Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

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Dalleinf
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Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by Dalleinf » Mon Dec 10, 2018 2:17 am

The other day I saw the Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone at a good price in Japan - approx. 75.000 JPY incl. shipping and customs/tax to Denmark. Asked a few questions on TT and ordered the reel - only 1 available at that price point so I could not wait for too long. Shipped on Saturday and DHL Express just delivered the reel at my door. Today is Monday approx. 48 hours after it was shipped.

Since I could not find a lot of information online - and since this is my most expensive fishing tackle investment so far (despite the “low” price - I thought I would say few words about my initial impression.

Beautiful reel. Pictures do not really do it justice. I like the colors and the industrial style look. I even like the look of the cast control knob. I am undecided when it comes to the brown leather pads on the non-handle side plate. It may look stylish but I intend to use this reel for fishing and fear that the leather will eventually come off or get scratched while fiddling with the magnetic brake.

The reel itself is light but the spool is slightly heavy at 16g compared to other modern day reels. It is also comfortable to grip although not as much as the Conquest 101 and BFS.
The cast control knob and the star brake is non-clicking, which I actually like in my reels (or at least do not mind).
The thumb-bar is slightly loose, which could be improved upon considering that the reel retails at almost 100.000 JPY. In order of loose thumb-bars I would say most loose - Abu Morrum - Monoblock - 2018 Ryoga - Conquest 101/BFS - most firm.

I will not be changing many things on this reel, but have had help from TT users with information on a new long pinion so that I can use my aftermarket spools (thx!). The pinion is on its way to me and I really look forward to chasing trout with my new toy and a lightweight spool. Alas, next fishing season doesn’t really start until summer 2019...
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hoohoorjoo
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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by hoohoorjoo » Mon Dec 10, 2018 4:45 am

The cc cap and leather accents are a throw-back feature, paying homage to the original monoblock. I always thought the leather looked out-of-place on a fishing reel, but the cc cap is cool lmo.
Try not to let your mind wander. It is much too small to be outside unsupervised.

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africanbass
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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by africanbass » Mon Dec 10, 2018 6:24 am

Don't worry it isn't leather,it ages very well :D
Happiness is a sore thumb

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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by DirtyD64 » Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:09 am

I'm not so bright on round reels or Megabass reels, but what is the base reel for this model? It would be cool to see MB do this to the new Ryoga one day too! That Ryoga looks good with the golden ZPI.

Dalleinf
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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by Dalleinf » Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:12 am

Millionaire -> Monoblock
Ryoga -> Lin

Aquaftm45
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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by Aquaftm45 » Tue Dec 11, 2018 9:27 am

MB has a Monoblock HC spool. Don't ask me why, but they are $280. Looks just like a regular MB HC spool that can be had for the bargin price of $180.

https://www.eastackle.com/p-8519-megaba ... spool.aspx

These are 34mm, what is different dimension wise compared to the fleet of other Daiwa 34mm spools? :-k

Dalleinf
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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by Dalleinf » Tue Dec 11, 2018 11:33 am

Aquaftm45 wrote:MB has a Monoblock HC spool. Don't ask me why, but they are $280. Looks just like a regular MB HC spool that can be had for the bargin price of $180.

https://www.eastackle.com/p-8519-megaba ... spool.aspx

These are 34mm, what is different dimension wise compared to the fleet of other Daiwa 34mm spools? :-k
I am unaware of the exact dimension differences but know that other 34mm spools will fit the 6.8:1 gear ratio Monoblocks if the pinion shaft is swapped for the longer TDZ variant.
I have installed a SV103 (usdm) pinion shaft and tried the SLP RCS 1012 and the ZPI NRC001M, which both fit. However, the CC knob needed to be quite far from the side plate otherwise it got too tight. It didn’t look pretty to me. I hope that the pinion shafts from JapanTackle will give an overall better fit otherwise my Monoblock will be a shelf queen :lol:

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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by egore1 » Fri Dec 14, 2018 6:56 pm

[quote="Aquaftm45"

These are 34mm, what is different dimension wise compared to the fleet of other Daiwa 34mm spools? :-k[/quote]

I use a Steez 103 spool in my Ringa and love it. The Steez RCS SV105 also works nicely in that reel. Since the base of the mono block is from a CV-Z I would think there are lots of options after a gear/pinion swap. My ZPI PG and M spools, along with the OG Steez SV103 do not fit my Ringa, their brake inductors touch a rivet on the magnet mechanism. Those Monoblocks sure are beautiful!

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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by Tokugawa » Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:10 am

Enjoy fishing with it! I love my monoblock and Lin. :big grin:

Dalleinf
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Re: Megabass Monoblock Grigio Stone - first impressions

Post by Dalleinf » Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:37 am

Thanks!

Just recieved the pinion shaft from Japan Tackle. PERFECT fit with the SLP 1012 G1 and ZPI NRC001M (photo). Gold color of the ZPI spool matches the line guide (imo).
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