel is even smoother (I have no idea how that is possible) and is easily the smoothest reel in my collection. I do not really need this reel, but I am honestly discussing if I should just find a rood, so I can keep the reel.
* JDM 2018 Morethan XH --> This reel was my 'bank fishing beater'. It was dirty and rough. Dan did again a great job cleaning and servicing the reel. It almost feels like the day I got it out of the box!
* JDM 2018 Antares DC MD --> A lot of you know about the challenges with this reel. Shimano simply underdelivered with this reel for what it was advertised. I took my reel apart more than 5 times in the last year to the most severe cleaning and lubing job possible, since the geary feeling of that reel drove me nuts. I would never sell the reel though, since it has special sentimental value to me. Well, Dan gave my old lady new live and restored her very well. I am happy with the result!
So, what can I say? Yes, it was expensive (spend with shipping, the bearings and service almost 280USD). It was worth it though.
I can nothing but recommend Dan to anybody who wants to make sure that their reels get the best service. If he can not fix it right away, he will tell you, research the problem in his network to fix it eventually!
Dan = the man!
If you have JDM reels like I have (since the cost savings are just too good for many reels to pass up on, as well most reels that I am interested in are JDM only), check in with Dan first, since he told me that he usually only services USDM reels!
Cheers!